Beep…
The whistle for the second half blew.
The jump ball scenario played out again. Uozumi and Takenori Akagi faced off at center court.
This time, Akagi was like a beast awakened, unleashing astonishing power the moment he jumped. His fingertips swatted the ball a full half-palm ahead of Uozumi, sending it arcing steadily toward Shohoku's half.
Landing, Uozumi's brows furrowed, eyes dark. The pressure from Akagi intensified with each passing second, like a boulder pressing down relentlessly.
That feeling… it's back.
Just like last year's Prefectural Tournament, he was completely suppressed by Akagi from start to finish, unable to move freely, even struggling for breath.
"Akagi…" Uozumi muttered under his breath, fists clenching. A spark ignited in his eyes.
The basketball landed in Kogure Kiminobu's hands, but he hadn't yet organized an offense.
"Glasses-bro… pass… quickly…"
A thunderous voice erupted from the flank:
It was Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Standing outside the three-point line, he waved his arms wildly, shouting as if the entire arena must hear.
Kogure's eye twitched. "Idiot… who'd dare pass to you yelling like that? The opponents can hear you!"
He flung the ball to Rukawa Kaede instead.
"Ahh!" Sakuragi stomped, frustrated. "Rukawa Kaede… you bastard! That's my ball!"
He dashed forward like a monkey unleashed, but Rukawa Kaede was already a speeding arrow into Ryonan territory.
Ryonan's defense tightened instantly. The two sides clashed at the edge of the paint. Ryoji Ikegami moved to block, but Rukawa's footwork shifted fluidly, shoulder dipping into a crossover followed by a behind-the-back dribble—like water flowing past a rock—leaving Ikegami grasping air.
Just inside the free-throw line, Sendoh doubled on Rukawa, extending his long arm to cut off the breakthrough. Rukawa's wrist flicked, and the ball slithered like a snake, passing cleanly to Takenori Akagi on the other side.
"Come on… Akagi!" Uozumi roared, spreading his arms like iron gates, feet stomping as he prepared to intercept.
Akagi braced, shoulders sinking, shielding the ball. The two collided, muscles clashing, bones creaking, each impact muffled but fierce.
Suddenly, Akagi's eyes narrowed. A swift feint left, a lightning-quick right turn, and he launched himself into the air like a cannonball, raising the ball high for a dunk.
Uozumi leapt, determined to swat it away. Fingers stretched… nearly touching the ball.
Then, in mid-air, Akagi flicked his wrist, passing the ball forcibly instead of dunking.
What?!
The ball soared like an arrow, landing outside the three-point line.
Kogure, cutting in from the weak side, caught it cleanly, jumped, and shot.
Swish… A crisp three-pointer.
Ryonan 56 – Shohoku 30.
"Good shot…" Akagi roared, exhilaration in his voice. A three-pointer right at the start.
Shohoku's morale, like wildfire, ignited instantly. Kogure adjusted his glasses, a rare smile tugging at his lips.
Akashi's gaze sharpened. Replicating the first half's dominance would be impossible. Steady play could still secure victory—but could they last until the end?
His eyes landed on Sakuragi, the live wire on the court. Ever since entering, he'd been running non-stop, but hadn't received a single pass.
Sakuragi's face darkened. Damn it! Why don't they pass to me?! Every time they pass to that stinky fox, I'm the secret weapon!
Suddenly, a shout exploded beside him. Instinctively, Sakuragi froze, but before he could turn…
Thump!
A basketball struck him squarely on the bridge of his nose.
"Ouch…" Sakuragi staggered, clutching his face. But seeing the ball bounce away, he exclaimed, "My ball!" and lunged for it.
In the nick of time, a white figure flashed past, tapping the ball with his toe and securing it with a flick of the hand.
Sakuragi's eyes widened.
It was Rukawa Kaede.
Without glancing at Sakuragi, Rukawa seized the ball and dashed toward Ryonan's basket.
"Rukawa Kaede…" Sakuragi stomped his feet in fury. "That's my ball! Give it back!"
Ignoring him, Rukawa faced Uozumi's wall-like defense. He leaped, executing a nimble double-clutch, arcing gracefully around the block, wrist flicking perfectly.
Swish…
The net rippled crisply.
"Rukawa Kaede, you bastard!" Sakuragi chased him, face red, fists clenched.
Rukawa didn't look back, but muttered, almost inaudibly, "Thanks for the pass."
Sakuragi froze, both embarrassed and annoyed. "Damn it… you bastard…"
The rest of the half turned Sakuragi into a spectacle. He finally got the ball, tripped over his own feet, lost control, misstepped repeatedly. He collided into teammates, fouled shots, and fell victim to fakes. Yet his chaotic energy revitalized the court, disrupting Ryonan's rhythm and pulling Shohoku's morale upward.
Akashi's eyes narrowed. That idiot—the secret weapon—had awakened Shohoku from its lifelessness.
The scoreboard reflected the change: Ryonan 69 – Shohoku 48. The gap had shrunk to 21 points.
Akashi's gaze shifted to Sendoh. He hadn't revealed his full strength yet. His composure was steady; no one ever saw all of Sendoh's cards from the start.
The other Ryonan players were solid but faltered when facing Rukawa and Akagi.
With Sakuragi, the live wire, disrupting formations and scattering attention, more weaknesses were emerging.
Akashi rose slowly, jacket slipping off his shoulders, falling silently onto the chair.
Coach Taoka Moichi noticed. "Are you going in? Shohoku has caught up, but the game's still ours. It won't be easy for them to turn the tables."
Akashi nodded calmly. "Ah… it's just a practice match. Team cohesion matters. I should go in and get some exercise."
Taoka Moichi stayed silent a moment, then nodded.
Swish…
Shohoku launched a fast break. Rukawa broke through, dished to Sakuragi, who grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back. The score narrowed further—to a 19-point difference.
Beep…
The whistle blew. Ryonan requested a substitution.