"Aomine's in!"
"Finally… but at this point, does it even matter?"
Several players from Shutoku and Seirin exchanged doubtful looks. It wasn't that they didn't believe in Aomine Daiki's ability, it was just that he'd entered the game far too late.
The score between Seiho and Tōō Academy was 54:16.
A nearly 40-point gap, could Aomine really close that in just over half a quarter?
Before anyone could answer, Midorima Shintaro spoke up: "Judging from Akashi's current performance, it's tough, but not impossible."
"No way…" the others murmured in disbelief.
"Aomine has the highest potential I've ever seen," Midorima continued, adjusting his glasses lightly. "Yesterday against Kise wasn't even Aomine at full power. His style is to get stronger as the battle progresses. If he really goes all out now, the outcome could still go either way."
The words sent a cold sweat down everyone's spine.
"Is he even human?"
Patting the dust off the fox plush he always carried, Midorima added, "Well… of course, all of this depends on Akashi's performance. And from what I've seen, neither of them has even shown their true strength yet…"
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"Yo~ looks like you've been having fun here!" Aomine grinned.
"Of course, it's been fun… though I wish you'd come after the match is over. I'd have enjoyed it even more," Akashi Asuka sighed regretfully.
"…Forget it! That doesn't matter now. I just hope you can hold out a bit longer, so I can truly enjoy this match. Don't fold like in the prelims!"
Aomine's smile stretched like a protractor, radiating pure battle intent.
Even from the stands, dozens of meters away, the sheer aura made players from Shutoku, Seirin, and Kaijo feel the tension.
Once Aomine was on the court, Seiho naturally had to adjust. A monster can only be countered by another monster.
Other matchups shifted as well. Tsugawa Tomoki no longer guarded Konishi Shoichi, instead matching up against Ryo Sakurai.
Sakurai nearly cried in excitement.
Previously, under Akashi's defense, he hadn't scored a single point. Not one!
BEEP~
The referee's whistle blew, signaling the restart.
Since Tōō Academy had thrown the ball out of bounds before the substitution, Seiho would start with possession.
Nothing needed hiding.
With Aomine in, the old tactics were impossible to continue, so Omuro Yoshikasu immediately passed the ball to Akashi.
"Your turn. You've been holding back long enough."
Though Akashi hadn't said anything before, Seiho's players could see his anticipation for a direct confrontation with Aomine.
Akashi's battle intent was more restrained than Aomine's fiery aggression, but it was there.
"Right off the bat, an ace showdown?"
"Of course. The gap between Seiho and Tōō Academy isn't that big. In the end, it comes down to the two aces."
Akashi faced Aomine, ball in hand. The difference in defensive caliber was immediately obvious.
Against most players, Akashi could attempt a drive using his dribbling and physical strength.
But against Aomine? Not even a thought of breaking through crossed his mind.
His strengths lay at the perimeter and under the rim; the mid-range was a weak zone. Trying to exploit his weakness against Aomine's strength would be foolish.
So, facing Aomine's intense defense, Akashi didn't advance. Instead, he stepped back, raised his hands, and launched a three-pointer.
Akashi's three-point rating was 85, the limit for a high schooler, just shy of Miracle level.
And this wasn't just about accuracy. His motion, timing, and release speed were all refined to near perfection.
In previous matches against Tōō Academy's other defenders, his shots often left before they could react.
But this time…
Even though Akashi released first, Aomine's eyes flashed with a sharp light. In a blink, he intercepted the ball, outpacing Akashi and blocking it in mid-air.
"So fast!"
Players and spectators alike, Shutoku, Seirin, Kaijo, and both teams, were stunned.
Every human movement has an acceleration phase. Going from zero to full speed takes a moment.
Yet Aomine seemed to bypass this entirely.
His explosive power allowed him to reach 100% instantly. Even though he reacted after Akashi's release, he completed the block first.
…but then…
SWISH!
The ball traced a perfect arc and swished through the net.
57:16
With that three-pointer, the point difference officially reached 40 points.
"What?"
"How is this possible?"
"Aomine… didn't stop it?!"
Countless spectators and players on and off the court were dumbfounded.
Especially the Generation of Miracles and those familiar with them, they could hardly believe their eyes.
Akashi slowly lowered his shooting arm and, looking at Aomine, said calmly, "If you think losing can still be fun, then go ahead… enjoy it."
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria