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Thump…
The sound of the basketball hitting the ground rang out suddenly.
Looking up, everyone saw that the basketball had slipped from Kamimono's hands and landed on the ground behind him.
Seeing this, the members of the Toho Kotei Gakuen were all stunned.
They didn't understand what had just happened.
Ryu was also momentarily stunned.
This was somewhat different from his initial assumption!
Kamimono had actually lost the scramble for the ball?
The two had been evenly matched before.
The opponent must have done something to cause Kamimono to lose possession of the basketball.
'Truly worthy of being a professionally trained player.'
Ryu thought to himself.
The game continued.
The instant the basketball was slapped away by the professional team's center, his teammate, the power forward, acted swiftly.
He took advantage of Kuroki Ryuichi's momentary lapse in concentration to quickly escape.
By the time Kuroki Ryuichi came to his senses, it was too late.
The opposing power forward, a step ahead, caught the basketball bouncing from the ground.
Without any hesitation, he lightly touched the ground with his toes and spun around, facing directly towards the Toho Kotei Gakuen's basket.
Dribbling, charging…
His speed wasn't fast.
But he wasn't far from the basket; in a few steps, he was already inside the three-point line.
At this point, only Ryu and Hanafuji Souji could catch him.
If they chased now, their assigned player would be open, making defense much more difficult.
After exchanging a glance with Hanafuji Souji, Ryu made no move.
Hanafuji Souji, however, abandoned his assigned player and stepped into the paint to help defend.
However, the worst fears came true.
The instant Hanafuji Souji stepped into the paint, the opposing power forward flicked his wrist, passing the ball to the point guard outside the three-point line.
The point guard stood still, raised the ball, aimed, and shot.
A three-pointer?
Seeing this, everyone was stunned.
Ryu's brow twitched.
The basketball flew through the air in a beautiful arc.
It successfully landed in the basket.
Swish…
0-3.
Ryu's lips twitched.
Hanafuji Souji also wore a speechless expression.
No one expected the opposing point guard to be able to shoot three-pointers!
"Don't underestimate us, kids,"
the professional team's point guard warned.
He took a deep breath.
Hanafuji Souji's expression became more serious.
Kamimono was also much more focused than before.
Kuroki Ryuichi was the most speechless.
This point was entirely due to his momentary lapse in concentration.
Offense and defense changed hands.
Toho Kotei Gakuen inbounded the ball.
Hanafuji Souji passed the ball directly to Kuroki Ryuichi.
Kuroki Ryuichi understood Hanafuji Souji's meaning.
He received the ball and launched a counterattack.
Crossing the center line, facing the opposing power forward,
his dribbling pace suddenly slowed, then after two hand switches, he suddenly accelerated again.
This sudden change in pace startled his defender.
Kuroki Ryuichi successfully broke through the defense.
"This kid,"
the professional team's power forward exclaimed.
However, he didn't just stand there and watch; he had to keep chasing.
He quickened his pace to keep up with Kuroki Ryuichi.
Sensing the approaching footsteps behind him, Kuroki Ryuichi's heart tightened.
Had he caught up so quickly?
He dared not be careless, quickening his pace even further.
In a few breaths, he reached the basket.
Without hesitation.
Kuroki Ryuichi suddenly turned and then flicked the ball towards the three-point line.
This move stunned the pursuing professional team's power forward.
Thwack…
Hanafuji Souji, who had appeared seemingly out of nowhere beyond the three-point line, caught Kuroki Ryuichi's pass.
Seeing this, the professional team members felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Hanafuji Souji stood still, raised the ball, aimed, and shot.
The basketball arced beautifully before successfully falling into the basket.
Swish…
3-3 tied.
Whoosh…
A deafening cheer erupted from outside the court.
Applause and screams filled the air.
"An eye for an eye, that's fantastic!"
"I never expected to see such a thrilling match at an event like this."
"They're all so strong! No wonder it's the finals, it's truly amazing."
...
The audience was completely captivated by the match's brilliance.
Momoi then asked Aomine.
"Aomine, what do you think of Ryu's opponent?"
Aomine paused for a moment, then frowned and said.
