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On the court.
Hayama Kotaro stared blankly at the retreating Ryu, his eyes filled with lingering shock.
He knew Ryu's skills would definitely improve, but he never expected him to have grown to this level.
He hadn't even had a chance to react.
In the Fukuyama dugout, Coach Fukuyama looked at Ryu with a grave expression.
As a coach, he could naturally see Hayama Kotaro's predicament.
A thought flashed through his mind: Hayama Kotaro was no match for him.
Fukuyama was probably…
He was startled.
As a coach, he shouldn't have such thoughts, but he could no longer see any chance for Fukuyama.
Teiko was simply too strong.
Fukuyama served.
Although Ryu's series of moves had made Hayama somewhat unsteady on his feet, Kotaro Hayama still wanted to test the results of his year of hard training.
Holding the basketball, he strode towards Teiko's half-court.
Seeing Kotaro Hayama charging towards him, Ryu made no move, simply standing still and quietly waiting for his arrival.
Soon, Kotaro Hayama crossed the center line.
The instant he reached Ryu, his four fingers instantly straightened, striking the basketball and transforming it into a yellow lightning bolt almost invisible to the naked eye.
"That move won't work anymore."
Ryu's figure flashed—a silver streak streaking across, instantly intertwining with the yellow lightning.
Kotaro Hayama's pupils contracted sharply, but his hand didn't stop.
Gritting his teeth, he continued to strike the basketball with his four fingers.
Sizzle…
The yellow lightning once again emitted a bright light, but it still couldn't conceal the silver streak.
Ryu's figure remained within his sight.
Damn it… why did this happen?
Hayama Kotaro's eyes bulged, and his charge abruptly halted.
He knew that if he continued his forceful drive, he would surely lose possession.
Unwilling to admit defeat, he took a step back, raised the basketball, and prepared to shoot.
However, before he could even release the ball, a hand slapped it away, sending it flying out of bounds.
The winning spirit that had lingered in Hayama Kotaro's eyes vanished as the ball left his hand.
He lost.
Completely lost.
Hayama Kotaro slumped down, his head bowed in despair.
This game felt pointless to continue.
"Are you giving up?"
Just then, Hayama Kotaro heard Ryu's words.
He weakly raised his head to look at him. "Fukuyama has already lost, and I've lost to you too. This game is meaningless."
Ryu looked at him without speaking.
He didn't think Hayama Kotaro was the type to give up easily.
If that were the case, then he had truly misjudged him.
After a long silence, Ryu finally spoke.
"You still have a long way to go! You looked much more energetic last year than you do now."
With that, Ryu ignored him.
He had no obligation to advise him; besides, whether Hayama Kotaro persisted or gave up was none of his business.
Hayama Kotaro pondered Ryu's words. 'Last year I looked more energetic than I do now?' He thought of his unwavering determination last year, fighting to the bitter end, even at the cost of everything.
Back then, he knew he had lost, but he never gave up until the very end.
'Yes, I was much more spirited back then than I am now.'
When he looked up again, the dejection in his eyes was gone, replaced by an unyielding determination. Heh… 'I really have to thank you.' Hayama Kotaro's lips curled into a smile, radiating an aura of invincibility.
Sensing the change in his opponent, Ryu raised an eyebrow. 'A last-ditch effort,' he thought. While Hayama Kotaro's performance was actually quite good, it wasn't enough for him.
If it were him last year, perhaps his opponent would have had a chance, but now…
And so, in the time that followed, Hayama Kotaro organized his team for a coordinated attack.
Unfortunately, the difference in raw strength between them and Teiko was too great.
No matter which position they faced, they were mercilessly crushed by Teiko.
He himself was utterly crushed by Ryu, to the point of questioning his own existence.
Since Ryu entered the game, he had been suppressed at every turn.
The score gap widened dramatically:
63 to 30
76 to 32
then 88 to 35.
The stark scoreline pierced the hearts of everyone in Fukuyama.
The game wasn't over yet, and watching their indomitable captain on the court, tears of sorrow welled in their eyes.
Whistle...
The whistle blew, ending the third quarter.
Ryu walked off the court and said to Kuroko, "Kuroko, it's all yours now."
"Okay," Kuroko replied solemnly.
"Ryucchi, you're amazing!" Kise excitedly approached him.
Today he had witnessed just the tip of Ryu's iceberg.
Even so, he was deeply impressed.
Ryu could keep up with and successfully defend against moves he couldn't even see.
There were no fancy techniques, just simple body movement. Ryu gave him only one feeling: unfathomable depth.
Now he understood why everyone said Ryu was the strongest at Teiko.
"Not bad! You can do it too someday," Ryu said meaningfully.
"Really?" Hearing Ryu say this, Kise was very excited.
Ryu nodded. "Of course. Your talent is excellent, and your growth rate is extremely fast. I believe it won't be long before you surpass Hayama."
He wasn't just flattering Kise. Kise's growth rate had even surprised him.
He felt that if Aomine and Murasakibara couldn't improve after their second year of high school, they would definitely be surpassed by Kise's "Perfect Copy."
Ryu was still somewhat wary of this move; after all, it was too monstrous.
Unless he opens the "Third Gate" to the realm of selflessness or possesses otherworldly basketball skills, he might be the one who loses.
Soon, the fourth quarter officially began.
It was clear that the Fukuyama team was quite dejected.
However, encouraged by Hayama Kotaro, a glimmer of fighting spirit and determination remained in their eyes.
During the game, Kuroko appeared like a ghost throughout the court.
Fukuyama was completely thrown off balance by the "phantom" plays.
Teiko's scoring speed reached a new level: 95 to 37, then 107 to 39.
The referee blew the final whistle.
The scoreboard hanging in the air froze at 131 to 39. A year later, Teiko had defeated Fukuyama again.
Silent tears of resentment streamed down the faces of the Fukuyama teammates.
Hayama Kotaro lowered his head, trying to suppress his grief, but his body trembled uncontrollably.
Tears flowed freely.
Today was his last year trying to reach the National Tournament, but the ending was as cruel as ever.
Teiko had defeated him with sheer skill; he accepted his defeat wholeheartedly.
Even with his deepest resentment, he could only silently bear it.
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