**Chapter 163: Slashing the Emperor, Crowned Champion of Kanto (Part 1)**  

"Too fast! It's like he turned into lightning and teleported!" 

"Is this Sanada's true strength? Unbelievable! Ishikawa can't even keep up with the ball!" 

"Sanada scores! He's broken his opponent's serve! The momentum is shifting!" 

Inside the bus. 

The excited voice of the commentator for the Kanto Junior Finals echoed continuously. 

"He… scored?" 

Jackal's hand, holding the radio, trembled slightly. 

"The… the vice-captain… he's been hiding this kind of power all along?" 

Even Hyotei was shocked. 

He never expected that Sanada, whose usual strength already seemed like an insurmountable mountain, had been holding back a trump card! 

"Turned into lightning?" 

Yanagi recalled the commentator's words, his face also showing astonishment. 

Two years ago. 

He transferred to Rikkai Dai Fuzoku and met Yukimura and Sanada. Back then, he was already amazed by the strength they displayed. 

And over these two years. 

Yanagi had been constantly collecting data on the two, trying to find a way to defeat them. But he always hit a wall with Sanada's "Fūrin Kazan" technique. 

Facing a skill that could neutralize all spins and forces, even Yanagi was powerless. 

And now. 

He was being told that what he knew wasn't Sanada's full strength? 

"Maybe we should thank Ishikawa." 

At this moment, Marui, chewing bubble gum, chuckled. "If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have known that Sanada was hiding such power." 

His words. 

Lightened the mood in the bus. 

As long as they could secure the Kanto Championship and maintain Rikkai's undefeated streak, they could give Yukimura a proper交代. 

Meanwhile. 

At the Green Forest Tennis Park. 

The venue for the Kanto Finals. 

Contrary to what the Rikkai team thought, Sanada's expression changed the moment he saw Ishikawa adjust his grip. 

"No… impossible!" 

Sanada's eyes locked onto Ishikawa. 

At the same time, his racket instinctively rose, defensively positioned in front of him. 

It was too exaggerated! Too absurd! 

Because he actually felt the aura of a kendo master emanating from Ishikawa—an aura he had only briefly encountered during his training at the dojo! 

No! 

It was even more than that! 

Sanada even had the absurd feeling that this black-haired boy in front of him was more dangerous and terrifying than the kendo master who had decades of experience! 

"What's wrong, senior?" 

Ishikawa, holding his racket, smiled. "Did you forget it's your turn to serve?" 

"Hmph!" 

Sanada's expression shifted. 

"Victory belongs to Rikkai!" 

Outside the court. 

The regular members and cheer squad of Rikkai looked at Sanada in confusion. They didn't understand why their vice-captain was suddenly acting this way. 

It looked like he had encountered something terrifying and was having a stress reaction. 

"What's wrong with Sanada?" 

Representatives from other schools also noticed the subtle change in Sanada's demeanor. 

They couldn't understand. 

This was the perfect time to press the advantage, so why did Sanada seem hesitant, even scared? 

"What is he worried about?" 

Tezuka, Chitose, and other top players wondered. 

They had also observed Ishikawa's slight adjustment in grip, but could such a minor change really scare Sanada? 

No matter how they looked at it, it seemed too exaggerated. 

*Thud!* 

*Thud!* 

*Thud!* 

At the baseline. 

Sanada tapped the ball again. 

Although he knew that kendo and tennis, while sharing some similarities, were fundamentally different. 

But. 

The image of Ishikawa's concentrated aura flashed in his mind, making his heart tremble uncontrollably. 

"No!" 

Gripping the ball, he locked eyes with his opponent, his gaze sharpening. "I can't be intimidated by his aura. My tennis is completely different from kendo!" 

Having made up his mind. 

Sanada tossed the ball and slammed it with full force. 

*Bang!* 

The ball landed near the service line with incredible speed. 

Compared to before, Sanada's serve, now at full strength, was undeniably more powerful. 

*Thwack!* 

However. 

Ishikawa's reaction was equally swift. 

With a smooth, low swing from right to left, he returned Sanada's serve with a half-volley. 

*Hum!* 

But when he looked up, Sanada's body was once again enveloped in a dark, smoky aura that seemed to rise into the sky. 

