"H-how is this possible?"
Kite desperately wanted to dismiss this absurd thought, but his body betrayed his will. His gaze involuntarily shifted away, avoiding further eye contact with the other party.
"Members of Higa Chuu."
Seeing Kite's submissive reaction, a faint smile appeared on Ishikawa's calm face. "Tennis isn't a tool for attacking others. Of course, if you're just here to pick a fight, I'm more than happy to oblige. What do you think, Kite-senpai of Higa Chuu?"
*Whoosh!*
As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes from the Higa Chuu team turned toward their captain.
However, to everyone's surprise, their usually fierce and ruthless captain seemed to ignore the comment entirely. Instead, he turned to Kai on the court and said sternly, "Kai, what are you dawdling for? Finish this match already!"
"Y-yes, I understand."
Kai quickly nodded. He sneaked a glance at Kite, then looked over at Ishikawa outside the court. A strange thought crossed his mind.
"Is it possible... that Mitsuru is actually scared?"
Kai swallowed hard, then shook off the thought. He steeled himself and glared at his opponent, Saeki. "I'll crush you in one go!"
If I can't handle Hyotei, I can at least take down Rokkaku, right?
*Bam! Bam! Bam!*
However, as the match progressed, Saeki adopted a strategy of alternating left and right attacks, hitting each shot deep and keeping Kai pinned to the baseline.
Under this pressure, Kai grew increasingly frustrated. On the other hand, Saeki struggled to gain an advantage. Gradually, Higa Chuu's superior stamina began to show.
*Bam!*
Finally, with a powerful shot from Kai, the referee's voice rang out: "Game over! Higa Chuu's Kai wins, 7-5!"
"The first round of the national tournament concludes here. Higa Chuu from Okinawa wins all five matches and advances to the second round!"
"Wow, they're so strong!"
Outside the court, Shiba was visibly shocked. "Rokkaku didn't even win a single match. Higa Chuu's strength is on another level!"
"Indeed."
Inoue nodded with a serious expression. Although he had missed the match between Seigaku and Rokkaku, this game revealed a formidable dark horse from the distant south.
What's more, Inoue keenly noticed that despite the match going to five games, Higa Chuu's captain, their strongest player—Kite Mitsuru—hadn't even taken the court.
This only highlighted the immense potential of this team.
It also made him even more excited for the upcoming second-round match between Hyotei and Higa Chuu in the afternoon.
"Let's go."
After the match, Ishikawa, accompanied by Mukahi and Hiyoshi, prepared to leave. His purpose for watching the match was partly to gather data on Higa Chuu's players.
However, more importantly, he wanted to prevent the incident from the original story where Rokkaku's elderly coach was injured. Ishikawa had considered revealing the secret of the "Shukuchi" technique, but as an outsider, it wasn't his place.
Moreover, given Higa Chuu's notorious behavior, if the old coach pointed out their weaknesses, Kite would likely order his players to attack him again.
Rather than dwell on these issues, Ishikawa decided it was better to use tennis to make Higa Chuu face reality head-on!
"Wait, Ishikawa-kun."
Just as Ishikawa and his teammates were about to leave, Saeki, Aoi, and the other Rokkaku players rushed over. They caught up to Ishikawa and bowed deeply in unison.
"Thank you so much!"
Their gratitude was genuine. If it weren't for Ishikawa, their elderly coach would have been injured. Moreover, with Hyotei's presence, Higa Chuu's players didn't dare act too recklessly.
"It's nothing, just a small favor."
Ishikawa shook his head. In truth, he had received even more kindness from the old coach.
With that, the group departed.
"Mitsuru, what do we do now?"
Not far away, the Higa Chuu players watched Ishikawa and his team leave, their expressions grim.
If they let Hyotei's players walk away unscathed, they'd be the laughingstock of the tournament.
"What can we do?"
Kite replied coldly, "This isn't Higa Chuu. We have to play by the rules here. Besides..."
As he spoke, he walked over to the chain-link fence and examined the hole that had been punched through it. He narrowed his eyes. "That guy really did defeat Seigaku's Sanada. A serve with that kind of power isn't something you can easily block."
"Yeah."
Kai and the others nodded solemnly. Kai, in particular, was shaken by Ishikawa's serve. If he hadn't been lucky, that ball would've hit him square in the head.
As much as he talked a big game, he had no intention of actually facing someone like Ishikawa.
"Enough."
Seeing his team's reaction, Kite said firmly, "Let's go eat, rest up, and prepare for the match this afternoon."
"Understood."
The team responded in unison.
---
Meanwhile, Ishikawa, Mukahi, and Hiyoshi regrouped with their coach, Atobe, and the rest of the Hyotei team.
After lunch, Ishikawa, Coach Sakaki, and Atobe discussed and finalized the lineup for the second round of the tournament.
At 2 PM, the second round began.
Teams from all over the country gathered at the venue, which resembled the horseshoe-shaped court from the Kanto finals. However, the sides were walled off, and the spacious area could accommodate four matches simultaneously.
Both Seigaku vs. Shishigaku and Hyotei vs. Higa Chuu would take place here.
"Higa Chuu! Higa Chuu! Higa Chuu!"
Even before the match started, Higa Chuu's players began chanting their team name. Though few in number, their voices were loud and unified, creating an imposing atmosphere.
"The second round of the national tournament will now begin: Hyotei Gakuen vs. Higa Chuu."
"Both teams, please enter the court."
