"Finally, it's time for this match."
Standing in his usual spot, Inoue looked down at the two teams entering the court and sighed with emotion. "It's been over 20 days since the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, and yet these two teams are facing each other again so soon!"
Ice Emperor and Seigaku.
The top two seeds from the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament.
Now, in the Kanto Tournament, they remain fierce rivals. After tasting defeat in their last encounter, Seigaku had undergone intense training to strengthen themselves. In Inoue's eyes, this Kanto semifinal was still full of endless possibilities.
"Tezuka."
"Atobe."
On the court, the two team captains approached the net and shook hands.
During the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament, Atobe had regretted not being able to face Tezuka directly. Now, up close, Atobe could clearly feel the even stronger aura of pressure emanating from Tezuka.
Thinking this, Atobe smirked and said, "Make sure Seigaku lasts until the singles match, alright?"
"Don't worry," Tezuka replied with a firm nod, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. "This time, Seigaku will be the ones to win."
Even with Atobe's keen observational skills, he couldn't detect any change in Tezuka's expression. Sighing inwardly, Atobe turned and walked away, acknowledging once again why Tezuka was recognized as a prodigy even by professional players.
"Next up, the doubles 2 match will begin."
"Seigaku's Inui Sadaharu and Kaidoh Kaoru pair versus Ice Emperor's Shishido Ryou and Hiyoshi Wakashi pair."
"Please prepare, both teams."
As the announcement echoed through the stadium, Inui, wearing his Seigaku jersey and glasses, stepped forward. He glanced toward Ice Emperor's side and nodded slightly. "It seems Ootori's wrist injury won't heal anytime soon."
"What a shame," he added with a light sigh. "I was hoping to collect data on that super-speed serve of his during the match."
Hearing this, Coach Ryuzaki, seated in the coaching box, spoke up. "Even though their doubles pair isn't their usual lineup, don't let your guard down."
"I know," Inui replied calmly.
As a data-driven player, Inui was always cool-headed and analytical. Before the match, he had already predicted that Shishido and Hiyoshi would be paired together.
"Let's go, Kaidoh," Inui said, turning to the green headband-wearing boy behind him. "Let's see what this Ice Emperor pair has to offer."
"Yes," Kaidoh replied, following Inui onto the court.
Unlike when he partnered with Momoshiro, Kaidoh now showed a great deal of respect for Inui, despite having defeated him in the past.
"Inui is the biggest obstacle in this match," Shishido and Hiyoshi were being briefed by their coach, Sakaki Taro. "So, your goal is simple: stick to the plan we prepared and execute it flawlessly."
"Understood!" the two replied firmly.
Soon, the teams met at the net.
Shishido and Inui exchanged greetings, both aware that the other was no ordinary opponent. Meanwhile, Hiyoshi and Kaidoh locked eyes, their competitive spirits flaring.
After determining the serving order, both teams retreated to their respective baselines. The referee announced, "The match will begin. One set, decisive match. Ice Emperor's Hiyoshi to serve. Game start!"
As the words rang out, the audience's attention focused on Hiyoshi.
"What a pity," Inoue remarked, watching Hiyoshi bounce the ball. "If it were Ootori serving, Ice Emperor would've guaranteed at least one point this game."
"Yeah," Takeshi agreed. "That super-speed serve of his is nearly impossible to return for anyone below the national level."
With Ootori's first-serve success rate exceeding 90% and his second-serve success rate close to 100%, even the strongest opponents would struggle to break his serve.
Unfortunately, Ootori had injured his wrist during a practice match.
With Hiyoshi stepping in as a replacement, the doubles chemistry between him and Shishido was likely lacking. As a result, many believed Ice Emperor's doubles performance would suffer.
*Thwack!*
Ignoring the doubtful gazes, Hiyoshi confidently served the ball.
"Is that... a bullet serve?!"
