Beep~
The first quarter ended.
Both sides tied at 24:25. Mibuchi Reo received Akashi's assist and hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer, helping Rakuzan temporarily lead by one point.
It could be seen that the strength gap between the two sides in this match wasn't large.
Both had their own advantages.
Seiho's intel, and that unique Lightning Run.
Rakuzan's lineup strength, and the new model Phantom Sixth Man.
"In this way, the key to breaking the game returns to the original point."
"True. Ultimately, the ones who can influence the outcome of the match are still Yuuto and Akashi."
Seiho and Rakuzan's players were all strong; everyone knew this.
Seiho side: Iwamura 6 points, Kasuga 6 points, Tsugawa 4 points, Omuro 4 points, Yuuto 4 points.
Rakuzan side: Mibuchi 9 points, Hayama 6 points, Mayuzumi 4 points, Nebuya 4 points, Akashi 2 points.
All players on the court from both teams could score, even scoring more than Yuuto and Akashi, keeping the scores in a balance.
But this balance would be broken sooner or later; just didn't know when.
Inter-quarter break.
People from both teams seized the time to rehydrate and rest.
With the match reaching this stage, fatigue made them give up the plan of playing the full game.
Yamashita Shio told the players before the match, "Unless there are uncontrollable factors, I won't sub any of you out."
"The sweating rate is higher than usual, but still within acceptable range."
He saw the disciples' condition and wasn't worried.
Because the advantage of Seiho's Lightning Run lay in lower consumption than the opponent.
Of course.
Rakuzan side was about the same; their offense in the first quarter was actually very easy.
That Mayuzumi Chihiro connected the entire team's offense, reducing some unnecessary running and confrontation.
"Just hold on for another ten minutes, and the advantage will be grasped by us."
"Not that simple, Coach."
Yuuto picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from his face.
The limit of Misdirection was indeed around 20 minutes; this was correct.
However.
"Once the match enters the phase where I duel Akashi one-on-one, the focus on the court will shift to us."
Just need a quarter of time, and Mayuzumi Chihiro can be put back into use.
This is the so-called "the stronger the light, the deeper the shadow."
"However, my analysis of Rakuzan is almost complete."
Yuuto's eyes became deeper, like rotating stars; the red ring locked the pupil, mysterious and oppressive.
"Is that so? Then I leave it to you." Yamashita Shio didn't have much to adjust.
Offense to Yuuto; defense, before that Mayuzumi Chihiro came off, no change would be useful, better to maintain the status quo.
Then.
The whistle blew again; the second quarter began.
Rakuzan's offense.
Continue to find Mayuzumi Chihiro, use the Sixth Man's ability to pass the first half, confront Yuuto head-on in the third quarter, and reach the crucial moment to decide the winner in the fourth quarter.
This was Akashi's plan, and also Rakuzan's tactical plan.
Their preparation for this match wasn't just Mayuzumi Chihiro alone; they also prepared another killing move.
Akashi observed Yuuto with the Emperor Eye; the ability to nullify all offense and defense allowed him to easily find the timing to pass.
The ball flew straight to an unmanned area.
But that wasn't really an unmanned area; Akashi didn't make a mistake.
At that position, a Mayuzumi Chihiro with presence so low it was appalling was ready.
Smack!
A touch pass, directly sending the ball into Seiho's paint.
The moment Nebuya Eikichi received the ball, his muscles bulged, giving Iwamura beside him immense rebounding pressure.
Bang!
Seiho's former captain was pushed back directly. This pass was weird to begin with; he lacked sufficient preparation.
Plus Nebuya's physical stats were originally slightly higher than his; without preparation, he was powerless to resist.
"Ooooh~" Nebuya roared and jumped, raising the basketball with both hands, aiming at the basket to smash down with force.
But soon, his expression changed drastically.
A hand seemed to reach out from the void, not giving him a chance to say "no," destroying his inevitable dunk with a smack.
"Yuuto?!"
Rakuzan people's expressions changed.
"Could it be he has already completed the correction for Mayuzumi Chihiro?"
"Hmph, a shadow of that level, he can correct with one look. The person he truly fears is Akashi!"
Aomine stood firmly on Kuroko's side.
Even though they were players of the same type, he believed Kuroko was more excellent.
"That's right. Regarding Kuroko-kun's correction, Yu completed it conveniently during that time he actively sought Little Green for a match."
"In other words, his correction this time targets the entire Rakuzan!"
Midorima's words were like the final verdict.
Not targeting Akashi, but targeting this team, Rakuzan.
However.
Things weren't that simple.
A surge of unease suddenly welled up in Akashi's heart.
Tap~
Yuuto landed on both feet. Tsugawa Tomoki picked up the ball and passed it to him without hesitation.
Next second.
All Seiho members pressed forward simultaneously, rushing towards Rakuzan's half at high speed.
Rakuzan retreated immediately, breaking into parts to chase their defensive assignments, giving Seiho no chance.
Akashi intercepted Yuuto at the three-point line. Having been guarding against Yuuto's super-long threes, he shifted laterally at this moment, blocking in front of Yuuto.
Almost simultaneously.
He noticed the red ring in Yuuto's eyes expanding rapidly.
Centered on Yuuto, spreading extremely fast to the entire court.
Something happened quietly without his knowledge.
Akashi could be certain.
He held his breath and concentrated; the golden ring of the Emperor Eye expanded simultaneously, enveloping Yuuto's whole body.
Then.
The sky suddenly darkened. A red dot, like a will-o'-the-wisp, quietly ignited in a corner of the court.
That red dot made Akashi's unease even more intense.
In the time of a breath, Yuuto made a choice, stepping back while pulling the ball behind his back, dodging the Emperor Eye's insight, and finally...
Whoosh~
The basketball seemed to shuttle through space again, flying to the position of that red dot.
"Such a low-quality pass can't defeat Rakuzan." Akashi was extremely confident; he believed the seniors had adapted after a quarter of the game.
However.
When he turned his head, he saw Ryuhei Kasuga catch the ball and cut down, seeing the future of Mibuchi Reo chasing to defend.
But this future suddenly shattered with a crack, falling apart.
"The future seen by the Emperor Eye... shattered?"
...
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