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The fourth quarter began.
Midorima was as if a floodgate had been opened.
He was like a scoring machine, instantly releasing the ball whenever he had it, accurately sinking it into Toho Kotei Gakuen's basket.
The Shutoku team protected Midorima during attacks, allowing him to shoot smoothly.
On defense, three players double-teamed Ryu, while Midorima and Otsubo Taisuke handled the others.
Although three players were guarding Ryu, it didn't pose much of a problem.
With his superhuman skills, he easily scored against Shutoku's defense.
However, this only resulted in 2 points; shooting three-pointers proved difficult.
This tactic allowed Shutoku to gain a significant advantage.
Under Midorima's relentless barrage of three-pointers, the score was finally tied.
The score was now 150-150.
Seeing the score, many thought Toho Kotei Gakuen was doomed.
Momoi tapped her chin with her pale fingers, puzzled. "I feel like Ryu has some kind of plan."
She wasn't surprised that Midorima had tied the score. This kind of thing had happened before back in middle school.
When this happened, it meant Ryu was brewing something amazing. Silent until the moment of truth, then a stunning attack. In the end, he would crush his opponent into an abyss.
Aomine, standing beside her, also frowned slightly. 'What exactly are you going to do?'
Kise was also staring at Ryu below. He knew Ryu's strength best. In their match, he could clearly feel that Ryu hadn't used his full strength. He didn't believe Ryu was being suppressed like this.
He wasn't the only one thinking this. Midorima thought the same thing. His green eyes were fixed intently on Ryu's every move.
Toho Kotei Gakuen serves.
Thud...
Ryu catches the ball.
His gaze is fixed on Shutoku's basket, completely ignoring the three Shutoku players beside him, as if they don't exist.
Seeing this, Kimura Shinsuke, Takao Kazunari, and Miyaji Kiyoshi, who are defending for Shutoku, are filled with rage.
Damn it, is he looking down on us? This is utterly contemptible. He's completely ignoring us.
Ryu ignores their murderous glares.
At this moment, he seems to be able to control all the power in his body at will. Moreover, his mind is in a state of clarity, as if all the complexities have been simplified, allowing him to precisely calculate his own and his opponent's subsequent thoughts and actions.
This is the limit of countless trials and tribulations in the [State of Selflessness], and the limit of bursting forth with talent.
Ryu has also tested these two gates. The limit of countless trials and tribulations is mainly supported by physical strength. The ultimate expression of talent primarily relies on spiritual power.
Both of these gates belong to the first gate of the [Selfless Realm]. To awaken the flawless ultimate limit of the [Selfless Realm], it is necessary to open these two gates.
Just like the Zone, to open the second gate, the first gate must first be opened. The difference lies in that the Zone's first gate possesses the characteristics of being tempered to the limit and having talent unleashed to the limit.
Although the characteristics are similar, Ryu felt that the [Selfless Realm] was still stronger. Because Ryu could use both separately. This allowed him to focus all his energy on one of them. It was definitely much stronger than the Zone's single characteristic.
Without any warning from anyone, an unbelievable thing happened on the court.
Ryu suddenly changed.
It was as if colorful light enveloped his entire body, making Ryu appear like a god.
Everyone who noticed Ryu's change was dumbfounded. This scene stunned everyone. Even the referees were speechless. They had no idea what had happened.
In the stands.
Aomine's pupils shrank as he watched Ryu's change below, his heart pounding. A pair of blue eyes stared intently at Ryu.
Kise felt the same way. This change completely shattered his worldview. 'Is this your hidden strength?'
On the court.
Midorima naturally noticed the change in Ryu on the opposing team. His pupils contracted repeatedly, a sense of foreboding rising within him. 'So, he's finally going to use his true strength?'
Although he didn't know what had happened, Midorima's focus was at its peak. He dared not relax his guard in the slightest against Ryu.
Kimura Shinsuke, Takao Kazunari, and Miyaji Kiyoshi, who were defending Ryu, were both astonished and tense.
Suddenly, Ryu, surrounded by the three, vanished from their sight.
The three were horrified. None of them had seen how Ryu disappeared. The three of them had a completely unobstructed view of Ryu. For him to vanish so silently was simply unbelievable.
Soon they heard the thud of a basketball hitting the ground. When they looked in the direction of the sound, there was nothing there.
Midorima, who had been watching Ryu closely, also felt his pupils shrink, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Because he clearly saw it.
Ryu, in his eyes, gradually magnified in a very short time. It was like an arrow shooting towards his forehead. This bizarre visual image made his heart skip a beat, and he froze on the spot.
Thump…clang…gurgle gurgle gurgle…
The sound drew Midorima's attention.
Midorima looked up, and then his eyes widened. He saw that the basketball, somehow, was now rolling on his own hoop.
A three-pointer? As expected…
The basketball's trajectory gradually changed, finally settling into the basket.
153 to 150.
Shifting his gaze from the basketball, Midorima looked at Ryu beyond the three-point line. His eyes were incredibly serious. He had been watching Ryu intently, yet he hadn't noticed the shot had already been released.
