[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.
------------------------
The game continued.
Shutoku inbounded the ball.
Takao dribbled the ball, facing Izuki Shun's defense without flinching.
Lowering his stance, he changed direction, switched hands, and faked a turn to break through.
A series of moves made it impossible for Izuki Shun to stop him.
Takao found an opening and passed the ball directly to Miyaji Kiyoshi beyond the three-point line.
Miyaji Kiyoshi, whose eyes hadn't left his side, quickly broke free from Hyuga Junpei's defense.
He dribbled the ball and moved to the side, stopping abruptly as Junpei chased after him. He then turned and passed the ball to Shinsuke Kimura.
This series of passes completely tore a hole in Seirin's defense.
Without hesitation, Shinsuke Kimura passed the ball to Midorima, who had found an open space.
Upon receiving the ball, Midorima, not wanting to give Seirin any chance, immediately jumped and shot.
However, Kagami was constantly on guard against Midorima.
At the same moment Midorima jumped, Kagami had already sprinted over.
With a swift jump and a sweeping motion, he successfully blocked Midorima's shot.
Thump... thump thump...
The basketball rolled out of bounds again.
By this time, there wasn't much cheering from the stands anymore.
Most of the audience looked on in amazement.
"Midorin... seems a bit strange."
Momoi looked down at Midorima and murmured.
Ryu naturally knew what Momoi was talking about.
He looked at Midorima, whose shot had been blocked by Kagami, with a complex expression.
'Looks like you've learned the importance of teamwork, Midorima…'
Midorima's positioning just now was clearly waiting for a pass from his teammate.
Otherwise, with Kagami watching closely, he wouldn't have been able to make that shot so easily.
This was trust in his teammate.
He believed his teammate would pass to him.
Hmm?
Ryu's eyes swept over and noticed Kuroko's actions.
He was also looking at Midorima.
Ryu smiled slightly, thinking to himself.
'Looks like you noticed too! So what will you do next?'
Ryu had a different kind of expectation for Kuroko.
He wondered if, because of him, the opponent would develop some different moves.
It's really something to look forward to!
On the court.
The game continues.
Seirin has possession of the ball.
Izuki Shun dribbles.
He scanned left and right, not rushing to attack.
Under his constant direction, the Seirin players ran to their designated positions.
With his Eagle Eyes, he quickly found a safe passing lane.
Whoosh…
Thud…
The basketball accurately passed from beyond the three-point line to Kiyoshi Teppei, who was already in the Shutoku paint.
Kiyoshi Teppei caught the ball with one hand.
Facing the defense of two Shutoku players, he didn't back down; instead, he seized the opportunity, leaning forward and stepping between them.
At the same time.
He leaped into the air with one foot.
In front of Taisuke Otsubo and Shinsuke Kimura, he used his right to shoot from behind.
Pass...or shoot...
Teppei Kiyoshi flicked his wrist, aiming the basketball at Kagami who was closing in from behind.
Seeing this, Taisuke Otsubo and Shinsuke Kimura instinctively shifted their bodies, spreading their hands to block.
Just then.
A glint flashed in Teppei Kiyoshi's eyes.
Using his peripheral vision, he confirmed the two opponents' choices.
He flicked his wrist back, then swung his arm down forcefully, swishing the ball through the gap between them.
Clang...
The basketball went in.
Seirin scored first.
2-0.
"Oh...not bad."
Ryu praised.
This move wasn't particularly sophisticated.
However, compared to his opponents, this move forced them to choose between two options.
In short, it meant that no matter who was guarding Teppei Kiyoshi...
There's only a 50% chance for everyone.
Of course, someone with miraculous strength like Ryu is a different story.
Momoi nodded in agreement.
"Yeah! Seirin seems to have a pretty good center!"
'I need to incorporate this into my work when I get back, otherwise I might really lose next time I face Seirin!'
She thought to herself.
The match continued…
the score between Seirin and Shutoku fluctuated.
The score remained within 5 points.
Seirin held a slight lead.
Whistle...
Hmm?
Hearing the sudden whistle, Momoi was puzzled.
"Is the game over?"
The referee on the sidelines made a gesture and then announced.
"Seirin requests a substitution."
Momoi spoke after seeing Kuroko being substituted.
