Chapter One Hundred Six: Purity of Three-Pointers, Midorima's Second Evolution
"Stripped him again!!"
"Midorima Shintaro can't even get his shot off!!"
After Yagami slapped the ball from Midorima's hands, he charged at full speed toward Shutoku's basket.
"Since Midorima shoots three-pointers, his position is furthest from Ryonan's basket," Kise explained. "Which means once Yagami steals the ball while defending him, he becomes the player closest to Shutoku's rim!"
"I won't let you score again—!"
Midorima sprinted back at maximum speed, finally blocking Yagami's path diagonally at the free-throw line.
"Thud!"
Yagami planted hard, his rhythm changing as he pulled the ball back to his side, immediately rising for the jumper.
Midorima leaped forward to contest!
Yagami's body leaned back slightly mid-air, his arm maintaining balance as he smoothly released the shot.
"Swish!"
"And-one!"
Two points!
[Ryonan 67 - Shutoku 63]
"This is trouble. Never expected this kid could defend Midorima this way." Coach Nakatani's expression was grave. "What should we do now..."
Defending Midorima was extremely difficult.
First, throughout Japanese high school basketball, the shooting guard position offered virtually no defenders who could match Midorima's height. Interior players with comparable height generally lacked the lateral quickness to stay with him.
This mismatch advantage made his release inherently difficult to block.
Second, Midorima's shooting was incredibly stable. His composed mentality and mechanically perfect form meant ordinary defensive pressure struggled to truly disrupt his rhythm or accuracy.
These two qualities combined constructed Midorima's unique, unparalleled dominance—unlike any other shooter.
However, for Yagami, these two advantages weren't impenetrable. With his height and leaping ability, he could form effective contests the instant Midorima shot. Simultaneously, he possessed powerful defensive pressure and shocking speed, preventing Midorima from easily creating comfortable space.
This explained why Midorima managed only one attempt and three points in the first quarter.
But Midorima hadn't stopped there. He'd quickly adjusted strategy, frequently utilizing teammates' screens to find opportunities, finally demonstrating his "Generation of Miracles" strength in the second quarter with a perfect five-for-five from three.
Only now, Yagami had evolved again. Yes—this was Coach Nakatani's most visceral impression.
As the game progressed, Yagami fought over screens and squeezed through defense faster and faster, his anticipation growing more precise. The shooting space available to Midorima was being rapidly compressed.
More critically, Midorima had never needed such high-frequency, high-intensity off-ball movement in previous games. The massive stamina drain forced him to require more adjustment time before each shot.
Under these circumstances, Yagami had read the rhythm of Midorima's gathering motion for his shot—that excessively standard shooting preparation, this flaw that wasn't quite a flaw, had become Midorima's greatest weakness when attempting shots!
"Unless..." Coach Nakatani's fingertips unconsciously tapped the tactical board. Perhaps they could use this opportunity to make Midorima a "perfect" shooting guard.
---
The game's intensity escalated. With Midorima locked down, Shutoku's offense inevitably suffered. Otsubo and Miyaji stepped up, continuously attacking the paint, struggling to maintain stability.
Ryonan's offense remained controlled by Sendoh, steadily maintaining rhythm.
"Tweet!"
The third quarter ended.
[Ryonan 76 - Shutoku 70]
Both teams returned to their respective huddles.
Midorima gasped heavily, his jersey soaked with sweat.
Normally in a game, Midorima could attempt about three half-court or longer three-pointers—roughly his limit. But this game, he'd only tried once.
After that, Yagami's constant pressure prevented shooting opportunities. Now, he lacked the energy for such attempts.
"I absolutely can't let the game end like this." Midorima looked toward the bench where his Bulbasaur plushie sat. "There must be something I can try!"
"You're right." Coach Nakatani stood before him. "It's only a six-point gap with one quarter remaining. Of course there's still a way."
Midorima looked up at his coach. He vaguely sensed what was coming.
"Midorima, stop shooting three-pointers for now." Coach Nakatani said.
"Crack."
Shutoku's players couldn't help freezing, cautiously watching the two.
Midorima's fists clenched tightly. If he stopped shooting threes, would he still be himself?
"Coach, I—"
"You're the strongest three-point shooter I've ever seen." Coach Nakatani interrupted. "But if you continue like this, you'll never become the strongest player I hope to see."
"Coach!" Takao felt this statement was too harsh. But the moment he spoke, Miyaji covered his mouth while Otsubo pulled him back.
