A serve must bounce once to be legally returned. If the ball doesn't bounce, how can you counter it?
Moreover, now it was Ryunosuke's turn to serve, and according to tennis match regulations: if a serve ball doesn't touch the ground and bounce, by the rules it's not permitted to hit it back.
Theoretically, Zero Shiki Serve was completely unbreakable.
People outside the court watched with hearts pounding wildly. This was the first time they'd seen such a "cheating" serve. Once Zero Shiki Serve was released, the outcome was already certain victory; nothing could change it.
Hiyori's mind was filled with confusion. "What exactly is the principle behind this technique? Why doesn't the tennis ball bounce, but instead rolls back?"
Hiratsuka, who was smoking, walked closer to provide an explanation.
"That seems to be what's called Zero Shiki Serve. It's a technique that even professional players can't necessarily pull off; it often depends on luck."
"Zero Shiki?" Hiyori tilted her head cutely, indicating she didn't really understand tennis.
Hiratsuka looked at Fumino standing beside her. "Go to the infirmary for a moment, bring back the first aid kit."
Fumino pointed at herself in confusion. "Eh, me? Why get that?"
"When you're told to go, just go, don't ask so many questions." Hiratsuka pointed toward Ryunosuke. "Because that kid is going to need it."
Fumino didn't quite understand, but she still obediently went to the infirmary to get the medical kit.
Hiyori asked Hiratsuka with a worried tone, "Does this Zero Shiki Serve carry a risk of injury?"
Hiratsuka extinguished her cigarette butt and explained patiently.
"More or less. To hit a ball like that requires extremely precise control, the burden on the arm is very heavy. Even if you succeed in doing it, your wrist could be destroyed."
Hiyori was shocked. She looked up at Ryunosuke on the court with an anxious expression. However, Hiratsuka waved her hand to signal there was no need to worry.
"That kid definitely knows the danger of that serve, otherwise he wouldn't have only brought it out at the very end. If he only relies on the serve and only does it four times, it should be fine. That kid must have already calculated it."
Hiyori breathed a sigh of relief while patting her small chest. "Thank goodness then..."
Hiratsuka showed a meaningful expression while looking at Hiyori. The meaning was clear: Why are you so worried about him?
Hiyori's face turned red. She didn't answer and covered her face with the book she was hugging so her blush wouldn't show, while leaving her eyes visible to continue observing the match secretly.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
On the match court.
Both Ryuji and Asuna showed bitter smiles.
How do you hit this ball?
The ball doesn't bounce, and even if hit back, the point won't count. The serve right is in the opponent's hands—this technique was truly impossible to break.
Ryunosuke jumped again, releasing Zero Shiki Serve once more.
Asuna and Ryuji gave up fighting; they were even too lazy to try chasing it.
What's the point of chasing?
Against this "thug" style of play, even a world champion would be helpless.
Even Nanjiro Echizen would have to bow down. This technique was too absolute.
"Fifteen all!" (Score became 40:15).
One last ball remaining. Ryunosuke could feel his arm starting to go slightly numb. It seemed he couldn't perform Zero Shiki Serve anymore; the burden was too heavy. He felt his arm throbbing with pain.
Only after doing Zero Shiki Serve three times, the burden was already this great. It seemed he had to switch to Tannhauser Serve.
Tannhauser Serve, as the name suggests, is a ball that after touching the ground utilizes high-speed rotation to glide along the floor surface. Similar to Tsubame Gaeshi.
However, the difference is that one is a serve. Based on match rules, if a serve ball lands without bouncing, the opponent is forbidden from hitting back; even if hit back, it will be considered an invalid ball. Whereas Tsubame Gaeshi isn't a serve, but rather a return shot; even if it doesn't bounce, the ball can still be hit before landing and is considered valid, so there's a risk of being hit back by the opponent.
Compared to Zero Shiki Serve, the burden of Tannhauser Serve is lighter. This is one of Keigo Atobe's signature techniques.
Ryunosuke threw the ball high, his body formed a strange arc, then he swung the racket forcefully, releasing Tannhauser Serve to lighten the burden on his arm.
Seeing Ryunosuke change his position, Ryuji and Asuna thought there was finally a chance, and they prepared to advance to chase the ball. However, they were stunned when they realized that ball still didn't bounce; the ball spun rapidly in place leaving a red trail, then glided out.
Asuna really couldn't say anything anymore. "Again with a serve like this. How can anyone hit it..."
The match ended.
"Victory to Class D and Class C! Score 6:1!!!"
Ryunosuke walked down from the court. Fumino promptly brought the medical kit and jogged over to provide emergency treatment for him.
Ryunosuke looked at Fumino with surprise. "How did you know I was injured?"
While helping to get the anti-swelling medication, Fumino answered without looking up, "It wasn't me who realized it, but Hiratsuka-sensei."
Ryunosuke looked up and saw Hiratsuka across the way smiling—a smile that was somewhat cruel—making him shrink his neck slightly.
Last time when he was in prime condition he couldn't even defeat this iron-fisted teacher, let alone now when he was injured; he'd definitely be even more helpless.
Ryunosuke felt somewhat terrified, afraid his teacher still held a grudge about the last incident and would give him Hokuto Shinken (Fist of the North Star). In his current condition, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.
Hiratsuka walked closer and slapped Ryunosuke's back hard.
"Haha! Good work, kid! That Zero Shiki Serve technique, even professional players can't necessarily pull it off. Sometimes it requires luck too. You seem to have completely mastered it. Tsk tsk tsk~"
Hiratsuka was liking this kid more and more, like meeting an old friend. She wrapped her arm around Ryunosuke's neck and laughed heartily.
"Haha! How about we spar a few moves sometime? That last fight really wasn't satisfying~ Oh yeah, also bring that flat-faced guy from back then, I feel he didn't unleash his full strength."
Ryunosuke looked at her helplessly. "We are model students, fighting is not good."
"You are the person least qualified to say that, Kid." Hiratsuka exposed Ryunosuke's words mercilessly, while giving examples. "About you fighting with a teacher, let's say I won't make an issue of it. But about you beating up my students..."
Before the other party finished speaking, Ryunosuke cut her off. "Stop, stop! I know I was wrong, okay? Sometime I'll find you to exchange techniques..."
"There we go!" Hiratsuka pulled Ryunosuke into her embrace, looking very satisfied with that answer.
Ryunosuke could only resign himself.
What else could he do? He could only accept it. At worst, later he'd bring Ayanokouji along; two against one...
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