The whistle blew. The game was finally over.
On the stands, aside from a small group of special spectators, both seasoned players and ordinary fans alike were left frozen in stunned silence.
Most of them could only sigh repeatedly at the two players who seemed to appear and disappear like ghosts on the court—and at the miraculous, almost dreamlike 100% Accuracy Full-Court Shot-point shots.
"Hey, Hanamiya… was Midorima really this terrifying when we met him in the preliminaries?"
"What are you trying to say?"
"We… weren't even taken seriously, were we? We got blown away without them even going all out."
"…Yeah, I guess so."
"Kind of depressing, isn't it?"
"Tch…"
The conversation between Hanamiya Makoto and his teammate Seto Kentarou carried a strange sense of emptiness and frustration.
"These two monsters… how can they be this strong?"
That was the honest thought of Kagami Taiga.
In front of him, both Midorima Shintaro and Haizaki Shogo—either one of them—were already far beyond what he could handle.
Kagami had already lost track of how many times he had been mentally crushed today. If not for his iron will, he might have already broken down.
At this point, the dream he once shouted on the rooftop—declaring he would become Japan's number one—felt almost laughable.
Beside him, Kuroko Tetsuya silently observed.
He realized something unsettling: the former Teiko Junior High teammates—once distant and almost inhuman in strength—had all evolved into true monsters.
How are we supposed to beat something like this…?
======
Meanwhile, Aomine Daiki and Kise Ryouta were in a slightly different state.
Both of them frowned deeply, eyes unfocused, as if their minds were replaying the entire duel between Haizaki and Midorima over and over again—searching for something, anything, that could help them grow.
Aomine's expression shifted repeatedly—confusion, realization, amusement, then confusion again.
Kise, however, remained stuck in confusion alone. His brows tightened, eyes narrowed until his pupils were almost hidden.
Satsuki Momoi noticed their strange behavior, but didn't interrupt. Their expressions were far too serious—almost sacred in focus.
======
On the other side of the stands, the players of Rakuzan High had already fallen into a long silence.
A single thought echoed in all of their minds:
How are we supposed to deal with monsters like this?
On the court, however, the battle continued.
The game had effectively become a duel between Haizaki and Midorima. The other eight players had faded into near invisibility.
Midorima broke through Haizaki's defense and scored again with a sharp, precise motion.
Haizaki caught the ball again and looked at Midorima.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He already felt it.
Midorima's limit was near.
Just one or two possessions left.
Haizaki began to dribble.
Left. Right. Left again.
Each movement pulled Midorima's center of gravity like a puppet string.
His goal was simple—
Drain Midorima's stamina.
When the timing was right, Haizaki exploded forward.
Midorima followed immediately.
Haizaki forced him into the air and released a soft floater.
The ball dropped cleanly into the hoop.
Midorima landed.
And nearly collapsed.
He bent forward, hands on his knees, breathing heavily. His oxygen felt gone. His body had reached its limit.
That was it.
Haizaki also exited his heightened state.
Without Midorima's pressure, the rest of the Shutoku players felt like they had been reduced to children on the court.
A whistle sounded.
Timeout.
Midorima was escorted off the court by two teammates.
Haizaki stayed on the floor.
And for the next two and a half minutes—
It became Fukuda Sogo's celebration.
Freed from suppression, they exploded.
A lob pass.
A fast break.
A violent slam.
The game ended in a storm of dominance.
Final score: 128 – 92
Fukuda Sogo wins.
Both teams lined up and bowed.
Haizaki extended his hand.
Midorima shook it.
"You're strong. I learned a lot from you."
"I'm satisfied too. I was forced into that state because of you… Next time, I won't lose."
"Then let's meet again at the Winter Cup."
"Yeah. Winter Cup."
That match… I used everything I had.
Haizaki glanced back at Shutoku as he left.
Then, quietly, he muttered:
"Double Kill."
======
Outside the gym, players who had watched the game were finally regaining their senses.
One of the Rakuzan players immediately called his captain.
Akashi Seijuro listened silently.
Then he simply replied:
"I see."
And hung up.
No one knew what he was thinking.
But everyone could feel it—
He was not calm.
Not at all.
======
Meanwhile, the Seirin group walked home in silence.
Even Aomine Daiki and Kise Ryouta were unusually quiet.
The performance they had just witnessed had already surpassed their understanding of high school basketball.
Even Kagami's usually fiery spirit felt heavy.
And far behind them, the match was already becoming legend.
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