"Interesting."
Seeing both Mouri and Hara Tetsuya defeat their opponents, Irie smiled and said, "This year's newcors are quite impressive. Ishikawa-kun, your skills shouldn't be far behind theirs, right?"
Swish!
At his words, both Oni and Tokugawa turned their gazes toward Ishikawa.
To be honest, it wasn't unheard of for high school newcors to join the U-17 and imdiately defeat players from the top five courts. Both Oni and Tokugawa had done the sa.
However, it was the first ti two newcors had defeated players from the 3rd court with such a clear advantage. Moreover, Oni and Tokugawa were no ordinary players. They could tell that the two newcors on the court hadn't even used their full strength!
This made them even more curious about the third newcor. Just how strong was he?
"?"
Feeling the three pairs of eyes on him, Ishikawa shook his head lightly. "Our skills might be considered decent outside, but here, compared to the seniors, we're still far behind!"
This wasn't a lack of confidence on his part. To be precise, with his current strength, he could definitely rank within the U-17, possibly even in the top five. However, there were a few players here who were close to or had already reached professional-level strength. Against them, he wasn't yet a match.
"The second round of the shuffle matches will now begin."
At that mont, Kurobe's voice echoed through the speakers again. "Court 16, Ishikawa Shin, versus Court 3, Tsutomu!"
"Court 14, Nakano Nobuta, versus Court 13, Murata Heisho!"
"Court 12…"
"My turn."
Ishikawa smiled, picked up his racket, and walked toward the court below.
"What do you think?"
Watching his retreating figure, Irie turned to the other two with a smile.
"Not bad."
Tokugawa nodded. "He doesn't have the arrogance or impatience of a newcor. He has a clear understanding of his own strength. He's definitely a promising talent."
"Hmm."
Oni also nodded slightly.
His opinion was similar to Tokugawa's. Based on the performances of Mouri and Hara Tetsuya, they could roughly estimate Ishikawa's strength. He should be at the level of the top three courts. However, his upper limit probably wouldn't exceed Court 1. But as a newcor, his potential was significant. With so training, he might even be able to represent Japan in this year's U-17 World Cup.
"I think this kid is more than ets the eye."
Irie, however, had a glint of sharpness in his eyes. "I don't have any evidence, but my intuition tells that this guy is stronger than the other two."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Oni and Tokugawa couldn't help but take another look at Ishikawa's retreating figure.
They knew Irie had a keen sense of observation and a unique ability to analyze others' emotions and psychological states. In the entire U-17, there were very few people who could catch his attention. With that in mind, the two of them beca more alert, ready to see just how this newcor would perform.
On the court, Ishikawa walked in with calm confidence.
Mouri and Hara Tetsuya stepped off the court to watch the match up close. Both were curious about how Ishikawa would perform. The difference was that Mouri already knew Ishikawa's strength was on par with that of Munehiro Kazuya, while Hara Tetsuya knew nothing about him.
"Another one from Court 16?"
Not far away, the high schoolers watching the match frowned. "This guy's also a new face. Is he the last of the three newcors from yesterday?"
"Hmm… this year's newcors are definitely stronger than the ones from the past two years."
"Mizuo and Suzuki both lost. Could Tsutomu lose this one too?"
"Lose? Don't be ridiculous!"
"Exactly! Tsutomu is a proper singles player. His skills are stronger than both Suzuki and Mizuo."
"This third guy is unlucky to be matched against Tsutomu. Well, this should be entertaining!"
The high schoolers chattered among themselves. Most of them were confident in Tsutomu's abilities. After all, he was one of the top singles players in the second string.
"Entertaining?"
Not far away, Matsudaira, who was supposed to be hospitalized and unable to participate, sneered. "It's definitely going to be entertaining, but Tsutomu's the one who's going to suffer!"
After all, he had faced Ishikawa head-on before. Not only had he been completely crushed, but he had also witnessed the shocking match between Ishikawa and Munehiro. Matsudaira was certain that this black-haired boy, who was technically still a middle schooler, had the skills of a top-tier player in the first string!
