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The scoreboard was still ticking, like a ticking time bomb threatening the entire arena, as if something terrible would happen once the timer reset.
The game on the court continued.
Murasakibara's consecutive blocks had put considerable pressure on the Toho Kotei Gakuen team.
He was like an insurmountable mountain standing beneath Yosen's basket, intimidating anyone who dared to challenge him.
Ryu's eyes were calm as still water, his expression indifferent.
He was unaffected by Murasakibara's display of power.
Toho Kotei Gakuen inbounded the ball again.
Ryu glanced at the scoreboard, then slowly walked to the center line.
He beckoned to Hanafuji, signaling for a pass.
Hanafuji, without hesitation, passed the ball directly.
Thwack…
After receiving the ball, Ryu didn't dribble again but jumped directly from the spot.
Before the Yosen crowd could react, they saw a flash of orange-yellow light.
The first to react was Murasakibara.
He knew this scene all too well.
His eyes widened, but now he could only look up and wait for the result.
The basketball streaked through the air, almost hitting the top of the arena.
The long-range shot from the center line made everyone hold their breath.
The basketball plummeted downward, leaving a faint orange-yellow trail behind.
Swish…
A crisp, pleasant sound of the ball swishing through the net reached everyone's ears.
The score on the scoreboard finally changed.
3-3.
After a moment of silence, the entire arena erupted into loud cheers.
"Yu-chin!"
Murasakibara stared at Ryu, who stood at the center line, with a dark look in his eyes.
If we're talking about the Generation of Miracles, who poses the greatest threat to Murasakibara?
It's definitely not Aomine, the ace; not Akashi, who defeated him; not even Ryu, once hailed as the strongest; it's Midorima.
As a center, Murasakibara's defense and offense are virtually unmatched.
He also possesses absolute confidence.
But he's not omnipotent; there are always areas he can't reach.
Midorima has the ability to shoot from three-point range.
Even if Murasakibara can defend the entire three-point area, he can't defend shots outside that area.
Even now, with his defensive range extending beyond the three-point zone, it's still the same.
Kamimono and the others surrounded Ryu, celebrating.
The faces of the Yosen players, however, were not so pleasant.
On Yosen's bench, Masako Araki also frowned.
Ryu's ability to conjure other people's abilities, although expected, still troubled her upon seeing it firsthand.
This move is simply monstrous.
On the court.
Possession returned to Yosen.
Murasakibara took a few steps forward, moving to the free-throw line.
Ryu frowned slightly.
Is this to prevent me from taking another long-range three-pointer?
But now was not the time to think about that.
Yosen had already attacked.
Kenichi Okamura dribbled the ball, using his physique to force his way past Kuroki Ryuichi, reaching Toho Kotei Gakuen's three-point line.
Tatsuya Himuro tried to set a screen, but was blocked by Kyokawa.
Kenichi Okamura isn't good at shooting, so he had no choice but to pass.
With a quick glance, he found his target.
With a flick of his arm, the basketball was passed to Kensuke Fukui.
Fukui feinted, and before Hanafuji could defend, passed the ball to Tatsuya Himuro.
The absolutely confident Tatsuya Himuro used a convincing fake to fool Kugawa, then darted past him from the side.
Realizing he'd been tricked, Kugawa immediately turned and chased after Himuro.
But a step too late meant a step too late.
Himuro reached Toho Kotei Gakuen's free-throw line in one breath.
Kamimono, seeing this, strode forward and blocked his path.
Himuro was expressionless, his gaze sharp.
He stopped, grabbed the ball with both hands, and jumped up right in front of Kamimono.
Seeing this, the spectators who knew anything about Toho Kotei Gakuen were astonished.
"What's going on? Doesn't he know how terrifying Touou's number 1 is?"
"What is Yosen's number 12 thinking?"
The murmurs rose from the stands.
However, Tatsuya Himuro seemed oblivious to these comments, continuing with his shot.
He raised his hand for a standard shot.
The basketball left Tatsuya Himuro's hand and flew towards Toho Kotei Gakuen's basket.
Kamimono jumped and raised his hand to block.
