"Gustave, who do you think will win?" Shanks asked as the players prepared for the decisive tiebreaker.
"In terms of raw ability, Fuji and Shiraishi are virtually equal - this matchup could be considered a fascinating coincidence of timing. But if you're asking me to predict the winner, I'd favor Shiraishi."
"Why's that?"
"It comes down to stamina management. Their playing styles represent complete opposites - Fuji relies on spectacular, energy-intensive techniques while Shiraishi's foundation is built on efficiency and fundamental perfection."
Gustave leaned forward, his analytical mind engaged. "If Fuji had recognized Shiraishi's true strength from the beginning and committed fully to victory instead of testing him technique by technique, he might still hold the advantage. But after this prolonged feeling-out process, Fuji understands Shiraishi's capabilities yet lacks the physical reserves for a decisive assault."
"Meanwhile, every one of Shiraishi's shots has been calculated for maximum efficiency - using minimal force and optimal positioning to generate maximum power. Bit by bit, Fuji's stamina has hit rock bottom while Shiraishi retains at least half his energy reserves."
While Shiraishi couldn't match someone like Atobe's raw physical conditioning, he equaled the Hyotei captain's effectiveness in extended matches. Atobe relied on superior fitness; Shiraishi achieved the same result through technical precision. Once matches entered war-of-attrition territory, Shiraishi's winning percentage skyrocketed dramatically.
"Please take your positions, both players!" the referee announced.
Fuji, who had been resting with his head down and a towel draped over his shoulders, gently tapped his legs to stimulate circulation before rising with visible effort.
"Fuji, are you holding up okay?" Sengoku asked with obvious concern.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me," Fuji replied with a determined smile, walking toward the court with steps that appeared steady despite his exhaustion.
Where Fuji had been sitting, the ground showed dark patches of moisture - pure sweat from his overworked body. He was operating dangerously close to complete physical breakdown.
In contrast, while Shiraishi's face glistened with perspiration, his condition appeared dramatically better than Fuji's near-collapse state.
The final battle commenced.
Thanks to Sengoku's legendary luck still providing residual benefits, Fuji at least earned the right to serve despite his physical depletion.
"Hah!" He channeled every remaining ounce of strength into his delivery.
Shiraishi moved with fluid efficiency, his return stroke connecting cleanly in one seamless motion. But Fuji seemed to be drawing on some inner reserve - compared to his extreme physical exhaustion, his mental state had achieved a heightened clarity. With adrenaline surging through his system, he managed to counter Shiraishi's response.
Both players appeared locked in yet another grinding rally.
Shiraishi lofted a deep ball toward the baseline, deliberately trying to force maximum court coverage from his depleted opponent. His strategy was simple: exhaust Fuji completely, then finish him with precision shots.
Fuji understood the tactical intent perfectly but refused to surrender without a fight. Despite legs that had gone numb with fatigue, he sprinted desperately toward the backcourt.
"YAHHH!" His roar seemed to channel all his frustration and determination. In this moment of near-complete physical breakdown, Fuji unleashed a devastating shot with power rivaling Sengoku's legendary Tiger Cannon.
Shiraishi's eyes widened in genuine surprise. He hadn't expected such fierce resistance from someone operating on fumes, but his own determination to secure Shitenhouji's first victory drove him to pursue the difficult return.
"AHHHH!" The tremendous pressure transmitted through his racket forced an involuntary shout from Shiraishi as well.
Suddenly, the bandaging around Shiraishi's left arm seemed unable to withstand the accumulated stress and burst apart dramatically. The unexpected equipment failure caused him to miss the shot completely.
"Whoa!" The entire arena gasped in amazement as they glimpsed the golden arm guard that had been concealed beneath the wrapping. Coach Watanabe had invested his personal fortune to craft this specialized training equipment for his star player.
"That guy was wearing weighted arm guards during his match with Fuji?!" Eiji pointed accusingly at Shiraishi's exposed equipment, his voice carrying shock and outrage.
"So that's what created the bulge in the bandaging!" Conan and Ai finally understood the irregularity they'd noticed earlier.
"Shiraishi, you've been competing against me while wearing weights this entire time?" Fuji opened his eyes fully for the first time in the match, his expression mixing disbelief with dawning comprehension. He'd believed they were evenly matched, never suspecting his opponent had been handicapping himself throughout their battle.
"I apologize for not being able to give you my absolute best effort," Shiraishi said quietly, rewrapping the golden arm guard with fresh bandaging.
The moment Fuji saw the training weights, something fundamental broke inside him. His fighting spirit evaporated instantly, his mental fortifications crumbling as he realized the true gap between their abilities. In that crushing moment of revelation, his energy reserves plummeted to zero. Though he remained standing on the court, he had essentially nothing left to give.
Shiraishi claimed the seventh game and the match, giving Shitenhouji the opening victory and early momentum against Yamabuki.
The next contest was Doubles 2, featuring Shitenhouji's Konjiki Koharu and Hitouji Yuuji against Yamabuki's Eiji and Oishi.
When the Shitenhouji pair made their entrance, much of the audience reacted with visible shock. The two players not only exchanged highly suggestive dialogue but embraced each other publicly with obvious affection.
Under Konjiki Koharu's psychological warfare, Eiji's mental state collapsed almost immediately. Without Oishi's steadying influence, Shitenhouji might have secured a swift doubles victory.
Fortunately, at the crucial moment, Eiji overcame his profound discomfort and rediscovered his natural playing rhythm. After a hard-fought battle, they defeated their opponents 7-6.
The instant the match concluded, Eiji sprinted directly toward the restroom without even participating in the customary handshake. The mental trauma inflicted by Konjiki Koharu and Hitouji had been overwhelming.
"Koharu!"
"Yuuji!"
"That middle-parted boy seems to have run off to vomit?"
"The connection we share isn't something such crude minds can appreciate."
After watching Eiji's hasty departure, Konjiki Koharu and Hitouji embraced even more dramatically, their hands roaming with theatrical intimacy. Oishi finally reached his breaking point and rushed after his partner.
"Poor Eiji," Conan muttered, his face twitching sympathetically. Even from their distant seats, he could sense the devastating psychological impact of that doubles team. Facing them directly must have been absolutely traumatic.
Following the doubles fiasco, Singles 2 began immediately.
Chitose Senri possessed genuine strength. After his close friend Tachibana had accidentally injured his eye, Chitose had temporarily abandoned tennis before finding the motivation to return. He now stood on the verge of achieving the State of Selflessness.
Unfortunately, his opponent was Tezuka - the uncrowned king of middle school tennis. After Tom's miraculous healing, the fully healthy Tezuka had no equal except possibly Yukimura.
Chitose was decisively shut out by Tezuka's overwhelming dominance.
With Tezuka's victory, Yamabuki took a 2-1 lead in the semifinal.
The Doubles 1 match paired Yamabuki's Higashikata and Minami against Shitenhouji's Koishikawa and Oshitari Kenya. Though this was officially the first doubles position, Konjiki Koharu and Hitouji actually represented Shitenhouji's strongest doubles team. Despite fierce resistance from the Kansai school, Yamabuki prevailed 6-4.
Yamabuki had defeated Shitenhouji 3-1, advancing to the national tournament finals for the first time in the program's history.
This marked Coach Banji's first national final since taking over the team, and the first for Tezuka's generation of players as well.
Their finals opponent, barring major upsets, would be Rikkaidai - their old rivals from the Kanto Tournament final. The stage was set for an epic rematch between the two powerhouse programs.
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