"Oh?"
"Looks like Reiji did a good job~ He actually forced Midorima to abandon considering the second half~"
"No…"
"Although Midorima's new ability isn't fundamentally meant for 1-on-1s, forcing it into a duel with Reiji means he's expending a lot of effort on technical details… consuming stamina and focus…"
"But that doesn't mean he's thrown away his planning for the second half either."
"Hmm?"
"What I mean is — he's confident that during this 1-on-1 stamina drain battle, he can build an advantage. Then, once the second half starts, that analytical ability of his will become the backbone of the team strategy. In a structure where his ability shines much brighter, using the team's power — he'll clash head-on with the likes of you and me."
As Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo casually fell back on defense while chatting, Shigure glanced at the distant, overwhelming pressure exuded by Midorima — and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Typical Midorima. Even though he's completely changed his playstyle, his on-court aura still retains that same obsessive, life-or-death three-point fighting spirit."
"But against Reiji…"
"If he thinks that's enough to establish an advantage, he's being way too optimistic~"
Nijimura nodded.
Fighting spirit…
That description, though contradictory compared to Midorima's old "100% guaranteed" safe three-pointers, still faintly matches the stubborn intensity beneath them.
And Reiji…
For Midorima to beat him 1-on-1, using an ability far more team-oriented — that's nowhere near easy.
On the court, amid Midorima and Fukaya's duel, every spectator saw the killing intent on Midorima's face — and Fukaya Reiji's expression was no less fierce…
Then
As Midorima suddenly shifted mid-drive, Fukaya's momentum and expression abruptly stiffened!
Fukaya Reiji: "!?"
Thud!
Post-up!
But the center of gravity rose higher!
Suddenly, the force transmitted from chest to foot lengthened the leverage; the burden on his core increased. Yet at the same time… Midorima's turning motion didn't slow down at all!
Pivoting on his right leg, Midorima drew a full circular sweep, pulling the ball away from Fukaya's reach, and the instant he came out of the turn — his body dropped sharply low!
An exaggerated control of gravity — practically one hand bracing against the floor!
His figure
Flashed past Fukaya's back in an instant!
80% — Fukaya-senpai will catch up to my drive…
Whoosh!
But
No matter!
Midorima flicked the ball further ahead, then stretched those long legs!
At the same time, memories of the training camp resurfaced — that crisis of doubt he'd once felt because of Shigure, Hagioka, Nijimura, and his seniors…
They walked onto the same court, yet felt separated by a canyon.
The one who broke that narrow confusion…
The one who stepped forward immediately…
Was the very man before him — Fukaya-senpai.
Midorima, whose sole weapon used to be threes — from the standpoint of potential development, among the Generation of Miracles, he may well be the most talented.
Fukaya-senpai
Watch me!
Now is my rebirth!
A fierce surge
In Midorima's eyes, green flames quietly ignited!
"Fukaya!"
"Stop him!"
On Kaijō's bench, substitutes shouted encouragement.
Within the arc, Fukaya cut in front, intercepting Midorima's path again. Their intense collision of defense had the court-side referee's whistle trembling at his lips!
"Mmph…!"
"Whoa, whoa!"
"He stopped him!"
Midorima executed a between-the-legs stop, and facing Fukaya
Drop step after the brake
Front-body crossover!
20%!
Fukaya blocks!
Half turn, drag step, reverse pull!
35%!
Fukaya cuts again!
Cross-step, out!
50%!
Thud!
A fearless barrage — relentless, pounding toward Fukaya. His expression visibly twisted from concentration
Until
70%!
Maybe Midorima really has that "5% cosmic boost" today. At 70% attack success in his vision, Fukaya's spider defense shattered!
Smack!
"Alley-oop!"
The moment Midorima released the ball, the call had already sounded!
Fukui Kensuke caught the ball — mind still echoing "alley-oop!" — and instinctively hurled it toward the rim!
But the next second, Midorima sprinted past him, leapt in front of his eyes!
Fukui Kensuke: "!?"
Wait
Wasn't that supposed to be an alley-oop?!
Uh…
Well… technically it still is an alley-oop shot…
But
Did the ball really need to go through him?!
If the goal was to avoid Shigure's weak-side help defense, that guy was dragged way to the opposite flank — in this pure 1-on-1 isolation setup. No way he could come from left side near the arc to the right corner!
Besides
Even if he tried, Liu Wei's screen was still there.
So weird…
Meanwhile
Midorima caught the pass mid-air. The flames in his eyes spread to the rim of his glasses — and the figure that entered Fukaya's sight was like a beast from hell erupting from infernal flames!
I—
Midorima Shintarō—
Will defeat EVERYONE!
100%!
Whoosh!
Compared to his middle school form, Midorima released the close-range jumper unbelievably fast. In a blink, the ball flew — and it was a two-pointer!
Swish!
Kaijō vs Yōsen
Score: 25–31!
The gap returned to the 6 points of first-quarter's end!
"Is this REALLY Midorima Shintarō?"
"Damn, that was gorgeous!"
"He timed that interception perfectly — and the release speed was nuts!"
"Alley-oop jumper…"
"This isn't anything like the Generation of Miracles games we watched back in middle school…"
On Kaijō's bench, everyone stared wide-eyed. Then their gazes shifted to Shigure Akihito. Hayakawa mumbled, "Ah… come to think of it… Shigure can also shoot like that."
Nakamura translated, "Meaning Shigure can do this too."
