Shohoku's offense began again.
Nango immediately passed the ball to Rukawa Kaede, once more letting him go one-on-one against Sawakita. The decision caused many in the stands to frown.
An elderly spectator shook his head.
"Does Shohoku really have that much faith in this kid? Letting him go one-on-one against Sawakita, the ace? What are they thinking?"
The teenage girl beside him snapped back,
"But he did really well earlier! I think this is a good choice!"
"That was when Sawakita wasn't familiar with his ball handling," the old man replied calmly. "Look—didn't he almost get stripped again?"
On the court, Sawakita indeed seized another opportunity. The instant Rukawa Kaede lowered his dribble, Sawakita reached in and tipped the ball away.
Fortunately, Rukawa reacted quickly and recovered it.
Hmph! Old geezer!
The girl squinted, cursing silently, then clasped her hands together anxiously.
"Handsome guy! You've got this!"
Rukawa tried several more fakes, but Sawakita didn't bite once. Instead, his defense grew tighter, more aggressive, his pressure relentless.
Damn it…
Rukawa lifted his head and met Sawakita's gaze.
Gone were the teasing smiles and bursts of anger. Sawakita's face was calm—eerily calm. Only his eyes remained, fixed firmly on Rukawa, as if they could see straight through him.
A sudden panic surged in Rukawa's chest.
For the first time, he felt an overwhelming sense of unreality, as if the person in front of him had already read all his thoughts.
The confidence that had always defined him began to crack.
His movements stiffened, slowed—and with that came even more openings.
He's breaking.
Sawakita reached in again.
Rukawa could only turn sideways, hugging the ball tightly, abandoning offense just to protect possession.
Kogure wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
"Rukawa… he's being shut down completely. Is the gap really that big?"
"Last time against Nango, it wasn't like this," Yasuda muttered bitterly. "Is this what Japan's best really looks like? We're not even in the same league…"
Coach Anzai remained expressionless, but his heart churned.
Rukawa Kaede… your potential is immense. But first, you must recognize how much room you still have to grow.
Rukawa suddenly bumped Sawakita with his elbow and forced a dribble past him, trying to break through by sheer will.
But Sawakita slid laterally, cutting off the lane, then chopped down with his hand, forcing Rukawa back.
"It's useless," Sawakita said flatly. "You can't get past me."
At that moment, Sawakita felt absolute certainty.
No matter what you try, it won't work. No one understands one-on-one better than I do. Once I finish you… Nango is next.
Damn it…
Rukawa felt cornered. He raised his head, preparing to force a shot—
Then he saw someone.
His heart stirred.
He dribbled once more, lunging forward.
Sawakita's eyes sharpened.
Still not giving up? Fine. I'll crush you completely.
He stuck close, perfectly timing his steal.
But instead of shooting—
Rukawa pulled the ball in, lifted both arms, and threw it high into the air.
A pass?!
Sawakita smiled.
So you finally gave up.
He turned his head—only to see a tall figure catch the ball midair and slam it violently into the hoop.
"Nice pass!"
After landing, Nango walked straight to Rukawa, ruffled his hair roughly, and whispered,
"One isn't enough. We need another."
Rukawa looked at him, startled.
"What about defense?"
"I'll help you."
"Heh."
Coach Anzai suddenly laughed.
Ayako blinked in confusion.
"Coach? What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Anzai replied gently. "The score gap will widen soon. The result is already decided."
Sides switched.
Sawakita brought the ball up, still convinced he had the upper hand—until he noticed something was wrong.
"So… you're not giving up after all?"
"Nonsense."
Rukawa's fighting spirit burned brightly. Instead of defending head-on, he angled his body, sealing off the baseline and forcing Sawakita toward the middle.
Waiting there—
Was Nango.
He had completely abandoned Fukatsu in the corner.
But from this angle and distance, Sawakita didn't dare pass. A careless throw could easily be intercepted—and even if it reached Fukatsu, Nango could recover instantly.
The pass was meaningless.
Understanding this, Sawakita chose to drive anyway.
One defender or two—it didn't matter.
He dragged Rukawa to the free-throw line. Nango stepped up immediately. In the corner, Fukatsu raised his hands, calling for the ball.
But Sawakita leapt.
He shot.
Fujiwara loosened his tie, shouting into the microphone,
"Sawakita! Another stop-and-fadeaway! Can it go in—YES! It's in!"
"As expected of Sawakita!"
"He scores even against two defenders!"
"That's the ace of Sannoh!"
Before the cheers had even settled, Nango had already advanced the ball and fired a pass to Rukawa Kaede.
"Again?" Kiyota frowned. "What is Nango doing? Rukawa can't beat Sawakita! He was forced to pass just now!"
Coach Takato snapped his fan shut.
"Whether that pass was forced or intentional… we'll know soon."
Rukawa held the ball at his waist, eyes scanning.
Sawakita couldn't tell whether he intended to pass or fake. He crouched low, guarding carefully.
Suddenly, Nango shook free from Fukatsu and cut hard to the top of the arc.
Rukawa instantly passed the ball—then cut toward the paint.
Nango caught it, wide open—but didn't shoot.
Instead, he lobbed the ball back inside.
Rukawa received it on the move, now a step ahead of Sawakita.
Kawata rushed in to help.
Rukawa spun sharply, leaving Kawata behind, and leapt for a reverse layup—
"No way!"
Sawakita lunged toward the rim—
But Rukawa didn't shoot.
In midair, he flipped the ball behind his back.
To Akagi.
"Bang!"
With no defender in sight, Akagi slammed the ball through the hoop with both hands, landing heavily.
"What a pass!"
Akagi laughed and rubbed Rukawa's head hard.
Maki turned toward Coach Takato with a smile.
"I never imagined Rukawa would grow at this moment. It seems even Sannoh… might fall today."
"Yes," Takato nodded. "Shohoku has gained another distributor. Sannoh's defense is starting to stretch."
Kiyota was speechless.
That selfish Rukawa Kaede… passed willingly?
Did the Stinky Fox really change?
Sakuragi clenched his fists.
He had always believed Rukawa's pass yesterday against Meihou was an accident—or an insult.
But now?
There was only one explanation.
The Stinky Fox finally realized he can't do everything himself!
"Hahaha!" Sakuragi slapped his hands together.
"Alright! Genius Sakuragi will take over this game!"