Watching the basketball hurtle straight towards his palm, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He had blocked the shot.
But the next second, his eyes widened.
He stared in disbelief as the basketball passed right through his hand.
What?
Kamimono's face was filled with disbelief.
The basketball actually passed right through his hand.
How is this possible?
Swish...
The basketball fell into the hoop and landed on the ground.
3 to 6.
Yosen scored another three points.
The Mirage Shot?
Ryu calmly watched everything.
While Tatsuya Himuro's skill wasn't bad, he wasn't someone who warranted his full attention.
His teammates were more than capable of handling the situation.
Transitioning to offense.
Just as Hanafuji was about to inbound the ball, Ryu called out to him.
"Over here."
Seeing Ryu beckoning, Hanafuji passed the ball to him.
There was no way around it; the team's priority always went to the ace.
That was undeniable.
Thud...
Ryu received the ball and stood under his own basket.
The Yosen members, noticing the unusual situation, felt a sense of foreboding.
Soon, that premonition came true.
The Yosen players' pupils constricted as they watched Ryu suddenly transform into Midorima's appearance, then raise the basketball and shoot it towards their own basket.
The basketball shot through the air like an arrow, then plummeted like a meteor.
The Yosen players could only watch helplessly as the ball landed in their hoop.
Swish…
The net opened.
6-6.
Seeing this result, the Yosen players fell silent.
"Damn it, it was Midorima's long-range shot! How are we supposed to defend against that?" Wei Liu said dejectedly.
Kensuke Fukui also looked grim, frowning as if trying to find a solution.
Kenichi Okamura took a deep breath.
"Long-range three-pointers are indeed a big threat to us. We need to find a way to disrupt their shots."
"Why don't we send two people to double-team Ryu? That way, it won't be so easy for him to shoot," Wei Liu suggested.
Just then, Murasakibara arrived beside the group.
"No need for that. I'll take care of Yu-chin."
Seeing Murasakibara emerge from under their basket, the Yosen team was initially surprised, then their faces lit up with joy.
Murasakibara walked step by step to Ryu's side.
"Yu-chin... is actually imitating Midorin's shot. We can't let our guard down!"
Ryu shook his head, correcting him.
"You're wrong. I'm not like Kise. This isn't imitation; it's an illusion."
Murasakibara frowned slightly, as if pondering Ryu's words.
"It's all the same! They're all using other people's moves."
"But that's not the same. Kise's Perfect Copy can only mimic other people's movements, but my Phantom can completely become someone else."
Having heard this, Murasakibara seemed to understand a little.
He looked at Ryu seriously.
"In short, I won't let you score easily, even if my opponent is you, Yu-chin."
Ryu's lips curled into a smile.
"Then we'll see if you have the ability to defend against me."
The two locked eyes.
Their auras were unleashed for the first time in the match.
Those around them were swept up by this aura and couldn't help but shudder.
"This guy."
Kamimono looked at Murasakibara solemnly.
He had thought that even if his strength wasn't as good as the Generation of Miracles, his aura was still comparable.
But now it seemed he had been overthinking it.
The moment he sensed Murasakibara's aura, he realized that he was no match for him.
These Generation of Miracles are truly terrifying, he thought to himself.
The people of Yosen were also shocked.
Only after personally experiencing the overwhelming aura emanating from Ryu did they clearly realize the gap between themselves and him.
"Are these Generation of Miracles even human?" Kensuke Fukui muttered to himself.
Tatsuya Himuro was also filled with envy, his heart churning with unease.
Is this the gap I've always faced?
Though unwilling, he quickly accepted it.
Yosen inbounded the ball.
With Murasakibara personally defending against Ryu, Yosen's defense was also adjusted.
Wei Liu, who was originally guarding Ryu, was now guarding Kuroki Ryuichi.
Kenichi Okamura was now positioned to guard Kamimono.
Wei Liu wasn't particularly strong.
He dribbled the ball across half-court, but Kuroki Ryuichi blocked his way, putting him in a difficult position.
In desperation, he passed the ball to Kenichi Okamura.
Kenichi Okamura, receiving the ball, immediately felt how tough Kamimono was.
