King of Tennis (POT)

Before Ishikawa served, no one could have anticipated what was about to happen. Even Hiyoshi and Shishido, who had previously lost to him, and Otori Chotaro, the master of the "Cannon Serve," believed that if Oshitari dared to take on Ishikawa's serve, he must have had a plan to counter it.

They had even imagined in their minds how Oshitari would return Ishikawa's serve.

However.

When Ishikawa unleashed his full-powered serve, everyone was left stunned.

Fast!

Too fast!

It was a speed beyond description. Not only could they not track the ball's trajectory, but they could barely even see the tennis ball itself!

In comparison.

Otori's Cannon Serve was nowhere near this level!

"30-0!"

Even the referee paused for a moment before announcing the score.

"Huuu..."

On the court.

Oshitari, who had felt the full impact of that serve, let out a deep breath.

Recalling the moment, his mind had been unable to keep up with the speed of the ball, and he had felt like a mechanical puppet. Even now, he couldn't shake off the sense of awe.

"That's a powerful serve."

After calming himself, Oshitari looked at Ishikawa, a complex expression flashing in his eyes, and asked, "What do you call that serve?"

"Well..."

Ishikawa turned to look at Otori outside the court and smiled. "Actually, I took some inspiration from Otori-senpai's Cannon Serve, added my own understanding, and developed this serve."

"As for the name..."

At this point, Ishikawa nodded at Oshitari and said, "Let's call it **Star Trace**."

"Star Trace?"

Everyone was shocked by the name.

"Like the trail of a shooting star?"

Outside the court, Atobe recalled the fleeting, almost imperceptible trace of the ball and nodded to himself.

At the same time.

He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of wariness toward Ishikawa's serve.

Even though, with his keen eyesight and reflexes, he could return the serve after observing it a few times, he couldn't ignore the fact that Ishikawa was only a first-year.

Moreover, this serve was still in its early stages. As Ishikawa's skills improved, the speed of this serve would undoubtedly increase in the future.

Thinking this, Atobe couldn't help but give the black-haired boy on the court a deep look. "It seems I've underestimated you."

"Star Trace? A good name."

Like Atobe, Oshitari also understood the meaning behind the serve's name. But unlike Atobe, he had no confidence in returning it.

However.

Asking Oshitari to take back his earlier words was something he couldn't do.

And so.

Everyone watched.

As Ishikawa unleashed two more ultra-fast serves, the first game ended in less than a minute.

"This guy..."

As Ishikawa passed by during the court switch, Hiyoshi and Shishido clenched their fists tightly.

Losing to a first-year was already hard enough to accept. But what made it even harder to swallow was the fact that this guy hadn't even used his full strength when he played against them.

Yet.

When they recalled the terrifying speed of that serve, a deep sense of helplessness washed over them.

"Second game, Oshitari to serve."

The court switch.

The serve now shifted to Oshitari.

At this moment.

The confidence and composure he had at the start of the match were long gone.

All because of Ishikawa's ultra-fast serve!

The mere existence of this serve meant that Oshitari had to bear the pressure of holding his own serve.

"Huuu..."

Taking a deep breath.

Oshitari's gaze once again turned calm.

Thud!

Then.

He decisively sent the ball across the net.

The first serve was aimed at Ishikawa's right outer corner. The spin and angle of the ball were both top-notch.

For most players.

Even regulars like Mukahi and Shishido wouldn't dare to take it lightly.

However.

Ishikawa calmly stepped forward, caught up to the ball, and swung his racket to return it.

Because the moment Oshitari served, Ishikawa had already seen through his intention.

The attack was a feint; the real goal was to test him.

"You're really calm, senpai."

Ishikawa returned the ball with a forehand, sending it to Oshitari's backhand side.

Oshitari reacted quickly, almost reaching the ball before it even landed.

Thud!

Then.

Oshitari struck again, sending the ball to Ishikawa's left side, clearly trying to wear him down.

"Senpai can't resist playing it safe, huh?"

Realizing that his opponent was not only testing him but also trying to tire him out, Ishikawa shook his head inwardly.

Clearly.

His matches against Hiyoshi and Shishido hadn't been enough to dissuade Oshitari from adopting a long-game strategy.

"But if you want to play it this way, I'll humor you."

With that thought.

Ishikawa quickly moved to the left, catching the ball just as it bounced and returning it with a sharp stroke.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

In an instant.

The match shifted from Ishikawa's one-shot dominance to a grueling baseline rally.

Both players had strong observational skills, and their techniques were evenly matched.

Oshitari's subtle tricks were all neutralized by Ishikawa, who remained unfazed. This was Oshitari's serve game, and Ishikawa only needed to hold his ground.

"This guy is really tough to deal with!"

After several failed attempts to break through, Oshitari finally understood what Hiyoshi and Shishido had gone through.

Ishikawa was unshakable, showing no reaction to the openings Oshitari deliberately left. He stayed firmly at the baseline, making it impossible to break through.

If it were anyone else, they might have lost patience and launched a more aggressive attack.

But Oshitari held back.

He knew that as the attacker, if his opponent's defense was solid, he couldn't afford to make mistakes.

Otherwise, with Ishikawa's skills, any opening would be exploited.

However.

The prolonged rally still hadn't shaken Ishikawa's defense. His rhythm remained steady, and it looked like he could keep this up for half an hour.

"In that case..."

After a long period of being unable to break through, Oshitari finally decided to act.

Tap!

Seizing the moment when Ishikawa adjusted his stance, Oshitari suddenly sent the ball high into the air.

"Huh?!"

Seeing this.

The other team members looked puzzled.

"Did Oshitari-senpai make a mistake?"

"This is Ishikawa's chance!"

"A smash! One smash could end this rally!"

Compared to the second and third-year regulars, the first-year newcomers were visibly excited.

To them.

This was a golden opportunity.

Step!

Without hesitation, Ishikawa leaped into the air, aiming his racket at the high ball and smashing it down with full force.

Boom!

A loud crack echoed.

The ball shot down at a sharp angle, one that would be nearly impossible to return in time.

Swish!

But Oshitari had already turned his back, crouching low as his arms crossed behind him like the wings of a soaring eagle.

With a crisp sound.

Ishikawa's smash was countered. The ball flew over his head and landed just inside the baseline.

"15-0!"

"It's here!"

At the same time, Mukahi, one of the regulars, clenched his fist in excitement. "Oshitari's signature move—**Giant Bear Counter** (also known as **Bear Drop**)!!!"

*(End of Chapter)*