"Kiyoshi-senpai, you should go."
Taiga Kagami's voice came from behind Riko Aida.
Everyone turned to look at Taiga Kagami.
At that moment, the towel was still draped over his head, and waves of heat were even rising from it.
Taiga Kagami slowly pulled the towel off, revealing his distinctive red hair.
He slowly lifted his head. His eyes were bright and focused, and if one looked closely, tiny sparks of electricity could be seen flickering in his pupils.
Taiga Kagami stood up, his expression serious, and said to Teppei Kiyoshi, "Kiyoshi-senpai, you should go. Leave the rest to me."
Perhaps sensing the change in Taiga Kagami's aura, Teppei Kiyoshi felt slightly reassured.
He gave a faint smile and nodded.
"Alright. Then... do your best..."
Taiga Kagami nodded firmly and said, "I will!"
Hearing that, Teppei Kiyoshi said nothing more. Leaning on Kōki Furihata, he walked toward the exit of the gym.
Off the court.
Shintaro Midorima watched this scene, pushed up his glasses, and said calmly, "It looks like there's a chance his injury has flared up again."
Kazunari Takao nodded and sighed. "Yeah. Seirin's probably in trouble for the second half."
Shintaro Midorima looked at Ryota Kise, who was still resting with a towel over his head, then at Taiga Kagami. As if sensing a familiar presence, he said calmly, "No... the one in trouble now isn't Seirin. It's probably Kaijō."
On the court.
The Kaijō players watched Teppei Kiyoshi leave the court, and all of them felt somewhat conflicted.
Kōji Kobori took a small sip of water and said, "I didn't think things would turn out like this."
Yukio Kasamatsu wiped the sweat from his face, his expression still stern.
"Yeah, but we still can't let our guard down. Besides, it looks like their ace is coming back in."
Yoshitaka Moriyama saw Taiga Kagami on the other side already adjusting his uniform, so he glanced back at Ryota Kise, who still had a towel over his head, then turned his eyes toward the coach.
Coach Genta Takeuchi looked at Ryota Kise's condition.
Seeing that he was still covered by the towel and regulating his breathing, he shook his head at Yoshitaka Moriyama.
Yoshitaka Moriyama nodded firmly.
The others also saw Genta Takeuchi's gesture and said nothing more.
They were giving Ryota Kise room to rest.
For the rest of the match, they would have to fight with everything they had!
At the very least, they could not let the gap widen!
"Beep! Timeout is over. Both teams, return to the court!"
Hearing that, Yukio Kasamatsu extended his hand.
The rest of Kaijō High School did the same, placing their hands over his.
Then they all shouted together, "Let's go!!!"
The game resumed.
Kaijō High School had possession.
There were still just over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, one minute earlier than the expected six-minute showdown.
Taiga Kagami had also stepped onto the court one minute early.
He looked at Ryota Kise, then at the rest of the Kaijō players.
Finally, he took a deep breath.
'I'm going to win this game. Not just for myself, but for everyone!'
'So I'll give everything I have. I'm going to win!!!'
Off the court.
Shintaro Midorima pushed up his glasses with an expression that seemed to say he had expected this. Then he slowly closed his eyes...
When he opened them again, Shintaro Midorima had arrived in front of the [Gate].
That was right. That massive [Gate] had once again appeared before Shintaro Midorima, waiting for him to push it open a second time.
However, Shintaro Midorima did not pay much attention to the [Gate]. Instead, he turned his head and looked elsewhere.
His eyes instantly became sharp and focused, locking onto a dark figure.
Once he focused his full attention on it, Shintaro Midorima clearly saw who the shadow was.
It was Taiga Kagami!
Taiga Kagami thrust his right hand into the [Gate], then forced it open with sheer strength, prying a gap into it.
Then he used both hands at once, completely forcing the massive [Gate] open before slowly stepping inside.
After watching that, Shintaro Midorima withdrew his gaze and closed his eyes again.
When he opened them once more, he had returned to the stands.
In Tōō's direction, Daiki Aomine also sensed Taiga Kagami's aura and smiled.
"Looks like you're an interesting opponent too."
... At that moment, it was as if a storm had swept across the entire court.
An incomparably powerful aura erupted from Taiga Kagami's body like a volcano.
That presence surged toward the Kaijō players with overwhelming force.
Faced with the sudden pressure, the Kaijō players were all stunned. Their bodies trembled slightly despite themselves as they truly felt that terrifying aura.
Among them, Yukio Kasamatsu's eyes widened even more, his face full of disbelief.
His pupils shook violently. His lips parted slightly, and he let out a low, shaken murmur.
"Zone?!"
Yukio Kasamatsu could hardly believe what he was seeing. His gaze locked tightly onto Taiga Kagami, trying to find even the slightest clue.
If this really was the Zone, they were in trouble!
On the court.
At this moment, Taiga Kagami was like a war god descending into the mortal world. His eyes flashed with blazing crimson lightning, as if they held endless power and authority.
Under that overwhelming aura, his face had become exceptionally solemn, carrying a gravity that made people hesitate to look straight at him.
At the same time, what was even more terrifying was that the powerful aura continued to surge endlessly from his body, sweeping across the entire court.
That invisible pressure was like a massive mountain, ruthlessly pressing down on the Kaijō players.
The Kaijō players' expressions all became extremely grave, and fine beads of sweat even began to appear on their foreheads.
Yoshitaka Moriyama gritted his teeth, feeling the pressure as he cursed inwardly.
'Damn it, he just had to awaken now!'
Yoshitaka Moriyama really wanted to curse out loud.
You did not awaken earlier or later, but right at this moment!
Are you made of timing or something?!
Yukio Kasamatsu, who was dribbling the ball, also broke out in cold sweat.
He knew very well how powerful the Zone was.
Especially when a top-tier player entered the Zone. Once elite players on both sides entered the Zone, the match basically stopped having anything to do with the rest of them.
'Damn it! We're doing this!'
Yukio Kasamatsu gritted his teeth and still chose to tough it out.
But he had to burn some time.
After all, their ace was still recovering as quickly as he could. All they could do was hold down the clock as much as possible.
...