Chapter Seventy-Seven: Transformation
"Buzzer-beater!"
"Eighth three-pointer!"
"He shot from just past halfcourt?!"
Who taught Yagami to play like this? Who taught Sendoh to pass like that?
Coaches Takato and Takeuchi in the stands, plus Coach Anzai in Shohoku's bench area—all turned their gazes toward Ryonan's bench.
Coach Taoka shot up the instant Yagami Sorato released. Before this three, Yagami had only attempted two threes in the third quarter—both misses.
Everyone figured his hot hand had cooled. After all, 7-for-9 from three was already terrifying.
Then—
Yagami Sorato chose THIS moment to shoot a three!
Coach Taoka nearly opened his mouth to yell. Good result aside, this reckless shooting mentality was unacceptable.
However—
"GREAT SHOT! BEAUTIFUL!"
Coach Taoka pumped his fist, shouting forcefully. Seriously—once it went in, what else mattered? This WAS a great shot!
Other coaches silently withdrew their gazes. So even old-school Coach Taoka Moichi would arrange such adventurous tactics...
The quarter break ended quickly. Both teams returned to court.
Ryonan's lineup adjusted slightly—Fukuda Kicchou subbed out for Koshino Hiroaki.
"Strengthening defense for the final quarter?" Coach Anzai observed the arrangement. Logically, Mitsui Hisashi had fought desperately on both ends this game—he should also be subbed out.
But Shohoku still trailed by 13 points. Mitsui Hisashi remained indispensable firepower.
"Hold on a bit longer, Mitsui!" Kogure Kiminobu understood the situation's importance, praying silently.
Play began. Shohoku's possession.
Miyagi Ryota pushed past halfcourt, lobbing inside to Akagi Takenori.
"After avoiding me on the perimeter so long, you finally dare face me directly?" Uozumi Jun's voice rumbled.
"Hmph, what do you know."
Akagi Takenori snorted disdainfully, exerting full force to back down hard.
"BANG!"
Their bodies collided violently with a dull thud.
Position—unmoved!
Uozumi Jun was about to mockingly comment on Akagi Takenori's futile attempt when he saw his opponent grab the ball with both hands, immediately rising as if to shoot.
"NOT HAPPENING!" Uozumi Jun leaped to block.
However, Akagi Takenori's feet remained planted solidly on the floor—he hadn't jumped at all!
Pump fake!
Taking advantage of Uozumi Jun descending, Akagi Takenori finally exploded upward, wrist flicking softly to easily drop the ball through the rim.
Two points!
Ryonan 89 - Shohoku 78
"Hahaha, Boss Monkey got fooled so easily by a pump fake..." Sakuragi Hanamichi mocked mercilessly.
"WHAP!"
Akagi Takenori's fist hammered his head. "You also got spun around by opponent fakes! Get back on defense!"
"Damn Gorilla!" Sakuragi Hanamichi looked disgruntled while sprinting back beneath Shohoku's basket.
Possession changed. Ryonan's offense.
Uozumi Jun backed against Akagi Takenori, face full of anger as he called for the ball.
"..." Sendoh Akira rather helplessly lobbed inside.
After receiving, Uozumi Jun immediately lowered his center of gravity, entire body tensing instantly. With a low growl, he dribbled while backing down hard!
"BANG!"
The solid collision—Akagi Takenori also didn't budge, steadily holding position!
Anger burned brighter in Uozumi Jun's eyes. He powered up again!
Akagi Takenori remained utterly unmoved, standing firm as stone beneath the basket.
After two consecutive power moves failed, Uozumi Jun stopped trying to force space. Instead, he suddenly pivoted on his left foot, body forcibly spinning right.
Using his left arm to ward off Akagi Takenori's disrupting hand, his right hand held the ball high, preparing a low-post floater!
Akagi Takenori had prepared. The instant Uozumi Jun's movement changed, he actively released pressure, creating space before quickly jumping, timing it perfectly to slap precisely at the basketball just leaving Uozumi Jun's fingertips!
"PAP!"
A crisp rejection sound!
