Many times, Akashi had the illusion that Yuuto could predict the future.
Seiho... no, it should be said Yuuto's preparation for the match was too thorough and too precise; every step pierced the opponent's vitals.
Such a layout of the big picture, even he couldn't guarantee being able to do it.
Of course.
"Our preparation isn't inferior to his."
"Right, prepare for the afternoon match."
Akashi withdrew his gaze, making final preparations for the decisive battle with Tōō in the afternoon.
Even if he and Aomine agreed not to play, Rakuzan couldn't do without him as the captain.
And Seiho's match.
After four quarters, a total of 40 minutes of contest.
They won this Nationals semi-final with an astonishing 58-point huge advantage.
Too dominant.
Tokyo's No. 1 seed didn't disappoint; they walked to the final battle.
Then.
Fans turned their attention to the key battle in the afternoon.
Rakuzan VS Tōō.
Emperor VS Tyrant.
King Seiho's finals opponent would be born from these two teams.
However, fans were now concerned about whether Akashi and Aomine, the two youths, would play.
The answer was no.
Akashi and Aomine didn't even enter the match roster.
Coaches of both sides also tacitly approved their approach.
Akashi or Aomine, both were the most important assets of Rakuzan and Tōō for the next three years.
If not for Kise's incident, they might not have agreed. But since it happened, both sides must consider protecting the team's core aces.
Akashi still appeared on the court, sitting on the bench to supervise the battle.
Aomine extremely decisively didn't appear in the gym.
Without the two bosses of the Generation of Miracles, the match lost a lot of color but was still exciting.
Both Tōō and Rakuzan possessed extremely strong individual ability.
Rakuzan needless to say, with three Uncrowned Kings as a guarantee. Mayuzumi Chihiro also entered the roster today; this was a killing move prepared by Akashi just in case.
Tōō wasn't much inferior. Imayoshi Shoichi was one of the best point guards in the country, comparable in strength to Yukio Kasamatsu.
Starting shooting guard Ryo Sakurai was one of Yuuto's former important helpers; leaving aside strength, his fame wasn't weaker than the Uncrowned Kings.
The paper lineups of both teams were luxurious enough.
This paper strength was eventually reflected in the match.
Both sides erupted with a high-level contest from the first second of the opening.
Assisted by Momoi's intel, Tōō fought Rakuzan to a standstill in the first half.
The gap between the two sides was only 4 points, Rakuzan temporarily leading.
However, Momoi was still worried, her eyebrows furrowed.
Mayuzumi Chihiro, the third-year who suddenly appeared on Rakuzan's roster, made her feel uneasy.
No match records.
Not just this year, but throughout his three years of high school, there were no appearance records.
But Momoi investigated and found that the other party was personally brought back to the basketball club by Akashi after he joined Rakuzan.
The other party didn't play in the first half either, looking like he was just making up the numbers.
Second half.
Both sides changed sides and fought again. The situation wasn't much different from the first half; the scores of both sides bit tight, unable to pull apart.
The first to become restless was Katsunori Harasawa, calling the first timeout of the match in the 8th minute of the third quarter.
After the timeout, he used a three-point tactic to create an opportunity for Ryo Sakurai, who hit it.
Then came Eiji Shirogane, utilizing Hayama Kotaro's drive and dish to assist Mibuchi Reo for a three-pointer as well.
Players on the court gave their all; coaches on the sidelines were also battling wits.
Putting aside the Generation of Miracles, the duel between the two teams was already one of the highest quality matchups in the Nationals in recent years.
"Very close."
"Both are nationally famous powerhouses. Even if there is a gap in lineup strength, it won't be that big."
"Don't forget Tōō's female spy."
Many people were discussing the match.
Generally believing Rakuzan's overall strength was stronger. Because besides the lineup, Tōō also had an external brain, Momoi Satsuki.
Her existence was no longer a secret; many teams who had played against Tōō were impressed by Momoi's intelligence gathering ability.
With her support, Tōō was still trailing, proving Rakuzan's strength.
"Hey, Yuuto, who do you think will win?"
"Rakuzan."
A gym not far from Seiho's hotel; Yamashita Shio temporarily rented this place for a week.
"Why? Although Rakuzan has 3 Uncrowned Kings, Tōō also has Momoi Satsuki."
...
"Yeah, and the score can't be pulled apart at all right now; anything is possible."
Seiho's team members were puzzled; no matter how you looked at it, the result of this match was unpredictable.
Hearing this, Yuuto put down the basketball in his hand and looked over.
Just then, the camera focused on Rakuzan's bench. Yuuto pointed at Mayuzumi Chihiro and said, "Because Rakuzan has this person."
"Him?"
"What's special about him?"
"The special thing is that he is a player personally excavated by Akashi, with no appearance records so far."
"And, the various data on his body are very average, pitifully average, just like Kuroko."
Kuroko?
Seirin's invisible man?
"You mean... this person in Rakuzan is a player of the same type as Seirin's Kuroko?"
0.0
They trusted Yuuto 100%.
His eyes worked better than anything; he wouldn't easily make a mistake.
Since he said yes, then it definitely wasn't wrong.
"Rakuzan's lineup actually hides such a person?"
"Does Tōō know?"
"Looking at Momoi's expression, she probably doesn't know, but should have realized something is wrong."
Everyone sucked in a breath of cold air.
Akashi Seijuro, three Uncrowned Kings, plus a Phantom Sixth Man.
This lineup of Rakuzan looked scary no matter how you looked at it.
"Then isn't Tōō finished?"
Yes.
Tōō was indeed finished.
On TV, the match soon proceeded to the fourth quarter. Rakuzan maintained a lead of 4-7 points throughout.
At the critical moment, Ryo Sakurai, the champion member of Hozumi Academy, stepped forward, hitting 2 of 2 three-pointers, chasing the gap to 1 point.
Tōō saw the hope of victory.
However.
At this time, Rakuzan made a substitution adjustment. With only more than 40 seconds left in the match.
Mayuzumi Chihiro, who had no appearance record, went on.
Momoi reminded the coach immediately; Katsunori Harasawa listened and let Tōō's players be vigilant.
Result?
Mayuzumi Chihiro did nothing after coming on. Instead, Tōō's people were overly vigilant, seized by Rakuzan, allowing Mibuchi Reo to hit a fatal three-pointer.
Seeing this, Akashi smiled elegantly.
...
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