An empty estate.
A deserted tennis court.
No spectators, no factions, no referee.
*Tap!*
*Tap!*
*Tap!*
The silence of the court was broken by the soft sound of a bouncing tennis ball.
A figure crouched low, gently tapping the ball against the ground.
*Tap!*
Then, the figure grabbed the ball and straightened up. As he lifted his head, his deep blue eyes locked onto his opponent.
"Well then… let's begin!"
Atobe's gaze sharpened as he tossed the ball into the air.
His right foot pivoted slightly, hugging the baseline. With a powerful push off the ground, his upper body extended gracefully.
Tracking the ball's trajectory, Atobe swung his racket with precision, striking the ball with force.
*Thwack!*
The crisp sound of the racket meeting the ball echoed through the court. The ball shot forward, spinning rapidly as it soared through the air.
*Whoosh!*
It traced a perfect arc, landing precisely at the intersection of the lines on Ishikawa's right front corner.
*Thud!*
The ball hit the ground, barely losing any momentum as it rebounded at a sharp angle, spinning fiercely toward Ishikawa's right side.
With just this one serve, it was clear that Atobe Keigo, the captain of Hyotei Academy, was a force to be reckoned with.
"Not bad," Ishikawa thought to himself, nodding slightly.
Atobe's serve was a perfect display of speed, accuracy, and power. The ball's landing spot was impeccable—any further back would've been too safe, any further forward would've gone out.
This level of control showcased Atobe's national-level precision, rivaling even Tezuka from Seigaku.
*Step!*
However, Ishikawa's observational skills were equally impressive. The moment Atobe struck the ball, Ishikawa had already predicted its trajectory.
Now, he took a swift step to the right, his racket slicing through the air to intercept the ball at the perfect moment.
The entire sequence happened in the blink of an eye.
*Thwack!*
Atobe's serve was effortlessly returned.
"As expected of you!" Atobe's eyebrows raised slightly.
Though they had never faced each other before, Atobe had always respected Ishikawa's reflexes.
*Step, step!*
Tracking the ball's path, Atobe quickly moved to the right. His steps were light and quick, his movements efficient.
In an instant, he closed in on the ball's landing spot. With a sharp backhand, he angled his racket and sent the ball spinning diagonally across the court.
*Whoosh!*
The ball shot across the net like a bullet, landing precisely in the opposite corner of Ishikawa's side.
A diagonal backhand shot—executed with incredible speed and accuracy. For most players, this would've been an impossible return.
*Step, step!*
But on the other side of the court, Ishikawa was already in motion, closing in on the ball with astonishing speed.
"Incredible reflexes!" Atobe thought, feeling a hint of pressure.
Ishikawa's explosive speed wasn't overwhelming, but his ability to read the game and take the most efficient path to the ball was unmatched.
It was as if, the moment Atobe hit the ball, Ishikawa had already calculated the optimal route.
This was only the second exchange, yet Atobe was already feeling a level of pressure he rarely experienced.
*Swish!*
Catching up to the ball, Ishikawa swiftly adjusted his grip. With a flick of his wrist, he sliced the ball, sending it spinning low over the net.
*Whoosh!*
The ball barely cleared the net, skimming over it before landing sharply near the baseline. Atobe, positioned too far back, chose not to chase it.
"0-15!" Ishikawa announced.
Without a referee, the two players kept score themselves.
"Hmm."
Atobe frowned slightly. Losing the first point on his own serve was not how he had envisioned the match starting.
He glanced at Ishikawa, his mind racing. "He kept the return low to obscure my vision and added spin to reduce air resistance. This wasn't just a simple return—it was a calculated move."
Even Atobe had been outmaneuvered.
"His technique is terrifying."
Pulling another ball from his pocket, Atobe bounced it a couple of times before gripping it tightly. His gaze locked onto Ishikawa. "Against someone like him, I can't afford even a moment of carelessness."
*Thwack!*
Atobe served again, this time with a reverse spin aimed at Ishikawa's left side.
But Ishikawa, with his unparalleled observational skills, saw through the trick immediately.
*Thwack!*
With a smooth motion, Ishikawa returned the ball, neutralizing Atobe's spin.
*Step, step!*
Atobe quickly advanced, not expecting his ploy to work. He closed in on the net, gently slicing the ball to slow down the pace.
*Tap!*
The ball floated softly over the net, disrupting the rhythm of the rally.
Atobe's strategy was clear: by alternating between fast and slow shots, he aimed to throw Ishikawa off balance.
This kind of seamless transition between aggressive and defensive play was something only a player of Atobe's caliber could execute.
*Step, step!*
Ishikawa had no choice but to move forward, chasing the ball as Atobe positioned himself at the net.
Now, the front of the court was dominated by Atobe, leaving Ishikawa with limited options.
*Tap!*
Without hesitation, Ishikawa lobbed the ball high into the air, aiming for the baseline.
*Swish!*
But Atobe, anticipating the move, leaped into the air with incredible height.
"Impressive," Atobe smirked. "Not many players could reach a lob like that."
*Thwack!*
Mid-air, Atobe slammed the ball down with a powerful smash.
*Snap!*
The ball shot downward with such force that it knocked the racket out of Ishikawa's hand.
*Swish!*
Atobe landed gracefully, already preparing for his next move.
"Ishikawa," he said, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Marvel at my brilliance!"
*Bang!*
With a thunderous smash, Atobe unleashed his signature move: the *Dance of Destruction* (Waltz to the End)!
"Heh."
But just as Atobe thought he had secured the point, Ishikawa's lips curled into a faint smile.
*Snap!*
Ishikawa quickly retrieved his racket and, in one fluid motion, intercepted the ball as it rebounded from the ground.
*Thwack!*
The ball shot past Atobe, landing squarely at his feet before he could react.
"0-30."
Ishikawa calmly announced the score.
Atobe landed, his expression darkening as he stared at the mark left by the ball.
His *Dance of Destruction*—his ultimate technique—had been countered.
Even though Atobe had prepared himself for Ishikawa's skill, he hadn't expected his signature move to be dismantled so effortlessly.
For the first time, Atobe understood the frustration that players like Jirou, Oshitari, and even Tezuka must have felt when their best moves were neutralized by Ishikawa.
"Well done," Atobe said, his voice calm but laced with determination. "You're even stronger than I imagined. Now, let's get serious."
With that, he turned and walked back to the baseline.
Ishikawa watched him go, a slight smile on his face.
To an outsider, it might have seemed like Atobe was simply trying to save face. But Ishikawa knew better.
Atobe hadn't been going all out. His serves, diagonal shots, and even the *Dance of Destruction* had all been part of his initial probing.
Now, as Atobe turned away, his demeanor shifted. The casual confidence was gone, replaced by an aura of authority and intensity.
The Emperor of Hyotei was ready to unleash his full power.
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**pat-reon: belamy20**
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*(End of Chapter)*