The basketball lost control, bouncing off the floor.
"MINE!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi reacted swiftly, charging from an angle to grab the basketball before anyone else!
Miyagi Ryota and Rukawa Kaede broke immediately. Mitsui Hisashi followed closely.
Yagami Sorato and Sendoh Akira gave chase quickly.
Ikegami Ryoji attempted stripping the ball from Sakuragi Hanamichi while disrupting his pass.
However, Sakuragi Hanamichi simply passed nearby to Akagi Takenori.
Taking advantage of Uozumi Jun's lingering frustration and unwillingness, Akagi Takenori whipped the ball out forcefully, finding Mitsui Hisashi stopped beyond the arc.
"Koshino! Close out!" Sendoh Akira shouted loudly.
After receiving, Mitsui Hisashi unhesitatingly rose for a pull-up jumper. Koshino Hiroaki hadn't lost position, jumping simultaneously to contest.
However, the height and wingspan gap meant Koshino Hiroaki couldn't disrupt the shot.
Mitsui Hisashi's form was perfect, steadily releasing.
"Swish!"
Three-pointer good!
Ryonan 89 - Shohoku 81
"Because I'm Mitsui Hisashi!" After landing while holding his follow-through, Mitsui Hisashi's right fist clenched hard seeing the score!
Only one minute into the fourth quarter—Shohoku cut the gap to 8 points!
"Dammit!" Uozumi Jun hadn't expected Akagi Takenori to suddenly dominate both ends, completely overwhelming him.
Uozumi Jun instinctively glanced toward the bench—meeting Coach Taoka's sharp gaze directly. His heart tightened, hurriedly looking away, not daring to hold eye contact.
"IDIOT! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!"
Coach Taoka Moichi didn't plan on letting Uozumi Jun off. He stood from his seat, striding to the sideline. His furious roar startled Ryonan's players on court:
"Uozumi, if you DARE treat the finals as a personal showcase stage, I'll substitute you RIGHT NOW!"
"...Yes." Uozumi Jun looked wilted toward his mentor on the sideline, responding quietly.
"UOZUMI!" Coach Taoka Moichi glared sternly.
"YES!!" Uozumi Jun shouted loudly.
Having maintained a large lead throughout, Ryonan's players had indeed played somewhat relaxed. Though Coach Taoka's roar only targeted Uozumi Jun, everyone else also quickly refocused, concentrating anew.
"Sorry." Uozumi Jun said softly to teammates.
What should've been a decided game now required serious treatment.
"It's fine," Yagami Sorato said indifferently. "I figured the game wouldn't end this easily anyway."
Sendoh Akira waved dismissively: "I also think this makes it slightly more interesting."
"Uozumi-senpai, I just subbed in—haven't started performing yet!" Koshino Hiroaki said enthusiastically.
"Am I the only one completely exhausted?" Ikegami Ryoji complained irritably. "As compensation, next week my lunches are fully covered by your family's sushi."
"You guys..." Uozumi Jun looked at these teammates.
"Uozumi-senpai, honestly, we're more used to you roaring at us." Yagami Sorato interrupted. "Skip the other words."
"...You brat." Uozumi Jun glared at Yagami Sorato before taking a deep breath.
"ROOOOAR—!"
"Alright, let's go! Finish off Shohoku in one push!"
Possession changed. Ryonan's offense.
After advancing to the frontcourt, Sendoh Akira still lobbed inside.
"Huh? They're still letting that big guy post up?" A confused voice rose from the stands. "Doesn't Ryonan want to win?"
"The past two years Ryonan's results were clearly better than Shohoku's, yet Uozumi's evaluation never matched Akagi's," someone nearby agreed. "If you ask me, he's only called one of Kanagawa's Four Great Centers because of that two-meter height."
Uozumi Jun could hear the surrounding voices. Since first facing Akagi Takenori head-on in the prefecture tournament, those thoughts had continuously lingered in his mind.
"BANG!"
After receiving, he powered toward the basket with all his might. Akagi Takenori's solid defense remained like an iron wall, preventing him from advancing an inch.
