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Whoosh…
The basketball flew from Imayoshi Shoichi's hands toward Aomine.
Ryu's eyes narrowed, preparing to intercept the pass.
However, a large hand touched the basketball first.
Aomine's figure gradually disappeared before Ryu's eyes.
An afterimage?
Thump…
The sound of the basketball hitting the ground rang out behind Ryu.
What?
The speed has increased again.
How is this possible?
Ryu was startled and quickly turned around, using the colorful light of [Selflessness] to wrap around his legs, chasing after Aomine.
But this time, Ryu was shocked.
Because, visibly, the distance between him and Aomine was gradually increasing.
He gritted his teeth.
[Lightning] instantly activated.
Crack…
A silver bolt of lightning rose behind Ryu.
His figure suddenly appeared before Aomine.
Looking at Ryu before him, Aomine was slightly taken aback.
"Oh, I didn't expect your move could keep up with my speed, but it's useless now."
Sizzle... sizzle...
Aomine accelerated again, changing direction twice with a series of thuds, then, carrying the basketball, he vanished before Ryu in two afterimages.
What's wrong with this guy?
He can even improve in Zone mode?
The Zone in the original work wasn't like this, was it?
'But... this isn't enough!'
Although Ryu was somewhat confused, his movements didn't stop.
In the state of [Selflessness], he stayed close to Aomine's side.
Although there was a clear difference in speed, it was enough for defense.
Ryu clearly sensed that Aomine's attributes had improved since he first entered the Zone.
In the back-and-forth of offense and defense, Ryu was clearly at a disadvantage.
He was gradually starting to struggle to defend against his opponent's attacks.
'This guy…'
Just as the two clashed fiercely, suddenly, Aomine became a blur in Ryu's vision, gradually disappearing.
What?
Ryu's pupils contracted, a look of surprise appearing on his face.
Clang…
A mournful sound of a basketball hoop rang out.
Ryu focused his gaze at the sound.
Aomine was already hanging on his own hoop, swinging back and forth.
49 to 51.
After a brief silence, the entire arena erupted in cheers.
"Ah... that Ryu has been breached by Aomine."
"Too has finally retaliated! Toho Kotei Gakuen is in trouble now."
"Did you see that? Ryu didn't even react!"
...
"How could this be..." Kise stared blankly at the scene.
...
"This is the first time I've ever seen someone so easily break through Ryu's defenses!" Murasakibara exclaimed in surprise.
"Is that so? Your former teammate was truly terrifying!" Himuro Tatsuya replied.
"It's alright! Aomine is indeed very strong! But..." His gaze shifted to Ryu, and he continued, "Although Aomine easily breached his defenses, Ryu isn't one to be easily defeated."
"You mean Ryu still has a way to deal with Aomine's attacks? No way!" Himuro Tatsuya couldn't imagine what Ryu could possibly do to stop Aomine in his current state.
...
"Let me see how you'll handle this." Akashi's eyes flashed with a light.
...
On the court.
Offense and defense change.
Hanafuji tossed the ball to Ryu.
A black storm suddenly swept in.
Ryu's pupils contracted, and he immediately activated a colorful light that enveloped his legs, dashing towards the incoming basketball.
At the last second, he successfully controlled the ball.
And the instant he got the ball, a large hand flashed past.
The owner of that hand was Aomine.
Seeing this, Hanafuji, who had served, broke out in a cold sweat.
He had confirmed Aomine's position before serving.
But in the blink of an eye, he had almost been intercepted.
Aomine was also surprised by Ryu's reaction.
His speed was already fast enough.
Unexpectedly, he managed to grab the basketball before him.
But this wasn't the end of it.
Thud...
Just as Ryu was about to retrieve the ball, Aomine's other hand swatted the ball away.
The basketball flew towards Too's number 7, Susa Yoshinori.
Susa Yoshinori was completely numb, utterly unaware that the basketball was already in front of him.
He simply raised his hand instinctively and caught the incoming ball.
Looking at the basketball in his hand, a trace of confusion remained in Susa Yoshinori's eyes.
He was so engrossed in his duel with Aomine that he had momentarily forgotten he was a competitor in a match.
"Susa…" Imayoshi Shoichi was the first to snap out of it, quickly calling out a warning.
Susa Yoshinori then regained his senses and immediately looked up to shoot.
Kuroki rushed to block, but was a fraction too slow.
The basketball flew past his fingertips, struck the backboard, and bounced into the hoop.
Swish…
49 to 53.
Too scored two baskets in quick succession.
Things happened so suddenly; no one had expected the outcome.
Ryu's lips twitched.
'This is bad. Although we're only down by 4 points, in our current state, it's almost impossible to catch up.'
He took a deep breath.
Ryu stood there, head down, trying to compose himself.
