Ryonan's offensive possession ended with the score frozen at 21-0.
Even for a practice match, this was a point differential designed to crush a team's spirit. The cheers from Ryonan's bench were deafening; they were already celebrating.
Hayashi Rin stood on the baseline, receiving the inbound pass from Akagi. He leisurely dribbled twice, his rhythm like an old man taking a stroll in the park.
"Probably scared stiff," someone laughed in the stands. "He doesn't even know how to advance the ball."
Uekusa, Ryonan's point guard, lowered his center of gravity. Rin's posture was so loose, so full of openings. Uekusa stepped up to pressure.
At that moment, Rin's gaze shifted slightly to the right toward Rukawa. Uekusa's attention instinctively followed for a split second.
When he looked back, the space in front of him was empty.
Uekusa's pupils contracted. That lazy figure had vanished like a drop of water merging into the ocean.
"Uekusa! Behind you!" Taoka screamed from the sideline.
Too late. An orange blur tore through the air—an Ignite Pass.
The ball wasn't in Rin's hands; it was a guided missile flying straight to Rukawa in the corner. Rukawa caught it, stunned for a half-second by the perfection of the delivery. No adjustment needed.
Rukawa jumped. Swish. 21-2.
"Nice shot!" Akagi roared, finally releasing the frustration in his chest.
Rukawa turned to Rin, who was already walking back with his hands in his pockets, yawning. "Lucky shot," Rin muttered.
The next two minutes became a horror movie for Ryonan. Rin was a ghost. He wore a bright red jersey, yet Uekusa couldn't "see" him. Every time Uekusa helped on defense, the ball would inexplicably appear in the hands of an open Shohoku player.
Bang! Akagi slammed a dunk. Swish! Rukawa hit a pull-up jumper.
23-8. 25-12. The score was closing rapidly. The laughter in the stands died, replaced by confused buzzing.
"That number 16... did he just pass? I didn't see it clearly."
On the court, Sendoh Akira wiped sweat from his forehead, his eyes deepening as he watched Rin "resting" while tying his shoe.
Sendoh had seen it. Rin used his gaze to misdirect the entire defense, then whipped the ball to the opposite side.
"Uekusa," Sendoh spoke with sudden decisiveness. "You take Rukawa. I'll handle number 16."
A playful smile curled at Sendoh's mouth—the look of a hunter finding interesting prey. "If we don't watch him, this is going to get troublesome."
Possession changed. As soon as Rin crossed half-court, he felt a completely different pressure. Sendoh stood a step and a half back—an ambiguous distance that guarded against drives and passes.
Most importantly, Sendoh wasn't looking at Rin's eyes. He was fixed on the ball.
Tch, Rin clicked his tongue. Found the weakness of Misdirection that quickly? As expected of Sendoh.
"It's useless," Sendoh said, smiling. "As long as I adjust my field of vision, you can't disappear."
Rin sighed. "Do you have to be so serious? Can't we just work up a sweat and go home for dinner?"
"Can't do that," Sendoh shrugged. "Coach Taoka would kill me."
With Sendoh's blanket defense, Shohoku's offense went cold. Akagi, exhausted from battling Uozumi, missed a hook shot. Uozumi grabbed the rebound and outletted to Sendoh, who shook off Rin for a layup. 27-12.
Rin watched Sendoh's back. So cool. If I could recruit him to Shohoku, I could retire for good.
On the sidelines, Sakuragi was pacing like an ant on a hot pan. "Coach! Put me in! Only This Genius can punish that Monkey Boss!"
Coach Anzai's glasses flashed. He looked at the panting Akagi. They needed a disruptor. A chaotic fighter.
"Sakuragi." "Yes!" Sakuragi stood at attention. "You'll sub for Kogure. You have one task: control the rebounds."
"He who controls the rebounds, controls the game," Anzai said slowly.
The words struck Sakuragi like lightning. He trembled with excitement. "I am... the man who controls the game!"
Beeeeep! "Shohoku substitution! Number 10, Sakuragi Hanamichi, entering the game!"
Sakuragi stomped onto the court, his red hair practically steaming. He marched straight up to Rin.
"Master! The Secret Weapon is here! You can go back to sleep now!"
Rin looked at the hyperactive redhead and then at the looming Uozumi and Sendoh. He gave a small, lazy smirk.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Hanamichi. I still haven't earned enough points for my 'Leave Early' pass."
Rin's eyes flickered toward the hoop. The real game was just beginning.