Akutsu's physical talent was undeniably extraordinary—no one could argue that.
However.
His playing style had a glaring flaw. For any skilled player, there were plenty of ways to defeat him.
But now.
Akutsu had chosen to change.
His understanding of tennis had deepened, and he no longer rejected the sport in his heart. Combined with his desire for revenge, he had finally decided to transform himself!
Once he made up his mind, his previously wavering mentality became resolute. With self-imposed pressure, Akutsu's hidden potential began to awaken.
Though it wasn't fully realized yet—not like the Beast Aura or the Sword Intent that could be controlled and manifested at will—Ryuuzaki could already sense that once Akutsu fully awakened, the aura he'd unleash would be even more intense than the Beast Aura!
*Boom!*
On the court.
Akutsu served again.
This time, he still stood in the center of the court. At over 180 cm tall, he practically towered over Aoi, who was only around 165 cm.
"This pressure…"
Feeling the oppressive aura emanating from his opponent, Aoi's expression shifted.
But.
He didn't panic.
Being naturally optimistic, he actually saw this as an opportunity. He believed that the pressure from his opponent could push him to play even more precisely.
"This time… let's aim here!"
*Boom!*
With a quick thought, Aoi decisively struck the ball toward the net.
*Tap!* Just like before, the ball hit the upper part of the net. It bounced lightly, about to fall to the ground.
*Swish!*
But then.
A figure suddenly appeared at the net. It was Akutsu, who had sprinted at full speed. As he caught up to the ball, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he swung his racket without hesitation.
*Bang!*
The sound of the impact echoed.
The ball shot forward like a cannonball.
"So fast!!!"
Aoi, who was preparing to return the shot, was startled by the speed. He quickly accelerated, reaching out his racket just before the ball could bounce away.
*Thud!*
But when the ball met his racket.
Aoi's face instantly twisted in discomfort.
Heavy!
Too heavy!
Even though some of the ball's force had been absorbed by the ground, the impact Aoi felt on his racket was far heavier than if he'd caught it directly.
*Clatter!*
Before he could even steady his racket with his left hand.
The force of Akutsu's shot sent his racket flying out of his right hand.
"30-30!"
"Great shot!"
"Amazing! That's our Akutsu!"
"What a terrifying shot! He even knocked the opponent's racket out of his hand!"
The Ice Emperor supporters and bystanders were in awe.
Compared to before.
Akutsu was like a completely different person now!
"Hmm."
The Rokkaku team's expressions grew serious.
Even the most oblivious among them could sense the change in this Ice Emperor player.
"But… why?"
Saeki, Kurobane, and others furrowed their brows.
If it was just a change in playing style, how could his speed and power have improved so drastically?
"His potential is being unleashed."
At that moment, the old coach sitting on the bench opened his eyes and spoke. "The human body's potential is limitless. This boy already possesses strength far beyond ordinary people. Now that he's truly accepted tennis and started pushing himself, his potential is beginning to surface."
"Pushing himself?!"
Saeki and the others were stunned.
So, Akutsu was using Aoi's playing style to mentally pressure himself?
That was a quick turnaround!
Moreover.
They noticed the coach's choice of words. Having grown up playing the tennis games he designed, they had never heard him praise anyone like this before.
"Strength beyond ordinary people, huh?"
Aoi took a deep breath, his expression turning serious.
He never doubted the old coach's words. So, he steeled himself and prepared to give it his all.
At the same time.
He adjusted himself to his peak condition.
*Bang!*
However.
Aoi still underestimated the power of Akutsu's unleashed strength.
This serve was fast. Though the placement wasn't particularly tricky, the overwhelming pressure made Aoi's heart race.
"Tch!"
When he swung his racket to return the ball, the sheer weight of the impact made him gasp.
Remembering his earlier experience, Aoi quickly used both hands to counter.
*Thud! Thud!*
On the other side.
Akutsu, having read the ball's trajectory, sprinted forward at full speed.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
His speed was so fast that afterimages began to trail behind him.
"What?!"
The Rokkaku team's faces fell.
Even on Ice Emperor's side, players like Mukahi and Shishido, known for their speed and agility, were visibly shocked.
No one had expected Akutsu's speed to reach this level.
*Bang!*
The next moment.
Akutsu's return shot slammed into Aoi's backhand side. Aoi took two steps but had no choice but to slow down and let the ball go.
"40-30!"
Too strong!
The Rokkaku team was dumbfounded.
No one had expected Aoi to be so thoroughly suppressed that he'd give up on returning the ball.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
However.
In the following rallies.
Everyone noticed that Aoi was somehow keeping up with Akutsu's movements again.
"Has Kentarou's potential been forced out too?"
