The bespectacled strategist of Tōō, Imayoshi Shoichi, had just made a sudden interception.
It caught everyone off guard.
Even the spectators froze for a moment.
What… was that just now?
"Shogo-kun, what was that just now?" someone asked.
"Animal Instinct," came the answer.
"Animal Instinct?"
"Yes."
"Shimizu-chan, what animal do you think Tōō's glasses guy looked like just now?"
"Snake," she replied instantly.
There was no hesitation at all.
Everyone around her blinked in confusion.
They didn't understand why this conversation was even happening.
Animal Instinct…? What kind of concept is that?
Haizaki Shogo finally spoke, explaining calmly.
"Rakuzan's No.7, Hayama Kotaro, is famous for his Animal Instincts and Lightning Dribble. But just now… Imayoshi awakened the same thing."
"Right in front of Hayama."
"Shogo-kun, what is Animal Instinct?" someone asked again.
"It's something trained in a world of survival of the fittest," he replied.
"A kind of animal-like instinct and explosive speed. Everyone has it… but most people can't awaken it. It depends on talent."
"So Rakuzan's Hayama is like a leopard… and Tōō's Imayoshi is a snake?" someone summarized.
"Yeah. That's exactly it."
The surrounding players from different schools stood frozen.
This was completely outside their understanding.
A world they couldn't even touch.
Then Midorima Shintaro spoke quietly.
"…Is that true?"
No one else understood what he was really asking.
But Haizaki did.
After a short pause—
He nodded.
So it's real…
Midorima's eyes sharpened.
Then I… can do it too.
A quiet fire ignited within him.
But Haizaki didn't say everything.
Because awakening something like that… wasn't just about belief.
It required overwhelming talent.
Even he himself had tried before.
And failed.
Instead, something else was born inside him—
A more dangerous thing.
=======
On the Tōō bench, coach Katsunori Harasawa finally smiled.
It worked.
The seed he planted… had finally grown.
Imayoshi had become something that could stand against even the Uncrowned Kings.
Beside him, Satsuki Momoi watched the court with wide eyes, her expression bright with excitement.
And beside her—
Aomine Daiki was only pretending not to look at her.
But his eyes kept drifting over anyway.
On the Rakuzan bench, Coach Eiji Shirogane narrowed his eyes.
Just for a moment.
Then he raised his hand.
"Timeout."
The whistle blew.
Both teams returned to their benches.
One minute of rest.
"We didn't expect Tōō's No.4 to awaken Animal Instinct," Shirogane said calmly.
"But that's fine. Hayama, go all out."
"Yes!"
Hayama Kotaro grinned, showing sharp fangs.
Finally… a real opponent.
Finally… someone who could match him.
I've been waiting for this.
"Reo, focus as well," Shirogane continued.
"Understood," replied Mibuchi Reo.
"Good. It's still within control."
Even with trouble appearing… Rakuzan did not panic.
The timeout ended quickly.
The game resumed.
Rakuzan inbounded the ball, and it immediately went to Hayama.
He held it in his hands and smiled.
"I'm coming through you now."
"Hmm?"
Imayoshi narrowed his eyes.
BOOM!
A thunder-like burst of acceleration exploded from Hayama's feet.
Five fingers raised—
His dribble turned into a blur.
Too fast…!
Imayoshi tried to react, but he was already beaten.
Hayama slipped past him effortlessly.
He dodged the help defense of Wakamatsu Kousuke and floated the ball up—
The ball gently kissed the rim.
Then dropped in.
Swish.
Hayama turned without looking back.
Imayoshi stood still for a moment.
So this is Animal Instinct…
A grin slowly formed on his face.
I like it.
The crowd erupted.
Two monsters trading blows.
No hesitation. No fear.
Only instinct.
=======
On the sidelines, Yukio Kasamatsu clenched his teeth.
"These guys… where did they even come from?"
Beside him, Kise Ryouta spoke softly.
"I don't have it either… that thing they're talking about."
Kasamatsu glanced at him.
"You don't?"
"I'm serious," Kise smiled bitterly. "It's talent-based."
"I know that," Kasamatsu said.
"But Winter Cup is coming. We'll be facing monsters like them."
A pause.
Then—
"That thought… is both exciting and terrifying."
"Let's win."
"We will."
=======
On the court, Mibuchi Reo stepped forward again.
Facing Sakurai Ryo.
He rose for a three-pointer.
Sakurai jumped desperately to contest—
BEEP!
A whistle.
Foul.
The shot was already released.
SWISH.
Three points counted.
And a free throw was coming.
Sakurai froze.
Why…? How…?
He looked completely shaken.
A rookie facing a weapon he had never seen before.
Imayoshi walked over slowly.
"It's the 'Earth' version of the four-point shot," he said calmly.
"…Don't blame yourself."
Sakurai looked up.
Still confused.
Still unable to accept it.
"It's one of Mibuchi's signature techniques," Imayoshi continued.
"A shot that draws a foul while scoring. You had no experience against it."
He paused slightly.
Even I didn't expect it this early.
"But this is the Uncrowned Kings."
"And maybe… the strongest of them all."