"Is this the true strength of Hyotei?"
Everyone was stunned as they watched Hyotei's Shishido and Ootori quickly turn the tables, even surpassing Rikkai's Marui and Jackal.
"Two different-colored rackets?"
At the sidelines, Coach Hanamura of Seigaku turned her gaze toward Hyotei, her red lips parting slightly as she murmured, "This technique… it must have been *his* idea, right?"
Hyotei's "Mirage Formation" was already formidable, but this subtle adjustment had significantly boosted the duo's combat effectiveness.
"Ootori's serve… it's so powerful!"
Seigaku's captain, Kajimoto, focused on Ootori's cannon-like serve. He clearly remembered that Ootori hadn't played in the second round last week. Logically, his serve should have declined, but instead, it had improved compared to the first round of the Kanto tournament. It was unbelievable!
"Could Rikkai's duo actually lose?"
Others glanced uncertainly at Marui and Jackal. These two had been virtually invincible during the Kanagawa Prefectural Tournament, effortlessly sweeping through all their opponents.
But now…
They were struggling against Hyotei.
Hearing this, Coach Hanamura shook her head. "Rikkai's strength is far from being fully displayed. Marui and Jackal's coordination hasn't even come into play yet."
In doubles, aside from individual skill, teamwork is crucial. Just like Shishido and Ootori earlier, their movements were so synchronized that it was hard to tell from the front that there was someone hidden behind.
This level of coordination required constant practice and a deep understanding of each other's habits.
And this—
Without a doubt, required continuous practice and familiarity with a partner's personality. In terms of chemistry, the Ice Emperor duo had already surpassed the vast majority of doubles combinations.
However—
The Rikkai University pair were just as familiar with each other.
Earlier, they had only shown their individual strengths without revealing their teamwork. Once they synchronized, the chemistry produced wouldn't be as simple as one plus one.
Sure enough—
In the fourth game—
Realizing they were falling behind, Marui and Jackal stopped treating the match like a game. Working together, with the advantage of serving first, they relied on their exquisite cooperation. After a fierce battle with Ice Emperor, they won the game 40-15.
2-2 — The score was tied.
Fifth game—
Shishido served.
With the advantage of serving, Ice Emperor unleashed their full strength, using their unpredictable Shadow Shift formation to suppress Rikkai University's duo.
40-15 — Ice Emperor won the game.
3-2 — Ice Emperor took the lead.
From the sixth to the eighth game, both sides held their serve, pushing the match into a white-hot stalemate.
"Huff..."
On the Rikkai University side—
Even the energetic Jackal couldn't help but exhale a heavy breath.
Normally, they would have already finished off their opponents. But now, they were still tangled in a deadlock with Ice Emperor's duo.
At this moment, he no longer dared to underestimate his opponents.
"Bunta."
During a short break, Jackal said in a low voice, "Should we take those things off?"
"No."
Marui replied firmly, "Yanagi said their opponents are wearing the same things. We'll only take ours off when they do."
"Got it."
Jackal nodded.
He understood Marui's meaning. The match was incredibly close. When both sides were locked in a battle of skills and wills, the psychological game became crucial.
Whoever removed their weights first would be admitting defeat.
That subtle shift would plant a negative seed in their minds. As the match continued, it would likely affect their performance.
Likewise—
On the Ice Emperor side, Shishido and Ootori gritted their teeth and refused to admit they were weaker.
**Bang! Bang! Bang!**
The fierce battle continued.
All four players brought out their strongest form.
From the baseline to the net, figures darted everywhere to return the ball. Individually, Marui held the upper hand, but Ice Emperor's formation tactics gave them an edge.
With Ootori's powerful serve saving more stamina, Rikkai University began to falter.
Jackal and Marui removed their weights first. However, right after they won the point, Shishido and Ootori followed suit, unable to hold out any longer.
"Huff... Huff..."
On the court—
Both sides gasped for breath.
Everyone's stamina had been pushed to the limit. Although Jackal's endurance was strong, his mental fortitude wasn't as resilient. Under intense pressure, he burned through more energy than usual.