The Seigaku trio was shocked by the speed of the serve and the almost fiery trajectory of the ball. Others also showed signs of surprise.
At the very least, this Ice Emperor second-year was no pushover.
However, for Inui, who was responsible for receiving the serve, Hiyoshi's fast serve posed no real challenge.
*Thwack!*
Inui effortlessly returned the ball.
"He returned it!"
"As expected of Inui-senpai!"
"That kind of serve is nothing in his database!"
The Seigaku non-regulars cheered, but the regular players' expressions remained serious. Their eyes were fixed on the net.
*Swish!*
Sure enough, as Inui's return passed over the net, a figure suddenly appeared—Shishido, perfectly positioned for an interception.
Without hesitation, Shishido swung his racket, sending the ball sharply toward the inner sideline of the doubles court.
*Thud!*
The ball landed, and Kaidoh, also at the net, couldn't react in time. He could only watch as the ball scored for Ice Emperor.
"15-0!"
"Whoa!"
Shishido's sudden attack left the Seigaku non-regulars stunned.
"He's so fast," Kaidoh muttered, looking at Shishido with a mix of caution and respect. "At that speed, no one at the net can match him."
It was then that Kaidoh realized why Shishido, once a singles player, had become such a formidable doubles opponent after switching.
In singles, Shishido needed time to approach the net. But in doubles, with his partner serving, Shishido was already close to the net. With his explosive speed, closing the distance was effortless.
Against someone like Kikumaru, who was agile and quick, Shishido's tactics might not work as well. But Kaidoh wasn't that type of player.
Outside the court, Fuji observed quietly. "With Shishido on their side, Ice Emperor's doubles strength isn't much weaker than their usual lineup."
"True," Coach Ryuzaki nodded.
In doubles, if one player was strong enough to dominate a specific area, they could compensate for their partner's weaknesses. Shishido's explosive speed and interception skills were something even Inui couldn't keep up with.
*Thwack!*
As a result, Ice Emperor quickly scored again after Kaidoh's return.
"30-0!"
And so, with Hiyoshi serving steadily from the back and Shishido dominating the net, Ice Emperor secured the first game in less than a minute.
1-0, Ice Emperor in the lead!
"This makes up for Ootori's absence," Coach Sakaki thought to himself, nodding in approval.
However, his expectations for this pair went beyond just compensating for Ootori's absence. Otherwise, he could've simply fielded Kabaji or even second-string players like Shouji or Kurokawa.
Turning his gaze toward Seigaku's side, Sakaki noticed the determined looks on the second-years' faces. He smiled faintly. "Just as Ishikawa predicted, Seigaku won't sit back and take this. But unfortunately, your reactions have already been anticipated."
*Thwack!*
On Seigaku's side, Inui served the ball.
His serve was fast and precise, landing in a tricky spot that prevented Shishido from executing a half-volley.
*Thwack!*
At the net, Kaidoh seized the opportunity and unleashed a sharp curveball.
"It's here!" the Seigaku trio exclaimed. "Kaidoh-senpai's Snake Shot!"
"Heh," Shishido chuckled.
He had seen this move during the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament. While it looked impressive, its variations were easy to read with a calm mind.
*Thwack!*
Understanding the pattern, Shishido stepped forward and returned the ball with ease.
"Hiyoshi," Shishido called out. "Hold the baseline. I'll take care of the net."
"Got it," Hiyoshi replied.
The two quickly switched positions, seamlessly covering each other's areas. Seeing Shishido advance, Kaidoh's expression tightened, and he quickly lobbed the ball toward the backcourt.
*Swish!*
The ball arced high and deep, heading toward the baseline.
"It's the Snake Shot!" the Seigaku trio cheered.
They believed Kaidoh had seized the opportunity created by Ice Emperor's defensive switch and scored with a well-placed Snake Shot.
"Who do you think you're underestimating?" Hiyoshi, positioned at the baseline, quickly adjusted and intercepted the Snake Shot.
