Last week's semifinals.
Facing Ryoma's "State of Selfless Awareness," Akutsu had to unleash his overwhelming aura to suppress his opponent.
But now.
Akutsu, in his normal state, was already dominating Chitose without breaking a sweat. Such a terrifying rate of improvent left Inui utterly shocked.
Just a month ago, Akutsu's performance was only slightly better than Sengoku's. It was hard to imagine how much stronger he would beco in the 20 days leading up to the Nationals.
"What's wrong?"
On the court, Akutsu sneered as he looked at the motionless Chitose. "Is this all you've got?"
"I…"
Chitose, who had been forced out of his "State of Selfless Awareness" due to sheer shock, opened his mouth but found himself unable to retort. Before the match, he had been brimming with confidence, believing he could crush his opponent and secure Rikkai's third straight victory in the Kantō Tournant. Now, his face flushed red with humiliation.
"Hmph!"
Finally, Chitose forced a cold snort, turning to the other side of the court to prepare for his serve.
"0-40!"
The referee announced the score.
Outside the court, those who had expected Rikkai to dominate Hyotei and claim the Kantō Championship were left speechless.
"Chitose, he…"
On Rikkai's side, Jackal opened his mouth but quickly fell silent. It was clear to everyone that Chitose was completely outmatched.
*Thwack!*
Monts later, Chitose, having re-entered the "State of Selfless Awareness," hit a lob. Akutsu leaped into the air and ruthlessly smashed it back with a powerful spike.
*Boom!*
The tennis ball shot down like a cannonball.
*Swish!*
Below, Chitose, surrounded by the aura of selflessness, quickly turned and crouched, spreading his arms like a swallow taking flight. His racket swept forward, managing to return Akutsu's spike.
"The Bear Counter?"
On Rikkai's side, Yanagi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Has Chitose started using the abilities of other players systematically in his 'State of Selfless Awareness'?"
As far as he knew, the "State of Selfless Awareness" had different stages. The initial awakening and mastery were completely different. The more control one had over it, the greater the boost to their abilities, while the side effect of massive stamina consumption would be minimized.
This showed Chitose's natural talent. If he continued to develop, Rikkai would soon have a worthy successor to their current trio of leaders!
*Sizzle…*
However, as Yanagi analyzed the situation, a faint, unnatural sound ca from Chitose's racket as he returned Akutsu's spike.
"This… this power…"
Feeling the imnse weight transmitted through his racket, Chitose broke into a cold sweat, struggling to maintain his grip.
*Clatter!*
In the end, he couldn't hold on, and his racket flew out of his hand.
"Ga!"
"Hyotei's Akutsu, 1-0. Change sides!"
*Swish…*
Chitose's racket slid across the ground, stopping at Sanada's feet.
The vice-captain of Rikkai picked it up, his expression stern as he looked at the dejected Chitose walking over. "Too careless, Chitose! Get your act together!"
"I… I understand," Chitose replied, nodding like a scolded child.
Witnessing this, players from other schools couldn't help but feel a sense of awe—and fear—toward Sanada. The confident and brash Chitose was being reprimanded like a child in front of him, showcasing the "Emperor of Tennis'" authority within Rikkai.
Taking his racket, Chitose turned and walked to the other side of the court.
*Boom!*
Akutsu served with a powerful shot.
Feeling the intense force of the ball, a flicker of fear crossed Chitose's eyes. He knew deep down that even in his "State of Selfless Awareness," he stood no chance against Akutsu.
But Sanada's scolding left him no room for hesitation. Gripping his racket with both hands, he returned the serve.
*Thwack!*
*Boom!*
*Thwack!*
*Boom!*
On the court, the two players moved back and forth.
Akutsu was swift and decisive, his style sharp and unique, already forming a distinct, aggressive approach.
In contrast, Chitose seed intimidated, his movents hesitant, lacking the confidence and drive he had shown before the match.
The ga was one-sided.
Chitose was being pushed back relentlessly.
*Thwack!*
"Ga!"
"Hyotei's Akutsu, 2-0!"
*Thwack!*
"Ga!"
"Hyotei's Akutsu, 3-0!"
*Thwack!*
"Ga!"
"Hyotei's Akutsu, 4-0!"
In no ti, Akutsu had secured four gas. His dominant playstyle and aggressive approach left Chitose completely overwheld.
"Is this Hyotei's true strength?"
Outside the court, representatives from other schools were stunned.
Who could have imagined that Rikkai, who had been riding high with unstoppable montum, would be so thoroughly suppressed?
"Pride cos before a fall."
"Exactly. This second-year from Rikkai thought he was the ace, but he's just been riding on the coattails of the third-years."
"Without Sanada and the others, he's nothing."
"I thought this would be an exciting match, but this second-year is just too weak…"
Criticism, mockery, and schadenfreude filled the air, their words piercing Chitose's ears. Clenching his fists, he glared fiercely at Akutsu across the net.
"Again!"
With a low growl, Chitose took his position and, fueled by anger, launched a powerful serve.
*Thud!*
He then charged forward, rushing to the net.
"Serve and volley?"
Shishido raised an eyebrow. "He's suddenly going all out?"
"Probably affected by all the harsh comnts," Oshitari remarked with a hint of sympathy. "You can tell this second-year from Rikkai is frustrated."
"Too bad," Hiyoshi added. "This reckless approach won't work against Akutsu-senpai."
Indeed, Shishido, Oshitari, and even Akutsu himself had all tried aggressive net play before. But Akutsu's athleticism was on another level. Even Shishido, with his explosive speed, couldn't outmaneuver him at the net.
