Facing Nijimura Shuzo's lethal strike, Hayama Kōtarō's body stiffened for just a split second. He froze in surprise, but deep inside, he wasn't shaken in the least.
Because, in his mind…
This was only natural.
If it was Nijimura, then just like Shigure Akihito, he would be capable of reaching this level.
The only thing he hadn't expected
Shigure Akihito had broken through his own weaker finishing ability, but Nijimura had faced his strongest weapon, the "Raimei Dribble," and had reached this stage so quickly.
Smack!
Right after unleashing his thunderous dribble, Hayama's arm froze, making it impossible to immediately chain the next move. But he forced through it, drawing on the monstrous strength of his wrists and fingers, honed through relentless training, and resisted the stiffness!
Then
Without moving his arm, his wrist and fingertips flicked the ball to his other hand. It wasn't smooth, but it was enough to narrowly evade Nijimura's back steal!
From the stands, Reo Mibuchi's eyes widened.
He escaped?!
Even this situation he could slip out of?!
It was obvious Nijimura's defense was calculated, a deliberate plan! And yet, even this close, Nijimura still hadn't touched the ball?!
Such terrifying wrist strength…
But with that kind of strain, surely his wrist would take serious damage.
Wait…
Wait!
A ripple of shock surged through Reo's heart.
On the court, just as Hayama desperately shifted the ball to his other hand to dodge the steal, Nijimura arched a brow.
Step one.
As expected.
Yes, what seemed like a full steal just now had only been the first step of Nijimura's defense!
It was as though he had already predicted Hayama's next move. The instant Hayama slipped past, Nijimura had already sidestepped again to cut off the other side.
That earlier steal
It had been a feint all along!
Step two!
Nijimura went for the ball again!
From the stands, Reo's eyes widened once more.
Incredible! That's Nijimura's true aim?!
But before he could finish his thought, the flow of the match shifted again. Under the pressure of Shigure Akihito's influence, Hayama's recently awakened "wild instinct" flared, the aura of a predator's phantom grew sharper and more solid!
The leopard roared!
Driven purely by instinct, Hayama reacted from his blind spot, accelerating with startling speed, making yet another escape!
This furious back-and-forth all happened within the blink of an eye after the "Raimei Dribble." In fact, even now, Hayama hadn't fully recovered from its recoil.
He couldn't use it again immediately.
If he recklessly drove forward now
Nijimura would surely chase him down and steal.
So
The best choice was…
Smack!
Use the moment of Nijimura's second attempt
Combine the ball! Shoot!
From Teiko's bench, players' faces showed regret.
Their captain Nijimura had calculated not one, but multiple steps ahead. Yet Hayama's ferocious instincts and reflexes had still found a way through.
But then, Teiko's substitute, Fukaya Reiji, smiled faintly and muttered:
"As expected of you, Nijimura… victory comes so quickly."
And the very next second, all the first-years on Teiko's bench widened their eyes in shock at what they saw unfold.
On the court
Just as Hayama leapt into his shot
A voice whispered at his ear:
"Step three."
At just 180 cm in his second year, Hayama's height was already a disadvantage compared to Nijimura, who stood nearly the same height but with far superior reach.
And in vertical leap, there was no contest. Nijimura held the clear advantage.
So
Smack!
Right after the second feint, Nijimura exploded like a lion pouncing, soaring from behind Hayama, cleanly blocking the shot!
From the stands, the middle school players, including Reo, wore grim faces.
Only now, after the dust settled, did they realize just how meticulous Nijimura's defensive sequence had been.
Expression stiff, Reo thought:
So that's it.
The first and second steals had never been serious attempts, they were feints, calculated to break Hayama's rhythm.
They were necessary steps, setting the stage for the final, decisive block!
And Nijimura's block
The sheer burst of speed
The impossible vertical
These were levels he hadn't once revealed while merely keeping up with Hayama's drives.
This guy…
He hasn't changed.
He'll do whatever it takes to secure victory.
A monster.
The moment Nijimura's block landed, Teiko's players—first-years included, even Haizaki Shōgo—instantly transitioned from defense to offense, as if they had always known Nijimura would succeed.
"Nijimura!"
Whoosh!
This time, in a shocking twist, the first to sprint into the opponent's half wasn't a guard but the center, Shinji Kurokami!
"Whoa!"
"Nice pass!"
"Teiko's center—his offensive drive today is way sharper than the last two days!"
"For a center, he's surprisingly fast!"
"He's already in the paint!"
"Ah!"
Just as Kurokami was about to finish, he noticed the crowd's unusual gasp. His heart sank.
From the corner of his eye—three figures streaked past!
And then
Smack!
Before he could even rise fully into his jump, a hand slammed down on the ball he had just raised!
Kurokami froze, staring at Hayama, the leopard cub who had leapt in, clawing away the ball. Worse still, two more shadows had already soared even faster!
Wearing Teiko's jerseys
One in front, one behind, rising high
Number 5.
Number 4.
Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo!
BOOM!
The ball Hayama swatted away ricocheted off the backboard, and a thunderous slam immediately followed!
Turning his head
Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo were already hanging from the rim, one on each side!
END OF CHAPTER
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