*Swish!*
To everyone's astonishment, Hiyoshi returned the ball with a similar curved trajectory, sending it to Kaidoh's opposite side.
"A Snake Shot?!" the Seigaku trio gasped.
No one expected this relatively unknown Ice Emperor second-year to replicate Kaidoh's signature move so effortlessly.
"Stay calm, Kaidoh," Inui said, moving to return the ball. "They clearly came prepared."
"Yeah, I know," Kaidoh replied, though his expression showed he was still shaken by seeing his own technique used against him.
"Now's our chance!" Shishido seized the moment and struck the ball toward Kaidoh's backhand, scoring another point.
"0-15!"
"Go, Ice Emperor!"
The Ice Emperor supporters erupted in cheers, while Seigaku's morale dipped.
"That Hiyoshi... he can use the Snake Shot too?" Momoshiro frowned. Despite his rivalry with Kaidoh, seeing him struggle didn't sit well with him.
"No," Fuji interjected. "His Snake Shot isn't as refined as Kaidoh's. He must've practiced it recently."
"Recently?" the Seigaku trio asked, confused.
"But wait!" Kikumaru exclaimed. "If he only practiced it recently, how did they know Kaidoh would be playing in doubles 2?"
Like Ice Emperor, Seigaku had nine regular players, giving them plenty of lineup flexibility. Kaidoh wasn't guaranteed to play in doubles 2.
"Is it really that surprising?" Echizen, wearing his white cap, glanced toward Ice Emperor's side, his eyes settling on a black-haired boy. "With his data skills, predicting this wouldn't be hard, right?"
"That guy... Ishikawa Shin!" Oishi and Kikumaru's expressions darkened.
Coach Ryuzaki's face also showed concern.
Last year, Seigaku had held an advantage in data tennis, even if their overall strength fell short of Ice Emperor's. But now, even that advantage was gone.
In the realm of data tennis, Inui was completely outmatched by Ishikawa.
"This match... is going to be tough."
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
The match continued, with Ice Emperor maintaining their dominance.
Frustrated, Kaidoh finally unleashed an even more exaggerated Spinning Snake Shot!
"Finally showing your true colors?" Hiyoshi smirked.
Then, to Seigaku's shock, Hiyoshi dashed forward and returned the Spinning Snake Shot with ease.
*Thwack!*
The ball flew past a stunned Kaidoh.
"Game!"
"Ice Emperor, 2-0!"
"Whoa..."
Seigaku's players collectively gasped.
Not only had Hiyoshi replicated the Snake Shot, but he'd also countered the Spinning Snake Shot!
"This Ice Emperor second-year..."
Coach Ryuzaki and the others now regarded Hiyoshi with newfound respect.
As Echizen had suggested, Hiyoshi was likely placed in doubles 2 specifically to counter Kaidoh.
*Swish!*
But the surprises didn't end there.
During the match, when Seigaku attempted a lob, Hiyoshi leaped high into the air.
"Wait... is that...?!"
Seigaku's players paled as they realized what was coming.
*Bam!*
A powerful smash landed on Seigaku's side, scoring another point.
"Game!"
"Ice Emperor, 3-0!"
"Hmph," Hiyoshi landed, pointing at the spot where the ball had landed. "Not bad, but it's still not enough!"
Hearing this, Momoshiro's expression turned grim.
"Not only did he copy Kaidoh's Snake Shot, but he's also using Momoshiro's Dunk Smash?!"
On the court, Inui adjusted his glasses, his expression serious.
He glanced toward the sidelines, where a black-haired boy from Ice Emperor stood. "So... no matter who we fielded, your strategy wouldn't have changed, huh?"
Even without facing him directly, Inui could feel the overwhelming pressure emanating from Ishikawa Shin, the first-year vice-captain of Ice Emperor and the mysterious "X" who had once crushed him with data tennis at the street courts.
**(End of Chapter)**
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