Miuradai's Coach Harada looked both shocked and grim.
"I didn't think Shohoku would be this strong… but this is where it ends for them."
He turned to the bench.
"Naito, get ready."
"Understood, Coach."
Naito pulled off his jacket, muscles tense with anticipation. "Finally, it's my turn!"
"Beep!" The referee blew the whistle. "Substitution—Miuradai!"
When Sakuragi saw the bald newcomer step onto the court, he frowned in confusion.
"Huh? They're sending in a monk? Is he here to chant spells or what? Are they that desperate?"
The crowd buzzed.
"Already making a change? Isn't it too early?" Hikoichi muttered.
Ikegami shook his head. "They have no choice. If they let Shohoku pull away now, it'll be too late. Look at that number 9—he's even bigger than Akagi. He'll be trouble in the paint."
Uozumi crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Hmph. Akagi won't let anyone take over his territory."
On the court, Miuradai's captain Murasame slapped Naito's shoulder.
"The paint is yours. Let's counterattack."
Naito cracked his knuckles and grinned. "No problem. Watch me dominate."
The two exchanged a confident nod.
Miuradai began their possession. The ball quickly found its way into Naito's massive hands—right where Sakuragi was defending.
Naito sneered. "Redhead, I'm gonna crush you."
Sakuragi, still riding high from his recent performances, smirked back. "Heh, try me if you dare!"
But Sakuragi's overconfidence betrayed him. On defense, he gave Naito too much space.
"Too easy," Naito thought. One explosive step and he bulldozed forward—unstoppable.
"W-what speed?!" Miyagi gasped from the bench.
Sendo's eyes widened in the stands. "It's not just speed… it's raw power!"
"BAM!" Sakuragi was flattened onto his back like a rag doll.
"Wha—?! Sakuragi actually got knocked down?!" the Sakuragi Gang roared in disbelief.
"Unbelievable! That's the first time we've seen him humiliated like that!" Okusu exclaimed.
Yohei exhaled. "Man… basketball's world is on another level."
Haruko covered her mouth in shock. "Sakuragi-kun…"
Naito, unfazed by the collision, thundered into the lane. One step inside the free-throw line, he launched himself into the air—then slammed the ball home with a monster dunk!
"THUD!" The hoop rattled violently, the sound echoing like a cannon shot.
The audience froze for a heartbeat, then erupted into chaos.
"What kind of monster is this guy?!"
"He dunked from the free-throw line! Is this even high school basketball?!"
"This feels like an NBA game!"
Coach Harada stroked his beard with pride. "I planned to unleash Naito against Kainan, but forcing me this early… fine. Let the whole prefecture see his power."
Naito raised his arms and roared at Shohoku.
"Shohoku! You'll just be a stepping stone for me—Naito Tetsuya!"
The arena went wild.
But on the Shohoku bench, fury ignited.
"That bald bastard made me look like a fool?!" Sakuragi roared, fists clenched.
"Unforgivable!!!"
Mitsui ground his teeth. "Damn him! So arrogant…"
Rukawa's cold eyes locked on Naito. He said nothing, but his intent was crystal clear—he would shut him down.
Akagi stood beneath the hoop, gripping the ball tightly.
Murasame, Naito, Ryonan, Miuradai… I don't care who it is. This year, I won't fall. I will never give up on my dream of dominating the nation.
Nango glanced at his teammates' expressions and sighed.
Great… they're about to go berserk. Miuradai, you guys asked for it. Villains really do die from talking too much.
Shohoku pushed forward on offense.
Nango crossed half-court when suddenly both Akagi and Rukawa reached out for the ball—unusual for them.
Who should he choose?
Nango shot Rukawa a glance: Akagi's the captain. He gets it first.
Rukawa frowned but pulled back, spacing the floor.
Nango smiled slightly and lobbed a high pass into the paint.
Akagi caught it cleanly. With a quick spin, he left his defender in the dust and rose for a powerful dunk. Naito lunged in late to contest—but Akagi finished strong, glaring straight at him on the landing.
The message was clear: If you think you can stop me, try it.
"Brother…" Haruko whispered nervously. Akagi seemed different—silent, but radiating an intimidating aura.
Everyone on Shohoku felt it too. Their captain was dead serious now.
On the next possession, Miuradai fed Naito again. Shohoku's defense shifted toward him immediately, preparing for the collision.
"You can't stop me!" Naito roared, plowing straight through Sakuragi again.
But this time, Nango and Akagi converged, sandwiching him in mid-air. The three collided hard, and Nango grabbed Naito to keep him from crashing down.
In the stands, Sendo muttered, "So that's his strength… terrifying. But Nango's just as scary."
Akagi dragged Sakuragi aside. "Leave him to me. You guard number 8."
"No way!" Sakuragi barked back. "I'll be the one to beat this guy! I was just careless earlier!"
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