However, this time felt completely different.
Uozumi Jun could clearly sense the force and direction Akagi Takenori applied to his body—as if he only needed to drop his center of gravity and half-turn left to face the rim directly, easily scoring.
"Just like those skilled centers in the footage..."
That movement was exceptionally clear in his mind, though he'd never attempted it in actual games.
Uozumi Jun dribbled again, half-turning left the instant his body leaned on Akagi Takenori.
"So THAT'S your plan, Uozumi!" The instant he exerted force, Akagi Takenori already perceived his intent. His feet slid quickly, massive frame again sealing the path to the basket. "Don't be so naive!"
However, what Uozumi Jun "saw" in this moment far exceeded just his own offensive route.
His peripheral vision clearly caught Sendoh Akira cutting toward the basket, plus Yagami Sorato on the wing—needing only one backdoor cut to shake his defender for a perfect opening!
So from the paint, with this two-meter height, he could see teammates' movements this clearly!
"SWISH!"
The basketball flew into Sendoh Akira's hands.
"UOZUMI?!"
"Uozumi-senpai!"
Both Akagi Takenori and Sendoh Akira startled. Compared to his earlier attempted spin move, this perfectly-timed pass was even more unbelievable!
However, Sendoh Akira's movement didn't stop. He charged one step inside the free-throw line before rising.
Akagi Takenori's help defense came too late. However, on Sendoh Akira's wing and behind, two figures jumped simultaneously.
Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede!
"Truly frightening guys~" Sensing both shadows, Sendoh Akira showed no panic, whipping the ball left.
Yagami Sorato caught in the corner. Mitsui Hisashi was pursuing him.
Jump, shoot.
Yagami Sorato's motion flowed seamlessly, giving Mitsui Hisashi no time to react.
"SWISH!"
Ninth three-pointer—good!
Ryonan 92 - Shohoku 81
"This kid's timing is too precise..."
Mitsui Hisashi gasped for breath. Earlier he'd been battling Yagami Sorato on the wing when his opponent suddenly ran toward the arc. Just as he started chasing, Yagami Sorato executed a sharp backdoor cut, completely shaking him!
"What's wrong, Uozumi? Don't dare face me directly?" Akagi Takenori shouted at him. "You spineless guy!"
"Hmph." Uozumi Jun completely ignored Akagi Takenori, retreating quickly without looking back while waving his arms toward teammates: "Get back! Get back!"
"Ryonan's team has many excellent scorers. I don't need to worry about my own point total." Uozumi Jun thought silently.
As he passed Yagami Sorato and Sendoh Akira, his thick, powerful palm slapped heavily on both their backs in succession—the gesture crisp, full of trust and delegation.
"Beautiful shot, Yagami!"
"Beautiful pass, Sendoh!"
Uozumi Jun returned beneath Ryonan's basket, gaze sweeping past nearby teammates before finally focusing determinedly on Shohoku's players.
"Even if I'm not the team's protagonist, that's fine."
"What matters is—Ryonan will definitely claim final victory!"
Three minutes remaining.
Ryonan 100 - Shohoku 90
"RYONAN!! LET'S GO!!"
"SHOHOKU!! LET'S GO!!"
Entering the final stage, both teams' gap remained around 10 points.
Akagi Takenori looked toward Ryonan's basket, gasping, sweat dripping continuously: "That Uozumi... it's like he became a different person..."
Teammates looked at him. In Kanagawa, only Uozumi Jun—this two-meter giant center—could pressure Shohoku's captain to this degree.
Mitsui Hisashi looked disgruntled, exhausted fist pressed against his waist. "What nonsense are you saying? Shohoku's center is Akagi Takenori!"
"Gorilla, don't give up." Sakuragi Hanamichi also shouted.
Shohoku launched their offense.
Miyagi Ryota steadily brought the ball past halfcourt. Finding an opportunity, he unhesitatingly lobbed inside: "Let's settle this! Show everyone who's Kanagawa's premier center!"
"Uozumi-senpai, don't let Shohoku score!" Aida Hikoichi shouted loudly from the sideline.
