Akashi left, sitting in his family's Lincoln to return to Kyoto, making final preparations for the upcoming Nationals main tournament.
But was the match really over?
Not yet, but almost.
Huff~
Huff~
Aomine panted violently.
This was due to the huge consumption brought by the Zone.
Zone was never perfect; the biggest flaw was intensifying the player's stamina drain.
Like a bathtub initially filled with water.
But as the drain was opened, the water would flow away rapidly.
Zone was such an existence.
Exchanging greater stamina for stronger power.
And besides the Zone, Aomine's stamina drain was also due to Yuuto.
Like the Jabberwock team in the movie; facing the powerful Vorpal Swords, they had to pay more stamina than usual to barely bite onto the score.
Suppression of strength!
Last minute of the third quarter.
The electric arc in Aomine's eyes was already flickering; he was about to lose his hold.
He knew this would be the result and was prepared for it.
He just didn't understand why Yuuto, who should have consumed more than him, still hadn't slipped from peak condition?
Could it be because of Demon Mode?
Was this the reason he abandoned the Zone and chose another path?
Aomine knew even now that it was Yuuto who abandoned the Zone, not the Zone that didn't choose Yuuto.
But.
How to explain last year?
Last year's Demon Mode duration was almost identical to the Zone and had the same drawbacks.
"Damn it, is this as far as I go?"
Fatigue surged over his limbs like a tide.
A year ago, losing to Yuuto, he thought it was because he slacked off and neglected practice.
What about this year?
He had given his all. Although he still didn't happily participate in basketball club training, he had been practicing alone without relaxing.
The result remained unchanged.
His gaze swept over the scoreboard; Tōō trailed by 13 points.
Fwoosh!
At the same time, the steam on Yuuto's body began to dissipate.
He withdrew from the Demon Mode state.
"What's wrong? Can't hold on anymore?" Aomine mocked. This competitive man finally found an excuse to attack Yuuto.
"No longer necessary." Of course, Yuuto hadn't reached his limit yet.
Even though using the Bible of the Star to surpass 100% consumed a lot, maintaining a perfect match rhythm throughout the game left him with spare energy.
"Even without Demon Mode, I can defeat you."
The snow-white on his head faded rapidly under the warm sun like spring snow, returning to its original black.
"Hmph, talking big."
As soon as the words fell, the electric arc flickering in Aomine's pupils became bright again.
Chaotic streetball style presented in an unpredictable way.
Even slipping from peak condition, he was still sharp.
"To still have such skill at this stage!" Iwamura felt a chill in his heart.
These geniuses were simply too unreasonable.
Fortunately, this was his last year; he wouldn't have to see these monsters next year.
Otherwise, he might give up basketball like those players crushed by Yuuto and the others.
Aomine finally tore through Yuuto's defense, slipping past Yuuto's side like a loach.
This was his tenacity and his pride.
Since his legs could still move, it wasn't over!
He rushed under the basket and leaped high, right arm raised high, smashing the ball down with the force to burn the heavens.
However.
Smack!
At this moment, Yuuto crashed into the paint like a meteor, rising rapidly like a jet, his right arm enveloping the basketball like a net.
Long-term correction taught Yuuto how to deal with Aomine.
The two wrestled in mid-air again.
"Ahhh~"
Aomine roared, veins popping on his forehead; this was his final strike.
Useless.
Strength Specialization!
Gathering strength in his hand, Yuuto slapped Aomine's dunk away like hitting a volleyball.
The picture seemed to freeze.
Aomine opened his mouth. Around them, from top to bottom, was the sweat scattered from his collision with Yuuto.
"Counterattack!"
Yamashita Shio's roar suddenly rang out from the sideline.
Instantly.
All Seiho members swarmed up like a pack of wolves.
The weird Lightning Run crushed the opponent's defensive judgment.
However.
Tōō was worthy of being a team composed of elites; their overall adjustment ability was extremely strong.
Ryuhei Kasuga failed to force a drive past Imayoshi Shoichi.
Although trailing by 13 points, they weren't without a chance to reverse.
That Lion of Okushirazome had exited Demon Mode; next was the stage for the other 8 of them.
"Next is our turn, Kasuga!" Imayoshi's narrowed eyes had opened.
"That's just your ace. Our King hasn't agreed yet."
What?!
Imayoshi's heart trembled violently, then he saw Kasuga fling the ball behind him.
Smack!
Yuuto caught the pass with one hand.
His white jersey was soaked with sweat, clinging to his blocks of abdominal muscles.
But compared to Aomine, his breathing was relatively steady.
"Impossible. Maintaining such a state after that kind of confrontation with Aomine?!" Imayoshi was incredulous.
Yuuto caught the ball, telling everyone with action that his limit hadn't arrived yet.
He prepared to shoot upon catching.
"Crap!" Imayoshi hurriedly let go of Kasuga and pounced on Yuuto.
Result.
Whoosh~
Yuuto's figure dissipated like foam.
"Phantom Step?!" Imayoshi turned his head quickly, sure enough seeing Yuuto bend down and sweep past his side rapidly.
Swish!
The ball went in. The gap widened to 15 points.
Such an advantage was already huge, especially in a duel between powerhouse and powerhouse.
A 15-point gap was fatal enough.
Last possession.
Imayoshi wanted to throw a three-pointer but was seen through by Kasuga. Helplessly, he could only fling the ball to Sakurai on the wing.
"Gonna shoot? Gonna shoot that super fast three-pointer?"
"Come on, I'm ready!"
Tsugawa chattered endlessly. Sakurai couldn't apologize this time.
After all, you're ready; what the hell am I shooting for?
Beep~
Tōō ran out of the 24-second clock without converting this possession, and the third quarter ended.
97:82!
The data on the scoreboard seemed a bit cruel to Tōō.
Although the scene looked much more intensely contested.
However.
They were actually no different from Shutoku; both had the suspense of the match killed by Yuuto's sudden exertion of force within 10 minutes of the third quarter.
"Dai-chan~"
Aomine returned to the bench and threw his body onto the chair. Momoi thoughtfully handed him a towel and water.
"I lost..." Aomine's voice was much lower.
"I know. It's not the first time anyway. Dai-chan, why do you look depressed?"
Shouldn't I be depressed about losing?
By the way, what exactly is your relationship with Yuuto?
Aomine clicked his tongue and covered his head directly with the towel.
He didn't want to look at this annoying childhood friend he had known for more than ten years.
Seeing this, Momoi covered her mouth and snickered.
"It's not like you're the only one who lost; I lost to Yu too."
Momoi muttered to herself.
"Decided. Starting tomorrow, I'll follow Seiho all the time. Next time I must defeat Yu!"
She seemed to have made up her mind, but the Tōō players felt her purpose wasn't that simple.
...
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