Regardless of whether Coach Domoto had already figured out a way to deal with Nango, the game could not stop.
Sawakita still couldn't swallow the humiliation of being provoked. The moment Shohoku scored, he sprinted to the frontcourt, stretched out his hand toward Fukatsu, and said fiercely,
"You brat! You'd better remember this! Big words aren't something you can just throw around!"
Nango smiled faintly, his eyes full of provocation.
"Then come on. I'm terrified."
Although Nango knew full well that an enraged Sawakita was dangerous, he had no regrets provoking him.
On one hand, an angry Sawakita would become more obsessed with one-on-one play, which benefited Shohoku.
On the other hand—if Sawakita was terrifying when angry, was Nango any less so?
Besides, if he couldn't even suppress Sawakita here, how could he talk about going to America later?
Whether on the court or in trash talk, Nango had no intention of losing.
Fukatsu, who usually supported Sawakita the most, hesitated at this moment. After seeing Nango successfully defend Sawakita earlier, he was wary.
If this possession fails again… Shohoku might stretch the lead to double digits.
With that in mind, Fukatsu raised his hand and signaled Sawakita to stick to the system.
"Tch…"
Sawakita's displeasure was written all over his face.
Nango subconsciously glanced at Rukawa Kaede. Yeah… this expression looks familiar.
"So?" Nango sneered. "Looks like you don't even get the chance to teach me a lesson."
"Shut up!"
Even with his anger boiling, Sawakita didn't dare openly defy Fukatsu. He shook in place, suddenly accelerated, shook Nango off for an instant, cut in from the wing, and drove hard along the baseline.
Nango immediately turned to chase—but Big Kawata stepped in with a perfectly timed off-ball screen, blocking him outside the restricted area.
By the time Nango got around, Sawakita was already gone.
Akagi tried to rotate, but he was a step too slow.
At that moment—
Fukatsu suddenly flicked the ball toward the basket with one hand.
Rukawa Kaede was momentarily stunned. It wasn't that he hadn't anticipated a pass—he just didn't expect it to whistle past his ear. If he had shifted even slightly, it would've been a direct hit.
Sawakita caught the ball smoothly and finished with a clean reverse layup.
Simple. Efficient. Deadly.
Coach Domoto finally exhaled.
"Thankfully we have Fukatsu… If the gap had widened there, this game would've become very dangerous."
Fukatsu was the first to retreat on defense. Standing at midcourt, he looked at his teammates and spoke firmly:
"Enough with the one-on-one games. Use everything we've practiced.
Don't forget—our goal is five championships. Everyone, get serious."
This time, Fukatsu didn't end his sentences with his usual "-le."
That alone made the Sannoh players realize something was wrong.
Some of them hadn't yet felt the pressure—they only thought Shohoku was troublesome.
But Fukatsu's tone made it clear: this was no longer a casual test.
Maki whispered quietly,
"As expected of Fukatsu. One play was enough to reset Sannoh. The real match… starts now."
Coach Takato gently waved his fan, eyes sharp.
"The individual showdown is over. This is phase two—team tactics and coordination.
Can Shohoku keep up with a fully serious Sannoh Industrial?"
Mitsui frowned.
"They're getting serious…"
Akagi nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
Rukawa didn't speak, but he felt it too. The next stretch would be brutal.
Only Nango spoke casually,
"That's a good thing. It means we pushed the champions this far."
He glanced at his teammates.
"One more push—and they'll break."
The three of them froze.
That's right.
We're still leading.
Why should they fear Sannoh's seriousness?
Confidence surged back into their chests.
Sakuragi puffed out his chest and jumped forward.
"Nango's right! They're nothing special! If you're scared, just give the ball to me—Sakuragi Hanamichi-sama will crush them!"
Mitsui snorted.
"Idiot. Just grab rebounds."
"What did you say, Mitsui?!"
Akagi grabbed Sakuragi by the head and pulled him close.
"He's right. You rebound. Leave the rest to us."
"Damn it! Gorilla, even you don't believe in me?!"
Rukawa replied flatly,
"Of course not, you idiot."
"You—stinky fox!"
After getting roasted repeatedly, Sakuragi turned desperately to Nango.
Nango smiled gently.
Then he turned toward the court.
"Alright, brothers," he said calmly.
"Our turn."
"ROAR!"
Coach Kawasaki laughed like a child.
"Shohoku's momentum is incredible!"
Coach Tangze shook his head in admiration.
"He's only sixteen… but he's calmer than most college players. Truly remarkable."
If only he had gone to Ryonan…
Taoka sighed deeply, remembering Mitsui, Miyagi, and Rukawa's rejections—and feeling the crushing weight of Coach Anzai's influence.
While coaches across the arena dreamed about Nango's future, the man himself stood at the top of the arc, casually provoking Sawakita again.
"That off-ball movement earlier was impressive," Nango said lightly.
"You vanished in an instant. Much better than your one-on-one."
Sawakita clenched his teeth.
"Shut up."
Sakuragi rushed over to set a screen.
Little Kawata tried to follow—but was already a step late.
Nango exploded forward.
Big Kawata's heart skipped a beat. A three?
No.
Nango charged straight into the paint.
Little Kawata could only watch helplessly.
Big Kawata didn't dare step up.
BANG!
A vicious two-handed dunk.
The backboard trembled violently.
"THREE STRAIGHT POSSESSIONS! THREE DUNKS!"
Fujiwara shouted in disbelief.
"Nango Koichiro's penetration is completely unstoppable!"
Aida Yayoi smiled softly, lips parting.
"Nango… you're going to become famous."