**In'ei!** 

Another of Sanada's sealed powerful techniques. 

With this move, he completely eliminated any chance of his opponent predicting his actions. 

*Crackle!* 

Then. 

A flash of lightning. 

Sanada's figure almost instantly appeared near the ball's landing point. 

"So fast!!!" 

Outside the court. 

Representatives from various schools were stunned. 

Even though it wasn't the first time they'd seen it, Sanada's speed still left them in awe. 

"It's like he's turned into lightning!" 

Chitose and Tachibana's expressions were grave. 

Once, they had led Rokkaku to the national stage, full of confidence. Known as one of the top two in Kyushu, they represented the highest level of junior tennis. 

But now. 

Seeing Sanada's lightning-like speed and dominant style, they realized there was still a gap between them and the pinnacle of junior tennis. 

Tachibana nodded heavily. "The Emperor of Junior Tennis… truly deserving of the title!" 

*Swish!* 

At that moment. 

Sanada, having caught up to the ball, raised his racket high. His eyes gleamed as he swung down at the incoming ball. 

*Crackle!* 

In an instant. 

Lightning erupted, and electricity surged. 

The spectators' vision was completely overtaken by the spreading light. The surroundings seemed to darken, leaving only the unpredictable, elusive arc of lightning. 

**Rai!** 

Atobe's expression darkened. 

Next to him, Oshitari and Shishido also looked tense. Sanada's shot was too exaggerated. In terms of sheer power, it far surpassed any technique they had ever seen. 

What was even more terrifying. 

Was that the lightning's trajectory was unpredictable. 

Even if one had the strength to return the ball, it was impossible to read Sanada's shot. 

"This isn't good." 

At the same time, Coach Sakaki, sitting in the coaching seat, also looked uneasy. 

Ishikawa's greatest weapon—his insight, even sharper than Atobe's—had been effectively neutralized by Sanada. 

Without being able to read the ball's path. 

There was no way to chase it down. 

In this situation, no matter how skilled Ishikawa was, it wouldn't matter. 

*Tap! Tap!* 

However. 

Just as everyone thought Sanada was sure to score, a figure suddenly appeared in front of the lightning arc. 

"He caught up?!" 

Seeing Ishikawa's figure, the crowd was stunned. 

Inui blurted out, "This guy's insight is way too terrifying!" 

"It's useless!" 

But the Rikkai members confidently said, "The vice-captain's lightning can't be returned, even if you see it!" 

**Rai!** 

Sanada's shot, infused with the power of kendo and his full strength, was simply unstoppable. 

In their eyes. 

Even if someone could return this technique, it would only be their captain. And that would only be possible if he weren't hospitalized. 

At this moment. 

Sanada's **Rai** was invincible! 

*Hum!* 

However. 

Just as everyone thought Ishikawa couldn't return Sanada's lightning shot, a blinding white light suddenly erupted around his body. 

The light was as sharp as a blade. 

Those closest to the court, including spectators and staff, even felt a slight sting on their skin. 

"What is this?!" 

Feeling the overwhelming aura emanating from Ishikawa, Sanada, who had just calmed down, felt his pupils contract sharply. 

*Swish!* 

Suddenly. 

Ishikawa moved. 

He swiftly raised his racket and slashed at the ball at an angle. 

Instantly. 

A silver light flashed. 

Under the watchful eyes of Tezuka and Chitose, Ishikawa's racket, moving with precision and speed, struck Sanada's lightning ball. 

*Screech!* 

Then. 

Contrary to what everyone expected—whether Ishikawa's racket being knocked away or him successfully returning the shot—the ball, crackling with lightning, was cleanly split in two by Ishikawa's racket! 

The cross-section of the ball was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the sunlight with a dazzling glare. 

*Whoosh!* 

*Whoosh!* 

Then. 

The two halves of the ball flew out. 

Under the stunned gazes of the crowd. 

*Boom!* 

They landed on either side of Sanada, then bounced and embedded themselves into the wall behind him. 

*Sizzle…* 

The two halves of the ball. 

Continued to spin against the wall, the points of impact visibly cracking. As the balls spun at high speed, the contact points began to blacken, with wisps of smoke rising. 

