SLAP!
The ball was stripped cleanly.
Kise's movements had been fast enough, but still couldn't surpass the Emperor Eye and Akashi.
His every action was reflected in Akashi's eyes, slowed down many times over.
Yuuto's methods for countering the Emperor Eye were indeed effective.
But actually executing them was incredibly difficult.
Even Yuuto himself needed multiple corrections during his first encounter with Akashi.
And he hadn't actually broken the Emperor Eye's prediction—he'd simply reacted instantly after being stripped.
So what about Kise?
SLAP!
His wrist shot back, reclaiming control of the ball.
Eagle Claw!
The same method Yuuto had used years ago, identical in every way.
The golden arcs in his eyes blazed even brighter.
He accelerated three times, challenging Akashi's defense.
But.
Golden rings rippled outward. In the Zone, Akashi's reaction speed had reached its absolute limit.
SLAP!
Kise was stopped a third time. His offense was nullified.
It was simply too powerful!
This was the Emperor Eye—an ability with no weaknesses whatsoever.
At this moment, people looked at Yuuto with entirely different eyes.
"Copying is ultimately just copying." Akashi's voice was frigid as he blazed past Kise.
Kise bit down hard and turned to pursue.
Yes.
Copying was ultimately just copying. He couldn't constantly correct himself like Yuuto to maintain the optimal state for countering the Emperor Eye.
At the same time.
He absolutely couldn't replicate the Demon Eyes. He couldn't see Dead Points. He couldn't shatter the Emperor Eye's prediction.
"But setting aside the Emperor Eye, in overall ability, I'm stronger than Akashi!"
Kise could feel it—he was superior to Akashi in every aspect.
Just like a second Yuuto.
He launched a frenzied pursuit, constantly harassing and blocking Akashi's path.
Then.
Akashi delivered a perfect pass, assisting Hayama on a driving layup.
"Here it comes—the team-based Zone!"
Midorima and Aomine both realized Akashi was making his move, giving Kaijō no chance whatsoever.
However.
The very next possession.
Kise had the ball against Akashi. He delivered an equally flawless pass, helping his teammate score a layup.
"Kise, he..."
Momoi's pink pupils widened slightly.
This scene was all too familiar.
Using passes to help teammates take their first step, drawing out their potential, breaking through the 80% barrier.
"Yuuto?"
"He can do it. An exceptional pass that perfectly matches the receiver's rhythm."
Yuuto stood with hands in pockets. Just from that pass, he could tell that Kise would become the third player after himself and Akashi capable of leading teammates into the Zone.
Sure enough.
Several possessions later.
Crackle!
Crackle!
Crimson and golden arcs illuminated the entire court.
All ten players on the court had broken through their limits, reaching their absolute peaks.
"It's up to you now!" Coach Takeuchi Genta clenched both fists on the sideline.
At this point, what he could contribute to the team was extremely limited.
Winning required the players to fight and strive.
The game had entered its final climactic phase.
Rakuzan's overall roster was stronger, with Mayuzumi Chihiro as their sixth man.
But Kaijō's momentum seemed higher—every player was fighting with their backs to the wall.
It wasn't just technique; it was an explosion of emotion.
The entire court had become a raging furnace.
Kise's silhouette had almost merged with Yuuto's.
He gave absolutely everything, using teammates' screens to cross the three-point line.
Even the Emperor Eye showed momentary gaps against this version of Kise, which Kise instantly exploited.
Hayama Kotaro stepped up immediately.
He had no illusions of guarding Kise alone—he just wanted to buy Akashi some time.
But.
WHOOSH!
Skipping a major feint, a simple shimmy, and Hayama's center of gravity was completely thrown off.
"Damn it, this is basically another Yuuto!"
Too powerful. The sensation was virtually identical to facing Yuuto—even the expression was nearly the same.
Probably only Akashi's Emperor Eye could catch the subtle differences between Kise and Yuuto.
Kise blew past Hayama in one step and immediately pulled up.
His judgment was accurate—Akashi was already closing in. Any slower and Kaijō's possession would be shut down.
"It's so intense."
"Yeah, but not that intense."
Yuuto had already noticed the red light appearing at Kise's ankle.
The fourth quarter had passed the 5-minute mark. That meant Kise had already exceeded the safe limit in this state.
Copying Yuuto had indeed given him tremendous combat power, but the burden on his body was equally massive.
"You mean Perfect Copy and the Zone reaching their limit?"
"Not just his physical limits. There's also his ankle—the one he injured before."
It all depended on what Akashi would do.
And what would Akashi do?
He had of course noticed Kise's ankle. During their match against Fukuda Sogo, Haizaki had sensed something was wrong.
Kise had been holding back, worried about his ankle.
And this game?
Kise had completely let go, giving everything regardless of consequences—even if it meant getting injured again.
Because the reason he'd held back against Fukuda Sogo was to save himself for crucial battles like this.
This was the moment to go all in!
But Akashi's eyes could see his ankle was protesting.
Akashi's choice was.
Tap tap tap~
He quickened his dribble, moving like the wind.
A moment later.
THUD.
Kise's ankle gave out, and he crashed to the floor.
"Give up, Kise. You know I won't show mercy."
Akashi drove straight into Kaijō's heart and scored, then advised Kise to give up.
Their bodies weren't mature enough yet. Moreover, Kise's copying used others' power, putting even greater strain on his body.
During the Inter-High.
Whether it was Midorima, Aomine, Kise, Murasakibara, or even Akashi himself—all their bodies had suffered some degree of damage. They still couldn't fully harness their extraordinary talents. Kise was the worst off.
Kise didn't respond. He quickly got up and rejoined the offense.
Kasamatsu looked at Kise's face. The words on the tip of his tongue refused to come out.
Because if it were him, he would also fight to the very end regardless of cost.
So he would find his own way to lighten Kise's burden.
No intention of passing. He went straight at Mibuchi Reo, drove past him, and immediately pulled up.
"Hayakawa!"
He shouted—not confident in his shot, but they still had offensive rebounding.
...
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