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On the court, everything seemed utterly ordinary.
Many expected the match between Toho Kotei Gakuen and Rakuzan to be a fierce, epic battle.
However, from the start until now, the entire match had been uneventful, devoid of any high-energy moments.
Even Ryu's sudden burst of energy seemed perfectly natural.
Yet, this calm match gave some people a glimpse of something different.
Position went to Rakuzan.
Hayama Kotaro dribbled the ball across half-court, but upon seeing Ryu approaching,
he didn't hesitate and decisively passed the ball.
He passed the ball to Nebuya Eikichi.
Faced with Kamimono's obstruction, Nebuya Eikichi was finding it difficult to move.
The difference in strength between the two sides was significant.
This meant that no matter what methods he used, he seemed powerless.
He attempted to force his way through Kamimono's defense.
However, the idea was beautiful, but reality was cruel.
Kamimono was like an impenetrable wall of steel blocking his way, solid and unyielding.
It couldn't be pushed down by brute force.
Left with no other choice, he ultimately chose to pass the ball.
To be on the safe side, he passed the ball directly to Akashi on the other side.
In the team, Akashi was not only their captain but also their ace.
Passing to Akashi was the safest option.
The basketball landed in Akashi's hands.
He maintained a detached expression throughout, his crimson eyes radiating a chilling aura.
This made Hanafuji, who was defending him, feel a sudden, inexplicable unease.
Thump... thump... thump...
The basketball danced in his hands like a sprite, its movements effortless and seemingly unremarkable.
His movements weren't fast.
But strangely, each time he dribbled the ball, he managed to perfectly evade Hanafuji's attempts to steal it.
'Damn it, this guy's dribbling seems a bit off.'
Hanafuji could sense Akashi's unusual dribbling.
But he just couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Suddenly.
Akashi's movement was the same, tossing the ball over Hanafuji's head with one hand.
Akashi's movement was too sudden.
Hanafuji didn't even have time to react.
The basketball flashed over his head and landed in the hands of Mibuchi Reo, who was standing in front of the three-point line.
Mibuchi Reo received the ball without hesitation, bent his knees, jumped, and shot.
Oh no.
Kugawa hurriedly raised his hand to block, but failed.
The basketball slipped from his fingertips and finally landed in the basket.
22-22.
Ryu glanced at Akashi.
The other guy also glanced at him sideways.
Their eyes met.
Ryu's lips curled into a slight smile.
'As expected of you, Akashi.'
Ryu had launched a surprise attack, intending to seize the initiative in the match.
However, Akashi seemed to have figured something out.
The two looked away, as if nothing had happened.
Hmm?
In the stands.
Aomine narrowed his eyes.
Noticing Aomine's unusual expression, Satsuki asked.
'What's wrong, Aomine?'
After a moment of silence, Aomine spoke.
'I feel like something just happened. Maybe I was mistaken!'
Hearing his words, Kise chimed in.
"Now that you mention it, I noticed it too. It was only for a moment, and then the feeling disappeared."
"You guys felt that too, which means my feeling wasn't wrong."
Midorima said.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Takao asked, looking confused.
Midorima explained.
"Although it was very slight, Ryu and Akashi should have exchanged blows just now."
"Huh? Exchanged blows? Did they?"
Takao was completely bewildered.
Crunch…crunch…
"They probably did! Just like Mido-chin said."
Murasakibara said while eating snacks.
…
On the court.
Offense and defense change.
It was Toho Kotei Gakuen's turn to serve.
Kuroki Ryuichi drove towards Rakuzan.
For Toho Kotei Gakuen's team, the power forward position was the easiest point to exploit.
Therefore, facing Kuroki Ryuichi's attack, Mayuzumi Chihiro was completely powerless to resist.
In a sudden shift in pace, Mayuzumi Chihiro was successfully beaten by Kuroki Ryuichi.
After breaking through Mayuzumi Chihiro, Kuroki Ryuichi charged forward, just as he was about to score a layup.
A figure blocked his way.
Nebuya Eikichi shouted at Kuroki Ryuichi.
"Come on!"
Feeling the pressure from Nebuya Eikichi,
Kuroki Ryuichi didn't flinch.
This pressure was nothing to him.
His pace changed again, and his speed increased to another level.
Kuroki Ryuichi's sudden change in speed made Nebuya Eikichi's vision blur.
However, as one of the "Five Uncrowned Generals," his experience in understanding the rhythm of the game and dealing with unexpected situations was unmatched.
He panicked and took two steps back to the basket.
With his vision suddenly widened, Nebuya Eikichi immediately saw Kuroki Ryuichi preparing for a layup.
Without hesitation, he jumped.
However, at this moment, Kuroki Ryuichi's feet were already off the ground, and he could no longer change his movement.
Just as Nebuya Eikichi's slap was about to land.
In desperation, Kuroki Ryuichi gritted his teeth and changed his layup to a floater.
With the added force, the basketball was thrown out by Kuroki Ryuichi and hit the rim.
Because of the great force, the basketball bounced out towards the three-point line.
Kuroki Ryuichi had calculated the bounce's trajectory perfectly.
In his memory, his teammates should be in that direction.
It must be said that his quick thinking was correct.
At the moment he shot.
Kugawa was standing just outside the three-point line.
Seeing the basketball flying towards him, Kugawa immediately started moving, catching the ball before Mibuchi Reo could.
'This guy, he could change his movement the instant the opponent chose to float! Their teamwork is amazing!'
Mibuchi Reo was dumbfounded.
That last shot must have been a last-minute, desperate change!
He'd never seen such perfect teamwork before.
Upon receiving the ball, Kugawa immediately moved, creating considerable distance between himself and Mibuchi Reo.
A single misstep led to a huge mistake.
Mibuchi Reo had missed his best defensive opportunity and could only watch helplessly as Kugawa released the ball.
The basketball arced through the air without much flair before finally falling into the basket.
25 to 22.
Position went to Rakuzan.
"Kotaro, you inbound the ball."
Hearing Akashi's words, everyone on TakuTos was stunned.
Hayama Kotaro didn't object, and simply walked to the baseline to inbound the ball.
In the team, Akashi's words were commands, and no one could disobey.
Receiving the ball, Akashi advanced step by step towards the Toho Kotei Gakuen's half of the court.
'What is this guy thinking?'
Hanafuji stood in front of Akashi, wondering.
He had absolutely no idea what Akashi would do next.
Akashi looked at him indifferently, then suddenly changed his hand movements.
The basketball flew from his hand.
Hanafuji froze, seeing the direction the basketball flew.
'What? There's no one there! Was it a mistake?'
Suddenly.
Before anyone noticed, the basketball abruptly changed its flight direction.
'What?'
Hanafuji's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
"It actually changed direction on its own? How is that possible?"
"You wouldn't understand."
Akashi suddenly spoke, then his eyes swept over Ryu as he continued.
"A new kind of dream sixth man, you wouldn't understand."
Ryu naturally noticed Akashi's gaze.
'So, they're finally going to make their move.'
Thinking to himself, a smile curved his lips.
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