Ryonan High School Basketball Gym.
The moment Akashi's aura burst across the court, it was like a storm had swept through.
Everyone stiffened. Faces froze. Fear, raw and undiluted, seeped into the hearts of even the older players.
Uozumi's pupils contracted sharply, disbelief flashing in his eyes. He had never imagined Akashi could unleash such pressure.
Outside the court, Ryoji Ikegami's forehead glistened with cold sweat. His voice trembled.
"This… what is that? What exactly did he just do?"
Koshino Hiroaki felt his legs weaken, as though some invisible force had crushed him. His breaths came in short gasps.
"This aura… it's insane. You can feel it even from here."
Sendo, standing quietly, recognized the oppressive force. Memories of middle school flashed through his mind.
"Is… is he going to use that thing?"
Koshino frowned. "What thing?"
Sendo's voice lowered, measured. "Yesterday, during practice, Akashi didn't even use his full strength."
Gasps erupted. Freshmen and veterans alike stared, incredulous.
"What? He held back?!" Ryoji stammered.
"Yeah… and he's already that strong?" Tomoyuki Uekusa blurted.
Aida Hikoichi's jaw nearly dropped. "What did I just hear? Akashi… held back? How strong is he really?"
Sendo shook his head slightly. "I don't know the full extent. Even back in middle school, I only saw glimpses of his true ability."
He hesitated, then continued:
"But one thing is clear: his eyes… they see everything. Every subtle movement, every feint, every intention—he reacts one step ahead. It's as if he knows the future."
Silence. The gym fell into an eerie quiet.
Koshino broke it first. "This… this isn't real. How can a person do that?"
Ryoji shook his head. "Does he have… special abilities?"
Uekusa frowned. "If that's true… Akashi would be invincible."
Sendo's expression darkened, serious. "It is incredible. I didn't want to believe it either. But it's true. And now… you'll see for yourselves."
All eyes turned to the court.
Uozumi and Akashi faced each other. Their gazes cut like blades.
Round one. Uozumi on offense, Akashi on defense.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Outside the three-point line, Uozumi assumed a triple-threat stance. His muscles tensed; his mind raced. He tried to find an opening, but none appeared. Sweat beaded his forehead.
"Damn it… he's just standing there, yet his presence… it's crushing."
He grit his teeth. Enough. He decided to overpower Akashi physically. Step by step, he pushed forward.
At first, it seemed to work. The crowd of high-school players on the sidelines leaned forward in excitement.
Then… Snap!
The basketball never reached its target. Akashi's hand intercepted it mid-turn, crisp and precise.
Bang… bang… The ball skittered across the court, echoing off the walls.
Uozumi froze, horror flooding his eyes. How… how could he predict that?
Round two: Uozumi moved first. Akashi slapped the ball away effortlessly.
Round three: Uozumi attempted a self-pass dunk. Akashi intercepted it mid-air. Slap!
Round four… five… every attack neutralized.
Five rounds. Five steals. 100% interception rate.
The sidelines fell silent. Cold, stunned silence.
Everyone knew Uozumi's skill. But this… this was beyond comprehension.
Was Sendo right? Could Akashi really see the future?
Now it was Akashi's turn. Calm, deliberate, he picked up the ball.
Uozumi squared himself. He would block him.
But step by step, Akashi advanced, his movements measured, almost leisurely. And yet… the pressure mounted with each step.
Uozumi lunged. Akashi had already anticipated it. Half a step sideways, he passed by as if a phantom.
Then, before Uozumi could react, Akashi retreated slightly, already preparing his shot.
What…?
The distance was negligible, but Uozumi felt as if Akashi had vanished to the other end of the world.
Swish… The ball arced perfectly over his head and sank cleanly.
Akashi 1 – 0 Uozumi.
Every subsequent possession repeated the pattern. Calm advance, anticipated move, flawless shot. Uozumi's defense missed by a hair. He was being played, completely outclassed.
Outside, the gym was deathly silent. No gasps, no chatter. Only disbelief.
Finally, after the fifth shot… Swish.
Uozumi's face fell. The scoreboard read: Akashi 5 – 0 Uozumi.
He took a deep breath, composed himself, and walked toward Akashi. The tension drained from his posture. A sincere, calm smile appeared.
"I lost. From today, you are the captain of the Ryonan Basketball Team. Lead the team to victory."
Akashi's eyes, the crimson-gold halo fading, met his. Calm and confident, he extended his hand and shook Uozumi's firmly.
"Of course."
It was a silent handover. A passing of responsibility.
Ryonan's players stood quietly, as if witnessing a ceremony of destiny.
Outside the gym window, Coach Taoka Moichi observed in silence, a small, satisfied smile on his face.