Aida Kagetora wasn't comfortable putting in Wakamatsu Kosuke. Because Murasakibara's position on the team simply couldn't be replaced by anyone else.
You had to know that in the second quarter, he had already provided very effective limitation against Jason Silver. If they switched in Wakamatsu Kousuke, the paint would definitely be dominated by Jason Silver again, who could take whatever he wanted.
With his own life at stake, his selfish decision was to continue keeping Murasakibara on the court. However...
"Let Aomine and Kagami hold things together for this period." Before he could speak, Tendou had already made the decision for him.
"But if we do that, our inside defense will be full of holes," Aida Kagetora voiced his concerns.
"It's fine. We just need to hold on for a few minutes. During that time, as long as we guarantee we can score, isn't that enough?"
Tendou's gaze swept over Kuroko, who had been silent the entire time. Poor male protagonist - they were already halfway through the fourth season, yet he was still being kept on the bench by Tendou with no chance to play.
Suddenly hearing his name, Kuroko's eyes immediately lit up.
"Kuroko? If we put in Kuroko, isn't our defense line too fragile?"
"Don't talk like Aomine and Kagami could actually limit Jason Silver if we don't put in Kuroko."
"Hey, Tendou, what do you mean by that?"
"Kagami's one thing, but why are you dragging me into this?"
"Hah? Bastard Aomine, are you looking down on me?"
With just one sentence, Tendou successfully provoked both powder kegs, Aomine and Kagami. He shrugged and said, "It's best if you can defend him, but it doesn't matter if you can't. Get ready, Kuroko - you don't have much time.
"This is halftime break, and it'll last until the latter half of the third quarter. That's enough time for Murasakibara to rest."
"Yes!" Kuroko also knew his role was to ensure the team's offense during the period when Murasakibara was resting. Even if it was just a few short minutes, he was very satisfied.
Just like back at Teiko, whenever he got on court, he would always give his all to get the ball to his teammates' hands. This was what he could do, and what he was good at doing.
Hearing this, Aomine and Kagami stopped arguing and each gave Kuroko's shoulders a firm pat of encouragement. "Don't be nervous, Kuroko. I'll handle your share of defense."
"Just boldly pass me the ball, Tetsuya. No matter how many times, I'll make every shot."
Upon hearing this, Kuroko's whole body was trembling. Not from being moved - from pain!
...
Halftime quickly passed. On TV screens and in the audience seats, spectators gathered once again. Right from the start, people noticed the changes Dragon Slayer Sword had made.
Their starting lineup from positions one through five was now: Tendou, Kuroko, Kise, Aomine, and Kagami.
"Isn't this lineup too small?"
"Without Murasakibara, how can they withstand Jason Silver's impact?"
"They're probably planning to play offense against their opponents. If they can defend the paint, great - if not, they'll use offense to maintain their lead advantage and hold on until Murasakibara is rested."
Dragon Slayer Sword's intentions were too obvious, but they had no other choice. They had absolutely sufficient depth at the wing positions and could shift players to guard as well, but they really had no options to replace Murasakibara at center.
Otherwise, why would Murasakibara be considered a treasure of Japanese basketball? This kind of center with explosive athletic ability was extremely rare!
"Putting in a guy like that - what are you planning to do?" Nash immediately noticed Kuroko.
Last night, it seemed this short guy was the first to run up to him and ask some strange questions. He had thought he was a mascot, but surprisingly he could actually play.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Hmph, putting on airs." Nash snorted coldly, took the ball from his teammate, and prepared to attack.
With the defender changing from Akashi to Tendou, Nash became more cautious. He didn't put Akashi on the same level as himself, despite the latter having the same eyes.
Tendou was different. Half a game was enough for Nash to reassess this comedian. However...
"Whoosh!" The basketball flew past Tendou's side like a bullet.
Even though Tendou had reacted, he still couldn't intercept it. When players of the same level matched up, intercepting the opponent's pass was very difficult.
The two times Akashi succeeded in the movie version were both completed when Nash was careless - he hadn't expected Akashi to possess the same eyes as himself. So strictly speaking, Akashi only truly stole Nash's ball once through plot armor, creating the game-winning opportunity for Dragon Slayer Sword.
"Bang!" Jason Silver received the ball and took on both Aomine and Kagami.
Using his explosive physical attributes, he knocked both aside and scored with a two-handed slam dunk. Murasakibara's position truly couldn't be replaced by anyone.
Seeing the score reversed, Aida Kagetora immediately became nervous again. However, since he had already chosen to trust, all he could do now was keep his mind calm and wait for the results.
...
Transition play. Tendou personally brought the ball across half court.
Although the personnel had changed, the team's overall tactical approach remained the same. Facing Tendou, Nash assumed a standard defensive stance.
In his mind, he had already determined that Tendou was a player on his level. Just as the two were about to spring into action, Nash, who was lowering his center of gravity, suddenly saw a figure quickly enter his field of vision.
It was Kuroko. Many people didn't realize that his weak presence was actually higher than any other player's in front of the Six Eyes, Demon Eye, and Emperor Eye.
"What does that waste want to do?" Nash had no information on any of the Dragon Slayer Sword players.
As he was thinking about what ability Kuroko might possess, Tendou in front of him suddenly disappeared.
"What?!" Nash's whole body shook - he hadn't detected Tendou's movement at all.
This was a completely different feeling from when he had been beaten before. It really seemed like he had vanished into thin air.
"It's that guy!" Nash immediately looked toward Kuroko's direction.
After just one offensive play, he had already understood - the moment his thinking and vision showed deviation had been caught and exploited by Tendou.
"Vanishing Drive!"
"It should be called Misdirection Overflow!" The Seirin people showed genuine joy from the heart.
This was their team's other ace's specialty move.
"Doing unnecessary things." Tendou got past Nash and easily scored with a jump shot.
"Even if it's only a few minutes, no - precisely because it's only a few minutes, I must give my all to help the team."
"The current me can help everyone even without passing."
Kuroko stared at Tendou, then extended his fist. Tendou was stunned for a moment, then smiled and reached out his hand.
Instead of fist-bumping with Kuroko, he ruffled Kuroko's hair. He had always felt that Kuroko's fist bumps, like Duncan's head pats, carried curse attributes.
Tendou would never fist-bump with Kuroko. He said, "Then burn yourself to your heart's content, Tetsuya."
Although it wasn't the expected fist bump completion with Tendou, Kuroko was still satisfied. "Yes!"
However, Aomine and Kagami behind them looked at Kuroko with resentful eyes. They had encouraged Kuroko in the locker room, but once on court, Kuroko completely ignored both of them and went to coordinate with Tendou instead.
"We are the orthodox Light and Shadow combination!"
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