Prince of Tennis: The Emperor's Eye

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: The Fully Unleashed Kyushu Duo

”I didn’t expect to lose so completely~” Yukimura said with a bitter smile as he looked at Akashi across from him.

”What was the name of that new move you just used?” Akashi asked calmly, though he already knew the answer.

”Dream,” Yukimura replied softly, lowering his voice.

”Dream, huh? It’s a pretty good move. But sometimes, mental techniques can be tried on yourself, too. Didn’t you sense something different in the last game, Yukimura?” Akashi said, guiding him patiently.

Yukimura was taken aback. He recalled the feeling of being immersed in Zero Senses and the dream world. Although it was lonely, painful, and powerless, he could sense the ball’s trajectory more sharply than usual.

”Also, after this tournament, you should try training your left-handed hitting ability,” Akashi said as he saw Yukimura deep in thought. With those words, he turned and walked back to the bench.

Because of Akashi’s guidance, Yukimura’s body was healthy. He had been getting regular checkups, and with Akashi’s training methods, his physical condition had improved far beyond the original timeline, and his mental power had developed further.

But because of that, Yukimura never experienced the rehabilitation training in the original story, so his left hand didn’t get trained—meaning he might not develop Mirage Mirror.

Meanwhile, in the stands, everyone was still buzzing about what they’d just experienced. It was something they’d never felt before, and after the shock and confusion, excitement took over.

”Oni~ you and Akashi-chan are the only ones who’ve seriously faced each other. What did you think of him in that match?” Irie asked curiously.

”If we don’t count mental power, that kid probably only used less than 40% of his strength. He’s already in a different dimension compared to other middle schoolers,” Oni said after a moment of silence.

Irie and Kurobe Yukio caught onto the word ”dimension” immediately, a storm of realization stirring in their hearts, though their faces remained calm. Mitsuya stood quietly nearby, eyes closed, lost in thought.

”In a few days, Oni-kun, you’ll take the new first string on an overseas expedition. That’s also the head coach’s decision~” Kurobe Yukio said, changing the topic.

Oni thought for a moment, then agreed. There was no need for him to stay at the camp anymore. It was time for him to represent Japan and challenge players overseas.

With singles three over, it was time for doubles two. Both pairs had finished warming up. Rikkai was sending Yanagi Renji and Mōri Jusaburō, clearly planning to stack all their top players in the first three matches.

For Fudomine, before Tachibana Kippei and Chitose Senri stepped onto the court, they heard Akashi’s voice from behind them.

”You two haven’t forgotten the Kantō Tournament, right? This time, finish it cleanly and win,” Akashi said.

Tachibana and Chitose exchanged a look without turning around. Sometimes, action spoke louder than words. Akashi watched their determined steps and nodded slightly.

”Now starting doubles two: Fudomine’s Tachibana Kippei and Chitose Senri against Rikkai’s Mōri Jusaburō and Yanagi Renji! Players, please take the court!”

With the umpire’s announcement, the doubles two match was about to begin. The four players gathered at the net without saying a word, bowed to each other, and did the coin toss. Tachibana won the serve.

”First game, Fudomine to serve!”

The match officially began. Tachibana stood at the baseline, took a deep breath, and suddenly a deep red aura burst around him. In the front court, Chitose’s aura flared in the same color, and the two auras slowly connected.

”Beast Synchronization!”

Across the net, Yanagi and Mōri’s expressions changed dramatically. They hadn’t expected their opponents to open with Synchronization, and not just any synchronization—Fudomine’s unique Beast Synchronization.

”This has to be a joke, right? I’ve never seen this kind of synchronization before, and judging by that aura, it’s no weaker than the Mutsu brothers!” Irie said in surprise.

”Another pair of monstrous first-years? What on earth is happening here?” Kurobe Yukio said in a low voice.

With Beast Synchronization activated, Tachibana didn’t hesitate. He unleashed Abare Jishi, and the tennis ball instantly split into several afterimages flying toward the other court.

”No matter how many balls it looks like, the shadow is always the real one!” Yanagi said, eyes fixed on the ball’s shadow on the ground.

”Based on the current time, sun angle, and surrounding lighting, there’s a 92% chance the ball will go to the corner!” Yanagi continued as he dashed to the left baseline.

Reaching the corner, Yanagi met one of the balls head-on with a powerful swing. The moment he hit it, all the other illusions disappeared instantly.

”Data tennis really is scary~” Chitose suddenly appeared at the net. He spoke casually, but his follow-up was merciless as he hit Kamikakushi.

The ball vanished as it crossed the net, only to reappear right on Mōri’s racket. Mōri grinned as he returned it, saying, ”Ara~ that kind of trick doesn’t work on me, you know!”

Tachibana charged forward, stood on one leg, leaped high, and swung his racket horizontally. The ball instantly split into 20 afterimages, sweeping down on Yanagi and Mōri like a storm.

