*Chapter 85: Defeat and Awakening, Nanjiro's Admiration (Part 2)*

"Seigaku's first-year," murmured Akutsu, lightly bouncing the tennis ball at the baseline. He glanced across the net at the young boy who had taken his ready stance. "You’re not just a one-trick pony with that twist serve, are you?"

Thud!  

With a swift motion, Akutsu sent the ball flying.

Tap, tap!  

Immediately, he dashed forward, charging toward the net.

"Serve and volley?!" The Seigaku team members' expressions shifted. If this were Ryoma's serve, he could have used his serves to limit Akutsu's ability to rush the net. But now, it was Akutsu's serve, and with the first-move advantage, he could easily exploit the moment his opponent returned the serve to close in on the net.

Snap!  

Ryoma chose to slice the ball, sending it toward Akutsu's left side. Akutsu quickly sidestepped, returned the ball, and continued his advance to the net.

"This is bad!" Horio and the others felt a wave of unease.

Inui adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "Once he starts moving to the net, it’s nearly impossible to keep him at the baseline. A slice is too slow to restrict his movement."

Tap, tap!  

But then, Ryoma also began sprinting toward the net.

"Oh?" Mukahi raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Seigaku's first-year is also coming to the net? Does he really think he can match Akutsu in a net battle?"

"Akutsu's net play is unstoppable," Oshitari added, shaking his head. "If he thinks rushing the net will block Akutsu's attacks, he’s being naive."

As former No. 2 and No. 3 players of Hyotei, Oshitari and Akutsu had faced off many times. While Oshitari had won more often, it was only because he had managed to keep Akutsu pinned at the baseline. Once Akutsu reached the net, it was game over.

Thud!  

However, when Akutsu returned Ryoma's shot, his brow furrowed slightly. "This ball has a strong sidespin!"

He was surprised. The seemingly ordinary slice had hidden power. But Akutsu was no ordinary player. With a slight adjustment of his wrist, he changed the angle of his racket and managed to return Ryoma's shot.

At this point, Akutsu was clearly closer to the net than Ryoma. In a net battle, the player who reached the net first held the advantage.

Thinking this, Akutsu's eyes gleamed with determination. "This point... is mine!"

Tap, tap!  

But to everyone's astonishment, Ryoma, still in the process of rushing to the net, showed no signs of slowing down.

"Is this kid crazy?" The spectators were stunned.

"No way," Mukahi muttered. "He’s not slowing down at all. Is he just trying to reach the net faster than Akutsu?"

The others shook their heads. Tennis wasn’t about reckless competition. If Ryoma was just trying to prove a point, then he was still too immature.

Swish!  

But just as everyone thought Ryoma couldn’t possibly return the ball, he suddenly crouched low, using his momentum to slide forward.

"What?!"

The sudden move left everyone in shock.

"It’s coming!" Outside the court, St. Rudolph's Yuuta Fuji's expression darkened. "That move!!!"

Swish!  

In the next moment, Ryoma, still sliding, leaped into the air and swung his racket with full force.

Thud!  

Thud!  

The ball arced high into the air, then sharply descended. After bouncing once, it shot up again, landing just outside the baseline. The two parabolic trajectories formed a shape resembling the letter 'B' on the court.

"It’s here!" The Seigaku first-years and second-years erupted in cheers. "Ryoma (Ryoma-kun)'s Drive B (B Drive)!!!"

"0-15!" The umpire announced.

All eyes turned to the young boy at the net, who slowly stood up.

"Not bad," Mukahi said, impressed. "He’s got some tricks up his sleeve."

"This Seigaku first-year is no ordinary player," Shishido added, nodding. "Facing Akutsu's serve-and-volley, he didn’t back down. Instead, he took the fight to him head-on!"

"No wonder he caught Tezuka's attention," Atobe remarked. "That Drive B requires perfect timing and precision. It’s not something just anyone can pull off."

To execute that shot, Ryoma needed skill, courage, and decisiveness. With just that one move, he had proven he could hold his own in a Kanto-level match.

"Way to go, Ryoma!" Momoshiro cheered, pumping his fist. "Show them what you’ve got!"

"That’s right!" Horio laughed. "When it comes to net play, we’re not losing to him!"

