Ryonan High School – Basketball Gym
The aura that suddenly burst from Ake swept across the entire court like a raging storm.
Everyone's bodies stiffened, their faces frozen with shock as fear flashed in their eyes.
Uozumi's pupils contracted sharply, disbelief and astonishment flickering across his face.
He had never imagined that Ake could release such overwhelming pressure.
Outside the court, Ikegami Ryoji's forehead was slick with cold sweat, his voice trembling slightly.
"This… what's going on? What did he just do?"
Koshino Hiroaki's breath hitched, his legs weak, as if he had just escaped some invisible oppression. His voice carried the lingering fear of near disaster.
"That aura… it's insane. You can feel it even from out here."
"That feeling again…" Sendo muttered quietly, recognizing the familiar, suffocating presence. Images from their middle school days flashed through his mind.
"Don't tell me… he's going to use it?"
Even now, Sendoh didn't fully understand what Ake's Emperor's Eye truly was.
But he knew one thing—
Once Ake entered that state, his opponents couldn't even stand properly, let alone attack.
"Use what?" Koshino turned to him, puzzled. "Sendoh, what are you talking about?"
Sendoh was silent for a moment before replying slowly, "Actually… during yesterday's team practice, Ake wasn't using his full strength."
"What?!"
The entire gym erupted into shocked murmurs.
Both freshmen and senior players stared wide-eyed, struggling to believe what they'd just heard.
"Sendoh, are you serious?" Ikegami Ryoji stammered, unable to process it.
Uekusa Tomoyuki quickly added, "He was already that strong— and that wasn't his full power?!"
Nearby, Aida Hikoichi, who had been secretly eavesdropping, almost dropped his notebook in shock.
"What did I just hear? Ake was holding back yesterday?! Oh my god… how strong is he really?"
Sendoh lowered his head slightly, gathering his thoughts.
He wasn't entirely sure himself. But during their two years together in middle school, he had witnessed glimpses of Ake's terrifying abilities—especially those eyes.
Those eyes could see the entire court, as if he were watching from above.
Even worse, they seemed to pierce through every opponent's movement—reading their intent, predicting their next action before it even happened.
Sendoh remembered the helpless feeling from those days—no matter how he changed direction or faked, Ake was always one step ahead. That sensation of being completely read, that suffocating despair, resurfaced vividly in his chest.
He coughed lightly before speaking again.
"To be honest, I don't fully understand it myself. Ake rarely uses that ability. But one thing I can confirm…"
His voice dropped lower.
"His eyes can read his opponent's movements—almost as if he can see the future."
Silence fell over the gym.
Everyone stood frozen, staring at Sendo in disbelief.
"Are you kidding me?" Koshino was the first to break the silence, his face twisted in confusion. "This isn't some fantasy story—how could something like that be real?"
Ikegami nodded quickly, "Yeah, that's impossible. What is he, some kind of psychic?"
Uekusa frowned. "If that's true, wouldn't Ake be invincible?"
Seeing their skepticism, Sendoh's usual relaxed smile disappeared. His expression turned serious.
"I didn't believe it either at first… until I experienced it myself. But it's not unbeatable. In my third year I still remember the final of our middle school championship final. I saw someone countered it with just pure speed."
He turned his gaze toward the court, where Ake and Uozumi now stood face-to-face.
"The match is about to start," he said softly.
"Instead of hearing it from me—why don't you see it for yourselves?"
Everyone swallowed nervously and turned their attention to the court.
On the Court
Ake and Uozumi stood opposite each other, their gazes sharp as blades.
First round.
Uozumi had the ball. Ake defended.
Bang… bang… bang…
Outside the three-point line, Uozumi crouched in a triple-threat stance. His muscles tensed as he analyzed every possible move.
After yesterday's match, he knew how terrifying Ake's defense was—so this time, he advanced with extra caution.
But as seconds passed, he still couldn't find a single opening.
Beads of cold sweat rolled down his face.
'Damn it… he's just standing there, yet it feels like he's everywhere.'
He couldn't stall forever.
Uozumi gritted his teeth and made a decision—if he couldn't outsmart Ake, he would simply overpower him.
He turned his back, using his strength to push Ake toward the basket.
'It's working.'
The players on the sidelines leaned forward, excitement flickering across their faces.
But in the next instant—
Snap!
The sharp sound echoed through the silent gym.
Ake's hand had already intercepted the ball mid-spin, slapping it cleanly away.
Bang… bang… bang… The basketball rolled off the court, bouncing endlessly as the gym fell dead silent.
Uozumi froze. Slowly, he turned his head to look at Ake.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
That last move—he hadn't even planned it consciously. How could Ake have read it so precisely?
Second round.
Uozumi attacked again—only for Ake to knock the ball away the moment he moved.
Third round.
This time, Uozumi tried a self-pass dunk, tossing the ball up to catch it mid-air.
But Ake had already jumped—anticipating the motion—and cleanly snatched it away.
Slap!
Gasps filled the gym. Ake's speed, precision, and timing were inhuman.
Fourth round.
Slap!
Fifth round.
Slap!
Five straight possessions.
Five perfect steals.
The sideline erupted in collective disbelief.
'A 100% steal rate?!'
'Is he even human?'
'Could Sendoh be right—can Ake really see the future?'
The game wasn't over yet.
Ake picked up the basketball, his tone calm and steady.
"My turn."
Uozumi took a deep breath and braced himself.
Bang… bang… bang…
Ake dribbled slowly, each step measured, unhurried—yet filled with unshakable presence.
That composure itself was suffocating.
In a blink, Ake closed in. Uozumi stepped forward to block him—
But Ake had already slipped past, turning sideways just before the move even began.
He knew!
Uozumi spun to recover—only to see Ake already stepping back for a shot.
"What—?!"
Swish.
The ball soared through the air and landed cleanly in the net.
Ake: 1 — Uozumi: 0
The pattern continued.
Every time Uozumi moved, Ake was already there.
Every counter, every fake, every shift—it was as if Ake was reading a script he'd already memorized.
Each shot Ake took sank flawlessly through the hoop.
By the fifth round, the gym had fallen into dead silence.
No one spoke. No one even breathed.
The players' understanding of basketball—their understanding of strength—was shattered.
Their captain, the man they had always looked up to, couldn't even touch Ake.
It was awe-inspiring… and heartbreaking.
Swish.
The final shot fell through.
Bang… The ball rolled across the floor, coming to a slow stop.
Uozumi stood motionless, staring blankly at it.
He had lost—utterly, undeniably.
Ake 5 — Uozumi 0
After a long silence, Uozumi took a deep breath and walked toward Ake.
The weight of his pride had melted away, replaced by genuine respect.
He extended his hand with a sincere smile.
"I lost. From today onward, you're the captain of the Ryonan Basketball Team. I trust you'll lead us to victory."
The reddish-gold light in Ake's eyes slowly faded, replaced by calm determination.
He took Uozumi's hand firmly and smiled.
"Of course."
The two stood there quietly—like a passing of the torch.
Around them, the players remained still, watching in silence.
It felt less like a match… and more like the moment destiny shifted.
And through the window outside the gym, Coach Taoka Moichi watched quietly, taking in every second of the scene.