My Prince of Tennis has a high proficiency level.

"good."

Fuji nodded in satisfaction.

To counter his "disappearing serve," hasty action will only backfire. Instead, calm analysis, like Echizen's approach, and keen observation of the changes in the tennis ball are the right way to go.

...

Bang!

really.

Fuji's third serve was met with a strong counterattack from Echizen.

"how is this possible?"

Many people stared wide-eyed, while Momoshiro, Kaidou, and other regulars had expressions of "I knew it" on their faces.

"He was too calm."

Qian pushed up his glasses and shook his head, saying, "Using the same trick on him multiple times will reduce its effectiveness. This newcomer's adaptability far exceeds what others imagined."

Crabapple's snake ball.

Qian's data tennis.

There's a reason why their signature moves were broken one after another. It would be naive to think that any single signature move could counter Echizen.

"As expected of you."

Seeing Echizen return the tennis ball, Fuji laughed instead. He had expected his opponent to break the "disappearing serve" in the first game, but it should have been on the fourth point. However, his opponent only used two chances to see through the flaw in his serve.

"In that case, let's increase the intensity a bit more."

Fuji thought for a moment, then swung his racket rapidly. With incredible speed and power, like a gazelle leaping off a cliff, he smashed the tennis ball in a wide arc, sending it hurtling against the side before bouncing back up.

"40-0!"

"That was such a beautiful shot!"

"That's right, it was just like a star! That shot must have been just a lucky one, right?"

Everyone stared at Fuji in shock.

"not bad."

Fuji lightly flicked his racket, a satisfied smile on his face.

That last shot was indeed a casual one. But in that instant of inspiration, it was as if he had grasped something, and the incredibly high arc of the shot surprised even himself.

Unfortunately, that feeling was fleeting.

Even if Fuji wanted to replicate that shot again, he might not be able to do it again.

"What amazing ball skills."

Echizen's eyes revealed intense apprehension. At that moment, he was also recalling Fuji's ball technique from earlier; the arc was full and smooth, yet it became sharp and swift at the turn, as beautiful as the tail of a shooting star.

Of course, someone just put it more accurately: the entire trajectory of Fuji hitting the tennis ball from the moment it hits it to the moment it lands is indeed like a beautiful star ring arc.

"Is this his true strength?"

"No, that's not right."

Echizen quickly noticed something amiss in the surprised looks of those around him. Clearly, not only he, but everyone around him was also surprised by Fuji's ball skills.

This suggests that the opponent may have only played it temporarily, and it is unlikely to be reproduced in a short period of time.

Even so, it's enough to make me take this seriously.

The thought crossed my mind.

Amidst the astonished gazes of onlookers, Echizen switched the racket from his right hand to his left, and began to bounce up and down.

"Switch to your left hand?"

"And this footwork... is it a small, quick step?"

Is he ready to get serious?

Everyone, including the regulars, perked up.

Bang!

At this moment, Fuji served again, but this time it was no longer the "disappearing serve." Even so, the ball was extremely fast, making it impossible for an ordinary person to defend against.

However, this serve is not enough against a serious Echizen.

He quickly stepped forward and swung his racket, sending the tennis ball back with a loud thud.

Tap tap!

Fuji also started running quickly.

After catching up with the tennis ball, he swung his racket without even looking at it, hitting a beautiful and sharp shot with a beautiful arc.

But Echizen caught up with them.

"He's so fast!"

"It's the effect of taking small, quick steps, which allows him to move half a step ahead, reducing the time needed for his actions."

Upon hearing this, some people's gazes fell upon Gan, who was wearing a white short-sleeved shirt, in the crowd. His data tennis was largely countered by this move.

Bang!

But Fuji reacted quickly; Echizen's counterattack posed no threat to him, and he easily returned the tennis ball.

...

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged more than ten blows.

They moved faster and faster, and it became difficult for others to even keep up with their movements.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

Among the crowd, a boy with a blue headband looked utterly shocked. "He... he actually fought Fuji-senpai to a standstill?"

The boy, Arai, a second-year member of the Seigaku team, looked extremely grim. Just a week ago, he had actually tried to teach this newcomer a lesson.

Looking back now, he was completely oblivious to his own mortality.

"So strong!"

On the court, Echizen, locked in a fierce battle with Fuji, grew increasingly anxious. His opponent's shot speed continued to increase, yet he was already feeling the strain.

However, Echizen is the kind of person who grows stronger when faced with a strong opponent; bowing down and yielding to a powerful foe has never been his style. The immense pressure from Fuji, on the contrary, became a crucible for tempering his will, making it even more resolute the more it was forged.

"He actually caught up with Fuji?"

Kawamura, who had an honest-looking face, was completely shocked.

"That's normal, this kid has great potential."

Qian shook his head and said, "To deal with him, you either have to suppress him with absolute strength, or you have to exhaust his physical strength."

This is the insight he gained after repeatedly reviewing his match against Echizen in the school's selection competition.

"This is just a practice match."

Ryuzaki, however, saw through Fuji's intention and said with a smile, "Fuji probably wants to put some pressure on this kid and bring out more of his potential."

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

at the same time.

Fuji and Echizen fought for another ten or so rounds.

The latter's actions not only did not stop, but showed signs of becoming stronger as the fight progressed.

Snapped!

Just then.

Echizen seized the opportunity and decisively hit a beautiful short ball.

"nice shot!"

Everyone secretly praised it.

Even the second-year students who didn't get along with Echizen had to admit that this short shot was beautifully executed. This clearly demonstrates Echizen's exceptionally high basketball IQ, allowing him to adapt flexibly in actual combat.

Snapped!

only.

This short ball ultimately failed to kill the game, as Fuji managed to return it before the ball bounced twice.

"As expected of Fuji, really... Wait a minute!!"

A third-grade team member was about to offer praise, but as soon as the words left his mouth, his eyes widened as if he had seen something terrifying.

Swish!

But then a red and white figure soared into the sky; it was none other than Echizen, who had anticipated this move.

"senior."

As Echizen leaped into the air, raising his racket high, his gaze fixed on Fuji: "You... still have a long way to go!"

boom!

As soon as he finished speaking, he smashed the racket down.

"not good!"

However, upon seeing Echizen's spike, Momoshiro's expression instantly changed, and he shouted, "Don't spike! Damn it, Echizen, you're too impulsive!!"

The smash came down suddenly.

Meanwhile, Fuji below, with a smile playing on his lips, half-squatted and turned, simultaneously spreading his arms like a bluebird spreading its wings. His right hand, gripping the racket, precisely blocked Echizen's smash.

"what?!"

Still suspended in the air and not yet landing, Echizen instantly felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet and straight up to the top of his head.

A smash... and it was just returned like that?!

Pat-pat...

Then.

The tennis ball landed precisely inside the baseline.

"game!"

"Fuji, 1-0, switch positions!"

tread.

At that moment, Yue Qian landed. He looked at his opponent with a complicated expression, and all the things that had seemed illogical before suddenly came together in his mind.

"He deliberately created an opening to lure me into hitting short shots; he even anticipated my smash."

now.

Looking at the gentle, brown-haired boy opposite him, Echizen had the unsettling feeling that he was in the other's palm. This made his heart tighten for no reason.

The other party was far more terrifying than he had imagined!

Chapter 94: Complete Suppression, Echizen's Self-Doubt

Looking at the handsome young man with a smile on his face not far away, as gentle as a spring breeze, Echizen couldn't help but grip his racket tighter.

He was introduced to tennis before he was three years old.

He has been playing for nine years now, and most of his practice sessions have been with his father, who is considered by others to be a legendary tennis player.