Near the airport highway
Two cars were driving one after another — Nash's eye-catching convertible sports car was in front, while Kota sat in the vintage car behind, together with Akashi.
Inside the car, Kota glanced around at the interior and said in surprise,
"Didn't expect you to have such a low-key car too."
"So the truly rich ones really are humble, huh?"
Akashi ignored his teasing and turned his head slightly.
"Nash is really strong… you might be in for a rough time today."
Kota whistled, waving his hand nonchalantly.
"It's fine, I don't care about winning or losing a one-on-one. Even if I lose to him, after the match, during our little talk… I'll make sure he remembers me."
He opened his system panel — the talent labeled Israeli Military Combat Technique was sitting right at the top. Licking his lips with excitement, Kota thought about how ever since he got that ability, he'd been dying to test it out.
And now, Nash had walked right into his hands.
"Relax, Akashi. He might be strong, but I'm not so sure I'll lose."
Seeing Kota's confident grin, Akashi said nothing more. He just turned his gaze toward the window and admired the scenery outside.
After a short silence, Kota asked,"Are you sure there's a basketball court nearby? We're near the airport — it's basically the outskirts, right? Don't tell me we're driving all the way into the city for a one-on-one?"
Akashi gave him a side glance. "Don't worry. There's a private basketball gym nearby. Hmm… my family owns it."
Kota: "…"
"So that huge supermarket from earlier — that's yours too?"
Akashi thought for a moment before replying modestly,"I only sponsored it."
Kota was speechless.
So this guy was that kind of rich — dumb maybe, but definitely loaded.
Then suddenly, Kota frowned, as if he'd just remembered something.
"Wait… at that supermarket, what was I trying to find again?"
"…Whatever. Probably wasn't important anyway."
——
At that exact moment, inside the supermarket—
Reiko stood by the cashier counter with her arms crossed, checking her watch every few seconds. Her angry expression was practically spilling out of her face.
"That guy's been moving a box of water for over half an hour?! Is he trying to die or what?!"
——
——
Vrr—
The cars came to a stop.
Kota and the others had arrived at the private gym built by Akashi's family on the outskirts.
Nash was the first to get out, sunglasses now perched on his face.
"Kid, don't say I didn't warn you. If you wanna back out, now's your last chance."
Cracking his neck, Nash grinned arrogantly.
Kota got out right after him. At those words, he raised an eyebrow.
"You're not thinking of running away, are you? I mean, sure, we can skip the one-on-one — but we can't skip the talk afterward."
He'd been waiting to test that Israeli Military Combat for days. Now that a chance had finally appeared, he wasn't about to let it go.
Nash laughed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine, fine!"
He led the way into the gym. Kota and Akashi followed right behind.
Once the lights turned on, Kota looked around, quietly impressed.
As expected of Akashi's private court — the place was massive. Just from appearance alone, it wasn't that different from Tokyo's largest public basketball arenas.
Akashi grabbed a basketball from somewhere and stood by the sideline."How are you guys playing this? Want me to ref?"
"No need, Akashi," Nash said, licking his lips. "It'll be over soon."
Kota chuckled, taking the ball from Akashi's hands. "Three points to win. Shorter player gets the first possession, yeah?"
It was a fair rule — standard for street one-on-one. But Nash shook his finger.
"Told you, no need for that. You can start. The result won't change anyway."
Spreading his hands with an exaggerated gesture, he let Kota have the ball. Kota didn't hesitate and walked to the three-point line.
He knew well — whether it was Nash's ridiculous strength in the original world or his current identity as a national player for USA, Nash wasn't someone simple.
In fact, Kota was certain this would be his strongest opponent so far.
He wasn't delusional — in a straight contest of strength, his chances were slim. But he had something Nash didn't: information.
Kota knew Nash's skills. Nash knew nothing about him. That gap alone was enough to tip the scales.
As Nash stood there casually, half-guarding, Kota's eyes sharpened.
"You'll pay for your arrogance."
The air around him shifted as several mechanical notifications rang in his mind—
Zone
Overthinker
Master of Fakes
Big Man Bully Playbook Failed (Insufficient Conditions).
In an instant, every offensive buff he had roared to life. Even though his lack of size prevented one talent from triggering, his attack potential had reached its absolute peak.
A flash of white lightning sparked as Kota took his first explosive step.
Nash, who'd been defending lazily a second ago, suddenly stiffened. A chill shot up his spine — pure instinct warning him of danger.
Before he could even react, Kota was already past him, cutting toward the rim.
But with his limited jumping ability, Kota couldn't guarantee a clean dunk, even against an open basket. Playing it safe, he went for the layup instead.
Swish!
The ball kissed the glass and fell through cleanly.
Akashi clapped from the sideline. "Nice one!"
1–0. Kota took the lead.
Losing the first point made Nash's expression darken. He hadn't expected that kind of offensive ability from Kota.
Still, he didn't panic. He'd seen enough of Kota's movements to gauge his style.
"Next shot," he said coldly, "you won't get another chance."
"Who knows?" Kota smirked, rubbing his nose as he took the ball again.
Now Nash was serious. His stance lowered, his eyes fixed firmly on Kota's every move.
This time, Kota didn't rush. He dribbled once, stepped back — and suddenly, he went for it.
A step-back three from beyond the arc!
Even back when he had his "Fourth Quarter King" mode active, he rarely dared to take such difficult shots. In normal form, this was risky — but sometimes, risk paid off.
His body was fresh, his timing sharp. Nash hadn't expected it at all.
Swish!
Nothing but net.
Akashi's applause echoed again as Kota casually threw up his fingers in his signature three-point salute.
2–0. Match point.
This time, Nash couldn't hide his frustration. He snatched the ball, threw it back to Kota, and immediately closed the distance, cranking up the defensive pressure.
Then — he activated it.
The Belial Eye.
Instantly, Kota felt an oppressive energy closing in.
"So that's it…"
His brows furrowed as he pivoted, shielding the ball. Then he saw it — Nash's pupils glinting unnaturally.
"The Belial Eye, huh? Similar to Akashi's Emperor Eye… but a bit different."
While he analyzed, Nash left him no time to breathe.
Kota spun, trying to create space for a jumper, but Nash's superior physique allowed him to instantly close the gap.
Feeling the pressure, Kota leaned back for a mid-range pull-up — but Nash launched upward, his hand nearly blocking the ball.
The shot went up awkwardly.
Clang!
The ball hit the rim and bounced out. Kota's attack had failed.
As the sound of the miss echoed through the gym, Nash smirked.
"Had fun with those first two shots, kid?"
He caught the rebound, eyes burning with a predatory gleam.
"Because now… it's my turn. Let me show you the real difference between us."