Rakuzan High School's entire team had once again suffered a psychological blow from Aomine Daiki. Their morale visibly sank, and even three of the Uncrowned Kings had their heads lowered in frustration.
Three-man defense… still couldn't stop him…
When even a triple team failed to contain Aomine, despair was inevitable.
In the audience stands, within the Kirisaki Daiichi, Hanamiya Makoto did not look as satisfied as one might expect. Instead, there was something closer to sorrowful recognition in his expression.
The rabbit dies, and the fox grieves…
After several minutes of silence, Hanamiya finally spoke. His tone sounded almost like surrender.
"This era… is no longer the era of the Uncrowned Kings."
"It belongs to the Generation of Miracles."
He was not wrong. Ever since the Generation of Miracles entered high school, the entire landscape of high school basketball had been reshaped around them.
Any school that gained even one member of the Generation of Miracles experienced a complete transformation in strength.
At the Rakuzan bench, coach Eiji Shirogane was thinking the same thing.
If Akashi Seijuro had not chosen Rakuzan… I can't even imagine what would have happened. Would we have even made it past the quarterfinals?
"Next quarter," Shirogane said firmly, "we will continue the triple-team strategy against Aomine Daiki—just as Akashi instructed. We will test his limits."
"Coach… this—"
"Do it," he cut in. "Do not doubt Akashi's decision. He is the captain of the Generation of Miracles. There is always a reason behind his judgment."
Silence fell over the Rakuzan players.
They would continue with the unbelievable three-on-one defensive formation.
But one question lingered in every mind:
If three people are guarding Aomine… what happens to the rest of Tōō?
======
Tōō Academy Bench
Coach Harasawa Katsunori lowered his head in thought.
"Aomine… you will continue to play, but under one condition."
Aomine raised his head slightly.
"What?"
"Unless absolutely necessary—do not hold the ball."
"…What?"
"Do not touch the ball unless it's unavoidable. Understand?"
"That's…" Aomine muttered, clearly dissatisfied.
"Rakuzan will likely double or even triple-team you," the coach continued. "In that case, passing is the best option for the team's victory. It also benefits you and everyone else."
Aomine said nothing, his head slightly lowered.
Seeing this, the coach turned to the rest of the team.
"Imayoshi, Sakurai—you will lead the offense in the final quarter. The others will support."
"Yes!" "Yes!"
Soon, the fourth quarter began with no substitutions from either side.
Rakuzan had possession.
Mibuchi brought the ball past half court and passed to Hayama Kotaro.
Hayama attempted to drive on Aomine, hesitating for a moment—
But in that instant, Aomine's hand shot out.
The ball was stolen cleanly.
Too slow.
Aomine did not immediately break away. Rakuzan's defense quickly collapsed around him—Mibuchi and Nebuya closing in.
After a brief pause, Aomine made a decision.
He passed.
Imayoshi received the ball and immediately moved it to Sakurai on the perimeter.
Sakurai shot instantly.
The shot missed—but Imayoshi had already positioned himself under the basket.
He grabbed the rebound and finished with a soft layup.
The crowd was stunned—not because of the score, but because of something else entirely.
"Interesting…" Haizaki Shogo muttered. "Aomine actually passed the ball."
The words carried genuine surprise.
The Aomine Daiki who once refused to pass to anyone… had just chosen teamwork.
"Why would he pass?" Midorima Shintaro asked, frowning.
"I don't know," Haizaki replied, grinning. "But we can guess."
"Guess?"
"When would Aomine ever choose to pass?"
Silence followed.
Even Midorima could not answer.
Haizaki shrugged.
"If I had to guess… maybe it's for Tōō's victory. That's the only reason I can think of."
"For victory…?"
"Yes. I think there are very few things that can make Aomine abandon his style. Team victory might be one of them."
Midorima fell silent, eyes fixed on Aomine.
On another section of the stands, Kuroko Tetsuya was more shaken than anyone else.
Once upon a time, he had been the one passing to Aomine.
Game after game, pass after pass. That was their rhythm.
But now…
He's passing again…
Kuroko's expression tightened.
Nearby, Kise Ryouta also looked stunned.
"Whoa… Kurokocchi, did you see that? Aomine actually passed."
"What do you mean?" Yukio Kasamatsu asked.
"I mean exactly that. I've never seen him pass since I met him."
"…That much?"
Even Kasamatsu frowned. Normally, facing a triple team, a player would pass immediately. That was logical.
But the Generation of Miracles was not "normal."
They were geniuses.
And geniuses didn't usually yield—they broke through.
That was the difference.
On the highest tier of the arena, Murasakibara Atsushi leaned in the shadows, chewing slowly.
"Huh… Aomine passing? That's rare. Feels familiar though… where have I seen that before?"
======
Back on the court, the earlier play was already history.
Tōō continued executing their strategy—Aomine rarely touched the ball now, while Imayoshi and Sakurai handled most of the offense.
And it worked.
Rakuzan, no longer triple-teaming constantly, managed to score as well.
The game stabilized.
Coach Shirogane observed quietly from the sidelines.
As expected… Tōō's coach is no ordinary man. He predicted Rakuzan's strategy and adapted Aomine's role accordingly.
And Aomine himself… is actually cooperating.
This team is dangerous.
Time passed quickly.
The final seconds of the fourth quarter arrived.
The ball ended up in Aomine's hands one last time.
Three defenders immediately closed in.
Aomine smiled faintly.
So you're still coming…
He stepped back with his right foot, shifted his left, and rose into a fading jump shot from beyond the arc.
BOOM!
The shot went in cleanly.
The final buzzer sounded.
Tōō Academy defeated Rakuzan 88–72.
Tōō advanced to the finals.