"Kuroko... he's been substituted."
Ryu smiled.
"Of course, the pace was too fast, and it's already the second quarter. Kuroko's abilities are gradually becoming less effective; keeping him on the court will only drag the team down."
Seirin substituted in Mitobe Rinnosuke, who plays center.
However, without Kuroko's cooperation, Seirin's overall strength noticeably declined significantly.
Seirin, who had initially maintained a slight advantage, was gradually caught up by Shutoku.
Beep…
The first half ended.
The score between Seirin and Shutoku was temporarily set at 48 to 50.
Seirin was only down by 2 points.
"Ah… the first half is over? I wanted to watch a little longer!"
"Let the second half start quickly! I can't wait!"
…
Hearing the enthusiastic cheers around her, Momoi exclaimed in surprise.
"Wow...! The atmosphere here is really exciting!"
Ryu nodded.
"Yeah!"
Momoi asked.
"Yu-chan, what do you think the situation will be like in the second half?"
Ryu thought for a moment.
"That's hard to say! Those two haven't even used their full power yet!"
"Those two?"
Momoi pondered for a moment, then said.
"You mean Kuroko and Midorima?"
Ryu nodded.
"That's right, they're not the type to stand still. Don't forget Midorima hasn't even used that move yet! After months of honing his skills, his move must have improved! And Kuroko, as the Phantom Sixth Man of Miracles, he's not just putting on a show!"
What he didn't say was:
If both teams go all out, the losing side is highly likely to be Seirin.
Because Midorima's ball-and-man unity is truly strong.
Among Seirin, only Kagami, with comparable talent, could probably block that attack.
However, Kagami is currently too weak.
Unless he undergoes a significant improvement in this match.
But is that even possible?
Ryu wasn't sure.
After an unknown amount of time,
a loud whistle blew.
Seirin vs. Shutoku, the second half of the game officially began.
The game started.
Seirin launched a fast break.
Izuki Shun made a long pass to Mitobe Rinnosuke.
Mitobe received the ball and, right in front of Miyaji Kiyoshi, made another quick pass.
By the time Miyaji Kiyoshi reacted, it was too late.
The basketball bounced off the ground.
Finally, it landed in the hands of Hyuga Junpei outside the three-point line.
As a three-point shooter,
he bent his knees, aimed at Shutoku's basket, and raised his hand to shoot.
Seeing this, Shinsuke Kimura naturally wouldn't give his opponent a chance.
Hyuga Junpei's lips curled into a smile, as if he had anticipated this move.
Having raised his arm halfway to shoot, Hyuga pulled the ball back into his stomach, then tossed it to the side, passing it to Teppei Kiyoshi.
What?
Shinsuke Kimura was stunned for a moment.
He hadn't expected his opponent to hold back.
But he had no time to think further.
Teppei Kiyoshi received the ball and headed straight for the Shutoku paint.
However, Taisuke Otsubo spread his arms, ready to deliver a fatal blow to Teppei Kiyoshi.
However, Teppei Kiyoshi was completely unconcerned.
He smiled slightly at Taisuke Otsubo and then spoke.
"Basketball isn't a one-man game, you know!"
With that, he tossed the ball into the air, it grazed over Taisuke Otsubo's head.
What?
A sudden, ominous premonition washed over Taisuke Otsubo.
Just then…
He sensed something behind him.
When he turned around, he saw...
A shadow loomed over him.
It was Kagami Taiga.
Kagami had appeared behind him somehow, receiving a pass from Teppei Kiyoshi in mid-air.
Under everyone's gaze.
Kagami caught the ball with both hands and slammed it down on Shutoku's basket.
Clang...
The basketball swished through the hoop.
The rim hummed.
50-50.
Seirin delivered a heavy blow to Shutoku at the start of the second half.
They forcefully tied the score.
Taisuke Otsubo's eyes trembled as he watched the Seirin players return to defense, his heart filled with shock.
'What kind of offensive power is this? Just adding one more player, Teppei Kiyoshi, has made Seirin so much stronger?'
Takao was also stunned by Seirin's bombardment.
The other Shutoku players were the same.
They simply couldn't understand it.
When did Seirin's strength become so formidable?
'Such sharp teamwork, is this Seirin's true strength?' Momoi Ask.