Kamimono was like a weaker version of Murasakibara; after a few exchanges, Okamura was already out of breath and sweating.
Finally, after a prolonged and fruitless attack, Kenichi Okamura passed the ball to Kensuke Fukui.
Kensuke Fukui, Yosen's playmaker, faced the same problem as Kenichi Okamura.
He was no match for Hanafuji.
Forget about attacking; he was being forced almost back to the halfway line.
"Give me the ball."
Sensing his teammates' struggle, Murasakibara called out, signaling for the ball.
Kensuke Fukui, seeing this, didn't hesitate and passed the ball to him.
The ball was tossed very high, and Murasakibara easily caught it.
He ignored the others from Toho Kotei Gakuen, his gaze fixed on Ryu.
Ryu faced him and spoke.
"I thought you'd wait a little longer before making your move!"
Murasakibara replied.
"That's because my opponent is you, Yu-chin."
"Is that so?"
After Ryu's words, an eerie silence fell between them.
The others from Toho Kotei Gakuen and Yosen stood far enough away to give them ample space.
Ryu and Murasakibara stared at each other.
It seemed as if two invisible bolts of lightning were intertwining in mid-air, neither giving way.
The two invisible auras, under their gaze, became violently turbulent.
After a few seconds of stillness, the two finally made a move.
Murasakibara dribbled with one hand, assuming a triple-threat stance.
Murasakibara possessed exceptional physical attributes; he was tall and his weight was unmatched.
Ryu could only attempt to steal the ball by taking a step forward and launching a surprise attack.
However, given Murasakibara's reflexes, he wouldn't give him that opportunity.
After several attempts, Ryu still couldn't steal the ball from his opponent.
The two were locked in a stalemate at Toho Kotei Gakuen's three-point line.
Murasakibara, seeing that he hadn't been able to penetrate the defense for so long, was clearly getting impatient.
He turned, his back to Ryu, preparing for a post-up.
Murasakibara's weight was far beyond Ryu's capabilities.
For a moment, Ryu was forced back several steps by his opponent.
Shortly afterward, Murasakibara had pushed Ryu to the edge of Toho Kotei Gakuen's restricted area.
Seeing this scene, a murmur of surprise rippled through the stands.
Most of the onlookers thought Ryu was too weak, lacking his usual prowess against Murasakibara.
Only a small minority remained unmoved, their expressions unchanged.
On the court, in front of Toho Kotei Gakuen's restricted area.
Murasakibara glanced at the basket in the distance, then suddenly flashed, turning to prepare for a powerful dunk.
But at that moment, Ryu also stepped back, then jumped.
As Murasakibara slammed the ball down towards the basket, Ryu raised his hand and poked upward.
The moment Ryu's palm touched the basketball, [Rin] activated instantly.
Murasakibara felt the basketball in his hands suddenly tremble, then slip out of his control.
Thud…
A crisp sound rang out.
The basketball flew out of Murasakibara's hands.
Ryu looked at Murasakibara and said calmly.
"Murasakibara, you're too arrogant. Do you think you can beat me just because of your physique? I may not be as good as you in terms of defensive range, but when it comes to defending the paint, I won't lose to you."
"Yu-chin..."
Murasakibara looked at Ryu, his face full of displeasure.
How long has it been?
It seemed like he hadn't been blocked since he started playing basketball.
Every time, he had been unstoppable, dunking on everyone who tried to stop him.
Although Ryu didn't actually block him just now, he still successfully prevented his dunk.
He simply couldn't bear being stopped so easily.
The game continued.
Yosen inbounded the ball.
The basketball was quickly passed out.
This time, Yosen moved swiftly.
Kenichi Okamura, Wei Liu, and Kensuke Fukui coordinated a series of quick passes.
Finally, the basketball reached Tatsuya Himuro's hands.
Right in front of Kugawa, Tatsuya Himuro used the same trick again, launching a Mirage Shot right in front of his opponent.
Kugawa, as before, could only watch helplessly as the basketball passed through his hand.
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared behind Kugawa.
Silver hair and silver eyes—it was Ryu.