But looking at Tsutomu on the court, who was still brimming with confidence, Matsudaira couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
At the net, Tsutomu coldly eyed his opponent. "Kid, you're unlucky to have run into . But I'll give you a chance. If you forfeit now, I'll help you out with so tough situations in the future."
Having said that, he waited for his opponent's response.
From Tsutomu's perspective, this was already an act of rcy. After all, not every newcor would receive such leniency from him.
"Thank you for your kindness, senior."
Ishikawa, however, smiled and shook his head. "But instead of forfeiting, I'd rather see just how high the level of tennis is in the U-17."
"Hmph!"
Tsutomu snorted. "Just as I expected. But it's normal. Newcors like you always think you're the chosen ones. Fine, I'll let you experience the harshness of reality!"
Swish!
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving behind a proud figure and a haughty voice. "I'll let you have the serve. Go ahead and attack!"
"Idiot."
Seeing Tsutomu's actions, Matsudaira chuckled inwardly.
But the other high schoolers, upon seeing Tsutomu's gesture, couldn't help but cheer.
"He's the sa as always."
In a corner of the platform, Irie shook his head. "Underestimating your opponent will only lead to trouble."
"A little trouble isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Oni, however, disagreed. "It's better to be taught a lesson here than to suffer a real loss outside. At least here, the only thing you'll lose is your pride."
Tokugawa nodded in agreent.
To many, the U-17 environnt seed overly strict. Whether it was the rules or the coaches' personalities, it felt like their dignity was being trampled on. But only those who had experienced the higher levels and understood the harshness of the outside world knew that, compared to what was out there, the U-17 was practically a safe haven.
However, Tokugawa's gaze soon returned to Ishikawa. He was curious whether this newcor's serve could truly impress.
"If he's only at the level of Mouri and Hara, then he's still far from ready."
"The match will now begin. Best of one set!"
On the high chair, the referee confird both players' readiness and then turned to one side of the court. "Court 16, Ishikawa Shin to serve. Ga start!"
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
As the referee's voice fell, everyone's attention turned to Ishikawa.
"Bring it on."
On the other side, Tsutomu narrowed his eyes and assud his receiving stance.
In truth, Tsutomu wasn't just being arrogant. His earlier words and attitude were all part of his strategy to provoke and irritate Ishikawa. This was a tactic he often used. While it might not work on high schoolers who had been in the U-17 for a long ti, it was usually effective against newcors.
"Newcors are always full of confidence. The more confident they are, the more unstable their emotions tend to be."
Watching Ishikawa toss the ball into the air, Tsutomu's eyes glead. "If I can ruthlessly return his serve, his ntality will definitely beco more agitated!"
With that thought, Tsutomu prepared to give Ishikawa a harsh lesson.
Thud!
But in the next mont, a faint yellow light blood without warning just inside the service line in front of him.
Swish!
In an instant, Tsutomu's pupils contracted uncontrollably.
It was too fast!
He instinctively wanted to swing his racket to intercept the ball, but to his horror, he found that his body… couldn't move!
Tap tap tap…
The ball hit the wall and rolled gently behind Tsutomu.
"W-what just happened?!"
One of the high schoolers couldn't help but mutter.
"Hmm."
In the corner of the platform, the expressions of Irie and the other two changed slightly.
"Nice serve!"
Tokugawa comnted.
The speed of that serve was already at a terrifying level. At the very least, for him, returning it on the first try would be quite challenging.
"What's the speed reading?"
In the coaches' room, Kurobe turned to the staff mber beside him, who quickly pulled up the data from the serve. "220 km/h!"
"220?"
Saito raised an eyebrow. "At that speed, Tsutomu couldn't even react?"
Although that serve speed was impressive, in the high school level, it was only considered good, not unbeatable. Yet, Tsutomu hadn't even been able to react, which was surprising.
"He underestimated his opponent."