That was too fast!
In the stands.
Aomine narrowed his eyes. His gaze was fixed on Ryu, lost in thought. 'What was that? Was it the Zone? No, that wasn't the Zone. It looked similar to the Zone, but how could that be? Why did I feel like he was faster than I was in Zone mode?'
Momoi and Kise beside him also gaped, dumbfounded.
They simply couldn't believe their eyes.
Was that really Ryu? What just happened? How did he suddenly gain that speed? It was like he appeared in front of the three-point line in an instant. This was unbelievable.
Kise gripped the railing tightly with both hands. The railing creaked and groaned. It was clear how unsettled he was.
Momoi covered her mouth. She simply couldn't believe Ryu's current state.
She had considered that Ryu might possess a Zone, just like Aomine. But what was happening now? What had happened to him?
On the court.
Shutoku recovered from their shock and began to serve. As usual, they passed the ball to Midorima.
After Midorima received the ball, the other four members of Shutoku surrounded him, protecting him in the center.
The others from Toho Kotei Gakuen had no chance to interfere with Midorima's shot.
However, just as Midorima raised the basketball to shoot, Sizzle… a silver lightning bolt, interspersed with rainbow light, appeared before them.
Midorima stared at Ryu, who had suddenly appeared before him, completely caught off guard.
Thud… A muffled sound.
The ball in Midorima's hand was mercilessly swatted out of bounds by Ryu.
Seeing this, everyone on Shutoku was stunned.
The members of Toho Kotei Gakuen were also caught off guard.
When Takao was about to serve, he realized... his teammate was completely shut down by the opposing player. With no other option, he could only pass the ball to Miyaji Kiyoshi, the player least likely to lose possession.
But just as the basketball was halfway through its flight, a flash of silver lightning streaked across the sky. The basketball, flying through the air, vanished without a trace.
Oh no!
Takao's eyes widened, and he quickly looked to the side. Then he saw Ryu, seemingly out of nowhere, already airborne, ready to dunk.
So fast.
Takao gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. 'Are you kidding me? I clearly saw his position, he was still quite a distance away! How could he still steal the ball?'
Clang…
The basketball was slammed into Shutoku's basket by Ryu.
'In the blink of an eye, he could steal the ball, enter the paint, and then dunk?' Takao was completely bewildered by Ryu's series of maneuvers.
How could such speed exist?
The spectators were also amazed.
The layman sees the spectacle, the expert sees the skill. They didn't care what happened to Ryu; as long as the game was exciting, they would cheer for him.
At this moment, the shouts of the entire audience were filled with the names of Ryu and Toho Kotei Gakuen.
"Ryu... Ryu... Ryu..."
"Toho Kotei Gakuen... Toho Kotei Gakuen... Toho Kotei Gakuen..."
Amidst the deafening shouts, only the players from their respective schools wore expressions of utter seriousness.
Especially the Too team, facing their next match, they were all drenched in cold sweat.
If it weren't for their ace, Aomine, they would probably have already conceded defeat.
Imayoshi Shoichi asked Aomine beside him, "Aomine... you should be able to beat him, right?"
Hearing his captain's uncertain words, Aomine wasn't angry. He was trembling all over, a ferocious smile spreading across his face.
"Of course! I will definitely defeat him. The only one who can beat me is myself."
With that, Aomine turned and walked towards the exit of the tunnel.
Momoi chased after him, asking, "Aomine, where are you going? The match isn't over yet!"
Aomine didn't stop because of Momoi's shout. However, his voice rang out, "There's no point in watching this match anymore."
"Ugh! It's always like this," Momoi grumbled.
"Let him be!" Imayoshi Shoichi said. "I think he's probably eager to face that guy right now! That way we can feel a little more at ease. But… could you please investigate a few things?"
Hearing his captain's request, Momoi naturally nodded in agreement. "Of course, leave the Toho Kotei Gakuen matter to me. I'll find out everyone's information."
"Then I'll leave it to you." Imayoshi Shoichi was currently extremely wary of Toho Kotei Gakuen.
Especially that Ryu, he was simply a monster. Every player in Toho Kotei Gakuen was a force to be reckoned with, comparable to the "Five Uncrowned Generals."
...
The scoreboard ticked away. Time continued to tick. The clanging and swishing sounds echoed incessantly.
More than two minutes had passed.
The basketball hadn't crossed Shutoku's half of the court.
Whether it was a pass or a shot, it was all ruthlessly blocked by Ryu.
Now, even inbounding the ball was done with extreme caution by Shutoku.
A sense of unease crept into everyone's hearts. Every player on Shutoku's team was drenched in sweat and panting heavily.
Thud...
The basketball was passed to Midorima once again.
Sizzle... Almost simultaneously, Ryu appeared before Midorima.
Looking at Ryu before him, his expression was complex. He spoke, panting heavily, "Is this your true strength? I never imagined you were this powerful."
Hearing his words, Ryu smiled slightly. "You're mistaken. This isn't my true strength."
"What?"
