[Please vote with the power stones; the more you vote, the more chapters will be published. Thank you.]
50 Power Stones = 1 bonus chapters.
100 Power Stones = 3 bonus chapters.
150 Power Stones = 5 bonus chapters.
------------------------
"Oh...not bad!"
Outside the fence.
Aomine commented approvingly at the scene.
Momoi also remarked with some surprise.
"That's quite an unexpected result!"
As a team manager, she was now deeply interested in the professional team members.
However, they weren't high school students.
They wouldn't be rivals in the future.
So she simply observed them with curiosity.
On the court.
The match continued.
Ten minutes passed quickly amidst the intense battle between the two sides.
Both sides were evenly matched, locked in a close contest.
Every position's duel sparked fierce competition.
Ryu was also astonished by the team's coordination.
Their teamwork was arguably the strongest he had ever encountered, bar none.
Everyone played their role perfectly, without stealing a spotlight from their teammates.
Such execution could only be achieved through professional training.
If it weren't for the fact that Ryu and her team were already quite strong, they would probably have been on the verge of collapse long ago.
The audience was incredibly enthusiastic and passionate.
The evenly matched contest provided a unique visual impact for everyone.
Whistle...
The referee blew his whistle.
The scoreboard showed 25-25, temporarily frozen.
As soon as they returned to the rest area, Kugawa wiped his sweat and said,
"I really didn't expect them to be so tough."
"Those guys, sometimes they seem very strong, but sometimes they seem very weak. What's going on?"
Kuroki Ryuichi asked with a puzzled expression.
Hanafuji Souji explained.
"After all, they've received professional training. Such teamwork is normal. While the individual strength of professional teams is limited, their teamwork completely compensates for any lack of individual skill."
He paused, then continued,
"Moreover... their individual strength is not something ordinary people can compare to."
Kamimono nodded.
"Yes, you're right. We're evenly matched now, but it's obvious they're holding back. The second half will be the real test."
Hehe…
Kugawa chuckled.
"They're holding back, and so are we."
His words had barely left his lips when smiles spread across the faces of everyone from the Toho Kotei Gakuen.
On the other side.
The professional team was also discussing the first half.
"I really didn't expect them to be able to put up such a fight with us."
"These young people these days are really something!"
"It seems we'll have to go all out in the second half, or we might really suffer an upset."
"Did you guys notice that they seem to be holding back too? I have a feeling their strength is more than they seem."
Upon hearing this, the professional team all looked towards where Ryu and the others were resting.
"We really can't afford to be careless!"
…
The three-minute halftime break passed in the blink of an eye.
When both sides returned to the field…
Ryu clearly felt that the professional team was giving him a different feeling.
The sharp aura that previously surrounded the professional team had become much stronger.
He narrowed his eyes, muttering to himself.
'Are they getting serious?'
It wasn't just Ryu who sensed something amiss.
Kamimono, Kugawa, Kuroki Ryuichi, and Hanafuji Souji also felt the difference from the first half.
Kamimono said with a serious expression.
'Looks like we're about to face a storm!'
Whistle...
Just then.
The referee blew the whistle to start the second half.
At the same time.
The Toho Kotei Gakuen team launched their attack.
Kuroki Ryuichi was in charge of dribbling.
With him intentionally controlling the pace, the offensive speed reached +3.
The five players hurtled towards the professional team's basket like five meteorites.
Seeing such a fierce attack.
The professional team members also became serious, each one on high alert.
As Kuroki Ryuichi dribbled across the center line.
The opposing power forward also began to move, preparing to intercept.
However, before the opponent could reach Kuroki Ryuichi...
Kuroki Ryuichi, who had been maintaining a +3 pace, suddenly shifted to +4.
Since the Summer League, after months of practice, Kuroki Ryuichi had evolved his techniques.
Previously, he could only reach +3 in both positive and negative paces.
Now, he could advance two more levels from there.
In other words, Kuroki Ryuichi's pace could now reach a maximum of +5.
The speed beyond +4 wasn't simply a matter of going from +2 to +3.
The speed was significantly faster than before.