In a battle of wills, the brave prevail. Ryoma’s bold move had won the point, boosting Seigaku's morale. Meanwhile, many turned their attention to Akutsu, curious to see how the Hyotei prodigy would react after being countered.

"That was amazing!"

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, after a brief moment of surprise, Akutsu’s face lit up with excitement, like a child who had just discovered a new toy. "That was incredible! Hey, first-year, can you do that Drive B again?"

"Huh?" Ryoma was caught off guard by the unexpected request.

"Sure... no problem," Ryoma replied, turning to walk back to the baseline.

"Great!" Akutsu, now fully focused, returned to his position at the baseline, his expression serious. "This time, I’ll definitely figure out how to counter your special move!"

Thud!  

He served again.

Tap, tap!  

And once more, he rushed to the net.

Snap!  

Ryoma responded with another powerful sidespin shot, aiming to keep Akutsu’s return low and set himself up for another Drive B.

Thud!  

As expected, Akutsu returned the ball with the same angle.

Swish!  

Ryoma crouched low, sliding forward again.

Thud!  

As he neared the ball, he leaped into the air and unleashed another fierce Drive B.

"It’s coming!!!" Akutsu’s eyes sparkled with determination.

He quickly backtracked, reaching the ball just as it began its second descent. With a swift motion, he managed to return it.

"He got it!" The Hyotei supporters cheered.

Swish!  

But then, Ryoma leaped into the air once more, smashing the ball down with a powerful overhead shot.

Thud!  

"0-30!"

"Ah, man," Akutsu sighed in frustration, but then he turned to Ryoma with a grin. "Again!"

"Akutsu..." Shishido and Mukahi exchanged helpless smiles.

But that was just how their Hyotei genius was—always treating tennis like a game. To him, tennis was pure fun.

"Not bad, not bad," Nanjiro said, nodding in approval. "I like this kid from Hyotei."

"Mr. Nanjiro..." Kikumaru and Saeki glanced at each other, surprised. They had expected him to praise Ryoma’s performance.

"What?" Nanjiro chuckled, noticing their confusion. "Tennis is just a game. Only by immersing yourself in it, free from any unnecessary thoughts, can you truly enjoy its fun."

"Mr. Nanjiro," Saeki asked curiously, "so you also treat tennis as a game?"

"Well, not entirely," Nanjiro replied after a moment of thought. "When I was playing professionally, winning was the main goal."

"I see," they nodded.

Kikumaru thought to himself that this mindset must have developed after Nanjiro retired.

"True," he mused. "Before and after retirement, the goals change. And Mr. Nanjiro’s current state is completely different from Akutsu’s."

Thud!  

"0-40!"

Thud!  

"Game!"

"Seigaku's Echizen, 1-1!"

It didn’t take long.

As Kaidoh attempted to counter Echizen's Twist Spin Shot B, he ended up losing his own serve.

"Jirou!"

Seeing his teammate still caught up in the excitement, Atobe's voice turned cold. "Hey, you! Take this match seriously!"

"Oh, right."

Hearing Atobe's sharp tone, Kaidoh finally snapped out of it. Noticing the scoreboard had already changed, he scratched his head awkwardly. "My bad, my bad. That's on me."

Swish!

In an instant, he widened his stance, lowered his center of gravity, and adopted a more focused posture. "Alright, Seigaku kid, I can’t keep playing around with you. Atobe’s given the order, so it’s time to get serious."

As he spoke, his gaze sharpened.

His entire demeanor shifted from laid-back and carefree to something far more intense and determined.

"Wait, what?"

The spectators outside the court gasped. "Was that Hyoutei player just messing around earlier?"

"No wonder he’s one of Hyoutei’s top singles players. To be that casual in a match of this level..."

"That’s just how confident Hyoutei is."

"Now that he’s serious, that first-year from Seigaku is probably done for."

As they spoke, all eyes turned to Echizen.

"Huh?"

Suddenly, someone’s eyes widened in shock. "Th-that Seigaku kid... he just switched his racket to his left hand?!"

"What?"

The comment immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Sure enough, the kid who had been holding the racket in his right hand had switched to his left.

"No way..."