'No!'
Ryu explained.
'This isn't Seirin's true strength. Kagami was responsible for the final score, meaning that only the second-year Seirin players were involved in the entire coordinated attack.'
Hearing this, Momoi analyzed.
'You mean…'
Ryu nodded.
'That's right, I think this tactic was specifically designed by Seirin for their second-year players.'
Judging from Seirin's teamwork just now, they already possess the strength to advance to the national tournament.
If Teppei Kiyoshi hadn't been injured, they might have achieved a really good result last year.
Seirin High School… should not be underestimated.
Ryu hadn't played against them before.
However, he wouldn't be careless.
From the start of the second half, both Seirin and Shutoku's strength had clearly improved.
Especially Shutoku.
To be precise, it should be Shutoku's Midorima.
The second half saw several intense offensive and defensive exchanges.
He was finally about to reveal his true strength.
Takao dribbled the ball, facing off against Izuki Shun.
With his Eagle Eye, he easily found Izuki Shun's weakness.
Even though Izuki Shun possessed the wide-ranging Eagle Eye, the difference between an eagle and a hawk was still significant.
Takao slapped the basketball between Izuki Shun's legs, then bounced it to Midorima behind Izuki Shun.
Seeing Midorima receive the ball…
Without hesitation, Kagami rushed forward to intercept.
But this time...
The moment Midorima received the ball, he didn't aim at all, not even pausing for a second.
He jumped and shot.
Kagami, who had rushed over, stared blankly as the basketball soared high and low through the air.
The basketball pierced the sky, hurtling towards the roof of the arena, as if trying to pierce through it.
The basketball reached its highest point.
At that moment, the basketball, in everyone's eyes, was like the only shining star in the sky, attracting all attention.
Whoosh...
The star fell, leaving an orange trail, striking Seirin's basket below.
Swish...
The net billowed open, like a unique, wondrous flower blooming instantly.
Also ignited the passion of the audience, eliciting gasps of amazement.
This is...
The entire Seirin team focused their attention on Midorima.
Kagami's eyes widened in shock, and he exclaimed.
"It was back then..."
He recalled when Midorima used this move against Toho Kotei Gakuen.
There was absolutely no time to prepare.
He shot instantly after receiving the ball.
Unless he could defend his opponent at all times,
even a half-step difference would give his opponent ample time to shoot.
A chill ran through Kagami's heart.
With his current strength, he simply couldn't defend against his opponent.
'What to do? What to do? Anyway, I just need to stand in front of him for now!'
Kagami stood before Midorima, his eyes fixed intently on him, not daring to look away.
Looking at Kagami, Midorima said calmly.
"Trying to stop me from shooting this way? Too naive, Kagami. My move isn't just for shooting."
What?
Hearing his words, Kagami had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, after Takao stole the ball, he waved for a pass.
Takao didn't hesitate and passed the ball directly to Midorima.
Midorima didn't immediately shoot upon receiving the ball.
He said to Kagami,
"Now I'll show you the uses of 'Man and Ball as One' besides shooting."
As soon as he finished speaking, Midorima's body moved.
At first, Kagami could still track Midorima's movements.
But gradually, Midorima's movements became faster and more exaggerated.
The basketball seemed to be an extension of his body.
No matter how he moved, the basketball remained under his control.
It looked…
"Amazing…"
Momoi exclaimed, watching Midorima's current state.
Ryu, however, was unimpressed.
He could do that too.
But he had a deeper understanding of "man and ball as one."
'If this technique can be used for shooting and dribbling, what about defense and passing?'
He narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on Midorima.
This guy couldn't be unaware of that.
He then turned his gaze to Kagami.
'Can you force him to unleash his full power?'
On the court.
Because of Midorima's use of "man and ball as one,"
Kagami, under the opponent's continuous movements, ultimately slowed down by a small step.
But this small step caused Kagami to miss the opportunity to defend Midorima's shot.
Midorima jumped and shot without hesitation.
The ball left his hand, and Kagami's hand only flashed past Midorima's eyes.
Damn it…
Kagami looked up, his teeth clenched.
He failed.
The basketball, under everyone's gaze, finally fell into the basket.
59 to 66.
The advantage has shifted.
Shutoku is gradually widening the gap with Seirin.
----
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