After the warm-ups, the game was about to begin.
On Shūtoku's side.
Masaaki Nakatani stroked his chin, glanced at Rakuzan, and said:
"I thought this would be a tough match, but since Akashi isn't here, this just got a lot easier."
"I won't say much more. Midorima, you good?"
Shintaro Midorima glanced at his frog plush and replied calmly:
"If it's just them, I don't see any reason fate would make me lose."
Masaaki Nakatani nodded.
"Alright. Then go—take the win!"
The Shūtoku players shouted in unison:
"Yes!"
On Rakuzan's side.
Eiji Shirogane looked somewhat helpless. Seijuro Akashi's absence had put them in a difficult position.
But there was nothing he could do. Despite being the coach, he had neither the authority nor the ability to interfere with Seijuro Akashi's decisions.
To put it bluntly, he was little more than a figurehead. Almost every decision came from Seijuro Akashi.
In previous matches, Seijuro Akashi hadn't played either. He had assumed Akashi would show up for the semifinals.
But clearly, he had been too optimistic.
There was no time to dwell on it. The game was about to start.
"Everyone, this match won't be easy. Do you have confidence?"
Rakuzan answered in unison:
"Yes!"
Eiji Shirogane nodded.
"Good. Then give it everything you've got!"
"Yes!"
In the stands.
Shogo Haizaki muttered:
"Finally starting."
At that moment, Dicky Anthony spoke in English to Miyamoto Tokima:
"Tokima, I'm going to the bathroom."
Miyamoto Tokima nodded.
"Hanamiya, take him. I don't want him getting lost again."
Makoto Hanamiya replied:
"Got it."
Then he turned to Dicky Anthony and said in English:
"I'll take you."
The two of them left.
On the court.
Both teams had already exchanged greetings and were ready.
Taisuke Otsubo stood facing Eikichi Nebuya.
Looking at Nebuya's massive build, Taisuke Otsubo swallowed unconsciously.
'Is this really a high schooler...?'
Even Miyamoto Tokima had been a bit surprised when he first saw Eikichi Nebuya.
His physique was noticeably more developed than in the original.
Clearly, he had been doing serious strength training.
The referee stepped between them and tossed the ball into the air.
The game officially began!
Taisuke Otsubo and Eikichi Nebuya jumped at the same time.
But unexpectedly—
Eikichi Nebuya jumped higher!
He tipped the ball away, beating Taisuke Otsubo by more than a hand's length.
With Seijuro Akashi absent, Rakuzan's point guard was a substitute.
After receiving the ball, he immediately passed it to Kotaro Hayama.
Kotaro Hayama caught it and launched a fast break.
Kiyoshi Miyaji quickly chased after him.
A grin spread across Kotaro Hayama's face, revealing his sharp canine teeth.
As he moved, his dribbling suddenly grew more forceful.
Bang!!! Bang!!!! Bang!!!!!
"Four fingers."
Snap.
Kotaro Hayama changed direction instantly, using [Lightning Dribble] to completely shake off Kiyoshi Miyaji.
Then he drove straight into the paint.
Thud, thud, thud!
Hearing rapid footsteps behind him, Kotaro Hayama glanced sideways and saw Shintaro Midorima sprinting toward him.
A smirk appeared on his lips. With a quick push of his right hand, he sent the ball to the corner.
Reo Mibuchi caught it.
With a smile, he rose for the shot.
"Superstitious kid, long time no see."
He released the ball.
Taisuke Otsubo reacted a split second too late. He leapt from the side, just barely missing it.
Swish!
The shot went in cleanly.
Rakuzan immediately turned and ran back on defense.
Taisuke Otsubo slapped his head.
"Sorry, that's on me."
Possession switched.
After crossing half court, Kazunari Takao visibly relaxed.
"Man, it's been a while since it felt this easy. The point guards I used to face were monsters—I didn't even get to dribble like this."
Facing Rakuzan's defense, he drove straight through.
He reached the free-throw line and pulled up for a jumper.
Under everyone's surprised gaze—
Swish.
It went in.
Kotaro Hayama scratched his head.
"He actually took the shot?"
Reo Mibuchi shrugged.
"I didn't expect that either. Their first play went to the point guard?"
Rakuzan had assumed the ball would go to Shintaro Midorima, or at least to Taisuke Otsubo.
Their attention had been on those two the whole time.
Who would've thought the point guard would just go for it himself?
Possession switched again.
Rakuzan's point guard crossed half court and passed to Kotaro Hayama.
Kotaro Hayama caught the ball and started dribbling, his rhythm growing heavier and faster.
Bang! Bang!! Bang!!! Bang!!!! Bang!!!!!
Kiyoshi Miyaji's expression turned serious.
He knew what was coming.
Sure enough—
"Four fingers!"
Snap.
Kotaro Hayama burst forward like a streak of yellow lightning, blowing past Kiyoshi Miyaji instantly.
Kiyoshi Miyaji's face darkened. He couldn't even react.
Kotaro Hayama didn't slow down, charging straight into the paint.
Taisuke Otsubo immediately stepped up to help.
Kotaro Hayama jumped for a layup.
Taisuke Otsubo followed, both hands raised to block his path.
Midair, Kotaro Hayama smirked.
He suddenly pulled the ball back, curling his body tightly as he slipped past Taisuke Otsubo.
Taisuke Otsubo's eyes widened.
'A… double clutch?!'
Kotaro Hayama unfolded midair after getting past him and hooked the ball in with his left hand.
Score.
Landing, Kotaro Hayama casually wiped his face and grinned.
"Phew, that was close. Almost got blocked."
Then he turned and walked away.
Taisuke Otsubo clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead.
He could clearly hear the mockery in that tone.
Possession changed.
This time, Kazunari Takao crossed half court and passed the ball to Shintaro Midorima.
The moment Shintaro Midorima caught it, Reo Mibuchi spoke:
"Superstitious kid, let's go another round."
......