As expected, Kota's prediction was dead-on—
"Fourth Quarter King" really did only enhance his offense.
His defense hadn't improved at all.
The Youth Team didn't even need elaborate passing — just spacing the floor a bit was enough to let their bigs wreak havoc in Kaijo's paint.
Kise was still camped out in the corner, catching his breath.
Until he regained basic mobility, he couldn't help much.
Fortunately, Kota was lighting it up from beyond the arc.
The buff to his shooting wasn't just cosmetic—
He could literally feel whether the shot would go in before he even took it.
Not even halfway through the quarter, Kota was already 5 for 5, dropping 15 points in the fourth alone.
Kaijo's lead… was growing.
Kota was whistling as he glanced at the scoreboard.
99–96.
Kaijo was back in the lead.
"Midorima was right—threes really are worth more than twos."
If the number of attempts are the same, a three-point shooter only needs 40% accuracyto match the impact of someone shooting 60% from midrange or inside.
And when your accuracy is 100%?
Six threes are just as lethal as nine twos.
"This won't do…"
The Youth Team captain wiped the sweat off his face.
He'd been grinding in the paint for every bucket, only to watch Kota erase it all with a single flick of the wrist.
He couldn't take it.
"Double him. The moment he crosses half court—trap him."
He glanced at Yuki… and ultimately decided solo defense just wasn't enough anymore.
He pointed at the guy guarding Kasamatsu,
"You go help Yuki trap him."
The guy covering Kise looked up, puzzled.
"Huh? Why not me? That guy can barely move anymore."
The captain shut it down immediately:
"No. You stay on that guy. Let him go help."
Kise's third quarter had left too deep an impression.
Even if he was standing still in the corner, the captain wasn't going to risk it.
Compared to Kise, Kasamatsu posed almost no threat.
He'd been cold all game— 0 for 7 in three quarters.
No offense, no defense. Zero impact.
Kaijo ball.
As soon as Kota crossed half court,
Yuki and Kasamatsu's defender rushed up for the trap.
"Wait, a double-team this early?"
"Aren't you worried this'll wreck your spacing?"
Kota was surprised.
But with his elite ball handling, he maneuvered around the pressure with ease.Ever since #1 had been benched for pushing him, the Youth Team's defense had cooled off noticeably.
Kota glanced off the trap — Kasamatsu had slipped into the high post, hands up, ready to catch.
A quick surgical pass hit him right in the chest.
But…
None of the defenders moved.
"You've gotta be kidding me… they're just leaving him wide open?"
Kasamatsu's jaw clenched.
He rose up and fired—
Clank.
Rimmed out.
0 for 8.
On the rebound, the Youth Team captain boxed out Kobori, secured the board, and launched a long pass to a sprinting Yuki.
Kota tried to intercept — But Yuki's height gave him the edge, and he caught it cleanly. One-two fastbreak — bucket.
"Dammit…Missed threes turning into points for the other side—that's a killer. And worse… if Kasamatsu loses his confidence over it…"
Kota looked toward the frontcourt. Kasamatsu was staring at the ground, silent.
He thought for a second, then jogged over, smiling.
"Hey, senpai… don't tell me you've gone full emo on us?"
Kasamatsu didn't respond,but his clenched fists and furrowed brow told the story.
"C'mon, don't be like that.If you don't help me out, I'm screwed."
Kota placed his hands behind his head and gave him a side glance.
Kasamatsu muttered,
"It's my fault, I—"
But Kota waved him off before he could finish.
He slapped Kasamatsu's butt and grinned.
"Hey, I'm not blaming you. I'm saying…we need you, Captain. For Kaijo's sake, get your head back in the game."
Kasamatsu blinked, stunned.
Suddenly, all the anxiety from going 0 for 8 just… faded. He felt calm.
"Damn it…Why's this guy so good at saying stuff like that?"
"Tch… Fine! But listen—if I get open and you don't pass to me,I'm coming for you after the game."
He even threw a retaliatory kick at Kota's butt.
Kota laughed and shrugged it off. He walked over to take the inbound and reset the offense.
The Youth Team stuck to their strategy — single coverage on Kise, double on Kota, leave Kasamatsu open.
As Kota crossed half court again, Yuki and the help defender swarmed him once more.
But this time was different.
Kota glanced at Kasamatsu, now posted at the 45-degree angle, arms up. And just like with his own shots — He felt it.
Pass it. This one's going in.
So that was it — Fourth Quarter King didn't just boost his shooting. It let him sense when his teammates would hit too.
No hesitation. Kota jumped and fired a high-arc pass over the defense.
The Youth Team captain glanced at Kasamatsu — Still no help. 0 for 8 shooter? Not even worth a closeout.
Kasamatsu lowered into a stance, took a deep breath,then rose up, elbow high — release.
BEEP!
Kaijo three—good.
The captain scoffed.
"1 for 9. Whatever. Still useless. Even my grandma could guard that guy."
They didn't adjust. Still trapping Kota, still ignoring Kasamatsu.
But now?
Swish.
Swish.
Every time he got the ball — Bang.
By the time Kasamatsu hit his fourth three of the game,the Youth Team captain realized they had a serious problem.
But it was too late.
Not only had they failed to build a lead — Kaijo had taken control.
Kise finally recovered enough to get back into the game. With his Perfect Copy back on and Kota still in Fourth Quarter King mode, the two launched a devastating 14–5 run to close it out.
BEEEEEP.
Final whistle.
118–111. Kaijo wins.
Kobori looked like he'd just been released from purgatory. Only his sweat-soaked jersey knew how much pain he'd taken inside.
Takeuchi's smile was so wide, his wrinkles could've formed their own team.
Two players from his team going to Youth Nationals?That's what you call a win.
"Thanks for the game!"
Post-match handshakes. But Number 1 was nowhere to be found — Apparently, he'd left early.
Kota scratched his nose.
"Aw.I was looking forward to saying goodbye."
"Hey Yuki! What's your number? Let's exchange."
No big deal. Number 1 was just a side character.
This middle-schooler? He was the real prize.
Kota licked his lips, exchanged contacts with Yuki,and as they said goodbye, he leaned in:
"If anything comes up, call me. And hey—I'll be waiting for you at Kaijo… little genius."
Kise overheard and pouted:
"Hey! That's my nickname!"
"So what? You're already grown up. You don't need it anymore."
"??? I'm literally one year older than him!"
Their playful bickering made Yuki laugh out loud. Watching them joke around, he silently made his decision—
He didn't say it aloud…but he'd already accepted Kota's invitation.
"Let's go, Yuki."
The Youth Team captain finished his chat with Takeuchi, then waved Yuki over.
"Ah—right, coming!"
Before stepping out of the gym, the Youth Team captain turned for one last look.
Kise…and Kota.