The Rokkaku team's Kisarazu and Tachibana looked pleased.
In their eyes, Aoi's talent was also exceptional. Otherwise, the old coach wouldn't have made him the team captain.
"No, that's not it."
However, Saeki's expression remained grim. "Yes, Kentarou's talent is high. But the reason he's able to return the shots now is because his opponent is letting him."
What?
The Rokkaku team's hearts skipped a beat.
They instinctively looked over and saw that Akutsu wasn't aiming for the corners. Instead, he was deliberately hitting the ball near Aoi's position.
"This guy…"
Kurobane and Amane frowned. "Is he trying to humiliate Kentarou?"
"No."
Surprisingly, the old coach shook his head. "Just like a beast learning to hunt by targeting weaker prey, this boy is using Kentarou to hone his own skills!"
"Huh?"
The Rokkaku team was stunned.
"So…"
On Ice Emperor's side, the players exchanged glances. Ootori, in particular, exclaimed, "Akutsu-senpai is using the Rokkaku captain as a whetstone?!"
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
On the court.
As Akutsu continued his relentless attacks, the intimidating aura around him grew stronger.
Faintly.
Those with sharp eyes, like Atobe and Ryuuzaki, could see a faint grayish-white energy swirling around him. But it was subtle, visible only to them.
As this energy appeared, Akutsu's movements became even faster, leaving Aoi gasping for breath.
*Bang!*
Another shot.
Though it landed right in front of Aoi, he was too exhausted. His arms were numb from the constant impact.
Facing this shot.
He could only watch helplessly as the ball bounced away.
"Game!"
"Ice Emperor Akutsu, 1-1!"
The score was tied.
But it was clear to everyone that Akutsu had taken control of the match.
However.
Despite being in the lead, Akutsu showed no signs of excitement or joy. Instead, he frowned, his expression darkening.
"Is the opponent not strong enough?"
The rest of Ice Emperor didn't understand, but Ryuuzaki immediately grasped Akutsu's thoughts. He smiled and said, "Indeed, the Rokkaku captain's pressure is somewhat limited."
This comment.
Left Ice Emperor's team stunned.
The Rokkaku team also realized what he meant.
This was a polite way of saying that Aoi Kentarou wasn't strong enough—not even qualified to be a whetstone for Akutsu.
Such words should have angered the Rokkaku team.
But seeing Aoi struggling and stumbling under Akutsu's pressure, they could only sigh in resignation.
*Boom!*
Finally.
Twelve minutes into the match.
With a powerful smash from Akutsu, the referee's voice rang out. "Game, set, and match! Ice Emperor Akutsu wins, 6-1!"
*Thud!*
As soon as the words were spoken.
Aoi, completely exhausted, collapsed onto the court.
"Hmph."
Meanwhile.
When the referee announced the end of the match, Akutsu reluctantly put away his racket and left the court.
At the same time.
Ryuuzaki and Atobe noticed that the grayish-white energy around Akutsu gradually faded as the match concluded.
"Senpai."
As Akutsu walked off, others instinctively stepped aside, sensing the lingering intensity around him.
But Ryuuzaki greeted him with a smile. "If you're still not satisfied, I can play a match with you after this afternoon's games."
*Swish!*
Hearing this.
Not only Ice Emperor, but even the Rokkaku team turned to look.
They had just witnessed Akutsu's ferocious playing style. Logically, anyone would want to stay as far away from him as possible after a match.
But.
This Ice Emperor first-year had actually invited him to play.
"I'm not interested."
To everyone's shock, the powerful Ice Emperor third-year regular refused the offer.
Instantly.
Players like Saeki and Kurobane turned their attention to Ryuuzaki.
If he could suppress Akutsu, who was in peak condition after a match, then this Ice Emperor first-year vice-captain's true strength was beyond imagination.
"Perhaps…"
Saeki thought to himself, "The strongest player in Ice Emperor isn't Captain Atobe, but this unfathomable first-year!"
With three matches over.
Ice Emperor had crushed Rokkaku, securing their spot in the semifinals.
The day's second round consisted of two matches: the quarterfinals in the morning and the semifinals in the afternoon.
On the other side.
Seigaku, facing Yamabuki, took a bit longer but ultimately won 3-1, advancing to the semifinals.
The other two matches saw Fudomine and the defending champions, Rikkai, also securing their spots in the top four.
After the matches.
The four teams took a break.
At 2 PM.
Back at the same outdoor court where Ice Emperor had faced Rokkaku, two teams—one in gray and the other in blue—entered the court, led by their coaches and captains.
"Next up, the semifinals of the Kanto Tournament."
"Tokyo's Seishun Gakuen versus Tokyo's Hyotei Gakuen."
"Both teams, please prepare."
(End of Chapter)