Chapter 32
The score is behind.
Fuji Shusuke rarely felt so overpowered by his opponent, not counting doubles matches and intentional letting up. But at this moment, the glaring numbers on the scoreboard seemed to remind him that this match wasn't going as smoothly as he had expected. 'But in a real match, the winner is often decided at the very last moment.'
"Looks like he's getting into the swing of things." Sanada noticed that Fuji Shusuke, who usually had narrowed eyes, now had a sharp look in his eyes.
Fuji Shusuke's serve had a subtle spin and slowly landed on Sanada's side of the court.
Sanada reacted quickly and fought back steadily, and any tricks were caught and countered without any fuss.
Fuji Shusuke's mouth curled up slightly as he watched the trajectory of the tennis ball. "Just in time."
"It's the swallow returning to its nest!"
When the people in the rest area of Seigaku saw Fuji Shusuke use one of the three counterattacks, they all thought it was a sign of a counterattack.
Sanada went to the net to intercept. Although this was his first official match against Fuji Shusuke, Sanada had seen Fuji Shusuke's improved moves, and his current one wasn't even half-baked. "There are too many loopholes."
You can use reverse rotation to offset the backspin of the cut ball, but it just tests your control. Also, this flying swallow returning to its nest is not very close to the ground. Although the high ball gives the opponent a chance, it is also a way to fight back. Of course, the most labor-saving way is to return the ball before the rotation changes.
Fuji Shusuke's return is very technical and entertaining, with a long pre-swing, and the triple return can be interrupted in advance.
Sanada flicked his wrist and hit the ball back at a clever angle.
"Game Tatekai Ohsanada, 3-0!"
Fuji Shusuke's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression less relaxed than at the start of the match. "We need to strike back as soon as possible."
Serving again, Fuji Shusuke adjusted his strategy and made the rotation more complex and varied.
The tennis ball spun with dizzying speed. Sanada stepped forward, judging the trajectory and landing point of the ball and hitting it back.
The ball changed direction in the air, hit the trajectory that Fuji Shusuke expected, and flew high into Sanada's backcourt.
'This is a great smash opportunity!'
Sanada knew it, and Fuji Shusuke knew it too.
"It appears, the giant bear strikes back!"
"The Vice Minister's aggression is like fire!"
Fuji Shusuke half-crouched in the backcourt, and his racket drew an arc in the air.
Sanada was ready to strike, and with a powerful smash, the tennis ball came straight towards Fuji Shusuke with a whistling sound.
Fuji Shusuke swung the racket to the side, but the tennis ball did not fall on the racket as Fuji Shusuke expected.
The court was filled with the dull sound of tennis balls hitting rackets. Sanada's return shot hit the top edge of the racket and bounced out of bounds.
The area outside the stadium was filled with sounds of exclamations and praise, while the only sounds beside the tennis court were those of Rikkai University taking a break.
"Sanada's fire is still better." The jackal Kuwabara commented.
Kirihara Akaya muttered, "And this is called a genius?"
"What do you think of genius, Akaye?" Marui Bunta said with a hint of sarcasm.
Kirihara Akaya scratched his head. "I'm talking about Seigaku. Marui-senpai is of course a genius."
The huge score advantage made the Rikkai University players turn their attention elsewhere.
"The power and angle of the smash, plus the added spin and collision." Yukimura Seiichi listened to his teammates' erratic discussion while silently analyzing Sanada's return technique.
Yanagi Renji didn't move while Sanada played, but the players recording Seigaku were very active. "How will Fuji Shusuke respond?"
As for Sanada, Yanagi Renji has some previous data. Fuji Shusuke hasn't yet challenged Sanada to his full potential, but the Seigaku prodigy's profile is still worth studying for other players. After all, understanding your opponent is key to success.
The rest area of Qingxue was a little dull because of the score difference. After all, the game had reached this stage, and Qingxue was too far behind, almost at the end of its strength.
But Fuji Shusuke had a game where he came back from 5-5 down to win 7-7, but his opponent was the vice-president of Rikkai University and he seemed to lack confidence. This was not something that anyone could handle.
Fuji Shusuke adjusted his breathing and silently planned his next strategy. "This kind of urgency seems to only be felt when Koichi and Tezuka are dueling."
Sanada's figure was like a towering mountain, standing firmly on the field. The big score advantage did not make Sanada relax at all, and he continued to concentrate on the game.
"There's still a chance," Fuji Shusuke muttered to himself as he served the ball. The ball's trajectory was very low, almost touching the ground, and it rushed towards Sanada at an astonishing speed.
Sanada quickly stepped back, picked up the tennis ball almost at the moment it hit the ground, and used the rebound force of the tennis ball to hit back.
Fuji Shusuke quickly went to the net to intercept.
Relying on his excellent physical fitness and solid tennis foundation, Sanada repeatedly neutralized Fuji Shusuke's offensive.
"Game Tatekai Ohsanada, 4-0!"
The people of Qingxue were extremely anxious. If they didn't find a solution quickly, the game would soon lose its suspense and there would be no chance of counterattack.
Kirihara Akaya, who was disliked by Seigaku, openly made provocative remarks. "It's better to give up."