Kurobe shook his head. "If your focus isn't sharp enough, it's hard to react. Plus, the angle of that serve was quite tricky."
A top-tier serve isn't just about speed; it's also about spin and placent. Generally, mastering one of these aspects could make you a strong server. Mastering two would make you an elite. But mastering speed, spin, and placent to an extrely high level? That was sothing only a rare few could achieve.
However, speed, spin, and placent were often mutually exclusive. Increasing serve speed would inevitably lead to a loss of control over spin and placent. So, the fact that Ishikawa could balance both already showed he had exceptional serving talent.
"Damn it, I've been played!"
On the court, Tsutomu's expression darkened as he regained his composure. By now, it was clear that his opponent was a top-tier server. His earlier strategy had completely backfired.
"Hmph!"
But then, Tsutomu assud his receiving stance again. "That was just being careless. This ti, I'll definitely return your serve!"
Whoosh!
At that mont, Ishikawa, who had switched serving positions, tossed the ball into the air once more.
Everyone's eyes were on him.
He lightly rose on his toes, his body extending slightly as he swung his arm down, striking the ball with precision.
Thud!
With a crisp sound, the ball transford into a streak of yellow light, zipping across the court in an instant.
The speed was overwhelming.
Many of the high schoolers could only catch a glimpse of its trajectory.
"I see it!"
Tsutomu, however, excitedly swung his racket, aiming to intercept the ball.
Swish!
But as the ball landed and bounced, his racket swung past it. The two barely missed each other, causing the surrounding high schoolers to sigh in disappointnt.
"Ah, so close! Just a little more!"
Suzuki and Mizuo, who had been demoted to Court 16, shook their heads.
"Ugh!"
Tsutomu cursed under his breath.
If only his reaction had been a bit faster, he would've definitely returned the ball.
"Again!"
He imdiately assud his receiving stance once more.
Thud!
Ishikawa served again.
This ti, Tsutomu swung his racket earlier, but to his frustration, the racket once again missed the ball by a hair's breadth.
"40-0!"
"Faster! I need to be faster!"
Tsutomu took a deep breath, trying to adjust his state, making himself more alert.
In his mind, as long as his reactions were quick enough, he could break his opponent's serve. And once he returned the ball, with his skills and power, he could definitely dominate the match. Then, he could pay back the humiliation he was suffering now tenfold!
Thud!
Soon, Ishikawa served again.
This ti, Tsutomu was indeed more focused. With his heightened concentration, he swung his racket almost the mont the ball landed.
"I've got it!"
Tsutomu's eyes glead with excitent.
His theory was correct. No matter how fast the serve was, it had a limit. As long as he could reach that limit, he would seize the key to this match!
"Huh?"
But the next mont, his excited expression froze.
Sizzle…
The ball, after landing, didn't bounce up imdiately. Instead, it skidded along the ground, spinning rapidly.
Tsutomu had already swung his racket, and it was too late to stop.
Whoosh!
Then, to the astonishnt of the onlookers, the ball spun sideways and shot toward Tsutomu's face at an alarming speed.
"No!!!"
Feeling the danger, Tsutomu's pupils contracted sharply.
But at this mont, he was caught between the end of one motion and the start of another, unable to adjust. He could only watch as the ball grew larger in his vision.
Thwack!
With a dull thud, the serve hit Tsutomu square in the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Thud!
His body stiffened and fell backward, collapsing onto the court.
"G-Ga!"
"Court 16, Ishikawa, 1-0. Change sides…"
The referee hesitated at the end, unsure if Tsutomu could continue the match.
"Well played!"
In the corner of the platform, Irie looked at Ishikawa with deep admiration. "To freely control the speed and spin of the ball, his serving skills and understanding of his opponent's psychology are both at an incredibly high level!"
To others, what had just happened might have seed like a coincidence, a result of Tsutomu's bad luck.
But Irie knew better.
This entire ga had been under the black-haired boy's control. Tsutomu had been completely outplayed and toyed with.
The two of them… were simply not on the sa level.
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