"Midorima, I understand your dedication to the three-pointer. You could become the strongest three-point shooter in Japanese history." Coach Nakatani spoke earnestly. "But relying only on threes won't work. If opponents know you only shoot threes, they'll limit you like today."
"Even if we beat Ryonan, we're destined not to make it to the end."
"But if I just shoot more, make more shots—" Midorima's logic told him the coach was correct, but he couldn't help arguing.
"Do you really think that? Then why is the game in this state?"
Coach Nakatani suddenly felt there was no better moment than now to change Midorima. From a certain perspective, if Midorima could enter the next stage, Shutoku should thank their opponents.
Seeing Midorima's silence, Coach Nakatani spoke with gravity: "Shooting two-pointers won't diminish your three-point prowess. Rather, it'll make you increasingly difficult for defenders to predict."
"Like an attack-first player—they must master passing and shooting to become truly troublesome."
"Midorima, your purity regarding three-pointers shouldn't merely manifest in only shooting threes. Instead, utilize every other factor to make your three-pointer the most fearsome weapon!"
"!!!"
Midorima's body jerked violently, as if struck by invisible current. His perpetually tight-pressed lips parted slightly. Behind his lenses, the stubborn ice in his eyes suddenly shattered, replaced by dawning comprehension.
All along, he'd firmly believed "three-pointers superior to two-pointers" was absolute truth, viewing "only shooting threes" as adhering to that pure philosophy.
This was what he wanted to prove to "those others."
However, after entering high school, Midorima's three-point attempts weren't as uninhibited as in middle school. Opponents either trapped or applied full-court pressure. Though they hadn't effectively disrupted his shooting, Midorima sensed something wasn't quite right.
He was an extremely rational person—this stood out particularly among the "Generation of Miracles."
Midorima had noticed certain differences, but consecutive victories made convincing himself to change difficult.
Until today. Until now. Until meeting Yagami Sorato.
"Coach, I know what to do now." Midorima adjusted his glasses, recovering his usual calm demeanor.
"Haha, I believe your 'three-point path' will become much broader." Coach Nakatani rarely showed genuine smile before returning to seriousness. "Now then, let's seize the victory before us!"
"YES!!!" Shutoku's players shouted in unison.
---
The final quarter began.
Ryonan adjusted their rotation. Fukuda returned to the floor.
Yagami had given his all on both ends the previous two quarters. His remaining stamina, he'd dedicate entirely to limiting Midorima.
Shutoku's possession.
Miyaji advanced with the ball. As Sendoh stepped up defensively, he calmly swung it to the receiving Takao.
Simultaneously, Kimura read the timing perfectly, executing a quick cut straight into Ryonan's territory. Takao's pass arrived promptly.
Though Fukuda got beaten, he still actively spun to pursue. Uozumi also quickly slid over from the basket.
Before the trap closed, Kimura bounce-passed inside. Otsubo caught it and rose, evading Uozumi's rotating contest, floating the ball into the basket.
[Ryonan 76 - Shutoku 72]
"Beautiful pass! Get back, get back!"
After scoring, Otsubo clapped forcefully, shouting. Shutoku's players quickly retreated, their formation orderly.
---
Change of possession. Ryonan's offense.
Sendoh controlled the tempo. After crossing halfcourt, a single glance manipulated Shutoku's defensive focus. He spotted an opening in the right corner, firing a decisive pass that reached Fukuda precisely.
"Finally my turn!"
Fukuda's eyes burned. After catching the ball, he showed no hesitation, dropping low to accelerate. One step blew past the hastily approaching Kimura, attacking the rim!
Otsubo immediately helped.
Facing the towering Otsubo, Fukuda showed no fear. He rose into contact, absorbing the collision mid-air. With excellent core strength maintaining balance, he steadily released the shot.
"Thud!"
The ball hit the backboard, bouncing through!
[Ryonan 78 - Shutoku 72]
---
Change of possession. Shutoku's offense.
Midorima raised his hand beyond the left arc, calling for the ball. Takao's pass arrived immediately. He caught it, both hands gathering upward for that instant—
Yagami timed it perfectly. His right hand shot out like lightning, targeting the ball!
"So this guy's aiming for this exact moment!" Midorima understood his shooting rhythm better than anyone, but he couldn't easily change it.
If he altered his rhythm to force a shot, the image of the ball dropping through the net wouldn't appear in his mind.
However, this time he hadn't planned to shoot.
"Thud!"