Toho Kotei Gakueny serves again.
Ryu glanced at Aomine before him, then smiled.
He exhaled a long breath, his entire body relaxing.
Aomine sensed Ryu's change and looked at him with confusion.
He wondered what Ryu was doing.
'Is he giving up?' Aomine thought to himself.
Ryu deactivated the [Selfless Realm] and withdrew the [Beast Aura].
He looked completely normal again.
Increasingly puzzled, Aomine finally asked.
"What are you doing? You're not giving up, are you?"
Ryu replied, stretching his joints.
"I'm not someone who gives up easily. I had guessed what you'd be like entering the Zone, but the result far exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect you to continue improving after entering the Zone. Although I don't fully understand the principles, I can deduce some of it."
He paused, then said meaningfully,
"Perfect timing. I have something similar, and time's almost up. Let me finish the game!"
"What did you say?" A flash of anger crossed Aomine's eyes.
How much did he underestimate him?
He scoffed.
"Hmph, the only one who can beat me is myself. No matter what tricks you use, you can't be my match right now."
Ryu waved his hand, then said,
"It's because of your arrogance that you haven't been able to open the second door to the Zone!"
Aomine's face stiffened upon hearing this.
He was speechless.
Ryu beckoned to Hanafuji, signaling for the pass.
Hanafuji understood.
Although he was worried Aomine would steal the ball prematurely, he ultimately chose to trust Ryu.
The basketball was thrown, flying straight towards Ryu.
Thud...
Ryu caught the ball, unchallenged.
Holding the ball in both hands, Ryu turned to Aomine and said,
"Today, let me shatter your illusions! Aomine."
As soon as he finished speaking, a blinding light erupted from his body.
The light illuminated the entire stadium, blinding everyone present.
"What? Where did that light come from?"
"It's so bright! What happened?"
"What is that?"
...
In the stands.
Kise, Midorima, Murasakibara, Akashi, Kagami, Kuroko... all stared in shock at the scene below.
This sudden turn of events truly stunned them.
Akashi's perpetually expressionless face was now quite a sight.
For the first time, a look of horror appeared on his face.
If he was like this, one can only imagine the expressions of the others.
The most bewildered were the players on the court.
The players from Toho Kotei Gakuen and Too were completely bewildered.
They had no idea what was happening.
Aomine, who was closest to the light, shielded his eyes from the intense glare.
His eyes were practically blinding.
After a long while, the intense light gradually dissipated, finally revealing the true form within.
Everyone opened their eyes and witnessed an unbelievable scene on the court.
On the court.
Ryu seemed to have transformed.
Blue particles of light swirled and danced around him.
His originally silver hair was now shrouded in a holy blue glow, fluttering silently without a breeze.
This stunning sight completely stunned everyone.
"Oh my god! What was that?!"
"I was watching basketball, right? Was that magic?"
"What happened? Why does Ryu seem like a completely different person?"
"Wow... so cool! Ryu... Ryu .."
...
Too's rest area.
Momoi stared blankly at Ryu, lost in thought.
'Could this be the ultimate secret of the "Selfless Realm" that Yoru-kun mentioned, the limit of Perfect Perfection?'
When she first heard about it, she didn't notice anything special.
But now, it truly shocked her.
She hadn't heard him mention such a drastic change!
But it's so strange.
It had absolutely no imposing aura.
Ryu seemed rather ordinary at this moment.
But what was this?
What was this strange feeling?
…
Kagami Taiga stared blankly at Ryu below and asked,
"Don't you guys feel something strange?"
Kuroko nodded.
"Yeah, the Ryu right now makes me feel very comfortable."
"You feel comfortable? But why do I feel so happy?" Koganei Shinji interjected.
Aida Riko murmured,
"What is this? I have a feeling that something terrible is about to happen."
"Yeah, I feel the same way," Hyuga Junpei said in the same way.
…
"Ryu…" Midorima stared intently at the Ryu below.
…
"Ryucchi…" Kise also spoke up.
…
"Yu-chin…" Murasakibara's eyes locked onto Ryu.
...
"Ryu" Akashi's eyes widened, his shock lingering.
...
Everything that happened to Ryu shocked everyone watching the game.
This was a scene never before seen in basketball history.
They might be witnessing history.
Just like when the Zone first appeared before everyone.
Aomine recovered from his shock.
He looked at Ryu.
"What is this?"
Ryu smiled, looking at Aomine as he answered.
"The ultimate secret of the [Selfless Realm], the limit of Perfection."
"The limit of Perfection, huh?" Aomine muttered, a grin spreading across his face.
"That's what makes it more interesting, isn't it? Come on, let me see your so-called ultimate secret!"
Ryu held the ball in both hands, looking at his opponent calmly.
"Then, let's begin!"
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