105. My name is Mei Matsubara, and you had better prepare to die!
“Gibbs, give it to the kid...”
Soutou Hajime’s eyebrows knit slightly as he approached the old man, who was sipping the orange juice beside him.
“Ah...”
“What’s wrong, Grandpa?”
Noticing the coach seemed to want to say something, Hajime asked.
“Not going to use that move?”
The old man finished his orange juice in one gulp, savoring the taste before rasping, “It’s a bit early, but I’d love to see that guy left speechless. He’s way too noisy.”
Hajime was momentarily stunned, then smiled and nodded, turning to Narui Matsubara who was carrying the racket, his grin widening.
“That move... what move?”
Shibasaki, who was filming, lowered her camera upon hearing the old man’s words to Hajime and muttered curiously to herself.
“Looks like Hajime will be getting serious now.”
Kuroba smiled in anticipation.
“Yeah, that powerful move...”
Saeki nodded in agreement.
Smack!
Smack!
Smack!
Hajime and Narui exchanged rapid volleys. At one moment, Hajime quietly extended his left hand; his pinky and ring fingers gently pressed against his palm while the other three curved naturally into an eagle’s claw. His right hand, holding the racket, was tucked neatly at his waist.
“Martial arts mode!”
Hajime’s eyes sharpened as he silently commanded himself.
“Here it comes!”
Saeki’s eyes narrowed.
The crowd from Evergreen watched in astonishment. “What’s with that stance?!”
“Huh?!”
Narui also noticed Hajime’s strange posture. What was he about to do?
Hajime bent his legs slightly into a half-squat, resembling a horse stance. His eagle claw transformed into a flat palm, pushing forward then retracting, while his right hand swung in unison!
Ping!
“15-0!”
Narui was caught completely off guard, staring at the tennis ball already bouncing out of bounds with his mouth agape.
“First strike of Martial Arts Mode! Yellow Dragon’s Direct Stab!”
As Hajime announced this, the previously silent atmosphere at Rokaku Middle burst into cheers. Many shouted loudly in excitement.
“Amazing, Hajime! Use Martial Arts Mode to defeat him!”
“Martial Arts...”
Ryo Shishido muttered in a daze.
“Mode...”
Kumakiri Shibayama echoed.
“That stance should be an ancient Eastern martial art. Our country’s manga artists often borrow these traditional techniques for hot-blooded fighting tournament anime.”
Teihei Inui spoke calmly.
“Like those animes where they summon dragons?”
Ryo Shishido seemed to recall something and asked.
“Something like that. Hajime’s Martial Arts Mode closely resembles the postures of highly skilled martial artists in such shows. He must have drawn inspiration from them.”
Inui pushed up his glasses.
“Besides, I know Hajime’s family runs a martial arts dojo. It’s located in Shion Town, Chiba Prefecture, called Narita Dojo. His father, Narita Hajime, founded it.”
Seeing Renji Yanagi mention details he didn’t know, Inui was slightly surprised and quickly jotted it down in his notebook.
“So that’s it, his family runs a martial arts dojo.”
“Martial Arts Mode... that stance looks so pretentious,”
Narui couldn’t help but scoff.
Though he hadn’t practiced martial arts, he thought Hajime’s movements were not only unrefined but also quite ugly.
“But honestly, I find winning like this boring. If it’s a contest of who has the strangest dance moves, I definitely won’t lose.”
Narui suddenly had a whimsical idea and smiled. He had never showcased his “Awei Nineteen Styles” used when chasing thieves before, so this match was the perfect opportunity.
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Two: Grand Ambition, Golden Rooster Stance!”
Narui tilted his head, bending slightly, pulling his racket back with his right hand. His front leg bent, rear leg straightened, and as the ball approached, his arms spread wide like a great bird’s wings in a V shape. His raised single leg was elegant and alluring from afar.
Ping!
“15-15!”
“That... that stance is so embarrassing...”
Ryo Shishido blushed deeply after seeing Narui’s Technique Two.
“And his gaze looks so... seductive...”
Kumakiri gawked.
“Narui’s moves rival the Martial Arts Mode!”
Shibasaki thought Narui’s actions were even more striking and immediately began snapping photos.
“It’s like a duel between martial artists!”
Mamoru Inoue was incredulous.
“No way... how could he have learned the same martial arts as my family? Must be a fluke.”
Seeing Narui’s move resembled Tai Chi, Hajime exclaimed in surprise.
“Narui’s learning ability is strong. That kind of martial arts posture? Picking it up was a piece of cake for him.”
Inui commented.
As Hajime continued playing in Martial Arts Mode, Narui, who had barely scored a point through flashy postures, suddenly found himself down 40-15.
“Tch, not bad. Thought it was just some childish phase, but he’s pretty good...”
Narui was a bit annoyed, taking a deep breath and narrowing his eyes.
“My name is Narui Matsubara... Now, prepare to meet your end!”
“Hmph, just bluffing!”
Hajime was unfazed by the young man’s threat. From their earlier exchanges, he knew Narui’s point using martial arts postures was a lucky coincidence. Now, he was determined to reclaim the game he’d been toyed with.
Smack!
Using Martial Arts Mode to serve, Hajime’s tennis shots doubled in power and speed. Narui responded fiercely, shouting as he unleashed his moves:
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Three: Dragon Claw Lotus Drift!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Four: Scorpion Palm Kangaroo Hop!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Five: Twin Winds Ear Blast & Walnut Smash!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Six: Mouse Stealing Cheese!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Seven: Antelope Leap!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Eight: Supernova Blaze!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Nine: Armstrong Spin-Accelerated Jet Armstrong Dance!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Ten: Rhino Strikes Spider-Man!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Eleven: Jackal Hunts Dog!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Twelve: Storm Axe Chop Groot!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Thirteen: Jerry Tosses Tom!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Fourteen: Melon Crusher Fist Snake Form Maneuver!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Fifteen: Four Joy Meatballs Clumsy Elephant Stomps Ants!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Sixteen: Mount Tai Crush!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Seventeen: Rainbow Cat Blue Rabbit Hawks!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Eighteen: Sleeping Bear Arhat Fist!”
“Awei Nineteen Styles, Technique Nineteen: Crow Flies Airplane!”
After shouting these moves, Narui was drenched in sweat, his youthful face flushed purple from exertion and heavy breathing. Hajime was stunned dumbfounded, and even the referee was mesmerized, finally calling out after a long pause,
“2... 2-0! Evergreen’s Narui leads!”
“It’s not that I’m out of words, but a tennis game can only have four points per game.”
Narui panted, holding up four fingers toward Hajime.