"what were you whispering about, Coach?" Maki asked softly.
The other Kainan players also turned their heads in curiosity.
Coach Kouzu adjusted his glasses, glanced at his beloved disciples, and said, "In a moment, watch Ryonan's players carefully. This game has already been decided."
Everyone exchanged confused glances, not quite understanding his cryptic words.
At that moment, Nango once again received the ball with his back to Sendo. Fukuda immediately doubled up on him.
Hmm?
Nango clearly felt the defense behind him loosen, but he didn't attack. The earlier tactics had worked so well—everyone besides Akagi had been able to score. He also suspected Sendo might be baiting him into a trap. Playing it safe, Nango passed back to Miyagi.
Turning his head, Nango noticed Sendo panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face.
This time, Miyagi's drive drew not only Sugadaira but also the "monster" Uozumi. Two giants loomed in front of him, cutting off both his shot and his passing lanes.
Miyagi had no choice but to sidestep, hunting for another chance. By then, Fukuda had already recovered to defend.
"Senpai!" Nango called from the free-throw line, arms stretched.
Miyagi lobbed a high pass. Dangerous under normal circumstances—it could've been snatched by Sendo for a fast break. But Sendo had no strength left. Nango caught it cleanly and rose for a jumper.
Swish! The net rippled. The score was tied.
"What's wrong with Sendo? Why didn't he even try to block it?!" Kiyota cried, clutching his head.
The crowd buzzed with confusion.
On the bench, Yayoi muttered, "Could it be…?"
Maki turned to his coach. "Coach, this is what you meant, isn't it?"
Coach Kouzu nodded slightly. "After yesterday's fierce game against Fukuda, Ryonan's stamina still hasn't fully recovered. I'm surprised they've even lasted this long. Until now, they've relied on sheer willpower. But with Shohoku tying the score, that spirit is starting to collapse. When it does, fatigue will take over. From here on, it will be almost impossible for them to recover."
"I see…" The Kainan players finally understood his earlier words.
"Furthermore," Kouzu continued, his glasses glinting, "Nango has already sensed it. He'll press the advantage now. This game is finished."
On the Ryonan bench, Coach Taoka let out a weary sigh. "So, it's over after all…"
"Coach?" Hikoichi blinked, puzzled by Taoka's sudden remark.
Snapping out of it, Taoka patted his face, then barked, "Uekusa, Echizen—go warm up. Get ready to play."
The two exchanged a confused look but nodded together. "Yes, Coach!"
On the court, Miyagi reached out to poke at Sendo's dribble.
Startled, Sendo widened his eyes, but instinctively pivoted, shielding the ball. That was all he could manage—his body refused to do more.
"Look out!" Fukuda suddenly shouted.
Nango sprinted at full speed, cutting off Sendo's options. Arms spread wide, he blocked both the drive and the pass.
Strike while the iron is hot… Nango intended to crush Ryonan here and now.
"Damn it…" Sendo gritted his teeth. He knew Nango's plan, but his exhausted legs betrayed him.
"Sure enough, his stamina's shot…" Yayoi confirmed with regret. Ryonan had missed their chance.
"Over here, Sendo!" Fukuda and Ikegami rushed to help.
"Slap!" Miyagi stole the ball cleanly from behind. He didn't hesitate—sprinting downcourt for a fast break.
Sendo and Nango dove for the loose ball, tumbling together, but Nango came up with it. He quickly fired a pass ahead, where Miyagi finished with an uncontested layup. Shohoku took the lead.
Nango pulled himself up, then offered a hand to the slumped Sendo. "Rest. You won't win this one."
Sendo glared, swatting the hand aside. "The game isn't over yet." Forcing his weary body upright, he staggered back into position.
Ikegami inbounded and deliberately stepped in front. "I'll bring it up. Save your strength."
After a moment, Sendo nodded silently.
Ikegami's steady dribble kept Miyagi at bay, but he soon hit a wall—he couldn't score, and with Sendo too drained, passing options were limited. Choosing trust built over three years, he fed Uozumi.
"Akagi, let's decide this!" Uozumi growled, posting up hard.
But his moves lacked polish. His stiff hook missed badly, and Sakuragi snagged the rebound, quickly kicking it out to Nango.
Nango accelerated, slicing through defenders one after another. Fukuda tried to delay him, Ikegami considered fouling, but Nango's dazzling crossovers left them both in the dust.
At the paint, only a weary Sendo and Kosuge stood in his way. With Rukawa flanking left and Miyagi to the right, Shohoku advanced in a deadly formation.
Nango's feints froze Sendo, and when the Ryonan ace tripped and fell, the stadium erupted.
"Beautiful crossover!" Hyuga gasped.
Nango dished to Rukawa, who slammed home the dunk. Shohoku's momentum was unstoppable.
Turning back, Nango called, "Let's give it our all next time—at Nationals." He offered his hand once more.
This time, after struggling in vain, Sendo sighed and clasped it. "…It's a deal."
From there, Taoka subbed in his bench. Anzai did the same, and the game wound down.
Final score: Shohoku 99, Ryonan 81. Shohoku were the Kanagawa champions.
When the buzzer sounded, Akagi broke down in tears, finally reaching the pinnacle he'd dreamed of for years. Haruko cried with joy, Kogure was deeply moved, and even Uozumi quietly shared in the feeling.
For Shohoku, it was triumph. For Ryonan, bittersweet.
Yet as the teams lined up for the awards, one player remained distant—Rukawa Kaede, his eyes locked firmly on Nango and Sendo, as though already thinking of the battles to come.
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