Chapter 254

Especially in a game where one loss means elimination, both sides play for their lives, and maintaining a shooting percentage of around 50% is already quite good.

She believed that after being baptized by the battles against Shutoku and Too, her team had no problem hitting 50%.

No matter how good Yosen’s defense was, they couldn't possibly eliminate all their shooting opportunities.

But the rebounds...

Every rebound they lost meant Yosen got one more offensive opportunity than them.

In this way, even if both sides had the same shooting percentage, the side with the higher probability of winning would only be Yosen.

"That’s why Kirisaki Daiichi focused on counterattacks and kept speeding up the game."

Speed—Seirin had it, but they were missing one very important link.

Tendou Tiandao Tiandao Jingyan!

Alexandra naturally wouldn't miss this battle of brothers.

Seeing Seeing Seeing Kagami’s Seirin struggling so much, she couldn't help but look toward the stands.

During the summer, Tendou had completely blown up Yosen’s perimeter and even cut off Yosen’s interior-exterior connection.

Many times, Yosen couldn't even manage to get the ball to their three interior giants.

In other words.

Actually, Kirisaki Daiichi’s victory over Yosen wasn't just about speeding up the pace; their defense was also done exceptionally well, even better than their offense.

However...

"Swish!"

The ball went in; Seirin scored their first field goal.

When Hyuga Junpei’s three-pointer clanked, and both Seeing Seeing Kagami and Kiyoshi Teppei couldn't break through Yosen’s interior blockade—

Kuroko stepped up and pierced Yosen’s defense with his Phantom Shot.

The ball seemed to pass through Murasakibara’s palm, swishing through the net.

"It’s started. That guy Tetsuya, I can't believe he came up with that kind of shooting method."

Aomine was happy for his best friend when he saw him score.

"Phantom Shot... he’s still as unique as ever."

Akashi walked over at this moment.

"Akashi? Why did you come over too?"

"Seeing everyone here, I couldn't help but come over. After all, watching a game is more lively when we’re together."

Akashi leaned over with a smile.

He had said long ago that Kuroko’s basketball couldn't win, but now with Seeing Seeing Kagami Taiga, it was a different story.

"Because Kuroko doesn't want to be left behind by everyone either." Kise also came over at this time, praising, "The Vanishing Shot and Vanishing Drive, it’s truly gorgeous."

People around them saw this and all stared.

One, two, three, four, five, six...

The entire Generation of Miracles was present; that aura alone was enough to make people retreat.

The longest winning streak in middle school, the largest point gap, three consecutive national championships...

In those years, Teiko had created too many miracles, destined to be remembered by history.

"It’s just too gorgeous." Tendou leaned on the railing and shook his head.

Akashi also grabbed the railing with one hand and nodded, "Indeed, it really is too gorgeous."

"Eh? Is gorgeous bad? I think it’s really cool." Kise even wanted to imitate Kuroko’s shot.

"Kuroko is different from us." Akashi said softly, "He is a shadow. If this continues, his Misdirection might not last until the end of the Winter Cup."

How long it could last, Akashi didn't know either.

0... 0

So he turned his head to look at Tendou, feeling that perhaps Tendou could see it.

Tendou really didn't know.

Kuroko’s Misdirection didn't lose its effect until the Rakuzan game in the anime.

He first completed the Vanishing Drive, then after defeating Too, he completed the Phantom Shot with Aomine’s help.

But this time, inspired by Mayuzumi Chihiro, he had already completed it before the Winter Cup started.

How long it could last, even Tendou wasn't sure.

"But, what is that guy thinking?"

Aomine looked down at the court.

Kuroko’s Phantom Shot relieved Seirin’s urgent need.

He didn't keep scoring; he would pass the ball according to the situation, assisting teammates to score.

In an instant, Yosen had no good solution, and their defensive line was no longer airtight.

However, Seirin seemed very eager to break through the interior at the same time.

Seeing Seeing Kagami, their ace player, had been tangling with Yosen’s three giants in the paint.

"Perhaps it’s out of other considerations. A Hyuga Junpei and Kuroko can't kill Yosen; if Seirin wants to win, they need points in the paint."

More importantly, they needed to do a good job on interior defense.

Akashi saw it clearly: Seirin just wanted to replicate Kirisaki Daiichi’s success.

But they couldn't do it like Kirisaki Daiichi, completely cutting off Yosen’s interior connection; they could only try with Seeing Seeing Kagami and Kiyoshi Teppei.

I won't say any more nonsense; I’m going back to writing.

Aida Riko wasn't a fool; she naturally knew that Kirisaki Daiichi’s defeat of Yosen didn't rely solely on offense, but more importantly, on defense.

It’s just that Seeing Seeing Kagami wasn't Tendou; he didn't have those invincible Six Eyes, nor did he have Tendou’s exquisite perimeter technique.

He played the power forward position, possessed shooting ability, but his scoring was basically concentrated inside the three-point line.

If Seirin didn't go head-to-head with Yosen, what else could they do?

"Damn it, how on earth did he do it!"

Seeing Seeing Kagami wiped his sweat.

Never mind holding off Murasakibara, even against a big guy like Okamura Kenichi, he was being boxed out so uncomfortably that he couldn't display his advantages.

The model advantage of Yosen’s three giants was too obvious.

But then Seeing Seeing Kagami Taiga learned.

Kiyoshi Teppei walked over and patted him, and in the next possession, Seeing Seeing Kagami Taiga mastered the interior technique.

He lowered his waist and used both hands to hold off Okamura Kenichi, not letting his opponent get close to the basket.

In the end, he defended that ball.

It really was that sudden; the whole process took less than 1 minute.

Tendou watched the anime; Kiyoshi Teppei said to him, "You need to lower your waist, the opponent’s center of gravity is very high," and Seeing Seeing Kagami found a way to deal with Okamura Kenichi in the very next possession.

Just like that.

After the first half, the two teams reached 40:34, with Seirin trailing by 6 points.

The scoring efficiency of both sides wasn't high; Yosen was barely averaging over 20 points per quarter.

But that didn't mean the game wasn't exciting.

The physical intensity was very high, and the players’ muscles were constantly colliding.

At least Tendou was watching with great interest.

The first time he watched basketball was because of Chairman Yao; the NBA back then was like this, everyone’s scores weren't high, and often a team would only score 70 or 80 points in a game.

"Tendou, let’s go buy something to drink?"

"Ah."

The halftime break was long, and standing here was just standing; it was better to go out and get some fresh air.

"Do you guys want to come together?"

"I... forget it, you guys go."

Kise just wanted to raise his hand, but noticed Satsuki behind Tendou looking over, and immediately backed down.

"Scary... is Momoi-chan actually such a fierce woman?"

— Author's Notes —

PS: I went out to eat with my cousin last night, drank a bit of alcohol, came back, and fell asleep until now. Sorry for keeping everyone waiting.