Kurokami Shinji: "..."
As expected…
This guy is completely on the same level as Shigure!
"Tch!"
With a quick behind-the-back dribble to adjust his spacing, Kurokami Shinji immediately dished the ball to Nijimura Shuzo, who had rushed up to support.
Nijimura's pass came out lightning-fast. He didn't even need to look—his sense for passing timing, unmatched by anyone on the court, instantly pinpointed the best target, already envisioning the next phase of the play in his mind.
Kasamatsu Yukio: "..."
Kasamatsu, sprinting back on the return, was momentarily taken aback. His synergy and ability were still a step below the Teiko elite, and for that reason, he hadn't yet blended seamlessly into the "Emperor Squad."
Now, suddenly seeing the ball coming his way, he froze for half a heartbeat.
It was just a normal pass—gentle, considerate even.
But he hadn't expected Nijimura to choose him at this moment.
For a brief second, he caught something in Nijimura's eyes. A silent message.
"Are you sure about this… Nijimura?"
That guy, Hagioka Kasayuki, is defending such a wide range—this kind of pass could be dangerous.
Kasamatsu took a slow breath.
But then…
Since you trust me, that means it's fine, right?
Then all I have to do
is give it everything I've got!
Whoosh!
Near midcourt, Kasamatsu received the ball. Though it was just an ordinary pass, he did his best to mimic the style of the "Rainbow Connection," minimizing the contact time with the ball.
Thump!
He pushed the ball forward with all his strength.
As a point guard
a fairly decent one at that
Kasamatsu felt this was probably the hardest pass he had ever made. The ball tore through the air with blistering speed. Even Tondo Kaoru of Rakuzan had no time to intercept!
"Wh—"
"An alley-oop!?"
Whoosh!
Shigure Akihito lifted his head, power erupting through his body in an explosive burst of speed!
But on the other side, Hagioka Kasayuki was already charging into the paint from Kurokami's position, activating Attack Like Fire and Immovable as a Mountain!
He leapt, meeting Shigure head-on for the block!
"..."
Hagioka…
This guy sure is persistent.
At that same moment, Hagioka looked up at Shigure, a confident grin curling on his lips.
"Shigure… the air isn't your domain anymore."
Shigure Akihito: "!?"
He's high
Even in Zone, boosted by Attack Like Fire, his jump was massive for his build.
That wasn't unexpected.
And his power
the force in his arms, strengthened by Immovable as a Mountain, was immense.
But…
"You're kidding me, right?"
"The air isn't my domain anymore?"
"Do you even know who I am…?!"
In Shigure's eyes, black lightning flickered like a wavering flame.
"The Zone's rush, that false sense of omnipotence—it's gone to your head, hasn't it?"
"Then let me wake you up!"
"I…"
"AM Shigure Akihito!!"
SLAM!
Hagioka's blocking hands, spread like a wall, froze in place!
In that collision—he felt as if he had rammed headlong into a raging beast!
The next moment, just like at the opening tip-off, he was crushed under the mammoth strength coiled in black lightning and dark flame!
The difference was
back then, Shigure had been controlling his Zone, explosive yet measured.
Now…
He had completely unleashed it.
BANG!
Shigure Akihito slammed the ball through the hoop!
Hagioka, his block overwhelmed, raised a brow.
Finally…
They had reached this point.
After exchanging blows for so long, he had finally forced Shigure's Zone to full release
and even provoked him into talking back.
…
Rakuzan's next offensive.
As he stared at Shigure Akihito—whose lightning now burned as black as flame—Hagioka could feel the cold glint of a sword in those defiant eyes.
"You're getting a little too full of yourself…"
"Shigure."
On the sideline, Rakuzan's coach, Eiji, muttered,
"So it's come to this after all…!"
This battle would decide the flow of the rest of the game.
On the court
Tondo Kaoru caught Hagioka's glance.
No words were needed; the signal was clear, blatant, almost arrogant.
The message was simple:
Give me the ball.
Go, Hagioka!
If we can crush Shigure Akihito here,
we'll seize complete control of the game!
Whoosh!
Slap!
The moment Hagioka received the ball, every gaze in the arena locked on the two of them.
Their shared ability—Unfathomable as Shadow—flared to life, intertwining wildly between them!
Then
They moved.
Crackle!
Snap!
Crackle!
Dark shadows and black arcs of lightning clashed together, swirling in a maelstrom of energy.
BOOM!
Swift as the Wind!
Hagioka Kasayuki dodged Shigure's attempted steal, breaking through in one smooth motion!
"What!?"
"Hagioka just beat Shigure!?"
"He broke through!!"
But…
Had he really won?
Heh.
I'm not that naïve, Shigure.
Seeing Fukasaya Reiji and Kurokami Shinji closing in to trap him, Hagioka gathered the ball the instant he slipped past Shigure, linking into his next move
Swift as the Wind!
Wind swirled around him, driving his motion at blistering speed!
"Whoa!!"
"That's…"
"That's his lightning-fast shooting motion!"
"Swift as the Wind!!"
The ball left his hands like an arrow propelled by the gale, flying straight toward Kaijō's rim
But in that same instant, he felt the wind falter.
Just for a heartbeat.
That split-second pause made his expression flicker
CLANG!
The ball hit the back of the rim and bounced out!
"...Eh?"
"He missed…?"
"What a shame!"
"Hagioka Kasayuki had the perfect release, but somehow—his shot didn't go in!"
Not just the audience—even Rakuzan's players were stunned.
And Hagioka himself was confused.
What was that momentary disruption he just felt?
That brief instant of stillness…
What was it?
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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