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Teiko vs. Fukuyama
The two teams lined up.
When Hayama Kotaro saw Ryu sitting below, not playing, his pupils contracted, and a surge of anger welled up within him.
He gritted his teeth and asked Kise Ryota in front of him, "Why isn't he playing?"
"Huh?" Kise was taken aback, then said, "Him? You mean Ryucchi?" Kise Ryota smiled. "I'll start instead of Ryucchi, and I'll beat you in his place."
Hayama Kotaro laughed angrily, sizing up Kise. "You? Let Ryu play! You're not qualified."
Hearing Hayama Kotaro's words, Kise snorted. "We'll find out soon enough whether I am qualified or not."
"What an arrogant brat, I'll shut you up." At this point, Hayama Kotaro could only try to defeat the man before him.
Whistle…
The starting whistle blew across the arena.
The basketball, carried by the sound, soared into the air above both teams.
Whoosh…
Thud…
Atsushi Murasakibara, towering a head and a half above Fukuyama's center, seized the initiative.
He slapped the ball towards Midorima.
Simultaneously, the rest of Teiko's team began running towards Fukuyama's half of the court.
Midorima received the ball and joined the charge.
Fukuyama's shooting guard couldn't stop Midorima.
Midorima took a step, changed direction, dribbled, and spun, successfully breaking through the defense.
As Fukuyama's shooting guard adjusted his balance, preparing to turn and chase, Midorima was already shooting from a meter beyond the three-point line.
The basketball, as if guided by fate, flew into the air above the stadium, yet as if judged by a defied deity, it was mercilessly cast into the dust, plummeting into an abyss.
Swish…
The sound of the net scraping against the basket was crisp and pleasant, quite delightful.
But to Fukuyama and his teammates, it sounded like the howl of a demon.
3-0.
In the stands:
"Wow! It's Teiko's number 7! His shot is so cool!"
"He tossed the ball so high and still managed to score so accurately!
No wonder he's the No. 1 sharpshooter in junior high nationwide!"
Midorima's shot brought visual enjoyment and anticipation to the audience.
"It's okay, the game has only just begun. We'll catch up," Hayama Kotaro encouraged his teammates.
That last shot had indeed dampened the team's morale.
Fukuyama inbounded the ball.
The basketball came into Hayama Kotaro's hands.
Kise Ryota, positioned opposite him, had already rushed to intercept as he stepped into the half-court.
Seeing Kise Ryota charging towards him, Hayama Kotaro scoffed. "Taking Ryu's place? Let me see what you're capable of."
Hayama Kotaro shifted his stance, preparing to slip past Kise Ryota.
Kise Ryota reacted swiftly, abruptly halting his charge and stepping sideways to block his path.
Hmm?
Hayama Kotaro's heart tightened, his body stiffening as he stopped his advance. He looked at Kise Ryota, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh, not bad at all."
"Don't underestimate me."
Hearing Kise Ryota's words, Hayama Kotaro couldn't help but laugh. "You don't actually think you can stop me like this, do you?!"
As he finished speaking, Hayama Kotaro's aura shifted.
Kise Ryota's pupils contracted.
Sensing Hayama Kotaro's sudden change, Kise Ryota also became more alert, his eyes fixed on his opponent.
Bang... bang... bang...
A deafening sound of a ball hitting the court rang out. It startled Kise Ryota.
He looked at Hayama Kotaro suspiciously, wondering what this guy was up to.
"Three should be enough to deal with you," Hayama Kotaro gave Kise Ryota a chilling smile.
Huh?
Kise Ryota was confused. What three? What does he want to do?
"What are you trying to do? Basketball isn't about who can dribble the hardest."
Kise Ryota's words had barely left his lips when a flash of yellow lightning appeared before his eyes, followed by a cool breeze that snapped him out of his daze.
He turned his head in disbelief, staring blankly at the receding figure.
At this moment, Murasakibara Atsushi hadn't even returned to his team's basket.
Hayama Kotaro moved with unparalleled ease, scoring two points.
3-2.
On the defensive transition, Hayama Kotaro said as he passed Kise Ryota, "I told you, you're no good. Hurry up and get Ryu on the court!"
Hearing the other's taunt, Kise Ryota clenched his fists, his teeth gritted.
He still couldn't understand what had just happened. Was that speed normal?
Damn it!
He had always believed that, apart from his own teammates, no one was stronger than him.
But Hayama Kotaro had mercilessly slapped him in the face. He took a deep breath.
Kise Ryota returned to his position, his yellow eyes fixed intently on Hayama Kotaro.
Off the court, Ryu clicked his tongue twice and shook his head. "Kise, that guy, he's still not good enough!"
"Huh? Ryu-kun, do you mean Kise isn't a match for that Hayama?" Kuroko asked with doubt.
Ryu nodded, then shook his head again. "In terms of physical attributes, Hayama is indeed inferior to Kise, but basketball isn't just about physique. Kise hasn't experienced enough games yet; his lack of experience is a disadvantage. Plus, he lacks skills, and most importantly, he doesn't have a move that can suppress Hayama."
Hearing Ryu's analysis, Kuroko fell silent.
After a long silence, Kuroko finally spoke. "Ryu-kun, Kise-kun should be alright, right?"
Ryu chuckled. "What are you thinking! He's gotten thrashed by Aomine a lot on the team; this little setback won't hurt him, and besides..."
At this point, Ryu suddenly thought of something.
Kise loves to copy. If he could successfully copy Hayama Kotaro's signature move, it might cause him some trouble.
The problem is whether he can copy it successfully.
You know, Hayama Kotaro's signature move isn't something an ordinary player can match.
If Ryu were to assign him a ranking, three fingers on Thunder Dribble would be A-rank, four fingers A+, and five fingers would be pseudo-S-rank.
With Kise's current skill level, successfully copying the A-rank is still possible.
However, achieving anything above A+ would be quite difficult.
Back on the court, Akashi dribbled the ball forward at a leisurely pace.
His gaze remained fixed ahead, but in reality, he had absorbed the movements of everyone on the court.
"Akashicchi..." Kise Ryota's shout drew Akashi's attention.
Seeing Kise Ryota's eagerness for the ball, Akashi didn't say anything, tossing the basketball to Kise Ryota on the flank.
Ryota was preparing to get revenge on Hayama Kotaro.
Seeing Kise Ryota charging towards him with the ball, Hayama Kotaro snorted coldly, stepped forward, and stood in front of Kise Ryota.
The two facing each other from afar, their auras solid and unyielding, a great battle about to erupt.
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