”Let’s see you return this one! Abare Dama!”

Mōri immediately shut his eyes and weaved eerily through the illusions, trying to hit the real ball, but ultimately failed.

In the backcourt, Yanagi spotted the shadow on the ground, but it darted rapidly back and forth, making it impossible to pinpoint the right position in time.

”15-0!”

The stadium erupted with thunderous cheers. This was just the first point of the match, yet it was already so spectacular that many spectators felt this year’s tournament was every bit as exciting as last year’s national final.

”Mōri-senpai, I’ll leave it to you to buy us some time next,” Yanagi said seriously to Mōri.

Mōri nodded solemnly, then slipped into a sleep-like state, his body entering a phase of energy storage, waiting for an explosive burst at the right moment.

Tachibana unleashed Abare Jishi again. As the multiple ball afterimages flew toward them, Mōri’s eyes snapped open for an instant, his purple pupils seeing through the entire move. His body flickered to the left side of the court, and he swung his racket.

The tennis ball was cleanly returned, and the other afterimages vanished immediately. Chitose rushed to the spot, and as he swung, seven-colored light shimmered around his hand, sending the ball back at double its original speed.

But just doubling the speed wasn’t enough to trouble Mōri. He moved with graceful precision, returning the ball with elegant swings that looked like a dance—his body instinctively using the most effortless form possible, making each motion flow seamlessly.

Thanks to the heart-to-heart connection of Beast Synchronization, Tachibana didn’t join the rally immediately. Instead, he let Chitose and his Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami face off against Mōri, while he stayed alert for any sudden moves from Yanagi.

After several intense exchanges between Chitose and Mōri, Mōri’s racket was finally knocked from his hands—the power on the ball had reached a level he could no longer endure. At that moment, Yanagi appeared behind Mōri, swinging his racket with both hands to intercept the ball.

Having been slowed by Mōri’s block, the ball had lost most of its momentum, so Yanagi managed to return it. Chitose stepped aside instead of hitting it, leaving space for the ball to pass.

Tachibana met the ball in the backcourt, unleashing a powerful forehand drive that sent it straight to Mōri’s left corner. Yanagi was too late to reach it, and the ball flew out of bounds.

”30-0!”

Yanagi walked over to Mōri, picked up his racket, and placed it back in his hand. Mōri remained in his sleep-like state, his body continuing to store energy.

”This Mōri Jusaburō is interesting. He has such a unique talent,” Irie said with clear interest.

”Indeed! He’s worth adding to the scouting list,” Kurobe Yukio nodded.

”That Chitose kid just now... he activated Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami, didn’t he?” Oni said slowly.

”That’s right. According to the data, Fudomine’s Chitose Senri and Tezuka Kunimitsu have both opened two gates of Muga no Kyōchi. But Coach Saitō recently reported that Tezuka might’ve opened the final gate. I’m not sure how accurate that is,” Mitsuya said, adjusting his glasses.

”The information’s correct. Saitō saw it himself—Tezuka Kunimitsu has unlocked Ten’i Muhō no Kiwami,” Kurobe Yukio added.

Oni and Irie fell silent. A first-year middle schooler unlocking the legendary Ten’i Muhō no Kiwami—such strength could place him in the top ten of the first string, perhaps even the top five.

On the court, the match continued. Mōri used his sleep state to prolong rallies as much as possible. Meanwhile, Yanagi gathered data and supported Mōri as best he could.

But against Tachibana and Chitose, empowered by Beast Synchronization, they couldn’t stall for long. Chitose’s Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami made Mōri struggle with every rally; the longer it went on, the more likely his racket was to be knocked away.

”40-0!”

”GAME! Fudomine! 1-0!”

In the end, Tachibana and Chitose secured their service game smoothly, but Yanagi had already gathered plenty of data. The second game was Yanagi’s serve.

Standing at the baseline, Yanagi served quickly, then focused entirely on collecting data, his mind building precise models of Tachibana and Chitose’s every move.

Mōri also unleashed his full power, doing everything he could to rally against Tachibana and Chitose. The two sides clashed in this strange standoff, neither giving an inch.

”GAME! Fudomine! 2-0!”

No matter how hard Mōri tried, he couldn’t hold off Tachibana and Chitose alone, especially with Beast Synchronization enabling flawless, seamless teamwork.

”Mōri-senpai, thank you for your effort. I’ve gathered enough data. Let’s go together now,” Yanagi said firmly as the third game began.

Though Mōri didn’t reply, still appearing asleep, Yanagi knew he could hear—this was the mysterious power of Mōri’s sleep state.

On the other side, Tachibana heard Yanagi’s words and grew wary. He called out to Chitose, who nodded knowingly. A seven-colored light enveloped Chitose’s body, overlaying the aura of Beast Synchronization, and tiny starlike sparkles appeared in his hair.

