Kise transformed into golden lightning rapidly streaking across the court.
"You bastard." Nash gritted his teeth hard.
After all, Tendou was still just a high school student. If his level could already be comparable to his own, that would mean Tendou's talent was even more outstanding than his.
Nash was already in college! This two-year gap couldn't be easily bridged.
"Bang!"
The ball went in. Kise courageously charged into Evil Dragons territory, dunking the ball into the rim despite Jason Silver's defense.
His playing style was so varied it was incomprehensible. One moment it was the most utilitarian professional basketball style, the next it was extremely flashy street basketball.
"Amazing!"
This was the first time people had witnessed Kise exploding with his full power.
It had to be said that everyone, including Akashi, was greatly surprised.
"Kise probably prepared this move for the Winter Cup." During this year's national tournament, Kise hadn't displayed this level of ability.
This meant that from the end of the national tournament until now, he had progressed even further.
"However, whether it's the Zone or Perfect Copy, both are abilities that place considerable burden on the body. Kise probably can't maintain this for long."
About five minutes would probably be the limit of Kise's current state. Compared to last year, Kise had grown another year older, but now it wasn't just Perfect Copy - there was also the stamina-devouring monster called Zone.
1+1 was definitely greater than 2!
"But regardless, the current Kise is undoubtedly the strongest player on the court." Midorima had to admit that the golden retriever who had joined the basketball club last was now truly standing shoulder to shoulder with them. His future potential might even be greater than theirs.
As they spoke, Jason Silver once again received Nash's pass, facing the basket and directly attacking with athletic ability that didn't match his body type.
Kagami and Aomine had already given their all, but still couldn't stop him. At the crucial moment, Kise stepped up once again.
Somehow he had already killed into the paint, jumping to meet Jason Silver. For a moment, people could see Murasakibara's shadow behind him.
"Boom!"
Like blocking a volleyball spike, he raised both hands high and rejected Jason Silver's one-handed slam dunk.
He succeeded! Under Jason Silver's incredulous gaze, the basketball was picked up by Kuroko and immediately passed back to Kise.
"Zap!"
Golden lightning illuminated the entire court as Kise charged toward the frontcourt without stopping.
"What the hell is wrong with this guy? Why did he suddenly become so strong?" The Evil Dragons gave their all on defense but found it difficult to resist Kise's ever-changing offensive methods.
The current Kise possessed all the abilities from positions 1 through 5, with countless skills at his disposal.
Kise got past two players, and two steps beyond the free-throw line, he leaped into the air.
"The Zone!" Nash wouldn't have thought before the game that he'd see the Zone in this place.
American players weren't unfamiliar with this state that Jordan had shared publicly. However, Jordan had only shared the existence of this state publicly - the conditions for entering it only mentioned rigorous practice.
Because for Jordan, talent was nothing worth mentioning. It was merely an entry ticket to meet His Airness. If you didn't even have that level of talent, you weren't worthy of appearing before him.
Moreover, NBA stars were all heaven's chosen ones - talent was completely outside their consideration.
As for maintaining love for basketball, Jordan wouldn't even mention that. In Jordan's eyes, if you didn't even have basic love for basketball, then you were definitely a hopeless person.
So Jordan only publicly claimed that only rigorous training could lead one into this realm. However, even so, despite the NBA having talents as numerous as stars, truly few could master the Zone.
Why? The current league was too utilitarian! For many players, basketball was just work, and compared to work, people often preferred partying and drinking.
So when Nash saw the lightning bursting from Kise's eyes, he was still quite surprised. This game had been full of surprises for the Evil Dragons from the very beginning.
However...
"You've had enough fun, monkey!" Just as Kise was about to complete his dunk, Nash's right arm seemed to rapidly emerge from an abyss, heavily striking the ball and destroying Kise's dunk.
"How is that possible?!" The Dragon Slayer Sword team cried out in shock.
"He can even stop Kise in this state?" Takao stared at his teammate Midorima in amazement. Four-eyes had just said Kise was invincible, only to be proven wrong the very next second.
"So even Kise in this state hasn't reached Nash's level?" People marveled at Nash's strength.
The university representative team from a week ago lost without any injustice - you could even say the Evil Dragons had shown mercy.
"Then how strong is Tendou, who can compete with Nash?" Wakamatsu asked the question everyone wanted to know.
Last year's Tendou was already the strongest in the nation, sweeping through with absolute dominance. Even Kagami's second door of Zone had fallen to him.
So what about after a year had passed? Kise was improving - had Tendou just stood still?
"Don't just stand there, start running." While Kise was still dwelling on his failure, Tendou had already relentlessly chased after them.
Nash no longer trusted his teammates at this point. He was prepared to personally end this game himself.
"Lightning Speed!" Tendou let out a light shout, taking one step forward. His entire body shot forward like a comet, rushing in front of Nash.
"Screech!"
He planted one foot on the floor, blocking Nash outside the three-point line.
"Don't think of escaping, Nash."
"Escape? Don't be ridiculous! I admit that compared to those monkeys, you're indeed worthy of playing basketball, but that's the extent of it."
Nash snorted coldly, his hands never stopping their movement as he charged directly at Tendou. Still the extremely complex street basketball style.
His overwhelmingly powerful ball handling made the basketball seem glued to Nash's palm as he moved. He pressed forward step by step, but Tendou refused to give an inch.
The two were like ferocious beasts tearing at each other before twenty thousand spectators.
"Smack!"
After a fake, Nash wrapped the ball behind his back to change direction.
Tendou's eyes sharpened, immediately turning with his right foot as the pivot, but he was still half a beat too slow as Nash passed by him.
Aomine was first to help defend, but Nash got past him in almost a single step. Too strong!
People felt like Nash was crossing an empty street in the early morning. And his opponent was still the Generation of Miracles ace, Aomine Daiki.
Nash killed all the way to the paint and quickly jumped. Suddenly, a pitch-black monster rose from the ground, blocking the front of the rim.
Nash knew - Tendou had arrived. Sure enough, Tendou's figure quickly replaced the monster, positioned between the rim and Nash.
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