Chapter 66

"Kitano’s interior can't keep up with the rhythm; Yukimiya Kazuma is completely undefended."

The next three possessions were a replay of the same scene.

On Hakusuikan’s side, Yukimiya Kazuma hit shot after shot. Oguchi Ryuji was completely stunned; the guy who had been passing the whole time had suddenly turned into a ball hog, and an undefendable one at that. How could he deal with this?

Swish!

Swish!

Swish!

He was extremely excited. While chattering away, various celebration moves from his past life memories came one after another, wave after wave, crashing down on Kitano Middle School with every shot he made.

Yukimiya Kazuma racked up 11 points in just two minutes, and in those two minutes alone, the lead expanded by another 6 points.

The Kitano coach immediately called a timeout. He was quite knowledgeable about defense, but seeing Hakusuikan like this, he was at a loss; there were too many offensive methods and tactics centered around Yukimiya Kazuma!

After the timeout ended.

As expected, the Kitano coach put in a defensive lineup to go head-to-head with Yukimiya Kazuma, but the result was that Yukimiya Kazuma was completely unstoppable; 'Monster Immersion' left Kitano unable to cope!

Oguchi Ryuji sat on the bench, feeling very unwilling.

He had given his all in this game, but he was still helpless.

In the first three quarters of the game, Oguchi Ryuji played almost the entire time, recording 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Facing today’s Hakusuikan, the game’s progress was completely beyond his control.

Early on, Hakusuikan unleashed a whirlwind of fast breaks, turning Kitano’s pride—their interior—into a weakness; the center couldn't keep up with Hakusuikan’s frantic pace.

Then, at the start of the third quarter...

Oguchi Ryuji turned his head to look in Yukimiya Kazuma’s direction; this was the person who had become the final straw that broke the camel’s back!

Finally, the final whistle blew.

The score was fixed at 113 to 72, with Hakusuikan winning by a landslide over Kitano.

Yukimiya Kazuma finished with an all-around stat line of 36 points, 19 assists, 10 rebounds, 5 steals, and 6 blocks in three quarters—a typical Yukimiya-style performance.

[Badge Task: Defeat Kitano Middle School and comprehensively outperform Oguchi Ryuji in stats (points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks)]

[Achievement Reward: Oguchi Ryuji-related badge]

[Task completed...]

[Automatically loading badge reward...]

[Badge loading complete...]

[Obtained Badge: Devil’s Footwork]

[Devil’s Footwork (Gold): Your interior offensive footwork is elevated to Epic level. Did you travel? Or did you not? Anyway, rub-rub, it’s all the Devil’s Footwork~]

Holy cow!

I’m stunned, old buddy!

Gold?!

Interior offensive footwork, Epic level?

It was still the vague numerical description unique to Gold badges, but it looked like it should be a fairly powerful offensive badge. Perhaps, with this badge, he would become a master of footwork in the interior?

On the other side.

Despite the defeat, Oguchi Ryuji did not leave the court immediately.

He very gracefully shook hands with Yukimiya Kazuma and Taketou Masaki.

To Yukimiya Kazuma’s surprise, Oguchi Ryuji even congratulated him: "Yukimiya, your performance was amazing! You are a fantastic player."

"Uh." Yukimiya Kazuma struggled for a long time, squeezing out a few words like toothpaste: "Thanks?"

This guy felt so strange; he always felt like he was putting on an act?

What was that word to describe it?

Oh!

Right.

Idol baggage!

After the third round ended.

Only three teams remained.

That’s right, the schedule for the National Tournament main draw was that short; after all, only 24 national teams participated.

And these three remaining teams were, without a doubt:

Teiko.

Hakusuikan.

And... Meiko.

And, perhaps it was destiny.

The first match of the final round-robin was Hakusuikan vs. Teiko again.

At the stadium exit.

The Hakusuikan group came out, and it wasn't until they reached the parking lot that someone sighed: "We finally made it this far."

"It feels a bit dreamlike..."

"What will happen to us this time?"

"We..."

"Should be stronger now, right?"

Kasuga Yuji was the one speaking. Although everyone always talked about getting revenge on Teiko, now that they had actually reached this point, he, and everyone else at Hakusuikan, could vaguely feel in their hearts what the result would be.

However, being led forward by Yukimiya all the way gave them some groundless extravagant hopes.

Niimatsu Osamu noticed everyone’s mood: "There is never an unchanging outcome on the court, and the same goes for us. Let’s go back and have a meeting first."

Just then.

Teiko, having just finished their game, also left the stadium and arrived here.

They were still the same as always.

Looking bored.

Only Aomine Daiki’s eyes lit up when he saw Yukimiya Kazuma. He was about to walk up and say something, but found that the other party just glanced at him and then left with the team.

But...

Sometimes that’s just how it is.

Eye contact and such.

The emotion in the other’s eyes—the impatience to have a big showdown—was like smoldering gunpowder, burning into his eyes the moment their gazes met.

And between Hakusuikan and Teiko, a team that had appeared quietly didn't attract their attention at all.

Meiko Middle School passed by in silence amidst a stifling atmosphere. No one said a word. From their slightly exhausted faces, it could be seen that their victory today hadn't been easy; being able to make it into the final round was already barely scraping by.

However, Ogiwara Shigehiro, who was among them, had an unusually strong presence.

Back at the hotel.

Niimatsu Osamu took out the game footage of Teiko immediately.

Actually, it wasn't that Hakusuikan hadn't formulated tactics to deal with Teiko before, but the standard for those tactics was mainly based on the state of Hakusuikan’s players at that time.

You have to know that states change at any time; the same goes for oneself and the opponent.

An old-fashioned television set, which had seen better days, was playing all the footage of Teiko’s matches since the National Tournament began.

No one spoke.

Everyone at Hakusuikan didn't really know what to say.

Hakusuikan had played against Teiko before, so they knew the opponent’s strength very well. To be honest, they really couldn't see where Teiko’s weaknesses were.

However...

A moment later.

"Indeed, I can't see anything."