”Eleven shots!”

Chitose made a perfect prediction with Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami before serving. On the sidelines, Akashi’s eyes gleamed with interest—this was data tennis versus Saiki Kanpatsu, a scene never seen even in the original story.

As Chitose served the ball, both pairs began to move early. Yanagi used his analysis to direct Mōri, while Tachibana, connected through Beast Synchronization, saw the simulation in Chitose’s mind and matched his movements perfectly.

The match looked as if both sides had rehearsed beforehand, always arriving early at the ball’s landing spot, creating a seamless flow that mesmerized the audience.

”Akuto, what do you think—can data tennis break through Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami?” Irie asked Mitsuya with a smile.

”If Renji could master data output, Saiki Kanpatsu would collapse on its own. But unfortunately, he’s still a bit short,” Mitsuya replied seriously.

After Chitose’s prediction, everyone from Rikkai and Fudomine silently counted the rallies in their hearts. When Chitose returned the ninth shot, everyone unconsciously tensed up.

”Probability of using Kamikakushi is 92%, probability the ball appears on the baseline is 87%!” Yanagi announced as he appeared at the baseline. An empty space in front of him suddenly revealed a tennis ball.

Without hesitation, Yanagi crossed his hands and unleashed Kamaitachi, sending a rapidly spinning ball straight at the opposite court. Chitose, who had been at the net, flashed left, revealing Tachibana behind him.

Tachibana leaped high, swinging his racket fiercely at the incoming ball. The ball split into ten light trails blasting toward Yanagi and Mōri’s court.

”Abare Dama Kai!”

Mōri’s eyes snapped open, instantly reading the trajectory. He dashed to the left baseline and swung at one light image; as it collided with his racket, the other images disappeared.

Just as Mōri prepared to return the shot, a massive force surged through his racket into his arm, reminding him of his match against Akutsu at the Kanto Tournament. Dust kicked up behind him, cracks appearing on the ground.

Mōri’s racket flew from his hand, and he fell backward, landing on his backside. The ball smashed into the court, leaving a dent before bouncing out of bounds.

”15-0!”

Akashi watched Tachibana’s Abare Dama Kai with a satisfied smile. ”I didn’t expect you’d merge elements of Glowing Shot into Abare Dama. As expected of the Golden Lion, Tachibana Kippei.”

It seemed in this clash of data tennis versus Saiki Kanpatsu, the prediction had won out—though the skill gap between the sides played a part.

”Looks like several of Akashi-kun’s team can use Glowing Shot. That’s Byoudouin’s signature move,” Irie said with a chuckle.

”That’s not surprising. Akashi himself mastered it to a level comparable to Byoudouin, so teaching it to others isn’t strange at all,” Oni replied calmly.

The match continued as a fierce clash between data tennis and Saiki Kanpatsu, but the difference in strength and Beast Synchronization’s boost meant Yanagi and Mōri kept losing points.

”30-0!”

”40-0!”

”GAME! Fudomine! 3-0! Change courts!”

During the break, Rikkai’s team sat in silence. No one offered words of encouragement—they knew Yanagi and Mōri needed quiet to think of a plan.

Yukimura also said nothing. He knew how bad the situation looked for Rikkai and trusted Yanagi and Mōri understood better than anyone; words from others would only add pressure.

When play resumed, nothing changed. Yanagi and Mōri fought with everything they had, but facing a fully unleashed, strengthened Kyushu duo, they were powerless.

”GAME! Fudomine! 4-0!”

”GAME! Fudomine! 5-0!”

In the blink of an eye, Tachibana and Chitose took two more games. Yanagi and Mōri were left panting heavily, overwhelmed by the crushing pressure.

Rikkai’s members lowered their heads in despair. They knew there was almost no hope left. In doubles, synchronization made all the difference, and they had none.

In the sixth game, Yanagi and Mōri refused to give up, chasing every ball. Yanagi used his collected data to the fullest, but it wasn’t enough.

”0-15!”

”0-30!”

”0-40!”

As match point arrived, despair filled Yanagi’s heart. He couldn’t see any options left—no matter how well he predicted the shots, everything fell within Chitose’s simulated scenarios, making his data tennis ineffective.

When Yanagi served again, Mōri still fought with everything he had. Seeing this, Yanagi rallied himself and directed Mōri’s movements.

The point quickly reached Chitose’s predicted shot. Chitose struck a sharp Kamikakushi that passed Yanagi and reappeared on Mōri’s right, completely out of his reach.

But unexpectedly, as Mōri’s right hand stretched, a loud crack rang out. His arm extended unnaturally far, just enough to reach the ball and return it, shattering Chitose’s absolute prediction.

Tachibana reacted instantly, unleashing Abare Dama Kai again to win the final point and end the match.

”GAME! 6-0! Match over! Winner: Fudomine!”