Shuzo Nijimura immediately cursed:
"Even when you use [Pillage], at least pick the right target! Your copied shots keep getting blocked—what kind of pressure are you putting on him?!"
"Anthony doesn't even hesitate when he blocks you! There's no pressure at all—if anything, you're making it easier for him!"
Only then did Shogo Haizaki snap out of it.
His [Pillage] worked by using his own rhythm to imitate someone's movements, creating pressure through familiarity and tempo disruption.
But if his shots kept getting blocked, then there was no pressure to speak of.
It was clear he had been rattled by the blocks and had stubbornly dug himself into a mental corner.
Dicky Anthony finally understood.
"So that's why your shot looked exactly like mine—you were copying it." (English)
"I was wondering. You're only the second person I've seen who dared to pull up right in my face." (English)
"The first was Niji—" (English)
"Ahem! Anthony, come take a break!"
Shuzo Nijimura quickly covered Dicky Anthony's mouth before he could finish.
Shogo Haizaki stood there, completely confused.
'What is he saying? Why can't I understand half of it?'
Miyamoto Tokima rubbed his forehead. He hadn't expected the one-on-one to end up such a mess.
For the first time, he seriously questioned Shogo Haizaki's intelligence.
Shaking his head, he turned to Satsuki Momoi.
"Satsuki, how's Dicky Anthony's data?"
Satsuki Momoi pursed her lips and checked the notes in her hand. After confirming everything, she replied:
"It's all collected. Based on Anthony's one-on-one with Nijimura-senpai and the others, his numbers are pretty terrifying."
Miyamoto Tokima nodded and took the data sheet from her.
The stats were excellent.
In terms of height, wingspan, and shooting ability, he even surpassed Zack and the others.
It was safe to say Dicky Anthony was extremely well-suited for the Black Dragon Team.
He not only had elite shooting ability but also strong driving skills.
His ball-handling was solid as well. He simply preferred scoring through jump shots during games.
Driving consumed more stamina, while shooting allowed him to conserve energy efficiently.
Of course, in Japan, Dicky Anthony could also play center.
But it would be a different kind of center.
On defense, he would anchor the paint.
On offense, he would space out to the perimeter and open fire.
That way, he could drag the opposing center out, creating space inside for drives and finishes.
However, there was no need for him to play center right now—the position was already filled.
The role Dicky Anthony would take was…
Shooting guard.
As for Miyamoto Tokima, he planned to move to point guard.
After reviewing the data, Miyamoto Tokima announced:
"Starting today, Anthony will be our starting shooting guard."
"I'll take the point guard position."
"Hanamiya, any objections?"
Makoto Hanamiya shook his head calmly.
"Tokima-san, I have no objections."
As if he would argue after Miyamoto Tokima had already decided.
...
Time flew by, and soon it was the match between Seirin High and Tōō High.
Kaijō and Shūtoku both came to watch.
Kirisaki Daiichi, however, didn't send anyone. In their eyes, Tōō's victory was a given.
Both teams entered the court.
On Seirin's side, every player wore a tense expression as they stepped into the arena.
Tōō, on the other hand, looked completely relaxed.
There wasn't a hint of anxiety on any of their faces.
Shoichi Imayoshi even wore a faint smile.
Squinting eyes. Smiling fox. The schemer aura was fully stacked.
On Seirin's side, Taiga Kagami lowered his head and asked Tetsuya Kuroko quietly:
"Hey, Kuroko… which one's Aomine?"
Tetsuya Kuroko looked toward Tōō's lineup.
But he didn't see Daiki Aomine anywhere.
He paused, then said:
"Aomine-kun isn't there."
Taiga Kagami froze and looked up sharply toward Tōō.
As the Tōō players approached, Kagami called out:
"Hey! Where's Aomine?"
Shoichi Imayoshi looked up, smiling as usual, pretending to be troubled.
"Ah, we're troubled too. Aomine said playing against you isn't interesting. He said training is more important."
"He's still at school training. So you probably won't see him today."
Every member of Seirin stiffened.
Taiga Kagami felt his anger ignite instantly.
"What did you say?!"
Shoichi Imayoshi shrugged casually.
"Hey, don't get mad at us. That's Aomine's decision. We can't control him."
With that, he turned away and walked onto the court to warm up.
Taiga Kagami clenched his teeth, barely suppressing the anger burning in his chest.
"That bastard… he's looking down on us!"
Junpei Hyuga felt the same frustration.
Being underestimated never felt good.
"If they think so little of us, then we'll make them regret it."
The rest of Seirin nodded, shouting in unison:
"Yeah! Let's teach them a lesson!"
Their fighting spirit ignited instantly. They were ready to crush Tōō outright.
Shoichi Imayoshi noticed the shift and pretended to tremble.
"My, my… Seirin's fired up. How scary."
Kosuke Wakamatsu was visibly irritated.
"It's all Aomine's fault! Since when is training more important than a game?!"
Shoichi Imayoshi, however, understood Daiki Aomine.
Aomine had always wanted to defeat Miyamoto Tokima.
And after seeing the strength of Miyamoto Tokima's team, the pressure on him had only grown heavier.
If he didn't train harder, he would never surpass Miyamoto Tokima.
"There's nothing we can do," Shoichi Imayoshi said calmly. "The pressure on Aomine isn't light either. Let him be stubborn this once."
"After all, in the next match against Kirisaki Daiichi, he'll be our main force."
Even before this game had begun, Shoichi Imayoshi was already planning for the next one.
Because he simply didn't believe they would lose this match.
Kosuke Wakamatsu sighed and nodded.
He understood Kirisaki Daiichi's strength.
Aside from Daiki Aomine, no one on their team could truly match up against them.
Seeing that Wakamatsu had calmed down, Shoichi Imayoshi patted him on the shoulder.
"Alright, Wakamatsu. Warm up properly and focus on this game."
"Don't lose this one. If we do, Aomine will laugh at us to death."
...