Ryu's gaze locked onto the basketball, his knees slightly bent, preparing to jump and block.
Seeing Ryu's movement, Tatsuya Himuro's pupils contracted, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.
Has he seen through my plan? This is only my second shot!
Just as a sense of unease began to creep into his heart, his vision blurred, and then a figure completely enveloped Ryu.
A white and purple jersey, number 9.
It's Atsushi.
The image of Murasakibara flashed through Tatsuya Himuro's mind.
Ryu looked at Murasakibara before him, and his leaping motion faltered.
Swish…
The basketball went in.
6 to 8.
Yosen scored successfully.
Ryu ignored the basket, instead looking at Murasakibara.
"When did you learn to help people?"
Murasakibara replied directly.
"I just simply wanted to defeat you."
Hearing the insincere words, Ryu grinned.
"You're still the same as ever, not carefree at all."
"Hmph..."
Murasakibara snorted, saying nothing more.
Ryu didn't seem to care.
The game switched sides.
Ryu glanced at the time.
Less than a minute remained until the end of the first quarter.
Ryu waved to Hanafuji, signaling for the pass.
Seeing Ryu's gesture, Murasakibara immediately became alert.
Defending against Ryu was still quite challenging.
He wasn't sure if he could hold his own.
Thwack...
Ryu received the ball but didn't immediately attack.
Instead, he dribbled the ball repeatedly.
Faced with Murasakibara's watchful gaze, he remained calm and relaxed.
Suddenly, Ryu vanished from Murasakibara's sight.
Murasakibara's pupils widened, and he quickly turned around.
So fast, but I can catch up...
He pushed off with his feet, unleashing the power of his leg muscles.
Whoosh…
He darted out like an arrow.
Sensing the sound behind him, a glint flashed in Ryu's eyes. He abruptly stopped, then spun 360 degrees, moving from Murasakibara's right to his left.
Murasakibara, affected by Ryu's movement, paused for a moment.
In that instant, Ryu had already created a two-person gap between himself and Murasakibara.
"Damn it…"
Murasakibara gritted his teeth and unleashed his full power to chase after him.
However, Ryu had already reached Yosen's three-point line.
He didn't hesitate.
Before Murasakibara could catch up, he jumped and shot.
[Zero-Style Three-Pointer].
The basketball struck the center of Yosen's backboard and bounced off the rim.
Spinning… spinning… spinning…
After nine laps, the basketball finally and reluctantly fell into the hoop.
9 to 8.
Murasakibara's expression was somewhat grim.
The rest of the Yosen team looked equally displeased.
There were only 15 seconds left in the quarter.
Murasakibara immediately beckoned for the ball.
The Yosen players had no objections.
Passing the ball to Murasakibara was the safest option now.
Thwack…
The basketball quickly reached Murasakibara's hands.
Facing Ryu's defense, Murasakibara acted as if he didn't see it, simply using his body to shield the ball and push his way in.
Ryu quickly dodged.
His physique was no match for Murasakibara's.
Ryu staggered backward from Murasakibara's impact.
But he naturally wouldn't sit idly by.
He spun around, appearing beside Murasakibara, and tried to intercept the ball directly.
Murasakibara reacted swiftly, abruptly changing direction and causing Ryu to miss his target.
Ryu had to admire Murasakibara's reflexes.
His reflexes were incredibly fast.
However, this steal attempt widened the gap between Ryu and Murasakibara.
Murasakibara charged straight to Toho Kotei Gakuen's basket.
Without a word, he leaped up, grabbing the ball with both hands, ready for a powerful dunk.
But just as he was about to succeed, a figure appeared in front of him.
"Yu-chin..."
Bang...
Ryu's palm slammed onto the basketball.
He tried to use [Rin] to break the ball free from his opponent's grasp.
But Ryu suddenly felt a tremendous force pressing down, bending his hand back.
What?
Ryu was somewhat surprised.
Is this guy really that strong?
Clang...
A loud bang echoed throughout the arena.
Amidst the groaning rim, the scoreboard changed.
9 to 10.
Beep...
At the same time, the referee blew the final whistle to end the first quarter.
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