[Learnable Skill Detected – Turnaround Jump Shot | Progress: 3%]
Cory Grant's pulse quickened. As expected of Ryonan's ace. Yusaku Ozawa, who had ranked second in Kanagawa's scoring list the year prior, wasn't just talk. Not only did he have refined moves, but likely more skills to uncover.
Whether Ozawa would teach him was another matter—but first came the battle.
Shohoku possession.
Mark Ito hesitated the moment he crossed half court. Pressure from Asahi Matsushita swallowed him whole, and in fear, he dumped the ball off instantly to Cory.
Cory grimaced—he's rattled. Matsushita's pace and intensity were clearly at "strong-team rotation player" level, not far from Shohoku's starting point guard material.
"Bring it on."
Facing Cory directly, Ozawa hooked his finger, beckoning confidently.
Cory exploded. One hard dribble right, his shoulders dipped and body turned. Ozawa slid swiftly to cut—only to be baited. Cory snapped the ball across his left foot, pushing off explosively. He surged past, a blur.
Ozawa spun and chased, his superior burst quickly drawing him level.
Now! Cory braked—the sudden stop threw Ozawa forward half a step. Quick rise, smooth wrist flick—
Swish!
The net snapped, clean two points.
From the bench, murmurs spread. "Not just Eurostep. He's got the crossover, pull-up too?"
Even Ozawa's eyes gleamed. Instead of discouragement, he smiled faintly. It had been a long time since he'd felt this riled up.
He's like me. Skills over raw body. A worthy mirror.
On Ryonan's bench, Coach Tian's face twisted.
He had hyped Uozumi's potential only minutes ago. Now, in front of Coach Anderson, Victor "Tank" was being systematically dismantled by Shohoku's Charles Ackerman.
And then came this Cory boy—a first-year no less—pulling off complex moves like the Eurostep smoothly.
Jealousy burned in Tian's chest like acid. For years he'd scoured Kanagawa, begging and recruiting scraps overlooked by Harbor High, Shoyo, and powerhouse academies. Meanwhile, Coach Anderson barely lifted a finger—yet Shohoku had quietly amassed diamonds.
How unfair. Even indifference is rewarded… while I bleed for every inch.
Resolve hardened in his heart. If Shohoku rises, Ryonan must rise faster. No more playing it safe. I'll recruit everywhere in Kanto!
Back on court, Cory's fiery duel with Ozawa escalated.
One bucket, then another. Cory swayed, attacked with crossovers, faked Eurosteps. Ozawa responded with dazzling footwork, varied pull-ups, clever bank shots. Point for point, they matched each other, exploding like rival stars.
By halftime's approach, Cory had 15, Ozawa 13. Slight edge to Shohoku's rookie—his efficiency higher.
From the stands, Hannah Ackerman's eyes widened.
So strong… I never knew Mu-senpai had this kind of skill.
She loved basketball as much as her brother but possessed none of his raw strength. Watching Cory's smooth, clever scoring, she realized instantly—his skills suit me more than Charles's bruising style. Maybe… maybe he could teach me someday.
Soon, the duel climaxed again.
Ryonan swung the ball to Ozawa. Uozumi lumbered up to screen Cory. Ozawa slipped free, confronted Charles, then spun into his silk-smooth turnaround jumper.
Swish! The motion was textbook. Rhythm, balance, release—flawlessly elegant. The net danced white.
Cory's system buzzed again.
[Turnaround Jump Shot: Progress 15%]
He grit his teeth. Skill absorption is working steadily. But at this pace, I'll need far more time—or his direct teaching—to master it fully.
Next play—Shohoku attacked. Ryonan immediately blitzed Cory with a double. He swung the ball out to Charles Ackerman, left one-on-one with Victor Uozumi.
Charles pivoted, used footwork to spin clear effortlessly. Uozumi lunged desperately, overcommitting—fingers tangled for leverage—
RIP.
The crowd gasped.
Charles froze, a chill down his legs. Victor, slipping awkwardly, had accidentally yanked—not his jersey, but his shorts.
CRASH! Charles toppled clumsily as fabric tore, crashing to the floor half-dressed.
For a moment, silence.
Then—uproarious laughter.
The entire gym roared. Players, reserves, even referees clutching their sides.
Shohoku's "gorilla" had just suffered the most unglamorous fate possible.