"What…"
The professional team's power forward's pupils contracted, his vision blurring suddenly.
Kuroki Ryuichi swiftly changed direction twice, successfully shaking off the opponent's defense.
The professional team's power forward looked on in disbelief.
"His speed can actually increase? And how did he get this speed?"
Only now did he truly realize that the kid he was guarding was probably already stronger than him, a member of the basketball club.
...
Watching this scene from the sidelines, Aomine's gaze was fixed on Kuroki Ryuichi.
Momoi, standing nearby, exclaimed in amazement.
"As expected, after several months, they've all evolved."
Aomine was merely interested in Kuroki Ryuichi's sudden display of skill.
However, his main focus remained on Ryu.
He was eager to know just how far Ryu had progressed.
On the court.
Kuroki Ryuichi broke through the power forward defending him.
Kuroki Ryuichi didn't choose to go for a layup directly.
Because he saw the opposing center already standing under the basket waiting for him.
His steps suddenly stopped.
His speed, at a normal, steady pace, abruptly decreased.
This made those watching somewhat uneasy.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Kuroki Ryuichi passed the ball directly to Kugawa on the other side.
Kugawa, receiving the ball, was tightly marked by the opposing shooting guard.
However, as he released the shot...
The lower sides were still open.
This gave Kugawa an opportunity.
A glint flashed in Kugawa's eyes, and a smile curved his lips.
Kugawa switched hands on the basketball, then his body lightened, tilting to the side.
As he tilted, he began to scoop the ball with one hand, preparing to toss it from below his opponent's left side.
This move caught the shooting guard guarding him completely off guard.
This was the first time he'd ever seen someone shoot like that.
Regardless of whether the shot would make it.
Even if it didn't, he couldn't let Kugawa get the shot off.
"You won't get it..."
The words were barely out of his mouth.
The professional team's shooting guard suddenly shifted his stance, immediately tilting his body to the side.
At the same time, he stretched out his hand, blocking the trajectory of Kugawa's impending shot.
Seeing the opponent's action.
Kugawa didn't panic.
He remained calm.
Seeing his shot blocked.
His sideways body suddenly shifted again, inexplicably falling backward.
Seeing Kugawa's sudden change.
The professional team's shooting guard was also somewhat bewildered.
He fell?
Was he overthinking it?
The moment this thought crossed his mind, his eyes widened.
Because he saw Kugawa fall backward, simultaneously raising the basketball in his hand.
His entire posture resembled a fadeaway jump shot.
Although he didn't jump, the posture was unmistakable.
"Could it be..."
Kugawa had no time to consider the opponent's feelings.
He had already assumed a shooting stance with one hand on the ball.
After months of practice,
he had naturally improved considerably.
He had refined his signature move.
Like now.
If the first shot was blocked, he would have a second chance.
Whoosh...
The basketball left his hand, grazing the head of the opposing shooting guard.
The professional shooting guard's body was now in a low-weight position.
He simply couldn't get up to block it.
In the end, he could only watch helplessly as the basketball flew over his head.
Under everyone's gaze,
the basketball traced an unsightly arc, finally hitting the backboard and bouncing into the basket.
Whoosh...
28 to 25.
Boom...
Thunderous applause erupted.
The audience was stunned by Kugawa's performance.
When had they ever seen such an incredible, unbelievable move?
Even in that state, he could still shoot.
"Wow...that's amazing..."
Kugawa's shot further fueled the already heated atmosphere.
Outside the court.
Momoi was stunned by Kugawa.
She couldn't help but exclaim.
"Amazing! It's somewhat similar to your moves, Aomine!"
Aomine didn't reply, his eyes fixed on Kugawa, a slight smirk on his lips, an expression of interest on his face.
...
Inside the court.
The professional team members finally came to their senses.
The center captain couldn't help but speak up.
"Wow...that's really impressive, to have a shot like that!"
The rest of the professional team nodded in agreement.
"Looks like we might really lose!"
"Their power forward and shooting guard both played with a completely different level of skill compared to the first half. I think the others are probably doing similarly."
"Since that's the case, we can only give it our all. As for winning or losing, let fate decide!"
The game restarted.
