Takasago tried once again to set a screen for Soichiro, but this time, He didn't attack. Instead, he swung the ball to Maki near the free-throw line.
Maki faked a jumper. Nango didn't budge—he knew Maki wouldn't pull up from that distance.
Sure enough, Maki pulled the ball back, then suddenly drove inside. Nango stuck to him like glue.
Maki spun, rising for a soft floater.
"Beautiful!" Coach Taoka's eyes lit up in spite of himself. This wasn't Maki's usual raw power—it was refined skill.
Sendo's eyes sharpened. "It's not over yet."
Nango twisted his body, leaping for the block.
Clang! The shot kissed the back rim, bounced high, and fell in.
"Damn it! Just a fingertip away!" Nango clenched his teeth—he had nearly blocked it.
Maki felt it too. He'd seen Nango's hand graze past, close enough to send a chill down his spine. Was it my stamina… or did he jump higher than before?
From the stands, Fujima murmured, "Maki's elevation is dropping. His stamina's running out."
Hanagata nodded grimly. "The last few minutes will be brutal. Shohoku's coming, and Kainan is cracking."
Hanagata was right.
Over the next stretch, Shohoku surged. Nango and Akagi both scored inside, while Maki only managed one of three attempts.
The scoreboard tightened: 73–74. Kainan by one.
But Hainan had the ball.
"We must stop this play!" Akagi bellowed. "Do not let them score!"
"ROAR!" Shohoku responded in unison.
This shot would decide everything.
Maki's face was grim. He would not let his team fall here—not while he still stood. This wasn't Soichiro's responsibility. It was his.
I'll drag Kainan to Nationals myself if I have to!
Takasago came up for a screen.
But Nango wasn't backing down. At this moment, I'll stop Kanagawa's No.1 with my own hands!
Maki exploded off the screen, full speed. Akagi crouched low—not to block, but to delay, to force a tough shot.
Nango fought free of Takasago and gave chase, one step behind.
Maki veered sideways to evade Akagi, then hop-stepped into the paint. The ball arced like a rainbow as he switched hands midair, preparing a smooth reverse layup.
"Old man! Not happening!" Sakuragi lunged from the weak side.
"Old man?!" Maki scowled, but his body flowed like water. Switching to his left hand, he tried to spin it off the glass—
SMACK!
Another hand appeared out of nowhere. Nango had caught up, swatting the ball against the backboard.
"Rebound!!" Maki roared.
Chaos erupted under the basket. Takasago leapt first, but Sakuragi tipped the ball away with his reach. A second scramble ensued. This time, Sakuragi secured it.
From the stands, Uozumi muttered, "Kainan's momentum… it's gone."
Coach Taoka shook his head. "No. This is the final straw. If Shohoku takes the lead now, Kainan won't recover."
"Here!" Sakuragi swung the rebound toward Nango—but Maki was right there, hawking him.
Nango darted forward, then suddenly cut back, shaking free to receive.
"Stop him, Maki!!" Coach Takasato roared.
But Nango wasn't holding onto the ball. He flipped it behind himself, sending it floating free.
Maki spun, sprinting neck and neck with Nango. Kiyota also charged in, eyes locked on the loose ball.
For a moment, the three collided in mid-stride. Nango, taller and longer, tapped the ball forward—then collapsed to the floor.
Mitsui scooped it up, instantly feeding Rukawa.
Rukawa sprinted, drew Kosuge, then flicked the ball backward over his head—
BOOM!
Akagi thundered in, slamming it home. Shohoku took the lead.
The gymnasium erupted.
From there, Kainan fought, but their shots kept missing. Shohoku's inside-out attack stretched the gap wider and wider.
When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard sealed it.
The King had fallen.
In the stands, Hasegawa sighed. "I never thought Nango could push Maki this far."
Hanagata shook his head, adjusting his glasses. "Not just Nango. Maki carried too much. Offense, defense—everything fell on him. Meanwhile, Nango had only one mission: stop Maki. It was an unfair fight."
Hasegawa nodded. "Shoyo, Kainan—both toppled by Shohoku. The power balance in Kanagawa has finally shifted."
"Yeah… Shohoku's amazing. I can't wait to see what they do next."
Fujima overheard. His face unreadable, he slipped his hands into his pockets and left. Hasegawa and Hanagata exchanged a glance, then followed.
Nearby, the mustached businessman offered Akagi a rare smile. "Congratulations, Akagi-san. You kept your promise."
On the sidelines, Eri waved. "I'm heading out, Kano!"
"Be careful on your way home," Kano replied, lingering to wait for Shohoku's dismissal.
The arena emptied, leaving Shohoku's supporters celebrating in triumph.
On the court, Maki pulled Kiyota close, pressing his hand on the freshman's head. "Don't cry. This is only the Prefectural Tournament. We'll fight again."
"…Mmm." Kiyota choked back tears. His teammates' eyes were red too.
After both sides bowed, they turned to leave.
Nango stepped forward, extending a hand.
"Don't take what I said earlier to heart. I look forward to facing you again at Nationals."
Maki stared at him, then broke into hearty laughter. His grip was strong.
"Next time, we'll win."
Nango grinned back.
"No—we'll win again. By then, I'll be fifty times stronger than today."
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