"What the…?"
"So fast!"
"Has Hayama Kotarō… lost control?"
"He's practically just running!"
"Something's off about that state—during Rakuzan's offense, even Hagioka Kasayuki has to shout to pull Hayama back into team play…"
"Yeah, but even then, all he can do is receive passes. He can't shake Nijimura Shuzo off at all."
"Still… Nijimura's barely managing to keep up, right? Even with his Zone open. Without it, Hayama would've already run him out of position!"
"Unbelievable. So this is one of the Five Generals? No wonder he's a player who once faced Teiko's Twin Stars head-on. That footwork… truly worthy of the Lightning Beast!"
It's Kaijō's possession.
As Rakuzan predicted, though no one knows what exactly is going on with Shigure Akihito, normally, once a player enters the first stage of the Zone—that extreme immersion—his world narrows down to just two things: his opponent and the rim.
Just like Nijimura Shuzo right now.
At this moment, he stands within the offensive space that Shigure carved out for him, facing Hayama Kotarō head-on. He knows full well what Rakuzan—and especially Hagioka Kasayuki—must be thinking.
But…
They're wrong.
That missing piece, that lack of transitional flow between phases—he'd already realized it back when he played against that old man Aida Kagetora, and drew inspiration from it, accelerating his own evolution.
However…
Looking into Hayama Kotarō's eyes now
They're different.
Wild.
Ferocious—like the eyes of a beast ready to devour its prey!
For a brief moment, Nijimura abandons the thought of using that ability. Because that look… it's too familiar. In a way, it's exactly like a version of himself from the past.
If he doesn't go all out here, it would be disrespectful—to both himself and his opponent.
Buzz!
A lion bursts forth from lightning, roaring into Hayama Kotarō's mind as a vivid illusion
Fangs bared
Biting into the leaping cheetah!
Hayama Kotarō: "…"
What's happening to me?
I should calm down. Standing here like this, too excited, too reckless—there's no way I can properly respond. I know that.
But even knowing that…
I can't control it!
Being crushed like this—why does it make my blood boil even hotter?
Damn it…
Nijimura Shuzo!
No
Forget it!
Just follow my instincts. This urge—to reach that realm, even if it's just for one second, one instant
That's enough!
Run!
Come on, Nijimura Shuzo!
Don't think you can get past me that easily—these legs will stay on you like glue!!
"Stop right there!"
Facing Hayama Kotarō, arcs of lightning flicker in Nijimura's eyes. A rainbow flare bursts outward, wrapping around the spectral lion roaring behind him.
Everyone on the court can feel that aura.
Hagioka Kasayuki: "…"
As expected.
That kid who never accepts being second best—he's already reached this point.
On the court
Pa!
Pa!
Pure speed alone, no matter how explosive, can't stand against the Zone's all-round amplification.
Nijimura Shuzo halts sharply, his dribble snapping like a whip!
Crossover—front!
Between the legs—behind the back!
Hayama Kotarō's instincts kick in; his legs blur, his defense pushing to its limit—but his balance wavers under Nijimura's rapid shifts, his body tipping backward under the crushing pressure of those shifting centers of gravity!
Then
Nijimura gathers the ball with his off-hand, pivots his hips, and drives!
Hayama grits his teeth
Lightning bursts around him, clinging to Nijimura!
But
The fleeting angle of resistance is instantly seized by Nijimura's masterful control; he breaks through Hayama's stance at a perfect forty-five-degree angle
Boom!
The lion shatters the cheetah's binding lightning!
He storms into the paint—facing center Nebuya Eikichi and the collapsing help defense of Hagioka Kasayuki!
Yet within the Zone
Nijimura doesn't flinch. In mid-sprint, he abruptly stops, freezing Nebuya for a heartbeat—then accelerates again!
Straight toward the gap between them
And soars!
One arm raised high—the Blazing Heaven Slam!
Buzz!
The heavy shade of "Immovable Mountain" looms around him—Kasayuki reads his motion perfectly, but Nijimura's Zone-enhanced speed is too fast!
Not just fast—higher, stronger, sharper!
Hagioka Kasayuki: "…!"
Attack like fire.
Stand like a mountain.
Fire
Burns the mountain.
BOOM!
For a split second, it looks as though both forces are perfectly matched.
But then
"As long as you've jumped,"
"You can't move anymore, right?"
In that instant, Nijimura retracts the ball midair, spinning with the motion—an aerial 360 turn!
He whirls past Hagioka Kasayuki mid-jump
BOOM!!
Nijimura Shuzo: "…"
Yeah.
That look in Hayama's eyes—lightning always strikes at the climax.
But unfortunately for him
Just as Hayama catches up, lightning flashing at the final release point
Whoosh!
Nijimura switches hands midair—right to left!
Swish!
Layup—clean hit!
And just like that
The entire arena freezes.
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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