Chapter 143: Where are you flying off to, you idiot!

Quanzhen Hall vs. Kirisaki.

80:72.

An 8-point gap.

Beep~!!

Kirisaki calls a timeout.

From the moment Yukimiya Kazuma entered the Zone, Kirisaki coach Harasawa Katsu-nori had wanted to call a timeout, but Aomine was still in the Zone at the time, and he feared the interruption would affect him.

But now...

Aomine has completely exited the Zone state.

Clearly, having been in the Zone simultaneously but still crushed by Yukimiya Kazuma, that Zone was merely a false one—a spent force.

However...

If his estimation is correct, Yukimiya Kazuma is not currently in his optimal Zone state either, as he expended significant stamina defending against Aomine before entering it.

3 minutes.

He should be out in 3 minutes.

During the timeout, Harasawa Katsunori lays out a series of tactics to stall Yukimiya Kazuma.

Yet...

"Aomine!"

"Huh?"

"What is it?"

"This isn't the time for 'what is it'! It's already started! Everyone is on the court!" Seeing Aomine just taking the towel off his head, Momoi Satsuki immediately asks, "Did you hear the coach's instructions just now?"

"Ah..."

"Sorry..."

"I didn't hear them."

Aomine tosses the towel aside and slowly stands up.

Momoi Satsuki freezes at Aomine's expression; for a moment, she feels as if she has traveled back to their second year of middle school, the time when Tetsu-kun had just joined the first string, Aomine's happiest days.

Back then...

'Sorry.'

'I didn't hear them.'

Because he had encountered a good opponent, Aomine, who would unconsciously immerse himself in the game, had said the exact same words because he was too focused to hear the strategy.

Back then, he was smiling on the court.

Just like he was a moment ago.

On the court.

With Yukimiya Kazuma as the core, the space he occupies seems to be shrouded by an invisible defensive zone! ===== CHAPTER 339 =====

Its range even extends beyond the three-point line, a defensive area even more exaggerated than his previous 'ultra-wide range defense'!

And...

It relies entirely on his own ability.

Without needing to use the 'I Love' series badges at all.

Aomine arrives at the top of the three-point arc with the ball.

Looking at Yukimiya Kazuma in the Zone before him, Aomine has a rather strange feeling.

"What is this..."

"It's like the situation at the end of the second quarter has been completely reversed."

"Yukimiya..."

"Well done."

Yukimiya Kazuma, arms hanging at his sides, stares intently at the ball in Aomine's hands. Seeing the smile on Aomine's face, he suddenly says with a flat expression:

"Wipe that smile off your face..."

"It's disgusting."

Aomine: "..."

That jerk Yukimiya.

This guy...

Definitely has some kind of condition where his attitude turns nasty whenever he enters the Zone.

On the other side.

Seeing Aomine about to attack with the ball, Imayoshi Shoichi frowns, as this completely contradicts the stalling tactics just set up. "Aomine! Slow down, pass the ball first!"

Aomine snorts coldly.

Pass the ball...

Are you kidding me!

The moment he touched Yukimiya Kazuma's defensive range, Aomine knew that passing would be futile; it would be intercepted in an instant!

And at a time like this, of course he has to...

Just then!

In the blink of an eye!

Yukimiya Kazuma suddenly lunges in front of Aomine!

Too fast!

His hand even touches the ball!

Aomine, drawing stamina from who knows where, sees the black panther phantom behind him flash for an instant!

"It's a steal!"

"Not yet... his reaction is so fast!"

"Aomine dodged that one."

"The ball pass! No, it's a flashy dribble, followed by... a formless shot..."

"Huh?!"

Yukimiya Kazuma's speed is incredibly fast right now. After failing to steal the ball and being dodged, he tightly follows Aomine's flashy dribble—which was a fake pass—and then chases down Aomine's formless shot as he drifts laterally!

Slap~!

The ball in Aomine's hand is blocked by Yukimiya!

Afterward...

The Zone's high-speed sprint is no different from the previous scene, resulting in another easy score for Yukimiya Kazuma.

82:72.

The score returns to double digits.

Yukimiya's Zone hasn't been active for long, yet the lead has stretched from 4 points to 10; the power of the Zone is evident.

Next possession.

Slap~!

Kirisaki's ball is intercepted!

However, this time it wasn't Aomine, but an interception of a pass from other Kirisaki players who were attempting to slow down the offensive rhythm and circulate the ball on the perimeter.

Imayoshi Shoichi: "...!"

This guy's Zone...

Because his playing style is different from Aomine's, it is exceptionally strengthened on the defensive end!

Is it because...

Of that terrifying passing vision...

The moment Kirisaki loses the ball, Aomine has already retreated to the half-court to prepare for defense.

And Yukimiya Kazuma, having sprinted past everyone, arrives at Kirisaki's half-court, but instead of attacking from outside the three-point line, he goes straight to the free-throw line!

Whoosh~!

Whoosh~!

Whoosh~!

At the free-throw line!

Yukimiya Kazuma unleashes the 'Devil's Footwork'!

The Zone version is ridiculously fast, almost turning into a blur!

And...

Even without using 'Jie Hua Fa', his 'inadvertent' leaning and bumping keep Aomine rooted to the spot, his defensive rhythm unable to keep up, and the result is Aomine being shaken off in an instant!

"Tsk!"

At this point, one can only say Aomine is relying on sheer willpower; after being shaken, he kicks off the ground the moment he lands to chase and defend again!

However...

In Yukimiya Kazuma's vision, the opponent's movements are clearly visible. Relying on the Zone's ability advantage, he performs a sudden stop and behind-the-back dribble!

Aomine lunges forward to block, crossing paths with Yukimiya Kazuma, who has suddenly stopped in place, the distance between them growing ever wider.

"Where are you flying off to?"

"You idiot!"

Yukimiya Kazuma gathers the ball in place, even aiming for a moment like a beginner before calmly shooting the ball, without even jumping.

Snow-colored arcs of electricity flash constantly in his eyes. Through the long lenses of the photographers on the sidelines, although they cannot see the electricity Aomine sees, everyone can intuitively feel the ice and snow that looks down on everything in those half-closed eyes.

At the same time.

The indifferent-looking Yukimiya and Aomine, who jumped to block but was shaken away into the distance, form a stark contrast in the photographers' lenses.

"He scored again...!"

"It's like..."

"He's playing Aomine like a fiddle!"

"Yukimiya Kazuma... the Uncrowned King!"

It is very close to Harasawa Katsunori's estimation.

A little over 3 minutes.

Yukimiya Kazuma's Zone, like Aomine's, becomes unsustainable and he exits it.

From the time Yukimiya entered the Zone until it was deactivated, Kirisaki did not score a single point.

Aomine is not like Yukimiya; the latter's passing ability, though the conditions for execution are harsher, can indeed guarantee a certain level of scoring under the pressure of the Zone.

But Aomine has no way at all; unable to enter the Zone, he continues to challenge Yukimiya in his current state, though Aomine's face wears an inexplicable smile.

But the score gap doesn't lie.

92:72. ===== CHAPTER 340 =====