"Let's finish this, Uozumi!" After receiving, Akagi Takenori tensed every muscle, using his back to sense Uozumi Jun's pressure before immediately dribbling and powering up, grinding toward the deep paint step by step with solid post footwork.
The collision of muscles was dull yet powerful.
"He's forcing toward the rim!" Hanagata Toru from the stands couldn't help exclaiming.
"Don't lose! Don't lose, Uozumi!!" Coach Taoka sprang from his seat again, clenched fists trembling slightly from exertion.
In his heart, though Sendoh Akira and Yagami Sorato were rare talented players Ryonan had obtained, Uozumi Jun was the disciple he'd poured the most effort into—step by step refining from rough stone into a finished product!
Uozumi Jun's feet rooted into the floor like foundations, chest absorbing the impact head-on—not retreating an inch!
Akagi Takenori executed a shoulder fake. Though Uozumi Jun's style had changed, the experience gap couldn't be overcome through momentary enlightenment!
As expected—
Sensing Uozumi Jun's center of gravity shift slightly behind, Akagi Takenori immediately seized the fleeting opening. Left foot planted, he twisted, using his arm to protect the ball and create space, cutting left of Uozumi Jun toward the basket!
Without hesitation, his right hand gripped the ball while airborne, aiming for the backboard.
"NOT HAPPENING!!" Uozumi Jun's explosive roar thundered! He nearly synchronized with Akagi's jump, power-loaded right arm pressing precisely on the basketball!
"BANG!"
A solid pinned rejection!
The basketball hammered against the backboard, bouncing away.
The referee didn't whistle! Clean block—no foul!
Amid the chaos, Sakuragi Hanamichi grabbed the basketball. Landing without time to adjust, he forcibly rose for a mid-range attempt before Ikegami Ryoji closed out!
"SHORT!"
"CLANG!"
The basketball hammered the front rim, bouncing high!
"REBOUND—!!"
"MINE!" Akagi Takenori and Sakuragi Hanamichi both jumped again toward the basketball.
"ROOOOAR—!"
Another furious roar from Uozumi Jun as he exploded upward, overpowering Shohoku's twin towers. Between four arms, relying on absolute height and strength, he secured the rebound tightly in his grasp!
"EXCELLENT, UOZUMI!"
"WELL DONE, UOZUMI-SENPAI!!"
Shohoku retreated quickly. Rather than rush, Uozumi Jun surveyed his surroundings before delivering the ball to Sendoh Akira.
"Seems like I don't even need to perform now." Sendoh Akira scratched his head, speaking awkwardly.
Yagami Sorato also looked toward Uozumi Jun with surprise. His performance completely exceeded expectations. Perhaps they could consider giving him more responsibilities?
The arena's momentum gradually shifted.
As time passed, spectators realized Shohoku's comeback was impossible.
Beyond the arc, Yagami Sorato received Uozumi Jun's pass. Before him, Mitsui Hisashi could no longer keep up defensively.
After slight adjustment, Yagami Sorato used his last bit of strength to release.
The basketball traced a steady arc through air.
"SWISH!"
Tenth three-pointer—good!
Ryonan 103 - Shohoku 90
"TWEET!"
"Ryonan requests substitution."
Both coaches made adjustments simultaneously. Ryonan removed exhausted Yagami Sorato and Ikegami Ryoji, sending in Fukuda Kicchou and Uekusa Tomoyuki—maintaining interior attack while strengthening on-court tempo control.
Shohoku subbed out spent Mitsui Hisashi for Kogure Kiminobu, making a final push.
In the final two and a half minutes, Shohoku rallied desperately.
Kogure Kiminobu hit a crucial three from the left corner. Rukawa Kaede continuously relied on individual ability to penetrate for scores.
However, time no longer allowed more possibilities.
When Uozumi Jun grabbed the final rebound, whipping it to Sendoh Akira—
"TWEET—!"
The long whistle sounded. Game over.
The final score:
Ryonan 108 - Shohoku 100
Winner: Ryonan High School!