Chapter Ninety-Eight: A Special Way to Pass
"Number 11?"
Mitsui searched carefully among Seirin's players before finally spotting Kuroko.
"Him? The guy who was standing in front of Sakuragi earlier."
"Coach Anzai figured it out that quickly..." Yagami propped his chin on his hand, watching the court.
Originally, Shohoku's defensive matchups against Seirin were: Miyagi on Izuki, Mitsui on Hyuga, Akagi on Mitobe—those three assignments posed no problems.
But among the remaining four players, while Kagami was listed as a power forward, his playing style was more like a small forward. Considering the threat level of his ball-handling attacks, the only Shohoku player who could defend him was Rukawa, not Sakuragi.
That left Sakuragi theoretically assigned to defend Seirin's last player—Kuroko Tetsuya.
Except Sakuragi couldn't keep track of him at all. His attention constantly got pulled toward Kagami while running around. On defense, it looked like Rukawa and Kagami were facing off while Sakuragi stood in the paint as a second line of defense.
The advantage was that Sakuragi had just contributed a spectacular help-defense block. The hidden danger was that the unguarded Kuroko appeared in positions Shohoku's players overlooked, connecting the entire team's offense.
---
Change of possession. Shohoku's offense.
"Ryota, I'm open! Pass to me!" Sakuragi shouted after getting into position.
"Idiot, don't announce it!" Miyagi whipped the ball out.
Sakuragi caught it. Sure enough, Kuroko was once again standing in front of him.
"You're really underestimating me, shorty!" Sakuragi focused his mind, jumping from his spot. "If I just pretend you don't exist, I won't be affected!"
"Swish!"
Sakuragi released the shot smoothly.
"Smack!"
Kagami leaped from behind Kuroko, swatting the ball away with one hand!
"?!!"
"He can do that?! So high!"
The ball flew behind Sakuragi. Rukawa reacted quickly, controlling it.
"Damn it!"
Kagami hadn't expected such sharp awareness.
Rukawa adjusted instantly, rising from the corner beyond the three-point line!
"Don't even think about shooting in front of me!"
After landing, Kagami sprinted in a straight line to Rukawa, exploding upward!
"Whoa, what's with this guy?" Aida Hikoichi exclaimed. "His speed is incredible too. Insane athleticism..."
Rukawa frowned slightly, adjusting his release in mid-air to avoid Kagami's contest.
"Clang!"
The ball hit the front of the rim, bouncing high.
"Rebound!"
Mitobe established position under the basket, but the beast behind him effortlessly displaced him. He could only lower his center of gravity and use all his strength to resist, trying his best to box out.
After all, Seirin's rebounds didn't need him to be the hero.
"Smack!"
Just as Akagi forced his way up to grab the board, Kagami reached the apex faster, tipping the ball toward the perimeter.
"Him again?!!" Uozumi couldn't help but imagine himself getting out-rebounded, growling involuntarily.
Yagami's expression turned strange. Seirin really was working Kagami like a workhorse... Not only was he Seirin's primary offensive option, but he sometimes handled the ball, defended shooters on the perimeter, and battled for rebounds inside. He literally did everything except passing...
After grabbing the ball, Izuki pushed it in transition. Hyuga provided a screen on the wing.
Mitsui and Miyagi accelerated back on defense.
But Seirin had one extra man!
When Miyagi stopped Izuki, he fired a bounce pass directly into the paint. Kuroko caught it, entering the basket area.
"You do have some tricks after all!" Mitsui had been watching the situation on his side the whole time. Just as he expected—Coach Anzai's adjustments always had their reasons!
Mitsui rotated from behind to help. Kuroko suddenly stopped, flicking the ball with his right hand toward the three-point line!
The real finisher was Hyuga!
"Impressive!" Sendoh's eyes lit up. Kuroko seemed like he never even considered scoring himself—he could always find the best finisher on the court.
Hyuga caught, jumped, and released!
"Watch out, Junpei!"
"Smack!"
Sakuragi's chase-down block sent the ball flying far out of bounds.
"From now on, the one defending you is this genius, Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
"Tweet!" The whistle blew.
Sideline ball. Seirin's possession.
Sakuragi's neck tensed unnaturally. He'd almost thought the referee was calling a foul on him.
"Haha, speaking of which, that redhead on the other team really does look like Sakuragi—can run, can jump." The Sakuragi Legion discussed from the stands.
"Yeah, but Sakuragi's skills aren't as good, right? Defense still relies on that Rukawa guy."
"Sakuragi just got blocked by the other guy too!"
"Blah blah blah blah..."
"You guys! Enough already!" Sakuragi yelled toward the sideline, but when he spotted Haruko sitting next to the Sakuragi Legion, he broke into a foolish grin.
"Hehehe."
"Sakuragi! Don't lose your man!"
Seirin inbounded. After creating separation, Hyuga quickly adjusted for the shot!
"Boom!"
Sakuragi charged forward, jumping in front of him.
"Damn it!"
The path between Hyuga and the basket was completely blocked by Sakuragi. "This guy's vertical is exactly like Kagami's!"
"Bang!"
Hyuga slammed the ball to the floor. Kuroko ran over from the side. Mitsui followed right behind.
"Not fast, looks pretty thin too—I can pressure him directly." Mitsui quickly assessed, preparing to apply full-court pressure the instant Kuroko touched the ball.
"Smack!"
Kuroko swung forcefully at the ball in front of him. Its trajectory changed instantly!
"What?!" Mitsui was shocked. "You can pass like that?"
Kagami cut to the basket, receiving the pass and rising up, ready to hammer it through!
"Smack!"
Akagi precisely predicted Kagami's dunk path, pressing both hands on the ball. "Don't get cocky, punk!"
Rukawa grabbed the loose ball, instantly accelerating.
"Stop him!"
Izuki slid over to intercept but got blown by in one step.
Hyuga tried to slow Rukawa at the center circle, but Rukawa spun past him, leaving him behind.
In moments, Rukawa had charged into Seirin's paint, rising after one step!
But behind him, a red-haired figure in a black jersey stayed close!
"Kagami actually caught up! That's insane!"
Just as Kagami was about to pin the ball against the backboard, Rukawa suddenly pulled it back, then extended forward with a reverse layup, releasing the ball.
"Swish!"
Two points!
[Seirin 9 - Shohoku 6]
"Guys like you—I see them every day," Rukawa said expressionlessly.
"Rukawa! Rukawa!"
In the stands, Rukawa's dedicated cheering section performed high kicks while supporting him.
"Damn it...!" Ikegami gritted his teeth.
---
On the court, Shohoku and Seirin traded baskets, the score climbing alternately. The intense competition and spectacular plays drew continuous gasps from the audience. Ryonan's players watched with great interest.
However, Yagami's gaze didn't linger on Kagami or Rukawa. Even Sakuragi, who occasionally created surprises in the chaos, couldn't hold his attention.
Yagami kept his focus locked on Kuroko Tetsuya. If Ryonan eventually faced Seirin, figuring out how to solve Kuroko's ghost-like passing would be the most critical step.
It had to be said—Kuroko's off-ball movement was the most unique Yagami had ever seen.
Generally speaking, off-ball movement served three purposes:
First, creating scoring opportunities.
Moving to shake defensive players and gain open space for catch-and-shoot or layup opportunities. This was what Aida Hikoichi and Koshino were currently training for.
Second, drawing defensive attention.
Actively running toward defensive players or key areas, "pulling away" defensive pressure to create one-on-one breakthrough or passing space for teammates, especially the ball-handler. This was why Uekusa needed to develop shooting ability—to increase his threat during this type of off-ball movement.
Third, optimizing offensive formation.
Adjusting position through movement to make the team's offensive spacing more reasonable—spreading defensive width, filling passing lane gaps, avoiding offensive congestion. This was a capability all players needed, as it enabled tactical execution.
Kuroko's off-ball movement could be considered a type that filled passing lanes, but the effect he achieved was undoubtedly far more extreme.
"Lost track of him again..." Yagami rubbed his eyes. Even from this god's-eye view, keeping track of Kuroko wasn't easy.