Just as Yagami's palm was about to contact the ball, Midorima's wrist suddenly pressed downward, driving the ball toward the floor.
An unexpected bounce pass!
The ball struck the ground, bouncing up, clearing the defense to land precisely in Otsubo's hands inside.
"Bring it!" Uozumi roared.
Otsubo backed into him, establishing position while feeding the ball toward the wing.
Kimura had already shaken Fukuda, charging toward the basket. Smoothly receiving the pass, he efficiently finished with a one-handed slam.
[Ryonan 78 - Shutoku 74]
"What's happening? Shutoku's offense suddenly seems more fluid." Spectators suddenly noticed that despite Midorima remaining defended by Yagami, Shutoku's overall offensive rhythm differed from the late third quarter.
"That's natural..." Kise watched the court in disbelief, murmuring. "Never thought even Midorima would..."
"You can actually pass?" Yagami asked lightly.
"Not just passing." Midorima responded seriously. "I'll also claim victory."
---
Time ticked away second by second.
"BOOM!"
Fukuda cut to the basket, catching Yagami's pass. One step, and he rose for a two-handed slam.
Otsubo, aggressively rotating, had experience enough to resist the urge to jump, avoiding the foul. But he still got posterized by Fukuda!
"Beautiful dunk, Fukuda!" Uozumi shouted his praise, forcefully slapping Fukuda's back.
[Ryonan 90 - Shutoku 84]
Four minutes remained. Ryonan still maintained a six-point advantage.
---
Change of possession. Shutoku's offense.
Midorima caught the ball at the left forty-five beyond the arc. Unexpectedly, he quickly dropped low, lowering his center of gravity, assuming an unprecedented driving stance.
"You really don't seem like a 'Generation of Miracles' member." Yagami's eyes sharpened, likewise lowering his stance, arms spread. He wasn't questioning whether Midorima's strength matched that level—rather, he meant Midorima lacked the stubbornness of Kise or Murasakibara.
Yagami watched Midorima warily. This was the most dangerous Generation of Miracles member he'd faced so far!
Midorima understood that subtext. He didn't respond verbally. Instead, he drove right with the dribble! His ball-handling fundamentals were quite solid, but facing Yagami's airtight defense, he still struggled to completely break free.
However—
"Thud!"
Takao had quietly relocated, setting a solid screen that firmly blocked Yagami's pursuit.
Though Ikegami switched at maximum effort, Midorima had already left the ground, rising for the three!
This time, he'd created his own rhythm through the dribble before shooting—completely different from catch-and-shoot. The entire motion flowed seamlessly, leaving Yagami no time to fight over the screen and contest.
"Swish!"
The ball answered cleanly. Nothing but net!
[Ryonan 90 - Shutoku 87]
"There it is again! Midorima's three-pointer!" The arena atmosphere ignited instantly. Shutoku's cheering section erupted.
---
Change of possession. Ryonan quickly organized their offense.
After reaching the arc, Sendoh used a jab step to create separation from Miyaji, immediately rising for three.
"CLANG!"
The ball crashed hard off the back iron, bouncing high.
Under the basket, Uozumi barely tipped the ball out through intense positioning battle with Otsubo. Ikegami controlled it, immediately finding Fukuda cutting along the baseline.
Shutoku's defensive rotation was lightning-fast. Otsubo had switched onto Fukuda!
"This time I won't give you space to accelerate."
"Fukuda, pass inside!" Coach Taoka shouted from the sideline.
Uozumi established position on Kimura, raising his hand.
But Fukuda neither heard nor saw. His eyes held only the nearby rim and the powerful opponent before him.
He absolutely had to score this himself!
Fukuda tried creating space, forcing up a shot against Otsubo's defense.
"SLAP!"
The ball got swatted away!
Miyaji secured it. Shutoku immediately launched the counter!
Shockingly, Midorima didn't position beyond the arc as before. Instead, he charged straight toward Ryonan's paint!
Yagami felt slight surprise but no panic, staying glued to him, both plunging into the paint together.
Miyaji passed to Takao. The latter understood perfectly, delivering a precise lob toward the left side of the rim.
Under Yagami's tight defensive pressure, Midorima leaped with maximum effort. Mid-air, he secured the ball cleanly. Leveraging his height advantage, he simply placed it through the basket!
Midorima's first two-point field goal of the game!
[Ryonan 90 - Shutoku 89]
The gap shrank to just one point! With his evolution, Midorima had sounded the horn for Shutoku's final charge!
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