King of Tennis (POT)

*Tap!* 

*Tap!* 

*Tap!* 

On the court, Oshitari continuously bounced the tennis ball, using his peripheral vision to observe Ishikawa's movements on the other side. 

This was the fourth game, his serve game. 

The score was 2-1, with Oshitari in the lead. If he won this game, the score would extend to 3-1. As Mukahi and Taki had mentioned, barring any surprises, the match would likely end in the tenth game, Oshitari's fifth serve game. 

However. 

Oshitari couldn't shake off a faint sense of unease. 

His opponent's reaction was too calm, as if the two games he had lost earlier were of no consequence. 

If Ishikawa were a reckless player, this might make sense. 

But Oshitari knew better. Ishikawa was calm, sharp-minded, and strategic. In his previous matches, what seemed like impulsive moves were actually carefully calculated. 

Someone like that couldn't possibly be unaware that he was on the brink of defeat. 

It was too unusual! 

All signs pointed to the fact that things weren't as simple as they seemed. 

Taking a light breath, Oshitari's gaze sharpened. "Whatever plan you have, bring it out!" 

*Thud!* 

With that thought, he sent the ball across the net once more. 

Then. 

Oshitari positioned himself in the center of the court, his eyes locked on Ishikawa. As soon as Ishikawa returned the ball, Oshitari decisively sent a lob high into the air. 

"Again?" 

"A lob combined with Oshitari-senpai's **Giant Bear Counter** is practically unstoppable!" 

"Is he still planning to stubbornly go for a smash?" 

The crowd's eyes followed the slowly rising ball, then shifted to Ishikawa. 

Surprisingly. 

Ishikawa showed no intention of attempting another smash. 

"Whew!" 

Ishikawa's supporters breathed a sigh of relief. "He's finally realized that forcing a smash won't work." 

"Too bad... it's too late!" 

Someone nearby sneered. "With the score gap widening, it'll be hard for him to catch up. Besides, Oshitari-senpai won't let him off that easily." 

There were those who supported Ishikawa and those who disliked him. 

But. 

Regardless of which side they were on, everyone's eyes were glued to Ishikawa, eager to see what he would do next. 

"Heh." 

Facing the intense gaze of over a hundred people, Ishikawa smiled faintly. 

Then. 

To everyone's astonishment, he raised his racket and gave the bouncing ball a powerful upward flick. 

*Whoosh!* 

The ball soared upward, but not with great speed, and it was clearly heading toward Oshitari's position. 

"A... a lob?!" 

Someone exclaimed in disbelief. 

A lob! 

Ishikawa actually chose to play a lob while in such a disadvantageous position? 

Wasn't this basically suicide?! 

But. 

To everyone's surprise, Oshitari showed no intention of going for a smash, despite the perfect opportunity. 

"What's wrong?" 

Seeing Oshitari's reaction, Ishikawa chuckled. "Senpai, are you scared?" 

"Tch!" 

Oshitari's expression darkened. 

Feeling the weight of over a hundred pairs of eyes on him, his face shifted through several emotions. Glancing at the ball still at smashable height, he gritted his teeth and leaped into the air. 

"Here it comes!" 

"That's more like it! Can't let him off easy!" 

"Hmph, daring to provoke Oshitari-senpai? This smash will teach him to respect his seniors!" 

Seeing Oshitari jump high into the air, his supporters clenched their fists in excitement. 

As for Oshitari. 

Having committed to the smash, he was in top form. Spotting the perfect position to strike, he swung his racket down with full force. 

*Boom!* 

The ball shot down like a cannonball. 

"Great shot!" 

Outside the court, Mukahi, Taki, and the others cheered loudly. 

In their eyes, since Ishikawa had dared to play a lob, Oshitari should respond with a powerful smash to show the rookie the gap between him and a top player. 

*Swish!* 

But in the next moment. 

Ishikawa, who had been standing still, suddenly turned his back, crouched low, and spread his arms in a motion that looked all too familiar. 

"N-no way?!" 

Seeing Ishikawa's move, Mukahi's eyes widened in shock. 

*Thud!* 

The ball was deflected by Ishikawa's racket, soaring high into the air and flying over Oshitari, who was still descending from his jump. 

"0-15!" 

As the ball landed in bounds, the referee announced the score without hesitation. 

*Step!* 

At the same time. 

Oshitari finally landed on his feet. 

His face was a mix of shock and disbelief as he stared at Ishikawa, who was calmly standing up. 

"G-Giant Bear Counter?!" 

Among the regulars, even the usually drowsy Akutagawa was wide-eyed in astonishment. 

"Atobe, look!" 

He gestured excitedly, stammering like a child. "Th-that rookie... he just used Oshitari's Giant Bear Counter! That's incredible!!!" 

"Hmm." 

Facing the excited Akutagawa, Atobe nodded. 

Turning his gaze to the composed young player, Atobe's eyes were filled with admiration. 

Ishikawa had not disappointed him! 

"So..." 

On the court, Oshitari's expression darkened. "Those two smashes you attempted earlier... were just to figure out the mechanics of the Giant Bear Counter?" 

"Something like that." 

Ishikawa smiled faintly. 

The **Giant Bear Counter** (also known as **Bear Drop**), a signature move of Seigaku's and Hyotei's tennis prodigies, Fuji Syusuke and Oshitari Yuushi, was known as the ultimate counter to smashes. 

Very few players could break through this technique. 

In the original series (both manga and anime), aside from Ryoma and Kevin, who used the "Muga no Kyouchi" (State of Self-Actualization) to mimic it, only Atobe had managed to execute it. 

This showed just how difficult the move was. 

However. 

With Ishikawa's current skill level, his terrifying observational abilities, and his basic techniques (excluding smashes) all upgraded to Lv. 6, replicating it wasn't impossible. 

Of course, that wasn't the main reason he had spent two games studying the move. 

"Senpai." 

Ignoring the shocked and awed gazes around him, Ishikawa looked at Oshitari and said, "When I used the **Giant Bear Counter** earlier, I noticed a weakness in the technique. I think with one more try, I can break through your signature move." 

*Gasp!* 

The crowd erupted in murmurs. 

"Atobe!" 

Among the regulars, Akutagawa was the most excited. "Did you hear that? This rookie just said he's going to break Oshitari's Giant Bear Counter in the next point!!!" 

As a player who pursued advanced techniques, the chance to witness the breaking of a top-tier move had him practically bouncing with excitement. 

What's more. 

This was a pre-announced declaration. 

How cool was that?! 

"Hmm." 

Seeing Akutagawa's reaction, Atobe smiled and nodded. "Finally, something that can get him excited. But..." 

Shifting his gaze. 

He looked at the confident Ishikawa with curiosity. 

What exactly was he planning to do? 

---

*(End of Chapter)*