"Yeah… He's the senior of all these Miracle brats," Coach Takeuchi Genta said. "It's not surprising to see traces of Shigure's influence in their skills. What's shocking… is Midorima's entire offensive sequence just now — including the defense before it."
"So strange…"
"Like Nijimura — can he also see weaknesses?"
On the court
As Midorima ran back, he looked at his slightly trembling hand, feeling his heart pounding from the excitement. Any hesitation about expending stamina in a duel with Fukaya was long gone.
Only
Was that really himself just now?
But the feeling…
Was amazing!!
Meanwhile, Fukaya — head lowered slightly — was preparing to explode. A fierce gleam in his eyes, and a faint smile edged onto his lips…
…
Kaijō's offense began again from the backcourt. Fukaya pressed Midorima.
Midorima: "..."
In his vision, the defensive success probabilities lowered — as Fukaya's wordless aura rose. From their earlier battle, Midorima already understood…
That spider ability… wasn't only for defense!
Now
He's coming!
Huff
A quiet exhale.
In the wild dance of the spider, the ball was guided to the right — then Fukaya crouched lower, dribbling, accelerating!
In Midorima's pupils, Fukaya's charging form expanded — the rushing wind hitting him a moment before the body — breaking through his defense instantly!
The sound of air splitting echoed past Fukaya's ears. No matter how many times it happened, it thrilled him!
At that exact moment, he even turned his head toward Midorima and said:
"Shintarō. Since you've made up your mind, I'll let you see the REAL—"
"Fukaya Reiji!"
Boom!
"Ghost Spider—"
"Rope Coat!"
The moment the words fell, Fukaya lowered his stance further — the soles of his shoes scraped the hardwood with explosive force!
At Kaijō's bench
Fukui Kensuke had only one thought left:
What kind of joke is this!?
Basketball player…
or sprinter?!
In one move
He blew right past Midorima!
The overwhelming aura behind him — the spider's crimson eyes glowing eerily, silk shooting forth and binding, then extending far ahead!
With Fukaya's acceleration, the spider jerked its head, pulling taut lines, tightening the rope coat — accelerating the charge!!!
At that moment
Fukaya's completely exposed driving path made every Yōsen player's heart seize!
Fear?
Terror?
No time to think about that now!!!
Fukui's eyes regained determination — he stepped forward to challenge!
However
Guts alone…
Can't fill the gap!
Smack!
The spider slackened its silk for a moment — and on Fukaya's body that translated to a sudden emergency stop at peak speed!
Smack!
Behind-the-back dribble!
With one big lateral step, the ball was threaded between Fukui's legs and sent behind him — then Fukaya accelerated, chasing it down, cleanly passing him!
Fukui's pupils widened; he twisted stiffly — but Fukaya was already sprinting toward the next obstacle!
"So powerful!"
"He ate him alive just with speed!"
"This… It's literally dribble forward, chase, dribble again, chase again!"
"It's like he's passing to himself using pure speed!"
"Straight-line assault — brake, sidestep, straight charge again… basically just sprinting…"
Many players in the stands swallowed dryly. Even with prior mental preparation, it wasn't nearly enough to brace against this monstrous shock.
On the court
Fukaya closed in on Yōsen's No. 29 — Liu Wei!
Boom!
From the players' viewpoint — the spider behind Fukaya, its eyes glowing blood-red, seemed to blaze brighter under Fukaya's focus!
At the same time
Liu Wei, building full defense, finally understood what Midorima and Fukui just experienced — the sheer oppressive aura on this guy…
Enough to frighten anyone!
Then
Next instant!
He saw Fukaya hurl the ball behind him!
Bastard!!
Don't underestimate me!!!
Realizing Fukaya's intention, Liu Wei immediately braced to block — as long as he prevented the catch, his teammates could regain possession!
However
"MOVE!"
Bang!
Bang!
Fukaya's veins bulged — using the rope coat's force, he rammed past the 203cm Liu Wei, hooking his left arm to pin him backward!
Then
The spider, its silk anchored far behind, violently pulled the rope coat in reverse — jerking Fukaya forward!!
BOOM!
Liu Wei was held immobile by Fukaya's vice-like arm — and as Fukaya leapt, the pressure doubled — his horizontal lock tightening like steel!
Then
A crushing force hit Liu Wei's chest — shifting his balance!
Breakthrough!
In that instant of breaching his defense, Fukaya instinctively spoke:
"Is that all you've got…? Give me more!!"
But
With his balance gone, Liu Wei had no strength left!
He fell!
Thud!
CLANG!
Two contrasting sounds echoed — one was Liu Wei slamming to the ground, the other the violent rim rattle as Fukaya's shot exploded into the hoop!
Yōsen.
On court and bench, everyone stared blankly at the scene — some eyes full of disbelief, some concern, but most…
Sheer shock!!
Meanwhile
Kaijō bench.
Coach Takeuchi was stunned.
This was far from what he expected from "the real Fukaya Reiji."
Staring at the toppled Liu Wei, and Midorima, who barely missed a block
Takeuchi looked utterly clueless.
But…
At that moment, Kaijō's morale—
From the expressions of the players on the bench, it was obvious—
ever since Fukasaya Reiji was completely crushed in that one offensive-defensive exchange,
and now, as they stared wide-eyed at how easily Shigure tore straight through Yosen's perimeter—including Midorima…
The team's momentum had quietly climbed to its absolute peak!
END OF CHAPTER
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