Opening picture is a color manga page of Ryoma (sans hat) smirking.

"That guy... is actually smiling...!!"

Genius 230: Pillar of Seigaku

Ryoma smirks from across the court.

Ryoma: I finally found the weakness to Fuurinkazan.
Ryoma: Hit a few more balls, would you.

Sanada calls him something akin to "snarky" while Rikkai scoffs.

Ryoma serves and Sanada returns the ball shouting, "No matter how much you hate losing, there's still a limit!!! You're a disgrace!!"

Ryoma approaches the net and lobs the ball, setting the Ka/Grand Smash into effect. Sanada gets into position.

Sanada: /Such baseless confidence...... It's useless!! You can't counter the Fuurinkazan!!/

Sanada hits the Ka and Ryoma intercepts it with his racket. However this time, Ryoma's racket doesn't go flying but rather he managed to counter the Ka and gets a point. 15-0.

People are in disbelief that Ryoma broke the Fuurinkazan, including Sanada himself. Ryoma approaches the net again.

Sanada: /Stop joking. How can the Fuurinkazan be broken just like this-----!!/

Sanada hits another Ka and Ryoma uses the one-foot split step to jump up, putting his body behind the racket to absorb the power. Then Ryoma counters the Ka with the Fuu (after entering the selfless state), quoting Sun Zi, "be swift like the Wind". 30-0.

Seigaku cheers with happiness while Inui explains.

Inui: "Fuurinkazan" is a perfect technique because every part has a special characteristic--
Inui: "Ka" is a bit weaker than "Fuu", etc. Thus using one's own technique can neutralize it. (note: someone might want to double check on this. the chinese was awkward so I'm not sure if I interpretted right)
Fuji: Even Sanada didn't think that the enemy lies within......
Momo: /Now Sanada can't play the remaining Fuurinkazan/
Momo: /Echizen. You're really something./

Oishi: /Tezuka...... the man you were waiting to count on, even though he's so short----/ (note: this didn't flow in chinese either...-_-;)

Ryoma: I will defeat you and go toward the National Tournament!

I am worried by what Momo said. However can we really rely on his analysis? Can we really rely on any of theirs? But if Ryoma did copy the Fuu, then Fuji would be right. Ryoma creates the scenario where you have to go against yourself. If you can defeat or out-think yourself AND the opponent, then you can probably defeat Ryoma. Perhaps Sanada had practiced this in kendo? ;_; Though I don't think he's ever been presented with the scenario of fighting against his own techniques, especially when he usually uses 1 per player.

The part where Inui explains is a bit awkward for me so I'm not sure if I translated/interpretted it right. >_< Am I worried? Oh yes. But I still have hope. --;

This chapter isn't THAT bad. I didn't realize that Sanada was only down two points. I skimmed and saw "Fuurinkazan is broken" like a million times and then Momo's comment about how Sanada can't play Rin and Zan, and freaked. ;o; I freaked some more when I saw Ryoma copying Fuu... But I guess Ka was bound to be broken. --; I really don't know what to expect. If Momo is right, Rin and Zan are useless. But it's MOMO. We'll have to see! Til next week.

PS: am hoping that the Silhouette of DOOM(TM) is Yukimura. *coughs*

Quote of the week "Even Sanada didn't think that the enemy lies within......" -- Fuji Shuusuke