Once the cheers settled, the game resumed.
Nango immediately demanded the ball again.
Fukuda rushed up at once, sticking close to him. He had no intention of giving Nango any space — he wanted to break his rhythm through physical pressure.
But Nango didn't bite.
He caught the ball, leaned his back into Fukuda, and shoved hard to create separation. Then he spun and drove, gaining half a body of space.
Stepping just inside the arc — he rose.
Swish.
A deep two-pointer.
After landing, Nango glanced toward the paint.
That should do for now.
Barkley looked at him with interest.
This spotlight-stealing kid… pretty good.
Did he get fired up because he ran into me?
Still — this skinny kid can't beat me inside.
The Jazz players exchanged a few casual remarks, but their thoughts were the same:
As long as Barkley controlled the paint, they wouldn't lose.
Did a high schooler really think he could challenge an NBA superstar?
Next possession — Barkley posted up again.
Just like Fukuda couldn't stop him…
Nango couldn't either.
Conventional defense didn't work. Even contesting the shot was difficult.
So Nango gambled.
He let Barkley turn the corner — then tried to steal from behind.
But Barkley shielded the ball perfectly.
A single step into the paint —
BOOM!
A powerful dunk.
Fortunately, Nango still led by two.
As long as the pace stayed like this, he could still win.
So this time, after receiving the ball, he didn't attack immediately.
He turned his back and began backing Fukuda down — slowly pushing him toward the right side of the court.
To keep his shooting percentage high…
He needed to get closer to the rim.
Again he forced space, spun, and rose for the shot.
But just as the ball reached its highest point—
A chubby hand appeared.
SMACK!
Barkley swatted the ball out of bounds, the impact rattling the fence.
"Whoa! The Flying Pig really flies!"
"Nicknames never lie — that jump is insane!"
Even so, Barkley looked dissatisfied.
"Damn… if I hadn't eaten extra this morning, I would've caught it."
Aida Yayoi watched carefully.
If Barkley can block him from there… Nango won't get inside so easily anymore.
Nango was thinking the same thing.
His vertical is ridiculous… even with my arc…
Fine. Then I'll have to play outside.
The ball was inbounded back to Nango.
Fukuda stayed glued to him.
Nango frowned — he still hadn't found a solution.
He tried backing him down again, but this time Fukuda held his ground, even pushing back harder.
Forced away from the basket, Nango dribbled outward.
Fukuda followed step for step.
The instant Fukuda shifted —
Nango spun, then spun again in the opposite direction, shaking him dizzy.
He was about to accelerate into the lane—
Barkley lunged like a tiger.
Nango's heart skipped.
He jumped instinctively and tossed the ball away midair without even aiming.
Aida sighed.
It's over… Barkley's presence already scared him.
Barkley smirked while turning for the rebound.
Kid… finally learned fear.
Bang!
The hurried three-pointer missed.
Barkley secured the rebound easily and dribbled out past the arc.
Nango closed in again.
Instead of attacking, Barkley began dribbling playfully in front of him — crossovers, rhythm bounces, showing off.
Nango narrowed his eyes.
Streetball tricks? Nutmeg? Trying to embarrass me?
He focused completely on the ball.
Even against an NBA star — he refused to be toyed with.
Oh? That serious look?
You really think you can stop me?
Grinning, Barkley bounced the ball back and forth — then suddenly fired it between Nango's legs and sprinted forward.
But before he could move—
Nango grabbed the ball with both hands.
Then calmly dribbled out beyond the three-point line.
Barkley froze for a moment… then burst out laughing.
"Good! You're good!"
Nango's brow twitched.
You think this is funny?
Fine. Let's make it bigger.
He looked at the rim.
Rose.
Released.
Swish.
A clean three.
Barkley turned to grab the rebound — only to see the net snap.
This kid… he actually wants to beat me.
He licked his lips, expression sharpening.
Time to wake this naive youngster up.
Next possession.
Barkley received the ball at the arc, guarded by Nango.
He rose onto his toes —
Shot.
The ball circled the rim twice… and dropped.
A return three-pointer.
After scoring, Barkley flexed his arms confidently.
You can't stop me.
Nango smiled faintly and stretched his neck.
"I never planned to."
He held out his hand to his teammate.
Now it was his turn to perform.