On the opposite side of the arena, in Seirin High's section of the audience seats, Kuroko Tetsuya glanced toward Kagami Taiga and asked quietly, "Kagami-kun, are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
After answering, Kagami's gaze flickered uncertainly toward Himuro Tatsuya on the court. In his hand, he tightly gripped the metal ring that symbolized the bond of brotherhood between them. No one knew what he was thinking.
Even though Aida Riko had already heard about Himuro's existence, she never imagined that Himuro Tatsuya would be someone capable of standing on the same level as Kagami. At this moment, Yosen High was giving every team in the audience tremendous pressure.
Of course, Haizaki Shogo's pressure was even greater. The difference was that everyone had already experienced Haizaki's terror before. They had developed a degree of resistance to it.
But Yosen casually pulling out another player with Generation of Miracles-level ability? That was absurd.
Seriously... was this some kind of joke?
Nearby, Rakuzan's group was watching as well.
"What was No. 12's name again?"
"Himuro Tatsuya."
Hayama Kotaro answered Mibuchi Reo's question while staring at the court with excitement. Mibuchi then turned toward Akashi Seijuro beside him and asked softly, "That No. 12, Himuro Tatsuya, isn't ordinary... right, Akashi?"
Akashi nodded. "Mm. In his normal state, Himuro Tatsuya is probably stronger than Seirin's Kagami Taiga."
"So... so strong?"
"He is." Akashi's eyes never left the court. "The only reason he doesn't seem that impressive is because Haizaki is standing across from him. Compared to Haizaki, almost anyone would look average."
The three Uncrowned Kings, Mibuchi Reo, Nebuya Eikichi, and Hayama Kotaro, all sucked in cold breaths. Akashi's meaning was crystal clear.
Himuro's ability surpassed all three of them.
That realization forced everyone to become serious. Yosen really was that terrifying.
Inside, they had Murasakibara Atsushi, the king of the paint. Outside, they had Himuro Tatsuya, a player standing at Generation of Miracles level.
So far, Fukuda Sogo had not scored a single point inside the paint. For the few people who truly understood basketball and grasped the flow of the game, a chill spread through their bodies.
As the crowd continued whispering among themselves, the game resumed. Once again, it was Himuro against Haizaki.
Himuro rapidly switched the ball from hand to hand and pushed his speed to the limit, yet he still could not shake Haizaki. It was a suffocating feeling, one capable of crushing a player's spirit.
But Himuro endured.
He executed a flawless fake, rose into the air, and released another Mirage Shot.
The ball left his hands.
But Himuro did not see Haizaki jump. He did not see Haizaki move to contest him.
Why? Didn't he notice? Did my fake work?
As Himuro looked over, Haizaki merely wore a strange smile and had already turned toward the paint.
CLANG!
The shot missed.
The ball bounced high, and Murasakibara had already leaped, preparing for a put-back dunk.
Then his eyes widened.
Haizaki's figure shot upward.
Faster. Higher.
He grabbed the rebound before Murasakibara could even touch it. The moment he landed, Haizaki immediately fired the ball out to Mochizuki Kazuhiro on the perimeter before sprinting downcourt himself.
Murasakibara landed only a fraction of a second later and instantly chased after him.
Meanwhile, Himuro remained frozen, staring blankly at his own hands.
I missed? Mirage Shot... missed? How is that possible? Why? Why? Why?
Confusion consumed him completely. He had already forgotten he was still in the middle of a game.
At the other end of the court, Haizaki had already taken off. He rose into the air, caught Mochizuki's pass, and slammed the ball through the hoop with one hand.
BOOM!!
Behind him, Murasakibara jumped in pursuit.
Too late.
Two whole steps too late.
He could only watch as Haizaki dunked right in front of him.
When the whistle sounded, Himuro finally snapped out of it. By then, Fukuda Sogo's players were already jogging past him one after another.
Every single one of them was proof of reality.
They had scored again.
=========
Back in Yosen's half court, Murasakibara reached out his enormous hand and smacked Himuro heavily on the shoulder. "Muro-chin, don't be depressed. We're still playing. Pull yourself together."
"Dun... what happened just now?"
Murasakibara glanced at him. "That was Haizaki's special ability. Pillage."
"Pillage?"
"Mm."
Himuro looked stunned. "What does that mean?"
Murasakibara sighed. "Any technique Haizaki copies changes its rhythm without you realizing it. And when your rhythm changes... your accuracy drops too."
"This..." Himuro stared blankly. "Is that even possible?"
"Muro-chin." Murasakibara looked toward Haizaki. "The result is already right in front of us. Stop thinking about it. Next possession, pass inside. I'll score."
Possession changed.
This time Himuro obediently passed the ball. After moving through Fukui Kensuke's hands, it entered the paint.
Inside, Murasakibara, Okamura Kenichi, and Liu Wei completely overwhelmed Suzuran Karasu, Okawa, and Kimura Tosho.
Murasakibara soared upward.
Caught the lob.
Turned.
BOOM!
Another monstrous dunk.
Watching Murasakibara dominate the paint so forcefully, Haizaki paused.
Do I have to help inside too?
But if he entered the paint, Himuro's outside shooting would become a serious threat. Right now, Fukuda Sogo was only ahead by four points.
That wasn't a real advantage.
Haizaki was thinking.
Coach Ichiro Kudo was thinking too.
=========
High above, in Kaijo's viewing area, Kasamatsu Yukio folded his arms. "The situation is obvious. Yosen controls the interior. Fukuda controls the perimeter. It looks similar to their encounter last season, but also completely different."
"Captain... what are you talking about? I don't get it."
Only Kise Ryouta understood. Everyone else looked completely confused.
Last season had followed a similar pattern. One side dominated inside, while the other dominated outside.
But the difference now was Haizaki.
And Yosen now had both Murasakibara and Himuro.
One ruled the interior. One possessed Generation of Miracles-level ability on the perimeter.
Who would win?
No one could say.
The biggest issue was Himuro being suppressed by Haizaki. Otherwise, Yosen's game would have flowed much more smoothly.
Kasamatsu turned toward Kise. "Kise. Based on what you know... how do you think this plays out?"
Kise scratched his head. "Honestly... that's hard."
After thinking for a moment, he finally spoke. "Personally, I still favor Fukuda. Mainly because Haizaki-senpai's ability is just too abnormal."
"Why?"
Kise narrowed his eyes. "Because as the game goes on, Yosen's players will have fewer and fewer techniques left. In the end... Murasakibara might be the only one still carrying the team."
Silence followed.
Everyone understood.
Kise was absolutely right.
At that moment, everyone gained a deeper understanding of Haizaki Shogo's Pillage.
That thing wasn't a skill.
It was a disaster.
A nightmare for every opponent standing across from him.