Sendoh licked his lips, his eyes blazing as he stared at Oliver on the court.
To Sendoh, basketball had always been just a game—one he loved with all his heart. Unlike Akagi or Oliver, he didn't harbor ambitions to dominate the country. For him, the thrill of competition, the love for the challenge—that was everything.
But there was one thing he despised.
Losing.
"Beep!"
Ryonan inbounded the ball and passed it to Sendoh. In the blink of an eye, Kaede Rukawa closed in, his intense gaze locked onto Sendoh, brimming with fighting spirit.
"Hmph…"
Dribbling the ball with rapid, rhythmic beats—bang, bang, bang—Sendoh lowered his center of gravity, angled his wrist down, and suddenly switched directions. His movement left behind a faint afterimage as he blew past Rukawa from the side.
"!!"
Kaede Rukawa's eyes widened in shock. The speed Sendoh just displayed was completely different from what he'd shown in the first half.
Don't tell me… this is him getting serious now?!
"Wahahaha! Sendoh! I'll be the one to stop you!!"
With hands on his hips, Sakuragi laughed boldly, then threw out his arms and dashed toward Sendoh.
"Hanamichi! You idiot!!"
Watching Sakuragi abandon his post in the paint to run up on Sendoh, Oliver almost coughed up blood in frustration. He quickly sprinted inside to fill the open gap.
Sendoh glanced at Sakuragi charging at him, then spun swiftly, cutting right around him with the ball.
"What!?"
Sakuragi gasped. Sendoh's movement was so smooth—it was like trying to catch a slippery fish. He was right there, yet impossible to pin down.
"Hahahaha! What the hell are you doing, Sakuragi?"
Up in the stands, Mito burst into laughter at Sakuragi's awkward stance.
"That pose! It's like some monster from an arcade game. Who defends like that in real basketball?"
"Shut up! Just wait—I'll make you eat those words!"
Enraged, Sakuragi shook his fist at them before spinning back around to chase after Sendoh.
"Sakuragi…"
The entire Shohoku bench shook their heads. Only he would take time during a game to argue with the crowd.
On the opposite side, Coach Taoka studied Sakuragi's movement and narrowed his eyes.
"That red-haired No. 10... from the way he moves, he must've only started playing basketball recently."
He stroked his chin, analyzing carefully. Sakuragi's motions were unrefined and lacked flow—clear signs of a beginner. With that in mind, Coach Taoka stood up and shouted toward the court.
"Ignore number 10! He's a beginner, no threat! Focus all defense on number 15!"
The moment Sakuragi heard that, he looked down and saw the glaring No. 10 on his jersey. Instantly, his whole face turned red with fury.
"Old man! Who are you calling a beginner?!"
"Sakuragi!! Focus on the game!!"
Ayako stomped her feet angrily from the sidelines. Dealing with him was exhausting.
"That's right… It's all about competition!"
Sakuragi turned to look and realized Sendoh had already dashed into the paint. Oliver, who had just filled in, was standing there with arms wide, trying to brace for Sendoh's incoming assault.
Akagi was being locked down tightly by Yuzumi, and Rukawa had two defenders stuck to him like glue. One of Ryonan's players was also keeping an eye on Kogure.
No one was guarding Sakuragi.
"Damn it! I'll show them the true power of a genius!!"
Sakuragi rushed into the paint, eyes blazing with vengeance.
The camera shifted to Oliver, who was under intense pressure. Sendoh was charging toward him like a thunderbolt.
Akagi was being completely neutralized, Sakuragi had vacated his post, and now Shohoku's paint area was wide open. And Oliver? Standing at less than 1.7 meters, without his "Bull Charge" ability, he might as well be a scarecrow in front of Sendoh.
Oliver quickly scanned the court. The Ryonan players were all busy—no one was in position to receive a pass.
Which meant—Sendoh was going all in with this drive.
Sure enough, Sendoh jumped, ball in hand, about to go for the layup.
"Not that easy!!"
Gritting his teeth, Oliver launched himself into the air, stretching out his arms with all his might to block Sendoh.
"Wait up!!"
A thunderous roar echoed through the stadium—Sakuragi!
He soared into the air like a red missile, suddenly appearing behind Sendoh mid-flight!
"What?!"
Gasps erupted across the stadium. How had Sakuragi reached the paint so quickly? Just moments ago he was clowning around at midcourt!
His burst of speed—it rivaled even Oliver's when he activated his skills!
"This guy…?!"
Sendoh twisted in mid-air to glance behind him, stunned to see Sakuragi glued to his back. Without hesitation, he shot the ball.
"No way you're scoring against this genius!!"
Panicked, Sakuragi swung his arm and struck Sendoh across the forearm with a sharp bang.
"Ah… crap."
Oliver's heart sank as he saw it unfold.
"Beep!!"
The referee blew his whistle sharply and made a hand motion—one hand slapping the other.
"Red No. 10—foul!"
"WHAT!?"
Sakuragi's face froze. Oliver stepped in before he exploded, holding him back and quickly shifting his eyes to the ball still in the air.
Contact was inevitable on that play. Sakuragi couldn't be blamed. But the bigger question—would the shot go in?
Bang!
The basketball hit the rim, spun around twice, and—
Swish.
It dropped into the net.
"Tch..."
Oliver smacked his lips in frustration.
"Beep!"
Another whistle.
"White No. 7's basket is good. One free throw awarded!"
The audience buzzed with excitement.
"That's an and-one! Even with contact, he nailed it—Sendoh is incredible!"
"Feels like Sendoh wanted that foul. Did he bait it on purpose?"
"That red-haired kid is fast, but his skills are still lacking. Pretty entertaining, though!"
"Haha! Look at him! He's about to explode! What a hothead!"
Back on the court...
"Damn it! Which eye of yours saw me hit him?!"
Sakuragi shouted furiously, about to march over to the referee. Oliver quickly stepped in.
"Easy, Hanamichi. That foul was actually a good one. Sure, they got the free throw, but it broke his rhythm."
He patted Sakuragi on the back.
"Yeah," Kogure chimed in as he ran over, "and your recovery speed was incredible. You came flying back so fast it freaked me out. Don't worry about the foul!"
"Enough talk. Let's get back in position!"
The players lined up on either side of the key. The referee handed the ball to Sendoh, who took a deep breath, locked in on the hoop, and let it fly.
Swish.
Free throw made!
The game resumes!
Bang! Bang! Bang...
Oliver dribbled slowly, his eyes calmly scanning the court.
He glanced at Akagi, who was being tightly hugged by Yuzumi—like a clingy girlfriend afraid of being cheated on.
Then to Rukawa. Of course, Ryonan wasn't stupid. They had two defenders shadowing him relentlessly. Even if Oliver used his "magic pass" to force the ball to Rukawa, it wouldn't help much—not with Sendoh lurking nearby.
Kogure? Easily marked by a single defender.
And Sakuragi?
Well... he was unguarded, but...
Those who know, know.
"Looks like I've got no choice... I have to open up the game myself."
Oliver began accelerating his dribble, the ball pounding faster and faster against the court—
Bang! Bang! Bang Bang Bang!
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