After a brief warm-up, Uozumi walked straight to Anzai Jitsurei and stood upright in front of him.
Anzai gestured for him to lean closer, then patted his broad back.
"Go in and replace Nobe. Work together with Akagi-san to stabilize the interior defense. Above all—protect the rebounds."
"Yes."
"Alright. Go."
Uozumi had originally assumed he would be subbing in for Akagi.
He never expected to be playing beside him.
For someone who had always regarded Akagi as a lifelong rival, the feeling was… indescribable.
Unreal.
"Uozumi?"
Akagi stared at him in surprise, momentarily forgetting his earlier frustration.
Nango chuckled softly. "The national team really is strange. One moment you're enemies, the next moment you're fighting side-by-side."
Hyuga Yuichi lifted his chin. "This should be the strongest interior pairing Kanagawa can produce, right?"
Nango shook his head slightly. "If we're talking strictly about protecting the paint, then yes."
He silently added: If the opponent runs pick-and-rolls, these two heavy tanks will suffer badly.
But right now, that wasn't the issue.
What the veteran team needed was simple—
Contain Morishige Hiroshi.
And this was the test.
For Akagi.
For Uozumi.
And for Hiroshi himself.
Gorilla and Ape King…
Sakuragi clenched his fists.
I'll crush both of you at once!
If he could shine against this combination, Anzai Jitsurei would definitely remember him.
The veteran team went on offense.
Fukatsu stood at the top of the arc, calmly organizing.
Akagi wrestled with Hiroshi inside, battling for position.
Uozumi, however, did not tangle with Sakuragi under the basket.
Instead, he stepped up to the free-throw line, spread his hands, and called for the ball—then casually winked at Fukatsu.
Fukatsu frowned slightly… but still passed.
Uozumi caught the ball with his back to Sakuragi.
Sakuragi couldn't read his next move and could only brace himself.
At that moment, Fukatsu suddenly cut inside after shaking off Sendo.
Simultaneously, Uozumi turned his body toward Fukatsu's lane, holding the ball one-handed, parallel to the floor.
Fukatsu only needed to run past to receive it.
Sakuragi immediately slid over to block Fukatsu.
And in that instant—
Uozumi pulled the ball back.
He spun the other direction and drove.
Beautiful!
Maki's eyes lit up.
Uozumi's playmaking had grown even sharper.
Back in the past, his style had been almost identical to Akagi's—pure power, pure force.
But ever since the Prefectural Tournament, he had awakened.
He learned how to read the court.
He learned how to pass.
And that transformation had elevated Ryonan's entire offense.
Now, it was on full display.
Seeing Uozumi attack, Hiroshi rushed over to help.
Uozumi showed no fear.
Three steps.
Layup motion.
Hiroshi leapt to block.
At the peak of his jump, Uozumi softly flicked the ball upward with his right hand.
The ball arced over Hiroshi's fingertips.
Akagi exploded upward from behind.
He caught the ball in midair and hammered it down.
"Bang!"
A perfect alley-oop between two centers.
"Well done!"
Anzai Jitsurei applauded.
This was the most fluid, most complete offensive sequence he had seen today—three players connected seamlessly.
Uozumi had instantly left a deep impression.
Individually, Uozumi might not be as overwhelming as Kawata, Akagi, or Hiroshi.
But he possessed something rare.
He was willing to do the dirty work.
Willing to pass.
Willing to sacrifice touches.
Kawata and Akagi could pass.
But once the ball reached their hands, it rarely came back out.
The difference was not talent.
It was mindset.
Uozumi's confidence surged.
He glanced at Akagi. "Let me take care of that guy. You cover behind me."
Akagi's face darkened. "You think you can handle him?"
Uozumi smiled faintly. "Better than you can."
"Hmph."
Akagi snorted. "Big words."
The rookie team attacked.
This time, Hiroshi matched up with Uozumi.
Fresh legs versus fresh legs.
Uozumi did not allow Hiroshi to bury himself as deep as before.
Hiroshi dribbled, backing down again and again.
Once one foot stepped into the paint, Hiroshi turned and released a short bank shot.
"Slap!"
Uozumi's long arm stretched high.
The shot was disturbed and bounced off.
On the weak side, Sakuragi also failed to out-jump Akagi for the rebound.
Defensive stop.
Fukatsu retrieved the ball.
His expression returned to its usual calm.
"Nice defense, Uozumi."
Uozumi smiled.
Just one defensive possession had already earned recognition.
Mitsui quietly walked to Akagi's side.
"Don't lose."
Akagi nodded. "I won't."
Hyuga Yuichi stroked his chin.
So that's Uozumi… No wonder old man Kawasaki values him.
If his mid-range shot is passable, our offensive system could expand even further.
Fukatsu brought the ball up again.
Once more, he fed Uozumi at the high post.
Fukatsu and Matsumoto cut simultaneously.
Sendo followed.
Mitsui fought to shake off Fukuda.
Four players moved at once.
The rookie team's defense collapsed inward.
Sakuragi hesitated.
Should he stick to Uozumi?
Or help?
That moment of hesitation was enough.
Uozumi calmly scanned both sides.
Fukatsu and Matsumoto executed a quick cross-screen.
Matsumoto shook free from Rukawa Kaede and sprinted to the corner.
Uozumi's pass arrived instantly.
Perfect height.
Perfect timing.
Matsumoto set his feet.
Raised his arms.
Shot.
Rukawa Kaede arrived late, only able to swipe at air.
"Swish!"
Clean.
Anzai Jitsurei closed his eyes briefly.
The decision was already made.
Among the centers—
There was no longer any suspense about who would be eliminated.