Yuuto and Nash went at each other on the court.
But this was temporary. Because understanding Yuuto's ability, he'd only grow stronger the longer the fight continued.
The current stalemate wouldn't last. Sooner or later, Yuuto would break through.
Kagetora reacted swiftly. Seeing Yuuto matching Nash—even glimpses of suppression—he checked the clock.
When the timing felt right, he immediately subbed Murasakibara back in.
He wanted to seal Nash's passing lanes preemptively, having Murasakibara battle Jason Silver.
"Watch out for that Jason Silver."
Yuuto gave a warning, remembering how in the movie, Jason Silver had played dirty and injured Murasakibara.
Murasakibara wasn't actually naive—he took the advice to heart.
Then Yuuto and Nash clashed once more.
Both were drenched in sweat. At this level, both felt immense pressure.
But judging by their states, Yuuto appeared to have the upper hand.
Not because his Correction was complete—rather, he'd always maintained his own rhythm.
"Yu!"
Nash roared, eyes blazing, finding a weakness for the kill shot—slamming the ball through one-handed.
He was truly formidable. Even at this stage, he could still make plays.
But on the other end, Yuuto answered with another turnaround fadeaway.
Though not yet at Jordan's level—not even Kobe's—he possessed eyes neither legend had.
Multiple corrections and observations were gradually building his mastery over Nash's style.
This shot.
Ignored the defense!
SWISH!
Yuuto threaded the needle—art and technique fused perfectly. Though it looked simple, it radiated a back-to-basics beauty.
The audience couldn't help but lose themselves in his form.
Honestly, the post turnaround fadeaway was one of basketball's most aesthetically pleasing moves.
When executed, it just looked good—except when LeBron did it.
His arms raised, legs splayed out—it looked somewhat like a crab. There was a certain...
Anyway, it was just weird.
Though to be fair, this wasn't LeBron's fault. Despite his once-in-an-era physical gifts, his muscle density was too high to produce that graceful motion.
Meanwhile.
Back on defense, Yuuto continued applying pressure to Nash.
This pressure grew with each passing second. Nash gradually felt overwhelmed.
A full fourteen seconds before he finally found a weakness, slashing past Yuuto's side.
His opponent was evolving, rapidly correcting his flaws.
Mistakes made once would never be repeated.
This adjustment ability made even Nash feel fear. Guarding Yuuto was becoming harder and harder.
He'd heard of certain superstars who could make rapid adjustments mid-game.
Maybe they'd go 0-for-10 in the first half, playing terribly. But by game's end, checking the stat sheet would show them somehow at 20+ points or more—incredible floor-raising ability.
That was adjustment.
Adjusting to how opponents defended them, adjusting to their own cold shooting.
And Yuuto?
His adjustment speed exceeded even those superstars, and it wasn't mere adjustment.
Nash could genuinely feel Yuuto growing stronger, gradually tipping the scales between them.
"This game's about to be decided!"
The match wasn't over, but fans could sense the conclusion approaching.
Yuuto was gradually seizing control of the game, about to defeat Nash.
Finally.
With three minutes left in the third quarter.
During one drive, Nash's vision suddenly went dark.
"What is this?"
The golden ring in Nash's eyes blazed as he tried to see what was happening.
He turned to find Yuuto's eyes also glowing—the blue color now mingled with dangerous crimson.
The next second.
A scarlet dot appeared before Nash's eyes. With the Dead Point's appearance, his entire body felt a chill.
The result?
Even though he sensed the danger, his body couldn't respond.
As Yuuto's arm swept across, Nash completely lost control of the ball.
SMACK—
"It's over!"
Akashi and the others saw it and immediately understood.
Yuuto's Correction was finally complete. From now on, without a major breakthrough, Nash would never have a chance to defeat Yuuto again.
In this moment.
The aura emanating from Yuuto reached an inconceivable level.
SMACK—
Yuuto shouldered Nash aside to secure the ball, then his feet took flight as he shot toward the other basket like a comet.
"It's not over yet!" Nash refused to accept it, roaring as he gave chase.
They streaked across the court into the paint.
He caught up!
Nash arrived in time to contest—only to find Yuuto's body pinning him tightly.
Then.
BOOM—
Yuuto threw down a one-handed tomahawk while grabbing the rim. The momentum of his body sent the trailing Nash flying.
This game was about to end.
That was the genuine thought in everyone's mind.
How had it come to this?
Nash's heart churned. He knew all too well—there were too many people like this in that place.
This chosen one who'd talked trash a week ago, essentially calling everyone present garbage, now looked pathetic.
Well, technically Nash hadn't said it quite that way, but the translation amounted to the same thing.
"Now you're truly finished, Nash."
Yuuto landed steadily, looking down at Nash.
In those eyes, he saw cowardice—lacking Irving's edge, that fire to immediately answer every basket with one of his own.
Once you lost the courage to compete, opportunity would abandon you.
"Basketball is a game for the brave."
A game for the brave?
What do you know?!
Nash's heart roared, but his mouth stayed silent.
The only reason Yuuto could say this was because he hadn't yet seen true hell.
"In two years, will you still be able to talk like this?"
"No. You'll find your vaunted talent isn't worth mentioning!"
"The media—however high they lifted you up, they'll throw you down just as hard!"
This was Nash's lived experience.
He'd once been America's chosen one, bathed in spotlight.
The whole world praised him, eagerly anticipating his future.
And then?
After just a few failures, those same people immediately tore him down, dropping his draft ranking.
They dismissed his efforts with a few sentences and some statistics.
In the end, heartbroken and cold, Nash fled that hellish land.
"You'll end up just like me eventually, Yu!"
Nash had tried. He'd fought in that hellish place, struggled, resisted.
But there were too many demons there. They'd tear you apart endlessly!
...
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