Silence! 

The entire court. 

Fell into complete silence. 

Whether it was the spectators or the school representatives, everyone stared at the two halves of the ball behind Sanada, their mouths agape but unable to utter a sound. 

"Hmm…" 

After a long pause, the referee finally regained his composure. After double-checking, he solemnly announced, "Point valid, 0-15!" 

"No… impossible…" 

The Rikkai team was dumbfounded. 

They never expected that the Hyotei player could actually counter Sanada's **Rai** head-on. 

"Just how sharp was that shot?" 

Representatives from other schools also exclaimed. 

At this moment, everyone's gaze toward Ishikawa was filled with awe! 

Tezuka, who had once battled Ishikawa fiercely, remained expressionless. 

But. 

Even someone as calm as him couldn't hide the shock in his eyes. 

His gaze then shifted to the figure on the court, wearing a black cap. 

"Hmm…" 

At this moment, Sanada still held his racket in a striking pose. 

His expression was stiff. 

As if he still hadn't recovered from the shock of that last shot. 

"This guy…" 

After a moment. 

Sanada looked up, his eyes locking onto Ishikawa. "He's fused tennis and kendo to such an extent!" 

This was the path Sanada had once tried to take. 

But unfortunately. 

After countless attempts, he had failed. **Fūrin Kazan** and **Rai** were the results of those attempts. So much so that Sanada had concluded that tennis and kendo could not be merged. 

But now. 

Standing before him. 

This first-year from Hyotei had not only achieved it but had also taken it to an unimaginable level! 

"Ishikawa Shin…" 

Sanada studied him again. 

But unlike before, his gaze was no longer cold, sharp, or aggressive. Instead, it was filled with respect, admiration, and a hint of fear deep within his heart! 

Before the match. 

Sanada had wanted to crush this potential threat to Rikkai's dominance next year. 

But now. 

That fleeting thought had come back to haunt him. 

Because Sanada knew. 

That last shot didn't just take a point from him. It completely shattered any hope he had of saving Rikkai! 

With just one shot. 

Ishikawa had utterly destroyed Sanada's fighting spirit. 

Unlike Tezuka, whose will was as strong as steel, Sanada, with his national-level kendo skills, understood that Ishikawa's mastery of kendo was on a level he could only aspire to. 

So. 

The remaining three games became a formality. 

*Thwack!* 

Finally. 

When Ishikawa's drive shot landed precisely on Sanada's backhand side, leaving him unable to react, the referee announced, "Game, set, match! Hyotei's Ishikawa wins, 6-1!" 

"Woohoo!!!" 

The Hyotei team's excitement erupted. 

"Victory to Hyotei! The winner is Ishikawa!" 

"Victory to Hyotei! The winner is Ishikawa!" 

"Victory to Hyotei! The winner is Ishikawa!" 

The chant, once reserved for Atobe, now bore Ishikawa's name, echoing throughout the venue. 

However. 

The Ice Emperor himself showed no signs of displeasure. 

This, in a way, acknowledged Ishikawa's position within Hyotei. The Demon of Hyotei had surpassed the Emperor, becoming the team's core player. 

"Sanada finally lost." 

On Hyotei's side. 

Shishido grinned. "This year's Kanto Championship finally belongs to us!" 

"Heh." 

Mukahi chuckled mischievously. "Yanagi and the others probably haven't even left the city yet. If Sanada hurries, he might still catch up." 

The comment was brutal. 

Like Ishikawa's "giving up a game," it was a verbal dagger to the heart. 

Oshitari frowned, worried it might provoke Sanada. But to his surprise, the Rikkai vice-captain walked to the net and shook Ishikawa's hand. 

"You're strong!" 

Sanada said solemnly. "Your mastery of kendo is beyond anything I could have imagined. But don't think Hyotei has truly defeated us. Rikkai's strength… is far greater than you think!" 

With that. 

Sanada turned and left. 

A moment later. 

The referee confirmed the final results and announced, "The Kanto Finals have concluded! Hyotei Academy wins 3-2 and is crowned the champion!" 

As the words rang out. 

The entire Hyotei team erupted in cheers once more. 

(End of Chapter) 

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