[Good shot!]
[A pass from Kasuga Ryuhei, and Tsugawa Tomoki scores again. They are simply surging like a tidal wave.]
[52:59.]
[The difference is now only 7 points.]
BEEP~~~
The commentator's excited voice echoed above the stands, blending with the electronic buzzer that signaled the end of the third quarter.
Hayama Kotaro was forced to the bench after committing his fourth foul.
The other two members of the Uncrowned Kings, Reo Mibuchi and Nebuya Eikichi, were also being suppressed. The entire momentum of the game had completely flipped.
Seizing the moment, Seiho had chased back 12 points in one go.
============
"Truly unstoppable morale." Midorima Shintaro adjusted his glasses.
"I didn't expect Seiho to suppress three Uncrowned Kings at the same time. Even with great intel, pulling that off is no simple feat."
"Even Akashi should be feeling troubled right now."
"No… I'd say Akashi is most likely completely disappointed in his teammates at this point," Murasakibara Atsushi said lazily, staring toward Rakuzan's bench. "To him, anything that cannot contribute to victory has no value in existing."
For even members of the Generation of Miracles, seeing Seiho push Rakuzan into this state was surprising.
But what they were more interested in… was how Akashi would answer in the fourth quarter.
============
"I am very disappointed in all of you."
On Rakuzan's bench, Akashi spoke slowly:
"In the final quarter, pass every ball to me. I will handle all offense and defense alone."
"What? Akashi, you, "
The Rakuzan starters' expressions changed, but before they could continue, they were silenced by Akashi's mismatched eyes, cold, merciless, absolute.
"This is not a discussion. It is an order. Since you cannot defeat the opponent, you have no value on the court anymore. All that is required of you in the fourth quarter… is defense."
"If you cannot even do that, then it doesn't matter. I alone am enough."
His voice cut like winter steel. Even though they knew Akashi would do anything for victory… none had expected he could be this ruthless.
============
The fourth quarter began.
Seiho had the first possession. They did notice Rakuzan's abnormal formation, but they didn't pay much attention.
After all, Akashi Asuka would be joining the offense again this quarter.
BOOM!
Right as the quarter began, Asuka soared up and completed an alley-oop, scoring the first basket.
54:59.
Possession shifted. Rakuzan counterattacked.
Akashi Seijuro dribbled up the court. But instead of passing, he went straight for the paint himself.
"You're finally going to score yourself? But with just that, don't think you can get past my defense, "
SMACK!
Before the last word had finished, Asuka struck from behind again, slapping the shot away.
Even though Akashi was a point guard, his handling and shooting technique were incredibly refined.
From the front, Asuka could not defend against Akashi's Emperor's Eye.
But from behind… that was a different story.
"Counter!"
Asuka threw the ball across nearly the entire court, straight into Tsugawa's sprinting hands.
Swish!
Tsugawa scored another easy layup.
56:59.
============
"Ohhhhhhh!!!"
"Three points! Only three points left!!"
"Even Akashi can't stop Seiho now!?"
"Unbelievable, Seiho has actually caught up in the fourth quarter! Could the Emperor Rakuzan actually lose!?"
The arena erupted, louder than thunder.
Yet in the midst of that roaring chaos, Akashi Seijuro stood alone beneath Rakuzan's basket, silent.
Only one person noticed.
Because the presence radiating from Akashi now… was far too familiar to him.
Aomine Daiki's half-lidded eyes snapped open, shock flashing across his face.
"Don't tell me… Akashi is—"
============
The noise, the screams, the crowd, none of it reached Akashi anymore.
He was deep within himself, standing before a massive door.
Failure?
Impossible.
I am absolute. I do not fail. Victory belongs to Rakuzan.
Strength. I need more strength.
Even if I must win this alone… I will win.
Whether intentional or not, Akashi's iron will caused the massive door to open, just a crack.
============
The game moved on.
Akashi drove the ball inside again.
Seiho didn't realize anything was wrong, until Tsugawa and Iwamura both moved to double-team, and then…
They collapsed.
Their knees buckled. Their bodies fell. They didn't even react.
"What, so fast?!"
Their eyes were still wide with shock, unable to process what had happened.
"Damn! It's on you now, Asuka!"
Kasuga Ryuhei shouted immediately.
But by the time the words left his mouth,
Akashi had already passed Asuka.
And gently laid the ball into the hoop.
As the ball dropped through the net, Asuka still stood frozen, motionless, like a statue.
The scene stunned everyone.
Even the Generation of Miracles.
"What the hell? Little Asuka didn't even move?"
"Probably didn't even see it happen."
Aomine exhaled slowly.
"At this level… Akashi isn't predicting anymore."
"This is no longer foresight."
"Akashi is now able to see the future itself."
=============
Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria