At center court, the tip-off was claimed by Shigure Akihito. Just as planned, he slapped the ball toward Nijimura Shuzo.
"Kaijō takes first possession!"
"Nijimura"
"What a fast pass!"
"Whoa!"
From the moment of the tip-off, Nijimura hadn't paid much attention to the two monsters clashing above the circle. His eyes were fixed instead on Rakuzan's positioning, tracking their defensive spacing.
So when he deliberately drifted toward the left sideline to receive the ball, he instantly spotted a gap and fired a pass through it
to Deep Valley Reiji, who had already exploded past Rakuzan's defensive wall at the very instant the jump ball ended.
"Kaijō strikes first!"
"So fast!!"
"When did number 8 get there?!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Nijimura's passing lane not only avoided Rakuzan's coverage, it also accounted for the possibility of Hagioka Kasayuki spinning back to chase from the tip-off. Which was why the pass came with such sheer force!
Nijimura glanced toward Reiji.
For most players, this pass was impossible to handle—too much speed, too much power. Probably only Shigure could catch it cleanly. But if it was Reiji, with his ability to instantly link catch into movement…
Even if he couldn't secure it, it didn't matter!
The ball ripped from Nijimura's hand like a baseball throw, a laser streaking the length of the court.
Smack!
As expected
Reiji turned his body, reaching left-handed. The ball smacked his palm and ricocheted away under the force.
But then
Contrary to what the spectators assumed
At the very moment his left hand brushed the ball, Reiji's body was already in motion, springing skyward.
His right hand swept in midair like a predator lying in wait
And on the landing, he followed through into a thunderous dunk!
But just then
A clap of thunder resounded!
A white figure cut across like a mountain, slamming into position between Reiji and the rim.
From the stands:
"Wha!"
"What?!"
Midorima Shintarō gripped the railing in disbelief at Hagioka's silhouette.
No way… he actually chased down Deep Valley-senpai at full burst?!
Boom!
The ball was crushed against the glass.
The arena froze in silence.
"Whoa!!"
"Kaijō's opening fast break—"
"Blocked!"
"Hagioka's speed—just how fast was that moment?! I was watching Kaijō's #8 the whole time, and I never saw him arrive!"
On court, Reiji, his hair tied back for the match, stared grimly at Hagioka.
For the first time…
Outside of Shigure and Nijimura, he felt such crushing pressure.
And more than that
He felt the man's overwhelming aura.
"…We never crossed paths in junior high," Hagioka said calmly. "Your technique is solid."
Behind them, Rakuzan's point guard, Tondo Kaoru, pushed the ball upcourt.
Just like Kaijō's plan, their intent was clear.
From the very start, they needed to seize control!
"Rakuzan's speed is insane!"
"They're already pushing a full-court fast break!"
The stands roared again.
Kasamatsu Yukio's face turned serious as he rushed back on defense. "I imagined it, but… I didn't think the finals would be at this level…" he muttered under his breath.
Yet his body moved with iron intent, pressing hard with suffocating defense.
Tondo's steps faltered
Such pressure!
So this was one of the men worthy of standing beside Shigure Akihito. No ordinary player, and carrying the bearing of someone already in a championship endgame.
"…But," Tondo smirked, "I won't underestimate you."
Through the legs, a lightning cross.
He stopped at the arc—pulled up for a three!
Kasamatsu: "!?"
So fast!
No chance to contest!
But maybe… he disrupted his rhythm and line of sight.
Kasamatsu spun his head
The shot trajectory seemed a little off.
"…?"
Wait. That's not a shot?!
Boom!
A figure blasted into the lane, propelled by crackling arcs of lightning under his feet, snatching the ball midair.
So fast!
It was Hagioka Kasayuki!
He soared for the alley-oop
But suddenly, the shriek of sneakers ripped across the floor. A streak of blue erupted in front of him—Shigure Akihito!
"No use," Tondo's voice rang from Kasamatsu's flank. "That's Mysterious as the Shadow—a state no one can touch."
As his words fell, black miasma coiled up around Hagioka's frame.
Like a demon king, he engulfed Shigure's presence.
Shigure felt the shift immediately, his aura bristling. He lunged to swat the ball
But under Mysterious as the Shadow, Hagioka's body reacted by instinct, dodging Shigure's block in perfect sync!
Shigure: "!"
His eyes narrowed.
What was that just now…?
Hagioka's aura deepened, his face chilling, black gleam flickering in his gaze.
"You think raw strength and height alone can settle this?"
"You're arrogant, Shigure."
Hah? If I can break through, I'll break through.
Say what you want, Hagioka!
Yet Hagioka made no further motion.
That black aura coiled tighter
And then
Whoosh!
A storm gust burst from his wrist.
Though his hand barely moved, under his overwhelming presence the ball flew as though driven by a gale, carving a line straight to the rim!
Landing, Shigure stared, dumbstruck.
The wind lifted their bangs as the ball—despite the fact that Shigure had clearly cut off its path—slipped cleanly through the net.
"Swift as the Wind—Zero!"
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
🔥 Rookie Recruit – Read 15 chapters ahead
🔥 Starting Five – Jump 35 chapters ahead + 6 bonus chapters!
Huge thanks to everyone already on Patreon—you're the real MVPs! 🙌Bonus chapters, early access, and all the good stuff are live. 👀✨
And for the rest—it's not too late to be part of the team. 🚀
👉 patreon.com/MrBehringer