As for Marui, he had eaten two small cakes during the match, but even that couldn't prevent him from sweating profusely and feeling nauseous.
Of course—
Shishido and Ootori weren't in much better condition.
If not for Ishikawa's grueling training, they would have collapsed long ago.
**Bang!**
In the twelfth game—
Marui's shot hit the net and rolled down.
"Get over here!"
Shishido dove, crashing heavily to the ground, but he managed to return Marui's brilliant shot.
"What?!"
Rikkai University's players were stunned.
Kirihara couldn't believe it. "Marui-senpai's wire-walking shot... was actually returned?!"
**Swish!**
But just then—
A figure leapt behind Marui, spiking the ball down with all his might.
**Bang!**
"Game!"
"Rikkai University, 6-6! Entering tiebreak!"
"Huff... Huff..."
Jackal, drenched in sweat, gasped heavily but raised his racket, shouting, "Yes!"
"I never thought the match would reach this point."
Inoue's face was full of emotion.
The back-and-forth momentum of the entire match had been a rollercoaster. He never expected Shishido and Ootori to push the nation's top doubles pair this far.
It was a testament to how astonishing their growth had been.
"Ootori's presence is too special."
Inoue nodded to himself. "His decisive serve not only saves his partner's stamina but also puts immense mental pressure on the opponent."
Without him—
Rikkai University might have stolen the match at 7-5.
But with Ootori on the court, that possibility was completely shut down.
"In the tiebreak, Ootori's serve will be even more critical."
Looking up at Shishido, who held the ball ready to serve, Inoue thought to himself, "In doubles tiebreaks, aside from the first serve, each player gets two service points."
With every serve needing to score, the margin for error was razor-thin.
That made Ootori's powerful serve a game-changer.
**Bang!**
Soon—
Shishido served.
After several rallies, Ice Emperor won the point.
Both sides held serve, with the score locked.
The match seemed stable, but every player was walking a tightrope. A single mistake could be fatal.
The score climbed from 1-0 to 10-9, with Rikkai University leading.
**Tap... Tap... Tap...**
At the baseline—
Ootori lightly bounced the ball.
His palms were drenched in sweat. To others, his serve was the ultimate weapon — but Ootori knew the immense pressure that came with it.
"Huff..."
"One... Ball... Soul!!!"
**Bang!**
The explosive serve streaked past.
"10-10, Ice Emperor's Ootori serves!"
Marui's face darkened as he stared at the yellow streak at his feet.
"This speed..."
He had been waiting for the serve to slow down — but even in the tiebreak, Ootori's serve remained fearsome.
It was hard to imagine what kind of training the second-year underwent.
"Huff..."
Ootori tossed the ball again.
Just then—
A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, stinging his eye.
His vision blurred.
Distracted, he missed his serve — crashing into the net.
"Net fault, first serve miss."
"This..."
Outside the court—
Seeing Ootori rub his eyes, the Ice Emperor players tensed up.
"Choutarou..."
Shishido's face changed.
He could feel the crushing weight on Ootori's shoulders. The truth was, he was under the same pressure.
**Huff...**
Ootori wiped his sweat.
This time, there was no turning back.
"One... Ball... Soul!!!"
**Bang!**
The ball landed in front of Jackal, who couldn't react in time.
"11-10, Ice Emperor leads."
"Huff..."
The Ice Emperor players sighed in relief.
"Hmm?"
But from the coach's seat, Sanada's brows furrowed.
"Referee!"
Before he could speak, Ishikawa suddenly raised his hand.
"That serve was out."
"What?!"
Every player froze.
Even Shishido and Ootori were in disbelief.
The referee glanced at Ishikawa, then at coach Sakaki, who nodded grimly.
"We confirm the result."
"Score corrected — 10-11, Rikkai University leads!"
In that moment—
The crowd was shocked.
No one expected Ice Emperor's vice-captain and coach to overturn their own advantage.
That was the spirit of true competition.
The final point went to Rikkai University.
"Game set!"
"Rikkai University, Marui and Jackal win — 7-6!"
(End of Chapter)