He always appeared in defensive blind spots, using teammates' and even opponents' bodies as screens. Like a water droplet merging into water, he quietly reached the most threatening positions.
Mitsui's defense was already excellent, but the moment he lost track for even an instant, Kuroko would use his special "tap-style" passing to deliver the ball to a teammate cutting open on the other side.
"Swish!"
Izuki caught and scored.
[Seirin 26 - Shohoku 23]
---
The first quarter ended. Both teams returned to their benches.
"Tokyo teams really are tough..." Mitsui took a towel and wiped his sweat. Seirin's number 11 looked frail, but his actual performance could only be described as troublesome.
Mitsui finally understood why Coach Anzai specifically assigned him to guard Kuroko. With Sakuragi, the guy would've been shaken off ages ago.
"Little San, what's with that look?" Sakuragi keenly caught Mitsui's glance toward him, protesting loudly.
"Heh, nothing."
So Coach Anzai really does trust me the most. Mitsui thought happily, his physical fatigue seeming to lighten.
"I'm gradually adapting to that kid's movement patterns. In the second quarter, I'll try to pressure him more aggressively." Mitsui turned to Miyagi, his expression serious. "Miyagi, watch for my signals."
"No problem," Miyagi replied.
Honestly, this match against Seirin gave Miyagi a rare feeling of "ease."
After all, compared to guys like Kasamatsu, Yagami, and Sendoh, while Izuki wasn't weak, he at least... didn't put any pressure on Miyagi. It let him relax the nerves that had nearly developed PTSD from Kanagawa.
"Akagi," Coach Anzai's gentle but steady voice sounded. He adjusted his glasses. "You can apply more pressure in the paint. Their Kagami is the absolute core. Try to force him into the basket area, then you and Sakuragi together can lock him down inside."
"Yes!" Akagi responded firmly, determination burning in his eyes.
"Tweet!"
The brief break ended. The second quarter whistle sounded.
Both teams returned to the court. Shohoku's possession.
Miyagi's first play went straight to the paint. After receiving the ball and establishing position, Akagi powered upward, slamming it through with both hands!
[Seirin 26 - Shohoku 25]
"Sorry," Mitobe said quietly.
Clearly, Shohoku was targeting him as Seirin's weak point.
"It's fine, Mitobe-senpai." Kagami said. "When it comes to offense, we won't lose either!"
Akagi might be the strongest center Seirin had faced so far—he had height, strength, and skill. This game probably wouldn't be decided quickly.
---
Change of possession. Seirin's offense.
The instant Izuki pushed past halfcourt, Miyagi rushed forward to pressure him.
"???"
Izuki barely protected the ball, nearly getting pushed back for a backcourt violation.
"Izuki-senpai!" Kagami called for the ball on the right side.
Miyagi adjusted his position, clearly cutting off the right-side passing lane.
Izuki spotted Kuroko receiving on the left side, finding the opportunity to pass.
"Smack!"
The instant Kuroko tapped the ball forward, Mitsui darted in for the steal—but was still a step slow.
The ball reached Kagami precisely.
"They read the passing lane?!" Seirin's manager Aida Riko frowned from the sideline.
Kuroko's misdirection weakened the longer he stayed on the court, but she hadn't expected that at the very start of the second quarter, his pass would nearly get intercepted.
"So Shohoku's pressure was deliberate probing?"
Aida Riko hesitated about whether to substitute Kuroko out now. If Seirin's offense collapsed here, changing formations later would mean losing the initiative.
Kagami caught the ball. After a jab step, he accelerated from the right side.
Though Rukawa got beaten, he didn't completely lose position, staying attached to Kagami's body from the side.
"Damn it!"
The moment Kagami entered the free throw line, Akagi immediately stepped out to trap.
"Kagami, here!"
Kuroko's voice came from behind and to the side. Without hesitation, Kagami passed.
"Swish!"
"Smack!"
The ball flew toward the perimeter, then seemed to bend in mid-air, shooting directly to Shohoku's basket.
Mitobe caught it, squeezing the shot in before Akagi could rotate back. Two points.
[Seirin 28 - Shohoku 25]
"Damn it, I guess Kuroko can't come out yet..." Aida Riko looked conflicted.
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