The final sentence came from Aomine's mouth so casually that everyone else also heard it casually.
No one took it seriously.
What, you think the Zone is like picking cabbage from a field? Take it whenever you want?
We, the so-called Generation of Miracles, will say it right here,
If that guy, Akashi Asuka, enters the Zone today, we'll eat the basketball on the spot.
============
Whoosh~~
For the third time, Seiho launched an attack.
This offensive play, however, Akashi Asuka did not join in.
He remained under his own basket, exhaling a slow, heavy breath.
Then his awareness sank, focused inward, descending deeper until he stood before a great, towering gate.
Clack.
Akashi Asuka's consciousness extended a hand and lightly pushed.
The gate opened just a crack.
At the same moment,
His system panel flickered with a glowing message:
[Zone (100%) Brutality Manifestation.
============
The fact that Akashi Asuka remained under the hoop and did not join the offense drew some attention from the audience but no one thought too deeply.
Because at this moment, the eyes of nearly the entire stadium were already focused on Seirin's shining star:
Akashi Seijuro.
One-man defense.
One-man offense.
Zero mistakes.
This level of dominance could no longer be described as merely strong.
If someone claimed he was the god of the court right now,
No one would call that an exaggeration.
Without Akashi Asuka contributing to offense, Seiho's attack was once again crushed.
"No one can break the defense of the Emperor's Eye. Keep struggling pathetically like clowns."
Stealing the ball, Akashi Seijuro dashed forward, easily leaving Kasuga and the others behind, diving into Seiho's paint.
Akashi Asuka was still stationed under the basket, but despite facing him, Akashi Seijuro did not slow down.
"No one can stop me…"
Crackle,
Two streaks of red lightning flashed in his eyes and his speed surged again.
A faint breeze passed.
He slipped past Akashi Asuka without resistance.
Even at the moment he released the ball, Asuka was completely motionless, like a statue.
Only then did Akashi finish:
"…because I am absolute."
Smack!
As if waiting precisely for that final word, a hand shot out, like lightning and slapped the ball out of bounds.
The sharp sound echoed across the arena like a crack of thunder.
In midair,
Akashi Seijuro's lightning-charged eyes froze.
Riko, Midorima, Kise, Murasakibara, Momoi,
All their jaws dropped open wide, stone-like, unable to close.
Even the players on both benches were in disbelief.
"How is that possible?! Akashi reacted to him while in Zone!"
"Don't tell me… he also…?"
Crackle,
Responding to their shock, Akashi Asuka slowly raised his head.
Two streaks of inky black lightning flashed across his emotionless eyes.
============
"Akashi can also enter the Zone?!"
On the bench, Kitayama gasped, hands covering her mouth.
Coach Matsumoto Yukinori stared, eyes wide.
Entering the Zone alone wasn't frightening.
The terrifying part was,
Judging from when Akashi stopped him from calling timeout earlier,
Akashi already knew he could enter the Zone.
Which means…
He is another monster who can enter the Zone at will, just like Aomine.
"This is… insane… This year's rookies are on a completely different level…"
Even professional-level coaches felt a shiver run through their hearts.
A monster like this appearing every generation would already be frightening,
But this year, they appeared in groups.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes they wouldn't believe such a thing even in their dreams.
============
In the top row of the spectators:
Kise, Midorima, and Murasakibara were all stunned.
Only Aomine had no surprise in his expression,
Just a trace of annoyance:
"So it's true… That guy wasn't even going all out before."
"Wait, Aomine, you knew?"
"Yeah. When we played, he almost went into the Zone. But since we were too far ahead in points, he stopped."
Aomine didn't deny it.
Now he was completely certain:
Akashi Asuka had already mastered the key to entering the Zone.
============
"Absolute, huh?"
Akashi Asuka, now in the Zone, opened his dark-crackling eyes and looked at Akashi Seijuro.
"I've never believed anything in this world is absolute. And if someone thinks they are, my favorite thing to do is tell them no."
"Come, Akashi. Let's finish this final duel."
He grinned, and in the looming shadow of the hoop, his massive frame looked less like a hero,
and more like a Demon King.
At that moment, for the first time,
Rage appeared in Akashi Seijuro's eyes.
"You dare… to defy me?"
"Defy?" Akashi Asuka laughed.
"You misunderstand. For the Devil, nothing is forbidden. Everything is justified."
BANG!!
He dribbled and charged toward Rakuzan's basket.
Their speeds now were beyond human vision.
In a blink, they were already under Rakuzan's rim.
Without hesitation, Asuka rose,
Two hands gripping the ball going straight into a dunk.
"No! He'll get stolen!"
The Seiho players tried to warn him,
They had seen Akashi's terrifying steals too many times.
But before they could speak,
Akashi Seijuro was already there.
His hand struck down hard,
But instead of stealing the ball,
It felt like he had slapped a boulder.
Pain shot up his arm.
His expression cracked.
"Hah!!"
With a thunderous shout, Akashi Asuka forced his way up, ignoring the steal, and SLAMMED the ball through the hoop.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The entire basket shook violently metal creaking under the force, but somehow held.
Akashi Seijuro, however, stumbled backward, lost balance, and crashed onto the court.
At the same moment,
Tweet!
The referee's whistle pierced the air.
"White #4, defensive foul!"
"Black #11, basket counts. One free throw!"
=============
Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria