Episode 46: Samurai Spirit



The first scene on this episode is the one with the young!Kawamura and young!Akutsu and how they met in the karate club. It seemed that Kawamura was on the karate club first when Akutsu appeared and challenged the best pupil in karate in jr. high. At first, Kawamura was shocked with Akutsu's attitude towards his senpai then he became worried for Akutsu since he's bound to get hurt. In the end, Akutsu defeated all the senpais in the dojo to the amazement of Kawamura. That day, he followed Akutsu wherever he went, until Akutsu caught on and confronted Kawamura, he's baffled because Kawamura told him that he's only worried for his safety (do I smell Kawamura x Akutsu possibilty? crack!PoT XD). Akutsu just told Kawamura that whoever he faces, he wouldn't lose in anything.

Anyway, back to the match, it seemed as if Nanjiroh was enjoying seeing his own son be embarrassed in such a way during a match. It is embarrassing for a tennis player to be caught on running towards the opposite side of where the ball goes. Ryoma's already running out of time, Akutsu's already gaining points after points. Akutsu even egged Ryoma saying that "He told him so" about not scoring any point. Akutsu always read Ryoma's reading of him so that he could hit the ball on the opposite side. It's already Akutsu's turn to serve. As he served, Ryoma didn't even move a muscle. He's just standing there on the back court. Suddenly, Ryoma hit the ball listlessly into a lob. It looks like a chance ball for Akutsu, but Ryoma ran up towards the net. Akutsu smirked at Ryoma's plan on limiting his attack. He planned on hitting the ball towards the back of the court. When suddenly Ryoma asked Akutsu, "Running away?", prompting Akutsu to hit Ryoma right on the face, or so it seemed, he shielded his face with his racket right on time, gaining himself a point. Ryoma called Akutsu a liar since he got one point from him. Akutsu just looked very happy with Ryoma's attempt. Anyway, as the set continues, Ryoma opted to use his own Super Rising, but it was in vain since Akutsu did this sliding motion to take him faster towards the ball, effectively hitting it to the opposite direction which Ryoma took. Ryoma's caught on the wrong side of the direction once more. The ball was about to get away from him when he remembered what Tezuka-buchou told him during their match under the bridge, Tezuka told him to "evolve" and "show him his tennis". Ryoma even remembered how he used to play with his own father, unbelievably, during the course of this reminiscing, Ryoma changed his direction with no step! He was able to hit the ball even if it was on the opposite direction!

Tezuka silently became pleased (even if he doesn't look the part), Ryoma finally showed him "his tennis" and he had "evolved" to a better player. The other Seigaku regulars went in shock due to Ryoma's newly acquired skill: To change direction with no step.Even Banji, Yamabuki's Coach, was really surprised that we see him open his eyes (finally!). Nanjiroh became pleased with his son, saying that he had improved (somewhat). Coach Ryuzaki just went on, smiling. Akutsu just grinned in delight. It seemed that he's found his equal (or something). Anyway, Ryoma goaded Akutsu into being pissed off (much pissed off than before) by telling Akutsu that he'll be a good stepping stone for him. Akutsu (nearly bursted a vein) just glared and told himself silently that he's going to crush Ryoma.