The timeout ended. Ryonan had first possession, immediately feeding the ball to Uozumi.
"Uozumi, I'm telling you—you won't win this game," Akagi said, his eyes locked on every movement.
"Hmph. Akagi, still as arrogant as ever." Uozumi felt confident, his game flowing naturally, convinced Akagi had no answer for him.
He held the ball firmly with both hands, scanning the floor. Sendo, using Echizen's screen, slashed inside. Uozumi stretched the ball out with his right hand, seemingly about to hand it off.
A hand-off? Not again!
Akagi leaned right, preparing to cut off Sendo.
But at the last second, Uozumi yanked the ball back and spun toward the basket.
"What—?!" Akagi was caught off guard, left a step behind.
Bang! Bang!
Uozumi wasn't fast, but each step thundered with raw power, shaking the court like an earthquake.
Thud!
He planted his foot hard, rose high with both hands above his head, ready to slam the ball down with a ferocious dunk.
Who could stop that?
Someone dared.
Sakuragi shoved Fukuda aside and came charging in. With a furious roar, he leapt. "Monkey Boss! I won't let you score!"
Uozumi scowled mid-air. "Red-haired brat—don't be so arrogant!"
Slap!
Their collision echoed through the gym, Sakuragi straining with every ounce of strength to resist Uozumi's massive power.
Thud! Boom!
Neither yielded. Losing balance, both crashed hard to the floor.
Beeeep!
The referee's whistle pierced the arena.
"Hiss… that looked brutal. Is Sakuragi alright?" Kano muttered nervously.
Eri shook her head in disbelief. "That redhead is insane. To challenge that head-on… it's suicide."
Players from both teams rushed over.
"Captain, are you okay?"
"Sakuragi! Hang in there!"
Uozumi, as the offensive player, had absorbed less impact. He sat up slowly, rubbing his neck, but looked fine.
Sakuragi, however, was pale. He had leapt too high and absorbed the brunt of Uozumi's 90-kilogram body crashing down on him.
Nango knelt quickly, checking him over. No blood, no visible injury—just a nasty fall.
"Captain, let's get him to the bench to recover," Nango said, sliding under Sakuragi's arm. Akagi grabbed his legs, and together they carried him toward the sideline.
"Put me down…" Sakuragi's voice was faint, struggling in vain.
But they ignored him, setting him down in front of Ayako.
Moments later, Sakuragi suddenly sat up and barked, "I'm fine! I don't need to come out!"
Ayako firmly pushed him back down. "Don't be reckless. Let me check first. Remember—we still have the National Tournament. Don't ruin everything by forcing it."
That sobered him. Sakuragi grumbled but stopped resisting, muttering under his breath. "Damn Monkey Boss…"
Fukuda, watching, was honestly impressed. Sakuragi Hanamichi… unbelievable courage. I'd never throw myself against Uozumi like that. That was practically suicidal.
"Will he be alright?" Haruko asked anxiously, her face pale.
Yohei reassured her. "Relax, Haruko. He'll be fine."
Takamiya added, "Yeah, that guy's built like iron. A fall like that won't break him."
Okusu laughed. "Exactly. If anything, I feel sorry for the Monkey Boss."
Noma nodded. "If it were anyone else, they'd be in the hospital already."
The Sakuragi Gang's words eased Haruko's worry a little. She clasped her hands together, silently praying.
On the bench, Coach Anzai gathered his team. "Nango, you'll take Sakuragi's spot and reinforce Akagi inside. Miyagi will handle the ball. From here, our offense runs through Nango."
"Yes, Coach," Nango and Miyagi replied together.
Across the court, Coach Taoka was already anticipating the adjustment. With Sakuragi out, Shohoku's options were limited. He subbed in Sugadaira and Ikegami—the same lineup used against Kainan—hoping to hold their lead into halftime.
The game resumed. Uozumi stepped to the line for free throws but clanked both. Confidence or not, his free-throw touch hadn't improved.
Shohoku countered. Miyagi pushed the ball up, but facing Sendo as point guard was uncomfortable. At 1.9 meters, Sendo was far taller, his presence suffocating.
Nango stepped up to screen. Miyagi recognized Sugadaira had switched onto him—a much slower defender. He darted forward, crossed once, pulled up, and fired.
Wide open. Perfect look.
But the ball rimmed out. His timing was still off after just checking in.
Uozumi hauled down the rebound, tossing it to Sendo to bring up.
Nango hesitated, glancing between Sugadaira and Sendo. Should he leave his man to help?
Before he decided, a cold voice cut in.
"Senior, I'll take him."
Rukawa stepped forward, eyes locked on Sendo.
"Mmm… Rukawa Kaede…" Miyagi stepped back, surprised. It was the first time he'd seen Rukawa's eyes burn with such fire. Like a predator finally spotting its prey.
Sendo had been on Rukawa's radar since their first practice game. Back then, Sendo only cared about Nango, ignoring Rukawa completely. That humiliation had festered in him ever since. Now, finally, the rematch.
"Oh? Can't hold back anymore?" Sendo chuckled softly. This was how basketball should be—clashing wills, testing limits.
Rukawa, as always, said nothing.
"Still as cold as ever," Sendo smiled faintly. But then his eyes flicked behind Rukawa.
Rukawa instinctively shifted his vision, trying to catch what Sendo was looking at—
That split second was enough.
Sendo exploded forward, slipping right past.
"Tch!" Rukawa cursed himself for falling for the feint and sprinted after him.
Nango, waiting inside, had already predicted it. He won't pass. He wants to toy with Rukawa.
But before he could help, Sendo stopped on a dime, rose smoothly, and knocked down a jumper.
"I won't clash head-on with you," Sendo said with that infuriatingly calm smile.
To Nango and Rukawa, it felt less like a smile and more like mockery.
Trying to toy with me? Rukawa's blood boiled.
Sendo casually chatted with Nango afterward, ignoring Rukawa entirely.
That only stoked the fire.
Rukawa turned a hostile glare on Nango, who raised his hands in confusion. "Huh? What's with that look? …Is he jealous of me?"
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