As the referee's voice echoed, the gray and black teams, led by their coaches and captains, entered the court from opposite sides.
"Haha, here come the Hyotei guys."
"Isn't this the team that lost to Rokkaku earlier?"
"Heh, we took down Rokkaku this morning, and now we'll crush Hyotei this afternoon. This is going to be great!"
As Hyotei's players entered, Higa Chuu's team began taunting loudly, not bothering to lower their voices.
"These guys!!"
Being labeled as "losers," Mukahi and Hiyoshi's expressions darkened.
"Stay calm."
Coach Sakaki said firmly. "Don't let their provocations get to you."
"Understood."
The two nodded.
Meanwhile, Ootori looked surprised. "Is this... really necessary? This is the national tournament. Would they really resort to such tactics?"
"If it were any other team, it might be a coincidence."
Ishikawa shook his head with a smile. "But with Higa Chuu, it's safe to assume the worst."
In the original story, if there was one team that embodied underhanded tactics, it was Higa Chuu.
From the coach to the captain, down to every player, they would stop at nothing to win.
Especially their captain, Kite.
Whether it was physical attacks or sneaky tricks, he would use whatever means necessary.
Ishikawa guessed that the taunts were likely Kite's idea, aimed at riling up Hyotei's players.
Unfortunately for them, such tactics wouldn't work.
---
Both teams took their positions on the court.
After the customary greetings, they retreated to their baselines. The referee's voice rang out once more:
"The first match of the second round will now begin."
"Hyotei Gakuen's Kabaji Munehiro vs. Higa Chuu's Tanishi Kei."
"Both players, please prepare."
"Kabaji? He's playing in the singles 3 match?"
Up in the stands, Shiba from *Tennis Monthly* looked surprised. "Hyotei's lineup is quite unexpected."
"Indeed."
Inoue nodded. This was the first match of the national tournament, and Hyotei was one of the top teams in the country.
Having defeated Rikkai Dai in the Kanto tournament, they were now a force to be reckoned with. This match was likely drawing as much attention as those featuring Rikkai Dai or Shitenhouji.
"It's possible Hyotei is holding back."
Inoue mused. With their deep bench, Coach Sakaki only needed to ensure the team's victory.
Moreover, Kabaji's strength and talent were nothing to scoff at.
Placing him in the singles 3 match might be a way to intimidate their opponents.
*Thud! Thud!*
The sound of heavy footsteps echoed across the court.
"That guy is huge!"
Shiba blurted out, then quickly corrected herself. "I mean, Higa Chuu's Tanishi Kei looks incredibly strong."
Inoue nodded. "His build suggests he has immense power. Putting Kabaji against him is a smart move."
"Hey, Hyotei guy."
At the net, Tanishi called out, trying to provoke his opponent. However, Kabaji didn't even glance at him.
"Guess he's an idiot."
Tanishi shook his head, deciding to save his trash talk.
"This'll be boring."
He turned and walked back to the baseline after winning the coin toss.
"Big guy, don't worry. I'll end this match in no time."
With that, he prepared to serve.
Kabaji, expressionless, retreated to his position. To Higa Chuu's players, he looked like a mindless machine.
"The match begins. First to six games wins."
After confirming both players were ready, the referee announced, "Higa Chuu's Tanishi to serve."
"Big guy."
Tanishi grinned as he tossed the ball into the air. "Let me show you what Higa Chuu is made of!"
*Whoosh!*
With a powerful leap, Tanishi slammed his racket into the ball.
*Boom!*
The ball shot forward like a cannonball, leaving everyone in awe.
"15-0!"
"It's here!"
Higa Chuu's players cheered. "Tanishi's *Big Bang* serve!"
"What a terrifying serve."
Shiba gasped.
Inoue nodded gravely. "Yes, the power and speed of that serve are incredible. Tanishi didn't use this against Rokkaku earlier. It seems Higa Chuu was holding back."
Unlike other dark horse teams, Higa Chuu had skilled players, a strong leader, and a well-thought-out strategy.
In a different era, they could have been serious contenders for the championship.
Of course, now that they were facing Hyotei, they were finally showing their true strength.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
With three more *Big Bang* serves, Tanishi secured the first game.
"Game! Higa Chuu's Tanishi, 1-0. Change sides!"
"Hmm."
Inoue's expression darkened. "It seems Higa Chuu is determined to crush Hyotei in one go."
Their match against Rokkaku was just a warm-up. Now, facing Hyotei, they were going all out.
"Higa Chuu! Higa Chuu! Higa Chuu!"
Tanishi's victory boosted Higa Chuu's morale. Though outnumbered by Hyotei's supporters, their chants cut through the air like a sharp blade.
"Second game. Hyotei's Kabaji to serve."
After the sides switched, Kabaji stepped up to serve.
He stood motionless, holding the ball.
"Huh?"
Kai sneered from the sidelines. "Is this guy frozen in fear?"
"Heh."
Hirakoba chuckled. "I thought Hyotei was strong, but they're nothing special."
*Whoosh!*
Just then, Kabaji tossed the ball high into the air.
Kai scoffed. "Can this big guy even jump that high?"
*Swish!*
To everyone's surprise, Kabaji leaped into the air, raised his racket, and brought it down with tremendous force.
*Boom!*
The ball shot forward like a missile.
"What the—?!"
Tanishi's eyes widened in shock. "That's... the *Big Bang*?!"
*Thud!*
The ball landed and shot past him.
---
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