Kugawa's shot ignited the flames of the final battle.
The intensity of the duel escalated once again.
The professional team's offense became increasingly ferocious.
The members of the Toho Kotei Gakuen also unleashed a portion of their strength.
Ryu was no exception.
He directly activated [Data Basketball].
Calculating everything about his teammates and opponents.
Although the professional team's teamwork was superb, almost flawless, it was still easily broken down by Ryu's [Data Basketball].
Ryu could calculate the actions of each and every one of them.
"The probability of a mid-court pass is 100%."
"The probability of a feint that appears to be a breakthrough but is actually a shooting fake is 76%."
"The probability of a failed breakthrough followed by a high lob is 84%."
"The probability of a forced shot after a blocked pass is 93%, and the probability of scoring is 0%."
Ryu's words were like the whispers of a demon.
This made the professional team members feel the terror and disgust of [Emperor Eye].
At this moment, the professional team members felt extremely frustrated, secretly cursing Ryu as a devil.
The previously evenly matched situation suddenly collapsed.
The professional team fell into an irreversible decline.
The scales of victory completely tipped in favor of Toho Kotei Gakuen.
The score on the scoreboard was also completely widened by Toho Kotei Gakuen.
Beep…
Until the very last moment of the game.
The score was fixed at 57 to 38.
The professional team members were somewhat dazed.
They hadn't expected to actually lose the match.
And especially not in an outdoor activity like this.
If word got back to the club, they'd laugh themselves to death.
They gave a helpless, bitter smile.
The professional team's center captain led his team to congratulate Ryu and the others.
"You won! Your strength surprised me."
Kamimono also replied with a smile.
"Just lucky. You were all very strong; it was a very exciting match."
Hearing this, everyone on both sides smiled knowingly.
They chatted briefly for a few more minutes.
Then, the host invited everyone to the stage.
The top three winners of this event all received prizes.
Ryu and his group were naturally the center of attention.
After each giving an acceptance speech on stage, they left with their prizes.
The champion's prize was also very generous.
It was a "Black Card" from the Akita Trade Center.
Customers holding this black card receive a 50% discount on all purchases here.
On their birthday, they can also choose any item in the mall worth no more than 50,000 yen for free.
Each member of the Toho Kotei Gakuen currently possesses a "black card."
Winning the match naturally calls for a celebration.
"Ryu..."
A sweet call drew the attention of the Ryu group.
Hearing the call, Ryu knew who the voice belonged to.
He turned and smiled at her.
"Momoi, Aomine..."
Aomine approached Ryu and said.
"You're dawdling over a match. If you had used your full strength, the match would have been over long ago."
Ryu rolled his eyes at him.
"I won now, didn't I? Let's not talk about that anymore. We're just about to celebrate, you and Momoi should come too!"
"Really? Ryu, that's great!"
Momoi's eyes crinkled with happiness.
Aomine didn't refuse either.
He hadn't eaten dinner yet!
The group headed towards the Akita Trade Center.
Since the trade center was open 24 hours, the gathering lasted quite a while.
Midway through, Ryu remembered that Murasakibara was also in Akita.
So without hesitation, he made a phone call and invited him over as well.
Murasakibara, hearing that someone was treating him to a good meal, naturally didn't refuse and immediately dragged Himuro over as well.
This made the atmosphere even more lively.
This also gave everyone preparing for the Winter Cup a long-awaited sense of relaxation.
After the banquet.
Himuro Tatsuya left with Murasakibara.
Momoi and Aomine returned to the inn with Ryu and his group.
The night passed.
Aomine and Momoi boarded the train back to Tokyo.
Aomine had come only to see how much Ryu had grown.
Unfortunately, he saw nothing.
This was within his expectations.
If just anyone could force Ryu to use his full strength, that would be strange!
Ryu and the others packed their belongings, preparing to head to their next destination for special training.
The trip to Akita had finally come to an end.
----
Could you subscribe on patreon?.
+ I publish 3 chapters daily on Patreon, in addition to the other advanced chapters, which are 30+ chapters.
That's about 90 chapters a month.
patreon.com/ayan41x