Mukahi couldn’t help but blurt out, "Is that Seigaku first-year actually left-handed?"

"Echizen Ryoma..."

Atobe narrowed his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. He hadn’t expected the kid to still be holding back, especially with Seigaku on the verge of being eliminated.

Thud!

At that moment, Echizen served.

The ball shot across the court with impressive speed and spin, landing deep and kicking outward after the bounce.

"Ugh!"

Kaidoh, forced to return the shot, was pushed back half a step.

Thud!

Echizen’s next shot came just as fast.

Like before, it was a deep topspin shot aimed at the baseline.

"Is that Seigaku kid trying to keep Kaidoh pinned at the baseline?"

Several Hyoutei players frowned, their expressions darkening.

Kaidoh’s strengths only truly shone when he moved to the net. It was clear the Seigaku first-year wasn’t going to let that happen.

"It’s fine."

Ryuuzaki spoke up. "Jirou’s skills are definitely better than that first-year’s. Besides, the more experienced player will eventually take control of the match."

"Right."

Mukahi, Shishido, and the others nodded in agreement.

In their minds, Kaidoh, as a third-year, had the edge in experience over the first-year Echizen. Not to mention, stamina-wise, Echizen was at a disadvantage.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

However, as the match progressed, something felt off to the Hyoutei team. While Echizen seemed to be playing with increasing ease, Kaidoh was starting to struggle.

"Why... why is this happening?"

Ryuuzaki looked puzzled.

"It’s his split-step."

Oshitari explained. "That Seigaku first-year has incredible court sense. He can predict his opponent’s shots in an instant and uses the split-step to get into position half a step faster than most players. No—"

Suddenly, Oshitari’s eyes widened. "It’s not just a regular split-step. It’s a one-legged split-step!"

"Exactly."

Ishida nodded. "In this case, Echizen is moving a step and a half faster than usual."

"A step and a half?!"

The Hyoutei players collectively gasped.

Thud!

At that moment, Echizen, with his superior speed, sent a shot just out of Kaidoh’s reach.

"15-0!"

"This..."

Seeing Echizen score so quickly, the Hyoutei team—and Kaidoh himself—looked visibly shaken.

"Again."

Kaidoh gritted his teeth and reset his stance.

Thud!

Echizen served once more.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The two resumed their baseline rally.

But whether it was skill or match experience, Echizen was clearly outclassing Kaidoh. What started as a competitive match quickly turned into a one-sided domination.

"How... how is this possible?"

Kaidoh, now panting heavily, felt a wave of exhaustion hit him. His expression turned to one of disbelief.

"Why... why can’t I keep up with him?"

"I’ve already figured out his patterns!"

Kaidoh was at a loss.

As the match dragged on, he found it harder and harder to keep up. Meanwhile, Echizen, though also sweating, still had that sharp, focused look in his eyes.

By the 30-minute mark, Echizen’s control remained rock-solid, while Kaidoh was drenched in sweat, his breathing ragged and labored.

At that moment, a pang of regret hit the Hyoutei genius. If only he hadn’t just coasted through his usual training routines, he wouldn’t be in this position now.

But it was too late for regrets.

Thud!

At the 36-minute mark, as Echizen delivered a final powerful shot, the referee called out, "Game over! Seigaku’s Echizen wins, 6-2!"

Thud!

Kaidoh collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, his chest heaving so hard it was almost alarming.

"I... I still lost..."

A bitter smile crossed his face.

Despite giving it his all in the final games, even managing to snag one more game with a desperate surge and his signature Magic Volley, it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.

Clench.

Kaidoh’s fists tightened.

His nails dug into his palms as a newfound determination burned in his eyes.

For the first time, the Hyoutei genius, having tasted the bitterness of defeat, felt a true awakening.

Not far away, Nanjiroh, watching from outside the court, couldn’t help but smile with approval.

"Learning from failure... not bad."

"With a little more training, this Hyoutei kid could really unlock something special."

"And that Akutsu kid too. Both of them have real potential."

"Uh... Mr. Nanjiroh?"

Beside him, Inoue suddenly noticed the change in the man’s demeanor.

It was as if a collector had just stumbled upon a priceless treasure.

(End of Chapter)