Tezuka stared at the tennis ball behind him, his expression almost unchanged, just like Q.P. Beside him, Mitsuya narrowed his eyes—he was fully focused on collecting data on Q.P.
Fran didn't hesitate at all. He served again toward Tezuka's right baseline corner, the exact same placement as before. This was why Fran was called a tennis robot—he could produce the same ball path over and over.
Watching the incoming ball, Tezuka slid into position. The power of Muga no Kyōchi burst from his left hand as he returned the shot. A huge white tornado rose around him, clearly adding the spin of the Ultimate Zone to the ball.
But Q.P. had already seen through the move. He gave Fran a quick look, signaling him not to act recklessly, then flashed forward and swung his racket hard with his left hand. The tennis ball turned into a yellow beam, surging with explosive force as it shot into the opposite court.
Even though the reverse spin had been neutralized by Q.P., the vortex of the Zone tried once again to wrap around the ball. But just like before, the ball broke free from its restraints and slammed toward the baseline.
In the next instant, Tezuka appeared behind the ball. With a swift cut from his left hand, he not only neutralized the force but also added powerful spin.
The ball floated gently over the net, about to drop fast, when suddenly Q.P.'s racket appeared beneath it, sending back a high lob.
"Fran, back up! Get ready for a smash!" Q.P. called right after his return.
Fran instantly retreated to the center line, eyes locked on Tezuka and Mitsuya. Soon, Tezuka's figure appeared at the net. He leapt high and smashed the ball down.
The ball, loaded with spin, slammed into the center line. Fran rushed to strike back, but the familiar scene played out again. After landing, the ball spun in place for a moment, then rolled backward and stopped near the front court.
"Zero Shiki Smash!"
"15–30!"
'Even a smash can carry such intense spin? The Japan Team's junior high players this year are far beyond normal!' Q.P. thought, watching Tezuka calmly return to position after scoring.
"Looks like your intel was right. That boy named Tezuka Kunimitsu has taken spin control to an incredible level," Volk said from the sidelines, his gaze burning hotter as he looked at Tezuka.
"But I feel that high schooler Mitsuya is even more dangerous," Bertie replied, staring deeply at Mitsuya.
"Relax. With Q.P. here, nothing will go wrong in this match," Bismarck said firmly. He had absolute faith in Q.P.'s strength. Even though this was just an exhibition, Q.P. wouldn't allow himself to lose.
Fran also felt ripples in his heart. Even in Germany, he had never seen anyone use spin to this extent. The only person who came to mind was that legendary figure in tennis.
"They're both from Japan?" Fran muttered under his breath before tossing the ball again. It was the same placement, but this time faster and stronger.
Even with Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami active, Tezuka felt the heavy impact on his racket. His brow furrowed slightly, but it was still within his control. He added complex spin to the return.
But before the ball cleared the net, Q.P. intercepted. A yellow afterimage flashed, and in the next instant the sound of the ball hitting the ground came from behind Tezuka. It had been so fast that even he hadn't clearly seen it.
"30–30!"
"The fastest and most effective way to counter spin is speed and power," Q.P. said coldly, his face expressionless as he looked at Tezuka.
If it had been anyone else, they might have been crushed by Q.P.'s aura. But Tezuka, equally expressionless, simply gave him a look before silently turning back to the baseline, waiting for the next serve.
Mitsuya's eyes gleamed strangely as he glanced at both Tezuka and Q.P. A playful smile tugged at his lips, but he quickly returned to building Q.P.'s data model in his mind.
"Fran, right side, twenty-five degrees!" Q.P. called just as Fran tossed up the ball. Fran instantly shifted his swing, sending the shot to Tezuka's right corner.
Using the power of Muga no Kyōchi, Tezuka sped to the spot early. He shifted the energy into his left hand and struck the rising ball. But at the instant of contact, he felt something off.
Even so, the ball was returned. Q.P. had already rushed to the net, and as soon as the ball crossed over, he cut it sharply. A second later, the ball slammed onto the left sideline and flew out.
"40–30!"
"That last ball… Tezuka's Ultimate Zone didn't seem to have any effect!" Sanada said in a low tone, his eyes locked on the court.
"From the moment Fran served, every step Tezuka took was predicted by Q.P. First he weakened the Ultimate Zone's spin by forcing Tezuka into an awkward hitting angle. Then, before the spin could fully take effect after crossing the net, he cut the ball at a negative angle and completely neutralized the rotation," Akashi explained flatly. Everything Q.P. had done had already been captured in his Emperor Eye.
"Quality of Perfect! No one knows his real name, so most players now just call him Q.P. It's said he received elite tennis training from childhood, the best of the best among prodigies, even hailed as the greatest achievement of Germany's youth tennis education," Byoudouin said seriously.
"Heh~ Perfect quality, huh? That's bold," Tachibana sneered. If it weren't for the rule that this exhibition required junior high and high school pairs, he would've loved to team up with Chitose to test the Germans' strength.
"Judging from that rally, his ability to set up plays is extremely dangerous. Good thing Akashi-kun arranged Mitsuya to play, otherwise this match would've been real trouble," Kimijima said with a serious face.
On court, Fran had already served from the baseline, following Q.P.'s instructions and aiming at Tezuka's most awkward position. With his style, the ball landed with pinpoint precision.
But Tezuka suddenly did something unexpected. After reaching the spot, he switched his racket into his right hand, focusing all the power of Muga no Kyōchi into his right arm, and struck the rising ball hard.
The Japan Team's players were stunned. Many hadn't known Tezuka could play right-handed. Only Akashi wasn't surprised—he knew very well Tezuka could use Nitōryū, even if he rarely showed it.
The sudden change in angle caught even Q.P. off guard. Though quick to react and intercept, when he tried to counter the reverse spin he was shocked to find none at all. His attempt to neutralize only amplified the ball's existing spin.
As the ball came back, a massive white vortex spread across most of the court, drawing it straight back toward Tezuka. At the same time, starlight shimmered faintly around Tezuka's hair—he had already activated Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami without anyone noticing.
When he returned Fran's serve, he had simulated Q.P.'s possible counter in advance. It was prediction against prediction. Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami might not work against true masters, but simulating a ball or two was still possible.
Yet at the moment of impact, Tezuka's face changed. The weight on his racket far exceeded expectations. He barely managed to hold on and force the ball back. Forget adding Ultimate Zone spin—he could hardly control the direction.
The ball floated high into the air. Q.P. leapt, his left hand powering the racket down with a crushing smash. With a thunderous crack, the ball streaked like light and slammed into the center line. Mitsuya rushed forward to block, but the next instant his racket was blasted out of his hand.
"Game! Germany! 1–1!"
"The power of that smash… it's already equal to my Black Tomahawk," Oni said gravely.
"The so-called Perfect Quality is when strength, speed, technique, and spirit all reach perfection, leaving almost no weaknesses. That's what makes Q.P. terrifying," Akashi said calmly, though in truth he fully acknowledged Q.P.'s strength.
And this was only Q.P. at Perfect Quality. If he ever evolved into Ultimate Quality, his ability would instantly step into professional level. With his calm mind and strategic vision, even Volk would struggle to bring him down.
"Sounds kinda like a powered-up version of Shiraishi-senpai~" Kirihara blurted out. His words stunned the group, and after thinking it over, they had to admit it made sense—except Shiraishi, whose mouth twitched.
"Oi! You brats forgetting something? Next up it's Tezuka's serve game. I don't care about any so-called Perfect Quality—it won't matter one bit!" Toono cut in with a cold laugh.