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Ryu stared in surprise as Aomine Daiki swept past him.
'This guy's speed has increased again, and his streetball style is even more unpredictable.'
Thinking this to himself, Ryu wasn't surprised.
Aomine Daiki's improvement was entirely within his expectations.
However, he wasn't going to sit idly by.
He lowered his center of gravity and pushed off the ground forcefully, catching up with Aomine Daiki in an extremely strange posture.
To the onlookers, it looked as if Ryu had suddenly fallen backward.
But just as Ryu's body was about 30 degrees above the ground, the crowd saw him brace himself with one hand and then push off the ground with both feet.
Like a launched arrow, he intercepted Aomine Daiki again with incredible speed.
Seeing Ryu reappear before him, Aomine Daiki immediately stopped, shifting his body to shield the basketball on the other side.
Ryu smiled slightly at Aomine Daiki.
"You didn't think you could break through my defense so easily, did you?"
Aomine Daiki grinned. "How could I? I wouldn't think that way."
Despite saying that, he was still quite surprised.
He hadn't expected Ryu to catch up so quickly.
He had some confidence in his previous breakthrough; he could feel that he was different from before.
Whether it was strength, speed, or touch, he even felt as if he were invincible.
However, Ryu's move just now made him realize that he had underestimated his opponent.
Aomine Daiki's eyes grew extremely serious.
He dribbled the basketball, and suddenly it seemed to slip from his grasp, flying toward the side of the two of them.
'Hmm?'
Ryu's eyes flashed as he caught the movement out of the corner of his eye, and then he realized something.
Just as Ryu had expected, Aomine Daiki moved with lightning speed, rushing toward the basketball like a gust of wind.
Ryu also moved swiftly, blocking Aomine's path just as he received the ball.
"Tch…"
Seeing he couldn't shake off Ryu, Aomine took a large step and changed direction, passing the ball to his other hand.
He didn't choose to drive, but instead spun and changed direction again.
Both changes of direction failed to break through Ryu's defense.
Just then, Aomine Daiki didn't stop.
A glint flashed in his eyes, and he slammed the basketball to the ground.
Ryu felt a chill as the ball headed under his crotch.
However, he reacted quickly.
The instant he felt the movement, Ryu reached behind him.
Thud…
The basketball was firmly in Ryu's grasp.
"What?"
Aomine Daiki stared in disbelief at the basketball in Ryu's hand.
He had quickly made two changes of direction, aiming to widen the distance between Ryu's feet.
He thought he could use this opening to pass the ball, then quickly get around Ryu and catch it.
Unexpectedly, he was blocked.
Ryu brought the ball from behind his back to the front and said, "Your intentions are too obvious. Your multiple weaknesses give you away."
Aomine Daiki was confused by this, not understanding what Ryu meant. 'What weaknesses?'
Off the court, the members of the First Team, hearing Ryu's words, asked in confusion, "Weaknesses? Aomine is already so strong, does he still have weaknesses?"
Nijimura Shuzo retorted irritably, "What are you thinking? Everyone has weaknesses. You don't actually believe in invincible people, do you?"
Momoi Satsuki interjected, "Nijimura-senpai is right. Everyone has weaknesses; it's just a matter of how many. Even professional players have their weaknesses."
Midorima echoed Momoi Satsuki's words, "Weaknesses might not mean much to ordinary players, but for people like Ryu and Aomine, it's like finding a fatal flaw. If you can successfully exploit your opponent's weakness, you have a high chance of limiting them."
Murasakibara Atsushi spoke up, unusually, "This is complicated, I don't quite understand, but I have a feeling that Ryu seems to see through Aomine's movements."
Hearing Murasakibara's words, the others nodded in agreement.
They shared similar sentiments.
"It's the eyes." Akashi, who had been silent, finally spoke. He continued, "Ryu's eyes can see through an opponent's movements—no, to be precise, they can see the opponent's weaknesses."
"See weaknesses? How is that possible? Can a human really do that?" Hearing Akashi's explanation, Nijimura Shuzo and the rest of the team were shocked.
Akashi turned and looked at them coldly.
The aura emanating from him at this moment was completely different from usual: aloof, indifferent, majestic, and disdainful. It made everyone present feel extremely uncomfortable.
However, Akashi's state was fleeting. If it weren't for the horror in everyone's eyes, they would probably have thought it was just an illusion.
Midorima Shintaro frowned and asked, "Akashi, you…"
Akashi began to explain, "To a certain extent, I can also see through my opponent's next move. By observing details like their breathing rate and subtle body movements, I can predict their next action. I think Ryu's eyes have a similar ability."
"Really?" The second and third-year students were stunned.
They had never encountered anything so unscientific.
With those eyes, who could possibly be Ryu's match?
Momoi Satsuki also spoke up to explain, "I heard Ryu mention this ability. He said it was called 'Hyotei's Eyes,' using extraordinary insight to see through an opponent's weaknesses."
Hearing Momoi's words, everyone fell silent again. 'Hyotei's Eyes.' Everyone fell into deep thought, the turmoil in their hearts evident.
Momoi Satsuki looked at Ryu on the field with complicated emotions, recalling what he had said to her earlier:
"Ryu, you're amazing! Even Aomine isn't a match for you. He and I grew up together, and even some high school students can't beat him. How did you manage that?"
"Oh, it's nothing special! His weaknesses are too obvious. Once you know his weaknesses, dealing with him becomes much easier."
"Weaknesses?"
"Yes, it's a weakness. My eyes can see the opponent's weaknesses."
"Eyes?"
"That's right, I call them 'Hyotei's Eyes,' and they can even evolve. They might even be able to see through things!"
"Aaaaaah... Ryu, you big bad guy!"
Momoi Satsuki blushed, her gaze towards Ryu filled with resentment.
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