Possession changed hands.
The Black Dragon Team had the ball!
This time, Jason Silver wasn't the one inbounding for the Black Dragon Team.
That was because he was already in the paint at the offensive end.
The Dragon Slayer Team looked confused, unable to figure out why Jason Silver had run all the way up there.
Even stranger, there was no one in the Black Dragon Team's backcourt waiting to receive the ball!
Aside from Nash Gold, all four players were already in the frontcourt!
Nash Gold alone remained in the backcourt to inbound the ball!
Seijuro Akashi frowned as realization dawned on him, then immediately shouted:
"Mark your men! Lock everyone down!"
He knew Nash Gold was going to launch a long pass, but he had no idea who the target would be.
Still, he had to admit that Nash Gold and the others were taking one hell of a risk.
They were attempting something this bold right from the opening play!
Seijuro Akashi didn't waste any more time thinking. He immediately chose someone to double-team.
He wasn't going after Jason Silver. There would be no point. As a point guard, he had no chance of holding his ground against a muscle-bound giant.
But he could choose from the other three.
According to the information provided by Makoto Hanamiya and Shogo Haizaki, the Black Dragon Team's shooting guard was Nick.
Seijuro Akashi made his choice. He and Shintaro Midorima would double-team Nick!
The moment Seijuro Akashi moved away, Nash Gold launched his pass.
Standing in the backcourt with the ball in his hands, Nash Gold fired a quarterback-style pass all the way into the frontcourt.
The instant Seijuro Akashi saw the ball's trajectory, his expression changed.
"Murasakibara!"
The next moment, Jason Silver leaped into the air and burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! Murasakibara, watch this!"
Jason Silver caught the ball in midair and slammed it into the basket.
Atsushi Murasakibara jumped as well, but because he hadn't known who Nash Gold was targeting, he reacted too late and failed to reach his full height.
Jason Silver dunked right over him.
After being dunked on, Atsushi Murasakibara instinctively staggered back several steps. He glared furiously at Jason Silver, white breath spilling from his mouth as he growled:
"I'll crush you!"
Jason Silver grinned.
"That's more like it, kid! Show me what you've got! Give me a fight worth enjoying!"
With that, Jason Silver turned and headed back on defense.
Off the court, Taiga Kagami broke into a cold sweat at the sight.
"Damn it! They're playing like that right from the start? Aren't they afraid of turning it over?!"
Ryota Kise studied the court before replying:
"We've never seen Nash and the others play before, so of course they're willing to try something like that. Still, you have to admit, they've got guts!"
Makoto Hanamiya rested both hands behind his head and scoffed.
"Nash isn't being gutsy. He's confident. He's so confident that even if you stole the ball, they'd still be able to play however they wanted."
Ryota Kise fell silent for a moment, then said:
"I believe in Akashi and the others."
Makoto Hanamiya shook his head and said nothing more.
When he and Shogo Haizaki first joined the Dragon Slayer Team, they had already told Seijuro Akashi and the others about the Black Dragon Team's strength and circumstances.
Although Taiga Kagami and the others knew how powerful the Black Dragon Team was, they still believed they could compete with them.
After all, when Makoto Hanamiya's group had faced the Black Dragon Team, Miyamoto Tokima hadn't played.
They were confident that if they came together as one team, they could still challenge Kirisaki Daiichi without Miyamoto Tokima.
Of course, there was another important reason.
Revenge.
...
On the court, Seijuro Akashi had barely crossed half-court when he saw Atsushi Murasakibara and Jason Silver battling for position in the paint.
Atsushi Murasakibara gritted his teeth and frowned as he fought desperately to hold his ground against Jason Silver.
However, without activating Animal Instinct or the Zone, Atsushi Murasakibara's strength naturally couldn't match Jason Silver's even in his normal state.
Jason Silver easily forced Atsushi Murasakibara out of the ideal scoring position, then grinned.
"What's wrong, Murasakibara? Didn't you eat today?! Is your team not feeding you properly?!"
Atsushi Murasakibara knew Jason Silver was only trash-talking, but he still shouted through clenched teeth:
"I'm going to crush you!"
Jason Silver roared with laughter.
"I'm waiting, kid!"
Atsushi Murasakibara flew into a rage. A massive bear instantly appeared behind him.
"ROAR!!!"
With the giant bear looming at his back, Atsushi Murasakibara once again matched strength with Jason Silver.
After activating Animal Instinct, Atsushi Murasakibara's power surged dramatically.
At first, his strength truly hadn't been enough to compete with Jason Silver. But after so much time spent training, Atsushi Murasakibara was no longer the same player he had once been.
He suddenly drove forward with all his might, forcibly carving out a favorable position.
Jason Silver laughed at Atsushi Murasakibara's sudden burst of power.
"Not bad, kid! Using Animal Instinct right from the start, huh?"
Atsushi Murasakibara ignored him. He held Jason Silver in place, stretched out one hand, and shouted:
"Aka-chin!"
Seijuro Akashi didn't hesitate. He passed the ball straight into Atsushi Murasakibara's hands.
The moment Atsushi Murasakibara caught it, he slammed the ball against the floor and drove backward with all his strength.
An immense force crashed into Jason Silver. He let out a muffled grunt and was forced back a full step.
The next second, wind erupted beneath Atsushi Murasakibara's feet. A powerful whirlwind rose around him and enveloped his entire body.
With his back to the basket, Atsushi Murasakibara leaped into the air and spun 180 degrees.
The violent whirlwind battered Jason Silver, but he shouted:
"Now that's more like it! Come on!"
Jason Silver sprang upward and reached for the ball in Atsushi Murasakibara's hands.
Atsushi Murasakibara gripped it tightly with both hands, a savage red light flashing in his eyes. With both his immense strength and the hurricane behind him, he forcibly overwhelmed Jason Silver.
"ROAR!"
As the giant bear bellowed, Atsushi Murasakibara smashed the ball downward with brutal force.
BANG!!!
Atsushi Murasakibara's signature move!
[Thor's Hammer]!
The rim creaked violently under the impact. Jason Silver was blasted backward several steps by the overwhelming force.
Atsushi Murasakibara released the rim and landed heavily on the court. He shot Jason Silver a vicious glare and growled:
"I'll crush you!!!"
With that, Atsushi Murasakibara turned and headed back on defense.
Jason Silver watched him leave and grinned.
"Interesting! This is too damn interesting! You really are the only one who can get me fired up, Murasakibara!"
Jason Silver then turned toward Nash Gold.
"Nash."
Nash Gold gave him a calm glance.
"Don't take it too far."
Jason Silver grinned.
"Relax. I just want a proper showdown with Murasakibara!"
...