Bang…
Bang…
Bang…
Inside the basktetball court, two figures were locked in a fierce one-on-one battle.
They moved like twin gusts of wind, tearing across the court with raw power.
With each attack and counter, it felt like you could hear wild beasts growling and howling.
"Oh? He actually awakened 'Wild Instinct'." Aoi Kunisaku watched one of the players with interest.
Soon, the match on the court reached a result.
Howl…
A wolf-like cry rang out as one of the figures tore through the other's defense. He charged straight to the rim and slammed the ball down with overwhelming force.
Clang!
The basketball snapped through the net.
After dunking, the player landed on the court and looked straight toward Aoi Kunisaku.
The other player also noticed the change in his opponent's focus. He turned his gaze in the same direction.
When he saw Aoi Kunisaku, he immediately smiled and waved. "Hey! Aoi Kunisaku, long time no see!"
The one speaking had a messy mop of hair. It was none other than Sendoh Akira, who hadn't been seen in quite a while.
Aoi Kunisaku hadn't expected to run into Sendoh here either.
And the one who had just been facing off with Sendoh wasn't a stranger—Sawakita Eiji from Sannoh Kogyo.
Aoi Kunisaku looked at Sendoh and asked, "Weren't you not participating in the national tournament? Why are you here?"
Sendoh scratched his head awkwardly and replied, "Of course I came to watch the games. Shohoku's always been the team I wanted to beat."
Aoi Kunisaku continued flatly, "So why are you playing one-on-one with him here?"
Sendoh shrugged and sighed. "Ah… I was watching the game at first. But it turned into such a one-sided stomp, so I stepped out early. Just happened to run into Sawakita."
Aoi Kunisaku then looked at Sawakita Eiji. "Weren't you already eliminated?"
Sawakita Eiji's face darkened. He glanced at Aoi Kunisaku and said, "Even if I'm eliminated, I can still watch games, can't I? But why are you here? Isn't it game time right now?"
Aoi Kunisaku answered casually, "Trash like that doesn't need me to show up."
Hearing that, both Sendoh and Sawakita instantly understood.
They had both gone to watch the Shohoku vs. Takamizawa match earlier.
And honestly, considering Takamizawa's level, it was baffling how they made it to the top eight.
Sendoh then suggested, "Since you're here, want to have a game?"
When he said that, Sawakita looked at him in surprise and thought, 'Has this guy lost his mind? Does he not remember how monstrous that guy is?'
Aoi Kunisaku looked at Sendoh, visibly uninterested. "You've gotten a bit stronger, but…"
He shook his head and continued, "You're still too weak."
Even after that jab, Sendoh didn't get mad. He just kept smiling and said, "Then how about the two of us play against you?"
"Oi! Sendoh, don't speak for me!" Sawakita Eiji immediately snapped.
He still felt a little intimidated just remembering Aoi Kunisaku's strength.
"You two, huh…" Aoi Kunisaku looked at both of them, thought for a second, then grinned. "Heh… Well, I'm bored anyway. Let's play."
Sawakita Eiji glared at Sendoh and said through clenched teeth, "What the hell are you thinking? That guy's a monster. You trying to get us killed?"
Sendoh scratched his head and apologized, "My bad. I just really wanted to see that move he used to crush you guys."
In the Shohoku vs. Sannoh match, Aoi Kunisaku's explosive finish—where he crushed the entire Sannoh team—was no secret anymore.
Of course, Sendoh had heard about it too.
Naturally, he was really interested.
Sawakita Eiji rolled his eyes and snapped, "Are you dumb? That move only happened because our whole team was there. Now it's just the two of us. Even if you wanna see it, there's no way it'll happen."
Uh…
Sendoh was at a loss for words.
He hadn't thought of that.
The mood turned a little awkward.
Seeing Aoi Kunisaku already walking onto the court, Sawakita Eiji let out a helpless sigh. "Haa… Whatever. A match is a match, no matter who it's with."
Soon, the three of them took their positions.
On one side was Aoi Kunisaku alone.
On the other side were Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji together.
Aoi Kunisaku said plainly, "You guys can take first possession. Let's play full court."
Both Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji froze.
How much did he have to be looking down on them?
He not only gave them the ball but also expanded the game to full court.
Still, considering how overpowered Aoi Kunisaku was, the two just let it slide.
They got ready quickly.
The 2-on-1 match officially began.
Aoi Kunisaku stood lazily in his own half just outside the three-point line.
Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji positioned themselves near the center circle on their end.
They locked eyes on Aoi Kunisaku, and their expressions instantly turned serious.
The next moment, two different auras flared around them.
Behind Sawakita Eiji, a lone wolf took shape, throwing its head back in a chilling howl. It bared its fangs at Aoi Kunisaku with savage intensity.
Behind Sendoh, a faint shadow also started to form. Surprisingly, it looked quite similar to the lone wolf behind Sawakita.
'Sendoh's Wild Instinct is a wolf too?'
Aoi Kunisaku narrowed his eyes slightly.
Even though the image behind Sendoh was less defined than Sawakita's, Aoi Kunisaku could still tell what it was.
It was also a wolf.
But the wolf behind Sendoh was much smaller than the one behind Sawakita.
And judging by the aura, Sawakita's Wild Instinct was clearly stronger.
Of course, if anyone else were watching, they might assume Sendoh and Sawakita had the same Wild Instinct—just that Sendoh awakened it later, so it wasn't as developed.
But Aoi Kunisaku could sense the truth.
Sendoh's Wild Instinct was on a lower level than Sawakita's.
Not by much, but the gap was real.
Bounce…
Bounce…
Bounce…
The ball thudded rhythmically in Sendoh's hand.
Then, suddenly, the sound stopped for a split second.
As if they'd coordinated it, both Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji charged at the same time.
Faced with two savage wolves lunging straight at him, Aoi Kunisaku stood his ground, completely unfazed.
The corners of his mouth curved slightly, as if welcoming the challenge.
Just before the two wolves reached him—
A pressure more terrifying than anything they gave off erupted from Aoi Kunisaku's body.
ROAR…
A deafening roar shattered the sky.
A pitch-black panther materialized behind Aoi Kunisaku.
It opened its massive jaws toward the two charging wolves.