Ryu's words made Midorima's heart skip a beat, his pupils shrinking sharply.
Not his true strength? What a joke.
Seeing Midorima's expression, Ryu knew what the other was thinking. He spoke, "At this level, Aomine should be able to do it too. There's nothing surprising about it."
Aomine could do it too? "Is it the Zone?" Midorima asked.
Although it was somewhat different, this was the only thing he could think of.
Ryu shook his head. "No, it's a technique unique to me, similar to the Zone! I call it the [Selfless Realm]."
[Selfless Realm]? Midorima frowned in thought. He was certain he had never heard of such a technique.
Ryu's lips curled slightly. "The [State of Selflessness] has three gates. I've only opened the first one. We'll talk about that later. Right now…"
With that, Ryu suddenly vanished from Midorima's sight. The basketball in Midorima's hands disappeared along with Ryu.
Midorima remained frozen in his ball-protecting stance, stunned.
Then he heard a clanging sound behind him.
163 to 150.
Huff…huff…huff…
Midorima looked at his trembling hands, his mind a jumbled mess. 'This game is impossible to win.'
Not just him.
The rest of Shutoku thought the same way.
There was only one and a half minutes left in the game.
It was simply impossible for Shutoku to score 13 points in such a short time.
Nakatani Hitoshi didn't call a timeout.
He knew his team had done their best. The overall strength of the two sides was too disparate; any further effort would be futile.
He closed his eyes.
He decided that upon returning, he must find a way to improve the strength of every player.
Even if they couldn't reach the level of the "Five Uncrowned Generals," they should at least cause some trouble for the opponent.
Time ticked by. The game had reached its final moments.
A Ryu surrounded by a rainbow of light completely sealed off the entire half of the court.
Shutoku and his teammates were forced to gather within their own three-point line.
It wasn't that they couldn't go out, but going out would give Ryu an opening, widening the score gap even further.
Otsubo Taisuke roared, "Everyone, perk up! We are the Kings of the East! Even in defeat, we must stand tall!"
Hearing their captain's words, the entire Shutoku team rallied.
The substitutes in Shutoku's rest area, tears streaming down their faces, cheered for their team.
The spectators outside the stadium were also moved by Shutoku's spirit.
In an instant, Shutoku's name echoed throughout the stadium.
Ryu remained unaffected by external influences.
Whistle…
The final whistle blew. The match between Toho Kotei Gakuen and Shutoku High School has ended.
The scoreboard remains at 188-150. Shutoku is trailing Toho Kotei Gakuen by a full 38 points.
In the final minute and a half, Ryu scored a total of 25 points, shocking everyone.
The members of Shutoku lowered their heads, their shoulders trembling, tears streaming down their faces.
Midorima didn't cry. He stood there, eyes closed, silent.
"Midorima really lost!" Kise murmured from the stands. You could say he predicted the outcome of the match! But for some reason, he still felt that Ryu wouldn't lose. Perhaps it was because he himself had lost to Ryu!
Momoi was also happy for Ryu's victory. Although she felt a little sorry for Midorima, pretty girls always have privileges!
Midorima ┭┮﹏┭┮.
Murasakibara picked up the snacks that had fallen to the ground and turned around. "Let's go!"
"Aren't you going to comfort your former teammate?" Himuro Tatsuya asked, recovering from his shock.
"No way!" With that, the two walked into the passageway.
Akashi stood up expressionlessly. "Let's go!" Hayama Kotaro, Nebuya Eikichi, and Mibuchi Reo didn't say anything, stood up, and followed Akashi away.
As the two sides lined up, Ryu said to Midorima, "Looks like your luck isn't so good today!"
"Are you mocking me?"
Hearing Midorima's words, Ryu smiled and shook his head. "I'm not one to mock people." Saying this, Ryu extended his hand to Midorima. "Then let's battle again next time!"
Midorima looked at Ryu and extended his hand to shake his. "Next time, I'll definitely be the winner."
Ryu glanced at Midorima's teammates and then replied, "Before that, you should solve your own problems first!"
After leaving, Takao asked curiously, "Ah, Midorima! What does he mean by solving our own problems? What problems could we possibly have?"
The others from Shutoku were also confused and looked at Midorima.
Midorima explained, "It means we're not strong enough. He wants us to become stronger before challenging him."
Hearing this, the Shutoku group was speechless. "This guy is too arrogant, he doesn't even take us seriously," Kimura Shinsuke said angrily.
Takao said, "But we really are no match for Toho Kotei Gakuen! Not just Ryu, but everyone else from Toho Kotei Gakuen is ridiculously strong. We're no match for them at all!"
Midorima picked up his lucky charm, a large plush dog. "He means we should improve our strength. If we can't even cause trouble for them one-on-one, there's no point in challenging them."
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Nakatani Hitoshi nodded. "Midorima is right. Every member of Toho Kotei Gakuen possesses considerable strength. Therefore, in the coming days, I will focus on improving your individual strength as the main training program. Only then will we have the qualifications for revenge."
"Yes..." the Shutoku group replied in unison.
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