It was as expected—Mibuchi Reo casually sank his free throw, effortlessly sending the ball through the net. With that, the gap between the two teams widened even further.
From just 2 points, it had stretched to 4. Now, after that "four-point play," the difference exploded to 8 points—almost into double digits.
In his own half, Shun Izuki received the inbound pass from Sakurai Ryo and quickly advanced toward the Rakuzan court. Without waiting for Hayama Kotaro to close in, he immediately pulled up and shot.
Hayama's pupils shrank.
Something's bad…
And just as he feared—
SWISH!
Izuki sank another three-pointer, cutting the deficit back down to 5 points.
"Hey, hey!! Reo, doesn't this Izuki guy feel kinda like you?!"
"Kotaro, pay attention. The guy you're guarding—Shun Izuki—is a seriously nasty, black-hearted player."
"Hahaha! I like that kind of guy. I'll crush him."
Rakuzan immediately switched to offense again. The ball moved from Hayama Kotaro to Mibuchi Reo.
Seeing Sakurai Ryo refusing to back down and defending with full intensity, Mibuchi thought for a moment and then passed the ball inside.
BANG!
Nebuya Ogami slammed the ball into the hoop like a raging gorilla.
Rakuzan struck back instantly.
Shutoku vs. Rakuzan: 51–58
The whistle blew.
The second quarter ended.
Halftime had arrived.
Both teams returned to the locker rooms.
The moment the players left the court, the stands erupted into a buzzing wave of noise.
"Hey, Kuroko… based on what you know about Aomine, will he play in the second half?"
"…I don't know. In Teiko, the Generation of Miracles always started every game."
Kuroko Tetsuya's uncertain answer made Kagami Taiga click his tongue in frustration and fall silent.
Then another voice spoke.
It was Kiyoshi Teppei.
"To be honest, this is the first time I've seen three Uncrowned Kings playing together—and getting suppressed this hard."
"That just proves how strong Seiho is… and it's not just because of Aomine Daiki."
"Kiyoshi… what are you trying to say?" Kagami asked.
"I'm saying… if we all work together… we can reach that level too, right?"
For a moment, everyone from Seirin froze.
Then, slowly, something shifted.
The dark clouds over their heads seemed to split open.
This match didn't just show them pressure.
It showed them possibilities.
And that possibility… was something they could reach too.
Because Seirin wasn't just Kagami Taiga, a Generation of Miracles-level talent.
They also had Kuroko Tetsuya, the Phantom Sixth Man.
And Kiyoshi Teppei, a player of Uncrowned King level.
If anything… the ones who should be afraid were the other schools.
Not them.
And just like that—
Kiyoshi Teppei, the man who founded Seirin's basketball club, cleared away the fog of despair with a single voice.
His presence carried the weight of his name.
Iron Will.
=======
Meanwhile, at another court…
"Hey, I'm starting to think your so-called Uncrowned Kings aren't that amazing after all."
"Hah? You first-years really talk big."
"You'll know whether I'm strong or not." Hanamiya Makoto smirked, his expression as unpleasant as ever.
Takao Kazunari had nothing to say after that.
Midorima Shintaro pushed up his glasses.
"The strength of the Uncrowned Kings is not questionable."
"Shutoku is strong. But Rakuzan isn't being overwhelmed by individual strength."
"The real reason Shutoku can fight like this… is because of Satsuki Momoi's data support—and more importantly…"
"Their confidence."
"And that confidence comes from Aomine Daiki sitting on the bench."
"Then Aomine will come in the second half?" Takao asked.
"I don't know," Midorima replied.
"…That's not helpful at all!" Takao slumped.
=======
Meanwhile, high above the arena…
A group finally appeared in the stands.
The long-delayed Yosen team had arrived.
=======
Earlier…
At the gym entrance.
"Murasakibara-kun wandered off to buy snacks."
"…Eh?"
And just like that—
he disappeared.
Half an hour later…
They realized the truth.
The tallest, strongest center in the country…
had gotten lost in a supermarket.
"Seriously… that guy is a total idiot… and a walking snack monster." someone muttered.
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