"It's hard to say right now. They've been playing teamwork the whole time, but judging from that initial contest for the ball, their strength is far beyond what we've seen so far."
Hearing Aomine's analysis, Momoi suddenly became worried about Ryu.
"Ryu will win, won't he?"
"Who do you think Ryu is! He's the one who defeated me, how could he possibly lose so easily?"
Aomine's words reassured Momoi.
'That's right, Ryu is so strong, he could even put up a fight against a professional player.'
She was still somewhat naive, assuming that professionals were the strongest.
In reality, the members of the Generation of Miracles were already stronger than professional level.
Having figured this out, Momoi stopped worrying about the outcome of the match.
Instead, she began to study the information on the Toho Kotei Gakuen team.
Previously, because she didn't know much about Toho Kotei Gakuen, she hadn't provided much information during the match.
She also bore some responsibility for the team's loss to Toho Kotei Gakuen.
This time, she was determined to thoroughly investigate the information on the Toho Kotei Gakuen team.
She would have a good match with Ryu during the Winter Cup.
If Ryu knew Momoi's thoughts, he would definitely say, "Thank you!"
...
On the court.
The players had now arrived at the professional team's side.
The professional team's point guard dribbled the ball.
He didn't underestimate Hanafuji Souji's defense.
Thump...thump...thump...
The sound of basketballs hitting the ground echoed throughout the court.
Suddenly, the sound stopped.
At the same time.
Hanafuji Souji's pupils contracted.
A white light flashed on the gold-rimmed glasses.
He moved swiftly, blocking the opponent's impending breakthrough.
Hmm?
The professional team's point guard was momentarily surprised, but quickly recovered.
He retrieved the ball, changing his drive to a pass.
He flicked the ball behind his back, passing it to his team's small forward.
Ryu had been waiting.
He released his hand the instant the opponent received the ball.
Just as Ryu's hand was about to snatch the basketball from his grasp, he stepped back with one foot, immediately executing a one-legged retreat.
This created distance between them.
And at the same time, Ryu missed.
Huh?
Ryu felt was already very fast.
He still failed?
"You almost got it!"
The professional team's small forward breathed a sigh of relief.
Ryu's action had given him quite a fright!
He hadn't expected Ryu to reach out and grab it without hesitation.
He almost got it.
Thump... thump... thump...
He dribbled the ball, his eyes intently observing Ryu's every move.
He actually felt a pressure emanating from Ryu.
'How is this possible?'
He was inwardly horrified, but his hands didn't stop.
His body swayed, and he switched the basketball between his hands several times.
Finally, he attempted a few more changes of direction.
"He can't even break through?"
The rest of the professional team were shocked.
They were members of a basketball club!
Their basketball skills were beyond question.
Against these high school students.
They had an absolute advantage in easily defeating their opponents.
Like at the beginning, when Kamimono and their captain were tied for the ball.
The professional team's small forward and Ryu moved nimbly across the court.
The two figures were like two unstable elements in a magnetic field.
The onlookers couldn't help but gasp.
"Is this kid really just a high school student?"
The professional team members were completely stunned.
With the shot clock about to expire.
The professional team's small forward, in desperation, tossed the ball towards the basket with one hand.
Watching the basketball's trajectory, Ryu seemed to realize something and immediately shouted,
"Kamimono, watch out!"
Under the backboard of the Toho Kotei Gakuen, a figure suddenly leaped up.
Catching the ball right in front of Kamimono, he then continued his graceful movement towards the basket.
Before Kamimono could even jump to stop him, he had already slammed the ball into the hoop.
Clang…
3 to 5.
Kamimono frowned and remained silent, looking at his opponent.
This guy is incredibly fast.
He felt the urge to contest the ball.
His strength was probably comparable to his own.
He seemed to be able to keep up with his speed.
But his opponent always seemed to anticipate his movements.
'Is it teamwork? Or did he know his teammates' intentions from the start?'
Kamimono pondered.
The game continued.
Toho Kotei Gakuen has possession of the ball.
Hanafuji Souji dribbles to the opponent's three-point line.
Because he's still unsure of the opponent's strategy, he doesn't choose to pass.
Feeling the pressure of the defense, Hanafuji Souji knows it will be difficult to break through.
