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Inside the gymnasium, only the sound of Ryu dribbling the basketball could be heard.
Meanwhile, on the second floor of the gymnasium, white-haired, kind-faced Shirogane Kozo watched the entire duel between Ryu and Aomine Daiki. Beside him stood a middle-aged man with a stern face and glasses. This man was the assistant coach of the Teiko basketball team. He usually handled training tasks and other club duties. The two watched silently.
Thump, thump, thump…
On the court, Ryu dribbled the basketball. After the last two rounds, he clearly understood his current strength. It would be difficult to beat Aomine Daiki using conventional methods. However, this was within his expectations.
Since that was the case…
Ryu lowered his stance. The frequency of his dribbling gradually increased. Aomine Daiki stared intently at the basketball in Ryu's hands. He dared not be the slightest bit careless. As Ryu lowered his body, he also lowered his body slightly.
Just as Aomine Daiki paused after lowering his body, Ryu moved. Ryu took a large step forward to the right, half his body positioned to Aomine Daiki's left. Aomine Daiki reacted the moment Ryu moved. He quickly adjusted his center of gravity, reaching out to block Ryu's path.
Seeing his path blocked, Ryu showed no intention of retreating. Then everyone witnessed an unbelievable scene. After taking that large step, Ryu lowered his body once more. Ryu's body was almost level with his knees. Ryu passed directly under Aomine Daiki's arm.
Aomine Daiki was stunned for a moment, a look of astonishment in his eyes. However, at that moment, his mind was solely focused on defending against Ryu. He quickly turned and chased after him. Aomine Daiki was still a bit faster than Ryu, who was dribbling the ball.
Just as Aomine Daiki was about to catch up with Ryu, Ryu executed a crossover dribble, lowering his stance again. His other hand, receiving the ball, smoothly made a throwing motion. Seeing this, Aomine Daiki was somewhat puzzled. However, he didn't think too much about it. But as Ryu's movements didn't slow down, and it looked like he was about to throw the basketball, Aomine Daiki sensed something was wrong.
He pushed off the ground, increasing his speed. Finally, he blocked Ryu's path before the basketball could be released. Aomine Daiki reached out to block Ryu's throw. Just then, a glint flashed in Ryu's eyes, and then the corners of his mouth slightly turned up.
Suddenly, Ryu's hand, which was about to throw the basketball, changed direction. Then the basketball was tossed towards the ground behind him. Aomine Daiki was completely dumbfounded. Ryu seized the opportunity to make a sharp turn, tracing a beautiful silver. Ryu arrived in the basketball's path before it even left the ground.
Thud…
The basketball bounced and landed directly in Ryu's hand. This inhuman move shocked everyone watching from the sidelines. Their mouths gaped open, their eyes filled with disbelief. Momoi Satsuki's eyes widened; her small mouth could have fit an egg.
Shirogane Kozo, watching from the second floor, trembled. The gaze directed at Ryu was like that for a priceless treasure. The assistant coach beside him was completely bewildered. He wondered if he'd just imagined it. Would a normal person make such a move? Could he be a monster?
Regardless of the shock and astonishment on everyone's faces, Ryu didn't care. He was now beyond the three-point line, about three meters away from Aomine Daiki. Without hesitation, he jumped and shot. Aomine Daiki, seeing the danger, rushed towards Ryu to block him. But it was too late. The basketball had already traced a beautiful arc. Finally, it fell into the basket.
2-1, Ryu took the lead.
"Hey, hey, hey, was I just seeing things?"
"Is that a move even a human could make?"
"It's a lie!"
The crowd outside the court had erupted in chaos. Everyone stared at Ryu in shock. Nijimura Shuzo was probably the one with the most complex emotions among them. He had also faced Aomine Daiki one-on-one. Although, so far, Aomine hadn't won against him, he could sense it. He was gradually losing control of Aomine Daiki.
He envied Aomine Daiki's talent. And within the team, there were three others with such talent. Now, seeing Ryu's performance, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. 'Now there's another even more terrifying one.'
On the court, seeing the basketball go through the net, Aomine Daiki turned to Ryu and asked: "Hey, what was that just now?"
Ryu grinned, revealing a row of pearly white teeth. "Oh, it's nothing; it's just that it's easier to break through your defense that way, so I did it that way."
"Is that so?" This was the first time Aomine Daiki had encountered an opponent like this. He had to admit that Ryu had somewhat refreshed his understanding.
But that's what makes it interesting, isn't it? Aomine Daiki's eyes were filled with an unprecedented fighting spirit.
"Well, I don't know how you did it, but playing with you is really great." He was completely fired up. His body was trembling slightly.
This feeling was as if it could elevate him.
Hmm? Ryu's gaze sharpened. He felt that Aomine seemed to have changed slightly. But for a moment, he couldn't pinpoint what the change was.
The offense and defense switched again. Ryu stood in front of Aomine Daiki, preparing to defend.
Whoosh…
A gentle breeze swept by. Ryu only felt a blur before his eyes, and Aomine Daiki's figure had vanished. His pupils contracted. What's this? He quickly turned around. He saw Aomine Daiki already under the basket.
Ryu didn't go to stop him; it was probably too late. Aomine Daiki scored a layup.
2-2 tie.
So fast. Was he hiding his strength all along? Ryu was shocked. He looked Aomine Daiki up and down, trying to figure something out.
The crowd on the sidelines was also stunned. Midorima Shintaro narrowed his eyes slightly. He adjusted his glasses and said: "Aomine seems to have changed a bit."
Akashi Seijuro didn't refute. He was staring intently at Aomine Daiki, lost in thought. Murasakibara Atsushi hadn't touched his snacks since. He still appeared lazy, but a closer look revealed a different kind of gleam in his eyes.
"Aomine..." Momoi Satsuki looked at her childhood friend in surprise.
She and Aomine had grown up together. Aomine's change naturally didn't escape her notice. "What happened to Aomine?" Momoi Satsuki muttered to herself, puzzled.
The others were all talking amongst themselves. However, their voices didn't affect the two on the court. Ryu watched Aomine Daiki's every move intently. Although he had been caught off guard, he wasn't greatly affected.
Soon, he moved. Aomine Daiki moved at the same time. His speed was more than twice as fast as before. Ryu used the Ice Emperor's Eye to clearly see Aomine Daiki's weaknesses. This led to a stalemate between them. The two engaged in a back-and-forth battle. I attacked, he defended; I drove, he defended; I shot, he blocked.
Ryu and Aomine Daiki were like two streaks of lightning, roaming freely on the court.
Neither of them gave an inch.
During the duel, Ryu also roughly understood the changes in Aomine Daiki.
It was wildness.
That feeling of being targeted by a wild beast—there was no mistaking it.
He didn't know if it was because he had put pressure on Aomine Daiki, or perhaps Aomine Daiki had always possessed wildness, only now unleashing it.