Chapter 287

The firm convictions of the seniors, the desperate diligence of daily training, and the fact that I pay attention to these things—all stem from the seed planted by the person before my eyes.

'You, who remain stuck in your old ways, cannot defeat me.'

Midorima's triple-threat stance, with his center of gravity lowered, suddenly shifted.

He started and broke through with momentum.

Sudden stop...

Turned his back!

Then...

Using a teammate's screen, he suddenly drove inside the three-point line!

Seeing this scene, everyone present froze, because this was the first time Midorima Shintaro had chosen to drive inside on offense in this match!

"Don't look down on us!"

"Yukimiya!"

"I..."

I am by no means stuck in my old ways. Amidst Midorima's restrained low roar, he pressed his shoulder against Yukimiya Kazuma's chest, suddenly hooked his hand backward, and passed the ball out.

The one who received the ball was Miyaji Kiyoshi, who had just peeled away from the screen!

At the same time, Midorima clasped his hands before his chest, pressing down hard on Yukimiya Kazuma!

Miyaji Kiyoshi: "!"

The instant he caught the ball, Miyaji Kiyoshi clearly froze for a moment.

"Kiyoshi! Shoot!"

Amidst Ootsubo Taisuke's roar, Miyaji Kiyoshi immediately released his shot!

Swish~!

Mid-range shot made!

Takao Kazunari: "Sho-chan, you..."

A pass...

A screen?

Takao Kazunari watched Midorima, who said nothing and retreated toward the backcourt past him, momentarily too surprised to know what to say, while Miyaji Kiyoshi, as Midorima ran over, slapped Midorima on the back.

"Mm, good pass."

On the sidelines.

Kuroko Tetsuya's eyes widened.

Taketou Masaki and Liang Huayin beside him wore the same expression, though compared to Kuroko, they showed less emotional agitation.

Izunomiya's offense.

He Xiuyang lofted the ball to Yukimiya Kazuma, who had cut into the paint.

'Devil's Footwork' activated!

After being shaken off by Midorima by a series of rapid technical moves, Midorima stumbled with his feet as well.

"Can't stop him!"

"Oh no!"

"Midorima..."

It was too late; they wanted to help defend but couldn't make it in time!

During Yukimiya Kazuma's isolation possession, Ootsubo Taisuke and the others were pulled aside by the rest of Izunomiya, leaving them no chance to provide support.

Outside the court, Kuroko Tetsuya saw Midorima's expression.

Focused.

Serious.

Even... a ferocity never seen before.

But what shocked him even more was Midorima's defense that followed.

While stumbling, Midorima desperately twisted his body; the next moment, he spun around sharply and, despite being unsteady on his feet, struggled to turn back and chase down the defense, following Yukimiya Kazuma into his jump to block the ball in his hand!

His ragged posture looked as if he had been rolling in mud and water.

It's not over yet!

Yukimiya!

From the stands, gasps of shock continued to rise.

However...

Yukimiya Kazuma seemed to have foreseen this scene all along.

"Of course you can keep up..."

That was clear enough from the change in your offense just now, from the look in your eyes.

"A very good attempt..."

You who fight to the end, and Shutoku as well, deserve respect.

"But..."

"It's still not enough."

Clang~!

Yukimiya Kazuma, who had only begun his main offensive push in the fourth quarter while gauging his stamina.

Compared to Midorima, who had been running nonstop throughout the game to find shooting opportunities while also having to guard him on defense, the height difference in their mid-air postures was now strikingly obvious.

On this shot, Yukimiya relied purely on physical ability and stamina to complete a dunk that overwhelmed in terms of height!

……

Beep~!

"The match is over...!"

"126:71."

"Seirin wins!"

"Salute!"

While forming ranks, looking at the Eastern King Shutoku before them, especially the Generation of Miracles' Midorima Shintaro, Tsuchiya Dahe and Dakou Longzhi felt a mix of emotions.

It is hard to imagine...

In the first year of high school, the first major tournament participated in.

Defeating a member of the Generation of Miracles in the group stage, and that too the famous King Shutoku, with a margin of over 50 points.

Tsuchiya Dahe: "I don't really feel it."

Dakou Longzhi: "I wonder how my performance looks to the juniors."

And that He Xiuyang and Long Tian Zhang...

He Xiuyang: "We actually won like this."

Long Tian Zhang: "The joy of Bai Shui Hall... joining Seirin was the right choice back then. What Naruse? Don't even come near us."

Yukimiya Kazuma: "..."

【Badge Quest: In the Shutoku match, limit Midorima Shintaro's shooting percentage to below 50%】

【Completion Reward: Midorima-related Badges】

【Automatically loading Badge reward...】

【Badge loaded...】

【Obtain Badge: Rolling Pencil】

【Rolling Pencil (Gold · Non-upgradable): Crafted from the pencil of Yushima Tenjin used by Midorima, it is a metaphysical luck bonus capable of letting Kagami Taiga score 98 in Japanese Literature; one is refreshed per match. Upon use, you gain one shot with the same level of luck bonus from any angle, any distance, and any posture on the court.】