*Thwack!*
Sure enough, a fierce drive shot flew past Chitose, who had charged too far forward without any defensive preparation.
"0-15!"
But Chitose seed to have lost all sense of caution. Spurred on by his anger, he continued his aggressive play, only to lose point after point to Akutsu's counterattacks.
*Thwack!*
"0-30!"
*Thwack!*
"0-40!"
In no ti, he was two points away from losing his serve.
*Boom!*
This ti, Chitose served with all his might. Driven by emotion, he had no room for retreat. After serving, he charged forward like a bull, determined to reach the net at all costs.
"Idiot."
Akutsu shook his head in disbelief.
Compared to Ryoma's tactical intelligence, Chitose was far more prone to rage. Once he lost his cool, defeat was only a matter of ti.
With a swift motion, Akutsu swung his racket, unleashing a powerful shot. He had no interest in dragging out this one-sided match any longer.
*Boom!*
The ball shot forward with incredible speed, far beyond Chitose's ability to react.
"You bastard!!!"
Having failed to score a single point, Chitose finally snapped. In a shocking move, he lunged forward, trying to intercept the ball. But in his frenzy, he misjudged the distance. Instead of hitting the ball, his body collided with Akutsu's shot.
*Thud!*
The impact sent Chitose flying backward, tumbling across the court until he ca to a stop near the baseline.
"G-ga…"
The referee started to call the score but hesitated. "Chitose, are you okay?"
All eyes turned to Chitose, who was slowly getting up.
"Ref… I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice was strained. "Keep going…"
"But…"
The referee's expression turned to one of shock and concern. "Your body…"
"Huh?"
Chitose looked up, his face now a deep crimson, his hair turning snow-white in a matter of seconds. The stark contrast between the blood-red and white made his appearance eerily unsettling.
"Demon Mode!!!"
On Rikkai's side, Marui and Jackal exchanged worried glances.
"It's happening again…"
From Fudomine's side, Ibu and Kamio looked on with fear.
Demon Mode.
During last week's semifinals, Chitose had entered this state after losing control against Tachibana. His skin turned red, his hair white, and his eyes glowed with a nacing, almost inhuman light, as if he had transford into a demon from hell.
"Oh?"
Akutsu, who had been growing bored with the match, now showed a flicker of interest. "Interesting. So this is your true form?"
After the score was announced, the players switched sides.
On Hyotei's side, Shishido frowned as he watched the eerie, laughing figure of Chitose. "What the hell is going on with him?"
"He's lost control, and his actions are now driven by malice," Ishida explained. "In this state, Chitose's playstyle will beco even more brutal. He'll likely use every dirty trick in the book to make Akutsu bleed."
"What?!"
The team was stunned, but not out of concern. Instead, they looked at the demonized Chitose with a mix of disbelief and pity.
"Is this guy… insane?!"
Make Akutsu bleed? Among everyone present, the only person capable of doing that on the tennis court was Ishida himself. Was Chitose really this desperate to lose?
*Boom!*
Akutsu served again.
In his demonized state, Chitose's reflexes were heightened. He quickly read the ball's trajectory and returned it with a fierce drive.
"A half-volley?"
Many spectators were shocked. Chitose's half-volley was incredibly fast, and the power behind it seed to have increased as well.
*Boom!*
But such a shot was nothing to Akutsu.
"Not bad," Chitose sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "No wonder you've been dominating this weakling. But thanks to you, I've taken control of this body. Hahaha!"
His laughter was sharp and unsettling.
"To show my gratitude," Chitose continued, his eyes glinting with cruelty, "I'll paint you red too!"
*Boom!*
With that, he unleashed another powerful shot.
*Whoosh!*
The ball accelerated mid-air, heading straight for Akutsu's face.
"Here it cos!"
On Rikkai's side, Jackal and the others tensed. "Chitose's body shot!"
This was Chitose's signature move—using rapid, unpredictable shots aid directly at his opponent's body. Few could walk away unscathed after facing this tactic.
*Boom!*
But Akutsu effortlessly blocked the shot.
"Oh?"
Chitose looked surprised. "Faster than I expected. How about this?"
*Tap!*
He followed up with a delicate drop shot, the ball barely clearing the net.
*Thud!*
Akutsu sprinted forward, returning the ball just before it bounced twice.
*Whoosh!*
At that mont, Chitose leaped into the air, his demonized form poised for a devastating smash.
"Hahaha!"
Mid-air, Chitose laughed maniacally, his cruel eyes locked on Akutsu. "This ti, you can't escape!"
All his previous moves had been leading to this mont—a brutal smash aid directly at Akutsu's head.
*Boom!*
The ball shot downward with terrifying speed.
In that instant, everyone on and off the court held their breath, ready to cry out in shock.
"I'll paint you red, hahaha!"
Chitose's laughter echoed as he descended, his eyes reflecting Akutsu's figure, now seemingly at his rcy.
"Huh?"
But in the next mont, Chitose's eyes widened in shock.
*Crash!*
To everyone's astonishnt, Chitose's body was sent flying backward as if struck by an invisible force. He tumbled across the court, finally crashing into the wall.
"What… just happened?"
Jackal was speechless. How could Chitose, who had seed so dominant, be the one sent flying?
Sanada and Yanagi turned sharply, their eyes darting to the other side of the court.
There, Akutsu stood at the net, a swirling gray-white aura surrounding him, his presence radiating an overwhelming pressure.
---
(End of Chapter)
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