Everyone stopped eating and looked up at Satsuki Momoi.
After spending so much time at Kirisaki Daiichi, they had all become familiar with one another.
They already saw each other as brothers.
If a brother was hurt, of course they would be worried.
Hearing this, Satsuki Momoi smiled and said, "Seto and the others already messaged me. Haizaki is fine. He just overworked his brain and needs rest."
Only then did everyone relax and start eating again.
At the same time, they began teasing Shogo Haizaki.
"We keep telling Haizaki to read more books, but now look. The moment he actually needs to use his brain, it can't keep up."
Makoto Hanamiya spoke slowly, his tone full of mockery.
Shuzo Nijimura immediately followed up.
"Hanamiya, what kind of thing is that to say? Do you have a cure for our Haizaki falling asleep the second he sees a teacher?"
The moment he said that, everyone from Kirisaki Daiichi burst into laughter.
People were like that. When a close friend got hurt, the first thing they did was check whether the injury was serious.
If it was serious, they would worry deeply and earnestly think of a solution.
But if it turned out to be nothing major, they would burst out laughing.
When there was danger, brothers were the safest people around.
When there was no danger, brothers were the most dangerous!
...
Over on Tōō's side.
As soon as everyone entered the locker room, Shoichi Imayoshi found an excuse and ran off to the restroom.
Everyone knew Shoichi Imayoshi had gone to vent his emotions, but there was nothing they could do.
Because they were all holding in anger too, waiting for the game to end so they could take it out on Makoto Hanamiya!
Katsunori Harasawa sighed helplessly and did not stop Shoichi Imayoshi.
He turned to look at Daiki Aomine and asked, "Aomine, how's your condition?"
Daiki Aomine sat on the bench, took a little of the food Ryo Sakurai had made, and nodded.
"I'm fine. There shouldn't be any problem."
Only then did Katsunori Harasawa let out a breath of relief. He looked at Daiki Aomine solemnly and said, "Then Aomine, the second half is up to you."
Daiki Aomine's gaze grew serious, and he gave a heavy nod in response.
...
After halftime, both teams returned to the court and began the second half.
In other words, the third quarter.
By now, Shoichi Imayoshi's emotions had improved a little. At the very least, he was much better than he had been in the first half.
After the players from both teams returned to the court, the third quarter began.
Tōō had possession.
Shoichi Imayoshi received the ball and slowly dribbled forward.
Just as he was about to reach the three-point line, Makoto Hanamiya smiled and prepared to speak.
Shoichi Imayoshi glanced at Makoto Hanamiya, then quickly passed the ball to Daiki Aomine.
Daiki Aomine caught the basketball with his right hand and looked at Shuzo Nijimura, who was guarding him.
Shuzo Nijimura spread his arms, a faint smile on his face.
"Are you about to start going all out, Aomine?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of waves crashing against rocks rang out, mixed with the cries of a shark.
After the waves appeared, a shark that seemed to be constantly swimming slowly emerged behind Shuzo Nijimura, lifelike and vivid.
Shuzo Nijimura activated Animal Instinct first!
Daiki Aomine glanced at the shark behind Shuzo Nijimura and said, "Nijimura-senpai, if that's all you have, you won't stop me."
Shuzo Nijimura smiled.
"Of course I know that. That's why..."
Before Shuzo Nijimura could finish, the shark behind him began to move.
The shark suddenly bared its massive teeth, then snapped its jaws shut and began thrashing its body, as if building up speed.
Sure enough, after only a moment, the shark suddenly burst forward, charging toward Shuzo Nijimura's back.
Like water melting into the sea, the shark effortlessly slipped into Shuzo Nijimura's body and fused with him!
Shuzo Nijimura let out a soft "Mm," then began lightly bouncing his body.
His eyes also changed, becoming deeper and sharper.
This was Animal Instinct Fusion!
Seeing this, Daiki Aomine smiled. Then, unwilling to be outdone, he summoned his inner Animal Instinct.
A black panther!
The moment the black panther appeared, it began to move.
After several quick leaps, the black panther plunged into Daiki Aomine's body!
Animal Instinct Fusion!
In truth, Daiki Aomine could have activated his Animal Instinct directly without letting it manifest outside.
But out of respect for Shuzo Nijimura, he still allowed it to appear.
This was also a message to Shuzo Nijimura.
He had activated his inner Animal Instinct!
After both of them activated their inner Animal Instincts, neither said anything else. They immediately launched into action!
Daiki Aomine's hands moved at incredible speed as he dribbled, and the sound of the basketball striking the floor became rapid.
At the same time, Daiki Aomine's body began shifting unpredictably from side to side, making it impossible to tell where he was going.
Shuzo Nijimura was not backing down either. He kept bouncing lightly, constantly adjusting his defensive movements to follow Daiki Aomine's actions.
Suddenly, Daiki Aomine caught an opening. He immediately lowered his center of gravity and drove with the ball.
After Shuzo Nijimura reacted, he hurriedly turned and followed.
At that moment, Shuzo Nijimura was like a true shark, locking onto his prey and refusing to let go.
Daiki Aomine, meanwhile, was like a true black panther, pushing his speed and agility to the extreme!
Their figures kept weaving across the basketball court, neither one willing to yield to the other.
The rest of the Tōō players could only stand there and watch. They could not help at all.
Yoshinori Susa murmured with some emotion, "Sigh, we really can't help at all."
Shoichi Imayoshi slowly moved closer and said, "Didn't we already know that? In the second half, there's no way we can help!"
Yoshinori Susa looked at Shoichi Imayoshi in shock and stammered, "Imayoshi! You..."
Do not misunderstand. Yoshinori Susa was not worried about Shoichi Imayoshi.
He was worried about Makoto Hanamiya.
Because damn it, if Shoichi Imayoshi had come over, that meant Makoto Hanamiya had come over too!
"Yo, I didn't expect you guys to know your limits so well."
Sure enough, as soon as Yoshinori Susa finished speaking, Makoto Hanamiya's voice rang out.
Yoshinori Susa had just been about to leave when Shoichi Imayoshi followed him.
Shoichi Imayoshi had already made up his mind.
He could not take all the trash talk alone!
He had to find someone to stand with him!
That way, Makoto Hanamiya would have to trash-talk two people, which meant he would get hit with a little less of it!
There was no helping it. Shoichi Imayoshi admitted it.
He was starting to reach his limit...
...
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