"This Hanamiya Makoto from Kirisaki Daiichi really isn't simple. Compared to them, we're practically model students."
"Yeah, I think so too."
The conversation between Okawa Sawano and Kimura Tosho made Fukuda Sogo's own style seem almost gentle by comparison. Back then, Fukuda Sogo's Sasaki had managed to shut down Kuroko Tetsuya through fundamental basketball tactics, targeting his movement patterns and defensive weaknesses. But Hanamiya Makoto's approach was far more ruthless.
He wasn't targeting Kuroko's basketball. He was targeting Kuroko himself, his weak physique and poor physical abilities, destroying him at the root.
"Captain, does Seirin still have a chance?" Harano Shinichi asked quietly.
Haizaki didn't even hesitate. "Yes. Kagami Taiga has Generation of Miracles-level talent. He hasn't exploded yet."
Suzuran Karasu blinked. "What if Kagami can't explode?"
Haizaki leaned back lazily. "Then they can go home and celebrate New Year's."
Harano stared blankly before laughing helplessly. That answer sounded like a joke, but everyone knew it was true. If Kagami couldn't carry Seirin now, their Winter Cup run would end right here.
==========
Seirin High Bench
Aida Riko looked at Kuroko, whose complexion had improved slightly. "Kuroko, is it still hurting?"
Kuroko slowly sat upright. "No, Coach. I'll be fine after resting a little."
"Good." Riko nodded. "Rest first. Go back in once you've recovered."
But Kuroko shook his head immediately. "No. I can still play."
"Kuroko, you..."
"...I'm fine." Kuroko lowered his head before slowly lifting his eyes. "I want to win this game."
Riko felt a headache coming on. Why... Why are all my players such stubborn idiots? Kiyoshi had insisted on playing despite his injury, and now Kuroko was doing exactly the same thing.
Before she could continue speaking, the timeout had already ended. Kuroko silently stood up and followed behind Kagami back onto the court. Riko stared helplessly for a moment before letting out a long sigh.
==========
The game resumed, with Kirisaki Daiichi in possession. Hanamiya caught the inbound pass and immediately pulled up from beyond the arc.
Swish.
Three points.
At the baseline, Kuroko responded instantly.
WHOOSH!
Another Ignite Pass Kai blasted across the court. The basketball shot through the air like a beam of light, and beneath the basket, Kagami exploded upward.
BOOM!!
Another dunk.
But before he had even crossed back onto defense, Hanamiya narrowed his eyes and looked toward Kuroko. "So you're still not afraid of breaking."
A cold smirk spread across his face. Returning to offense, Hanamiya dribbled up court and once again made one of his strange hand signals. The moment Kirisaki's players saw it, sinister smiles spread across their faces.
On Seirin's side, another intentionally missed shot created yet another rebound battle. Kiyoshi jumped and groaned twice. The instant he landed, pain exploded through his body again.
This time, Hara Kazuya elbowed him and stole the ball directly from his hands. Yamazaki Hiroshi received the pass.
Jump shot.
Score.
But after scoring, Kirisaki Daiichi didn't run back. Not a single one of them.
Instead, three players ran directly toward Kuroko, who was preparing to inbound the ball, and blocked every passing lane. For a brief moment, Kuroko froze.
Ignite Pass Kai needed a target. Now there was none.
Even Kagami, who had already sprinted toward the other half, stopped and stared. Kuroko's expression changed.
Five seconds.
If he held the ball too long, it would become a turnover. Without any choice, he quickly passed to Hyuga.
But the moment he did, Seirin's side instantly became four against five. Kagami was still on the opposite half, and Seirin became trapped.
Hyuga dribbled. Passed. Izuki received.
Then...
SLAP!
Hanamiya intercepted it.
Again.
Another shot. Another rebound.
Bodies rose into the air as Kiyoshi fought through the crowd and finally grabbed the ball. But this time, he never stood back up.
THUD!!
Two elbows slammed into him.
Then...
CRACK!
Two players, each weighing over 160 pounds, stomped down onto both of his feet.
Hard.
Kiyoshi collapsed immediately. The basketball slipped from his arms and rolled out of bounds.
The whistle sounded, and silence filled the arena. Moments later, a stretcher was carried onto the court.
Kiyoshi Teppei had fallen completely.
Matsumoto and Furuhashi received warnings from the referee, but possession still remained with Kirisaki Daiichi. Another timeout was called, and Kiyoshi was carried away toward the infirmary. Seirin substituted in No. 8, Mitobe Rinnosuke.
Hanamiya received the basketball from the referee and casually raised three fingers.
Plan C.
His teammates smiled and nodded.
Positions shifted. Movement began.
Hanamiya passed. Furuhashi Koujirou received.
Hook shot.
Score.
Yet after scoring, they still didn't retreat. Standing beside Hyuga, Hanamiya's lips curled upward.
The web had already spread. Now it was time to catch prey.
This was Kirisaki Daiichi's true style.
The Spider Web formation.
Its purpose was simple.
Seal passing lanes. Force mistakes. Create steals.
Izuki made a pass, and Hyuga moved to receive it. But Hanamiya had already read it.
A smile appeared on his face as he stepped into position, ready to intercept. Then suddenly, Kuroko vanished.
Misdirection.
He appeared beside Hanamiya and reached for the ball first. But instantly, a chill ran down his spine.
Too late.
Three Kirisaki players closed in again. Hanamiya shifted and blocked the sightline.
BANG!!
This time, Kuroko hit the floor even harder than before. Much harder. Much worse.
And finally, Kuroko understood.
He'd been targeted.
The first time wasn't an accident. Not at all.
Riko had been right. He was one of Hanamiya's targets too.
A burning pain spread across his back where he'd been struck. When he'd fallen, his palms scraped violently against the floor while trying to protect his head.
His hands trembled. Numb. His back burned.
I'm injured... Definitely...
Kagami arrived just in time. And finally, he snapped.
Eyes blazing with fury, he walked directly toward Hanamiya, ready to punch him. But before he could move, Mitobe firmly grabbed him from behind and refused to let go.
Nearby, Hanamiya wore a helpless expression, as if he were innocent, as if none of this had anything to do with him. Yet hidden in his eyes, there was only mockery.
What can you do about it?
The whistle sounded. Kuroko was subbed out.
No. 6, Koganei Shinji entered.
Hanamiya looked toward Kuroko as he was helped away and quietly said, "The annoying one is gone." His grin widened. "Now score all you want."
"Alright! Pass me the ball, time for this small forward to shine!"
"If you don't score, I'll stomp you too!"
"Hahaha!"
From that moment onward, the basketball court became Kirisaki Daiichi's stage, their spotlight, and their performance. Even with Kagami still on the floor, two fists couldn't fight four hands. Not against this.
And now, Hanamiya's Spider Web had fully expanded. Stealing from Hyuga, Izuki, Koganei, and Mitobe became frighteningly easy.
Only Izuki Shun fared slightly better. After all, with his Eagle Eye, his court vision was much wider.
But only slightly.