The second day of the National Middle School Tournament had come to an end.
Finally, the third and final day arrived.
In the morning, the semifinals would decide the last two teams standing.
Everyone—spectators and players alike who had stayed to watch before heading back to their schools—knew the truth: the afternoon final would inevitably be between Teiko and Chōgen International.
The twin stars of Teiko,
and…
the team led by "Thunder Beast" Kotarō Hayama.
And indeed, the morning semifinals played out exactly as expected. Both sides crushed opponents who were no match for them, setting the stage for the ultimate showdown in the afternoon.
Kyoto Second Gymnasium, Afternoon.
Teiko vs. Chōgen International
First Quarter.
"This year's Chōgen International signature blitz offense, so fast!"
"But… Shigure Akihito blocks it again!"
"Counterattack!"
"Incredible, just like yesterday against Senzan, Teiko turns their opponent's best weapon against them, meeting fire with fire!"
"Chōgen's transition defense is quick too!"
"Well of course, they're led by the so-called 'Thunder Beast'—it's like facing a track-and-field team!"
Teiko's defense-to-offense snapped like lightning. Nijimura Shuzo drove forward, Kotarō Hayama locked onto him with a heavy expression. Facing a one-on-one defensive stance, Nijimura didn't resort to tricks. In stride, he slapped the ball toward Haizaki Shōgo, who was subbing in for Fukaya Reiji.
The next instant, Nijimura's lion-like ferocity exploded. Without the ball, he crashed right through Hayama, his shoulder sealing off the defender entirely.
Then…
Knowing full well that Haizaki could never read his intent the way Shigure could, Nijimura jabbed a finger forward, his sharp gaze cutting into Haizaki.
Haizaki Shōgo: "Tch…!"
Damn brute!
The thrill of taking the court in place of his senpai quickly soured under Nijimura's intimidating glare. Reluctantly, he passed the ball on.
But
Even though it annoyed him, the pass worked.
The ball didn't land exactly where Nijimura was, but with his wild, surging drive, it played out like a leading pass—an accidental setup that fueled Nijimura's pace.
In a blink, a seamless give-and-go.
All thanks to Nijimura's game sense, making the adjustment on his own.
"Whoa! What a play!"
"Haizaki Shōgo, in his first start, helps Nijimura Shuzo cut through Kotarō Hayama's defense with just a pass!"
"No choice, the defense has to stay doubled up on Shigure Akihito, no one else can rotate!"
"All on the inside now!"
"Whoa!"
"Chōgen's big men might be the fastest interior combo in the tournament! They've already cut Nijimura off at the rim!"
"An air battle? Is Nijimura really going to force it?!"
From the stands, Reo Mibuchi shook his head with exasperation.
"That guy… he'll always pick the highest percentage option. Even if he does go up, he could probably make it work…"
Sure enough
BOOM!
In midair, Nijimura clashed head-on with both Chōgen bigs. Holding firm, he suddenly recoiled, pulling the ball in.
Whoosh
A pass!
"Oh my god! Even against two big men in the air, he squeezes the ball out through the tiniest gap. What kind of monster strength and vision is this?!"
"Shinji Kurokamis got it—wide open!"
"As a center, Kurokami skill set lets him nail midrange shots near the free-throw line. This is easy!"
Kurokami fired.
On the Teiko bench, Midorima Shintarō watched the ball leave his hands. As Teiko's shooter, he could instantly read the arc and spin. Perfect.
Swish!
It dropped.
Teiko 28 – Chōgen International 15.
"Defense!"
"Defense!"
"Defense!"
Even Akashi, from the bench, joined the upperclassmen in their booming chants.
Hayama glanced toward the Teiko bench. His usually bright, unguarded face cracked into a grin.
"Your Teiko side sure has a fiery atmosphere. But…"
"Now it's my turn to attack!"
Nijimura suddenly noticed something: Chōgen International had stopped their blitz offense.
"…So soon? Giving it up already?"
It looked like they were putting all their confidence in Hayama's ability.
Whoosh
Half-court set.
The ball swung to the right wing, inside the arc. Hayama Kotarō.
Defending him wasn't Haizaki, also a small forward, but Nijimura himself.
"1v1!"
"Chōgen International abandons their blitz and goes into a set play!"
"Kotarō Hayama versus Nijimura Shuzo!"
"It's coming!"
"Hayama's signature 'Lightning-Dribble'!"
From the stands, Reo Mibuchi's face darkened.
Why did he get to test himself directly against Nijimura, while I got battered around by Teiko's shooters outside the Twin Stars?
That brat Haizaki should've been thrown in there first!
Or at least Aomine!
Hell, even bring Fukaya back in—wasn't he a small forward too?
Wait… don't tell me Fukaya's absence is because of our matchup yesterday?
Tch. Unfair!
"Kotarō, consider yourself lucky!"
On the court
Thump!
Hayama's dribble was violent, unnaturally fast.
But the moment he broke forward
Screeech!
The sound of sneakers against hardwood rang out, and a white blur cut across his vision.
Nijimura was already there, blocking the path.
Hayama blinked. "Huh?!"
Even at this speed, he couldn't pierce through?
Seeing the surprise in Hayama's eyes, Nijimura snorted.
"Compared to last year, your speed's definitely improved a notch. But don't be naive, Kotarō Hayama."
Hayama paused, then smiled lightly.
"Ah, maybe you're right. I guess I've gotten too used to no one being able to stop me."
But this was Teiko's lion—Nijimura Shuzo.
"In that case…"
His easy grin turned sharper.
Across the court, Shigure Akihito felt a shiver. As Hayama yanked the ball cross-body, it was like he could see the air itself tear open.
Then
Hayama froze mid-motion, body taut, as though holding his breath before a storm.
Nijimura's eyes narrowed.
"…!? Still holding it? That exaggerated cross-dribble stance…"
He tried to read it, muscles coiled, but then
BOOOOM!
A thunderclap ripped through the gym, rolling like a storm.
The nearest rows of spectators even clutched their ears at the sheer force of it.
Shigure's eyes widened. Under the pressure of that raw power, Hayama's dribble flashed like lightning.
At that moment
Kotarō Hayama, swift as thunder!
END OF CHAPTER
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