"White Whale!" Fuji Shusuke shouted softly, swung the racket against the wind, and the tennis ball suddenly changed direction in the air and flew towards Sanada's half of the court at a magical angle.
Sanada's eyes flashed and he quickly adjusted his position.
The moment the tennis ball reached its highest point, it suddenly changed direction and disappeared, passing the net at an incredible angle and landing on Sanada's backhand.
He had already prepared for the counterattack. When Fuji Shusuke was distracted, Sanada responded with a shot down the line and scored directly.
"Game Tatekai Ohsanada, 5-0!"
Fuji Shusuke's triple counterattack was broken one by one by Sanada, but he was not discouraged. Instead, he became more and more courageous.
Even though the people of Seigaku knew that there was little hope, they still cheered for Fuji Shusuke.
"Fighting hard~" Niou Masaharu checked the time. Sanada should appreciate such an opponent, provided the difference in strength is small. Otherwise, he would be completely clueless.
Fuji Shusuke wiped the sweat off his forehead. Forced into a desperate situation, he still had fighting spirit in his eyes and launched a counterattack.
The unfavorable situation actually stimulated the potential in Fuji Shusuke, and he began to use more delicate techniques to upgrade his skills.
"Phoenix Flash!" The tennis ball hit by Fuji Shusuke's racket drew a strange trajectory in the air. The speed and power of this ball were far beyond the previous ones, just like a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
"Game Qingxue Fuji, 15-0!"
This goal caused some commotion in Rikkai University's rest area.
Yanagi Renji's eyes flashed with surprise, and he began to reassess Fuji Shusuke's strength. "The technique of this ball has improved."
"Not bad~" Marui Bunta, who is also a basketball genius, lit up his eyes.
Kirihara Akaya pursed his lips. "That's no big deal. I'll come up with a new trick soon."
Yukimura Seiichi remained unmoved, and Fuji Shusuke of Seigaku still had some abilities, but they were not enough, and these were not enough to turn the defeat into victory.
Fuji Shusuke broke out in the desperate situation of the game.
Sanada was fully focused on dealing with Fuji Shusuke's attack, using invisible backswings and invisible swings to disrupt Fuji Shusuke.
Fuji Shusuke wanted to score with his new understanding, but Sanada's stable counterattacks and excellent defense made it difficult for Fuji Shusuke to find a breakthrough.
Match point! During an attack-defense transition, Sanada found a perfect opportunity and swung his racket straight into Fuji Shusuke's blind spot.
Fuji Shusuke saved the ball with his excellent reaction speed, but the ball that barely returned to the field had lost enough threat.
Sanada seized the opportunity, quickly went to the net, and killed the game with a volley.
"Game Rikkai University Sanada, 6-0! Game over, won by Rikkai University!"
With the referee's final decision, the winner of the Kanto finals was decided, and the Rikkai University players high-fived each other in celebration.
The cheerleaders' voices resounded throughout the venue.
"Always win! Rikkai University!"
"Let's go! Let's go! Rikkai University! Take the lead and win first place!"...
The contestants from all over the country who came to collect intelligence silently looked at the Rikkai University contestant standing in the center of the venue to receive the award, with awe and desire for victory in their eyes.
Seiichi Yukimura represented the team and received the championship trophy of the Kanto Tournament. The players from Rikkai University stood in a row and bowed their heads one by one to take the medals distributed by the staff.
Despite two postponements and continuous heavy rain, Rikkai University was unable to stop its progress - it won the Kanto championship.
Sanada looked up and looked around the entire venue, seeing the enthusiastic Rikkai University supporters in the audience, and also noticed the complicated looks from the competitors from other schools.
After the award ceremony, Sanada, Yanagi Renji and Yukimura Seiichi looked at each other.
A faint smile appeared on Yukimura Seiichi's lips, and he extended his hand first.
Sanada and Yanagi Renji looked at each other, and stretched out their hands to hold hands with Yukimura Seiichi. The three of them held hands tightly together, and the spiritual will of Rikkai University was concentrated in this small action.
"Rikkai University!"
"Three consecutive championships!"
The three of them had a silent understanding, and the rest of the teammates surrounded them and shouted in unison.
That is the confidence in victory and the determination to win the championship.
It's hard to believe that Rikkai University's gentle captain and refined military advisor could make such a passionate cry that goes against their image.
The celebratory scene seemed to show the future, the moment when Rikkai University once again stood on the championship podium.
Rikkai University left a shocking message, packed up and left the stadium.
With the departure of the Rikkai University team, the arena gradually returned to calm. But amidst this silence, an invisible pressure quietly rose in the hearts of each contestant.
Fuji Shusuke stood in the rest area of Seigaku, a smile tinged with bitterness. "Let's go. There's still the national competition, we'll see who's better then!"
"We must take revenge with our own hands!" The contestant from Fudo Peak had a determined look on his face.
"The stronger the enemy, the sweeter the victory, right, Karachi?"
"yes."
Shiraishi Kuranosuke of Shitenhoji shook his right hand, which was covered with a golden wristband, and sighed, "Hmm~ Ecstasy! This year's formidable opponent is still Rikkai University."
Players from all over the country are thinking about their lineups to match Rikkai University...
At this time, Rikkai University, which won the championship, was following its captain Seiichi Yukimura to the agreed store to celebrate.
"cheers!"
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