"Pass the ball."
Just then,
a voice reaches his ears.
It's Ryu.
Ryu quickly runs to an open position and calls for the ball from Hanafuji Souji.
Hanafuji Souji doesn't hesitate and passes the ball directly to Ryu.
The moment Ryu receives the ball, his path is blocked by the opponent's small forward.
Ryu remains calm and lowers his body in front of the opponent.
A super low-post dribble.
This was a move only Ryu could execute, thanks to his unique physical abilities.
Seeing Ryu's body pressed so low, the professional team's small forward was completely unprepared for this move.
Caught off guard, he was easily beaten by Ryu.
After breaking through one player, Ryu immediately reached the three-point line.
He was just about to raise the ball for a three-pointer when he heard a strange sound behind him.
His mind raced.
A glint flashed in Ryu's eyes, and he made a decision.
He abruptly took a step back, ball in hand.
During the step back, Ryu caught a glimpse of a figure flash by out of the corner of his eye.
A slight smile played on his lips.
The opportunity had arrived.
Ryu steadied himself, then immediately leaned forward and jumped.
Sure enough.
In Ryu's vision...
The figure that had just flashed past suddenly braked, then immediately turned and ran back.
As a result, Ryu's leaping body collided with the opponent.
At the same time.
Ryu raised the basketball high.
[Divine Wrist] activated.
Ryu held the ball with one hand, then flicked his wrist.
The basketball flew directly towards the basket.
Clang…
The basketball hit the rim, rolled a few times, and finally fell into the basket.
Three-pointer.
6 to 5.
Beep…
Just then.
The referee blew his whistle.
"Defensive foul, the ball goes in, one free throw."
Boom…
The entire arena erupted in uproar.
"This guy, could he really do that in that situation?"
The professional team members all felt a chill.
The professional team's small forward was even more astonished.
He actually fouled.
He was being fouled by a high school student.
He didn't even know how he felt.
He could tell that Ryu was very strong, extremely strong.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been fouled.
He had a feeling.
He felt he might not be a match for this kid.
It was an absurd feeling, but very real.
...
Outside the court.
Seeing Ryu's performance just now.
Aomine's face didn't change at all.
This level was nothing to him.
However, he still remembered Ryu's move.
Who knows, maybe the opponent would use this move against him during the Winter Cup!
...
Swish...
Free throw in.
7 to 5.
Offense and defense change.
Professional team inbounds the ball.
This time, Ryu clearly felt that the opposing professional team was much more serious.
"Finally getting serious?"
The opposing small forward came up to Ryu.
"You've truly exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect someone your age to possess such skill. I won't be careless from now on."
This time, the opposing power forward was leading the attack.
Facing Kuroki Ryuichi's defense, he seemed quite at ease.
Kuroki Ryuichi's defense didn't seem to be under much pressure either.
The two seemed to deliberately slow down, locked in a stalemate.
For a moment, just like Ryu and the small forward before, the two darted around the court like unstable magnetic fields.
Ryu narrowed his eyes.
He sensed something unusual.
'This person is deliberately slowing down the pace.'
Just as he thought this, a sudden change occurred.
The opposing power forward leaned back, seemingly taking a step back.
Seeing this, Kuroki Ryuichi quickly stepped forward.
However, the power forward's backward lean suddenly stopped.
Seeing this, Kuroki Ryuichi sensed something was wrong.
And so it was.
Kuroki Ryuichi watched helplessly as the power forward's body pulled back forward.
And he was about to collide with him.
'Damn it… I'm done for.'
Kuroki Ryuichi cursed inwardly.
Then his body slammed into the power forward.
Just then.
The power forward raised the basketball high and then shot it.
The basketball soared through the air and landed steadily in the basket.
Swish…
7 to 8.
Beep…
A loud whistle blew.
The referee's words reached everyone's ears.
"Defensive foul, basket counts, one free throw."
Another 3+1.
This time, the spectators around the court went wild.
Screams and cheers surged through the air, wave after wave, crashing onto the court.
No one had expected this.
It was just an outdoor event held at a shopping mall.
Yet, they were witnessing a exciting match.
In an instant, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch.
----
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