"No way… this can't be real…"

Mukahi's jaw dropped as if he'd seen a ghost, staring at the racket that had fallen to the ground.

"0-30!"

The referee announced the score.

The tense atmosphere on the court instantly erupted into a wave of heated discussions.

"Oshitari-senpai's **Giant Bear Counter** was actually broken?"

"How is this even possible?"

"Incredible! Absolutely incredible! To break through that move head-on… this first-year is on a whole other level!"

At this moment.

Everyone, even Atobe, was visibly shaken.

"What… what a powerful smash!"

Akutagawa was beyond excited, but at the same time, he felt a deep sense of awe.

That was the **Giant Bear Counter**!

A move known as the ultimate counter to smashes!

And it was just broken like that?

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.

"A-Atobe…"

Turning to Atobe, Akutagawa stammered in disbelief, "Is this Ishikawa really a first-year?"

"You must be sleepwalking."

Atobe shot him a cold glance before turning his attention back to Ishikawa, who had landed steadily after the smash.

"If I'm not mistaken, he used the edge of his racket for that smash… What a bold move!"

"The edge?"

Akutagawa frowned in confusion. "Using the edge can indeed increase the power, but it shouldn't be enough to knock the racket out of Oshitari's hand, right?"

The most shocking moment had been when Oshitari's racket flew out of his hand.

After all.

Even Atobe needed to aim his smash at the grip area of Oshitari's racket to use the recoil force to knock it loose.

But Ishikawa's smash had clearly been returned.

"That's what I don't understand either."

Atobe narrowed his eyes. "One thing's for sure—there's more to that smash than meets the eye."

What?

Hearing this, the surrounding team members' expressions changed.

Even Atobe couldn't fully decipher the secrets behind that smash?

This Ishikawa… is he just too strong?

"The result… not bad."

On the other side.

Ishikawa was quite satisfied with the outcome of his smash.

Atobe wasn't wrong—Ishikawa hadn't just used the edge of his racket for the smash. He had also incorporated techniques from kendo strikes.

Additionally.

He had aimed his smash at the lower part of the racket, closer to the handle. The highly concentrated force hitting the lower part of the strings resulted in an explosive power far beyond that of a normal smash.

However.

A move like this could only be executed by someone like him.

While Rikkai's Sanada might have a deep understanding of kendo and could potentially use the edge of his racket for smashes, he wouldn't be able to concentrate his power to this extent.

Of course.

Sanada's raw physical strength was undoubtedly superior. If he were to attempt a smash like this, Oshitari probably wouldn't have been able to handle it either.

In contrast to Ishikawa's calm composure, Oshitari, who had been made to look like a mere backdrop, wore a grim expression.

Picking up his racket.

He silently retreated to the baseline, pulled out a new tennis ball, and served again.

*Step step!!*

To everyone's surprise, after serving, Oshitari quickly moved to the net.

Moreover.

After neutralizing Ishikawa's close-range shots, Oshitari, now in a favorable position, abandoned his usual calm playstyle and launched a fierce offensive.

*Thud!*

In a series of rapid exchanges, he seized control of the match with his superior positioning and precise techniques.

"Is… is this for real?"

Around the court, many were stunned by Oshitari's aggressive playstyle. "Is this really the Oshitari-senpai we know?"

Passionate.

Fierce.

It was a stark contrast to his usual gentle and elegant demeanor.

"This is his true form."

Atobe, however, remained calm. "Though, it's been a while since I've seen Oshitari like this."

How long had it been?

Ever since he was paired with Mukahi for doubles, Oshitari's individual prowess had taken a backseat.

And among the schools they'd faced, there had been few opponents who could push him to this level.

"So…"

Atobe looked up, watching Ishikawa struggle to hold his ground against Oshitari's onslaught, and narrowed his eyes. "This year, the tennis club hasn't just introduced a catfish—it's brought in a ferocious shark!"

*Tap!*

After being pushed to the brink by Oshitari's relentless attacks, Ishikawa finally steadied himself and seized an opportunity to send a lob high into the air.

Without hesitation.

Oshitari leaped into the air for a powerful smash.

*Thud!*

However.

His fierce smash was met with Ishikawa's perfectly executed **Giant Bear Counter**, sending the ball back into the court and landing it in bounds.

"0-40!"

The referee announced the result of the point.

Seeing this.

The supporters of Oshitari, who had been fired up by his aggressive playstyle, were instantly doused with cold water.

"Sigh…"

Mukahi let out a helpless sigh, a wry smile on his face.

Beside him, Taki, Otori, and the others also shook their heads in resignation.

Who could have guessed?

The move that ultimately crushed Oshitari's hopes of a comeback was his own signature technique—the **Giant Bear Counter**.

Yes.

Even though the match wasn't technically over.

Everyone knew that Ishikawa, who had not only mastered the **Giant Bear Counter** but also found a way to break it, had already won the match.

Even Oshitari knew that he had no chance left.

*Thud!*

Finally.

After 34 minutes of play.

As Ishikawa's smash landed decisively, the referee's voice rang out: "Game, set, and match! Winner: Ishikawa Shin, 6-2!"

"Wooooow!!!"

Instantly.

The first-years and the casual supporters of Ishikawa erupted into cheers.

**[Ding!]**

At the same time.

A system notification sounded in Ishikawa's mind.

**[Player has defeated elite-level player Oshitari Yuushi. Reward: 1200 experience points.]**

**[Player has obtained Oshitari Yuushi's dropped skill: Giant Bear Counter Lv. 1.]**

"Huh… not bad."

Seeing Oshitari's dropped skill, though somewhat underwhelming, Ishikawa was still satisfied.

With the 1200 experience points.

Combined with today's training and daily tasks, he was close to leveling up again.

Moreover.

Defeating Oshitari.

Proved that he had grown enough to stand his ground in Hyotei.

From here on out, it was about solidifying his fundamentals, developing more advanced techniques, and reaching a national-level standard.

---

The next day.

The final day of Hyotei's selection matches.

Ishikawa easily defeated his last two opponents, both of whom were essentially cannon fodder, securing his position as the only undefeated player in Group D.

That day.

The most anticipated match was between Oshitari and Shishido. Fighting for the final regular spot, both players gave it their all.

In the end.

Oshitari came out on top, defeating Shishido 6-3 and securing the second regular position in Group D.

With that.

Hyotei's eight regular members were finalized.

They were:

**Third-years:** Atobe Keigo, Akutagawa Jirou, Oshitari Yuushi, Mukahi Gakuto, Taki Haginosuke.

**Second-years:** Otori Chotarou, Kabaji Munehiro.

And the first-year newcomer who seemed out of place among the upperclassmen—**Ishikawa Shin!**

---

*(End of Chapter)*

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com