Even after stepping onto the court, Makoto Hanamiya didn't cause Atsushi Murasakibara much trouble.
At most, he managed to steal the ball a few times. But after the steals, Hanamiya still couldn't break through Murasakibara's ironclad defense.
Makoto Hanamiya had planned to win with speed. What he never expected was that Murasakibara could chase him down from behind and block his shots cleanly.
He tried to rely on jumpers instead, only to get sent flying by several emphatic blocks.
After that, Murasakibara caught on. Oh, you like going for steals? Fine. I'll just keep backing you down.
Unsurprisingly, Makoto Hanamiya was taken down without mercy.
As Atsushi Murasakibara continued his string of one-on-one matches, Dicky Anthony's gaze toward him gradually changed.
He was genuinely intrigued. He hadn't expected to run into a talent like this in Japan.
But just as Dicky Anthony was about to step onto the court, Shogo Haizaki moved first.
"I'll take you on!"
Shogo Haizaki strode out with an imposing presence.
He had no personal grudge against Atsushi Murasakibara, but he'd long wanted to measure himself against the Generation of Miracles.
Ryota Kise was also part of the Generation of Miracles, but compared to the others, his strength currently seemed much weaker—at least for now.
In one-on-one matches, the player who steps onto the court first usually takes possession. Kirisaki Daiichi followed the same rule.
Shogo Haizaki took the ball first.
Holding it with both hands, his expression was serious.
Atsushi Murasakibara lowered into a defensive stance, raising his right arm high to guard against a sudden shot.
Miyamoto had taught him this move back in middle school.
It was this very technique that had greatly improved Murasakibara's defensive ability.
Naturally, Shogo Haizaki didn't dare underestimate him. He immediately brought out one hundred percent of his strength.
At the same time… he activated Animal Instinct!
"Roar!"
A fierce lone wolf appeared behind Shogo Haizaki, howling toward the sky.
Atsushi Murasakibara had seen Animal Instinct before, but he hadn't expected Haizaki to possess it as well.
His expression grew more focused.
A heavy pressure began radiating from him.
Seeing this, Dicky Anthony felt a flicker of realization.
'This feeling… could it be?!'
On the court.
Shogo Haizaki's eyes sharpened. With a quick flick of his right hand, he shifted the ball to his left and executed a sharp crossover.
Murasakibara immediately slid into his path.
Haizaki had anticipated that. His left hand instantly pulled the ball behind his back, trying to use the change of direction to get past him.
But he had clearly underestimated Murasakibara's defense.
Murasakibara reacted in a flash, staying right in front of him without losing position for even a second.
Shogo Haizaki's expression changed. He hadn't expected Murasakibara's defense to have become this oppressive.
Left with no choice, he retreated beyond the three-point line to reset.
And in that moment, he noticed something wrong.
Logically speaking, while he couldn't break through Murasakibara in his normal state, once Animal Instinct was activated, he should at least be able to penetrate the paint.
But the problem was—
Even with Animal Instinct, he still couldn't get past him.
'What… is going on?'
'Wait… you've got to be kidding me?!'
Shogo Haizaki's pupils trembled as he stared at Atsushi Murasakibara in disbelief.
A faint purple glow was emanating from Murasakibara's body.
It was subtle—but undeniably there.
Haizaki knew that aura all too well.
That was Animal Instinct.
It just wasn't fully awakened yet—or perhaps Murasakibara simply hadn't chosen to activate it completely.
Either way, it proved one thing.
Atsushi Murasakibara… possessed Animal Instinct.
'You've got to be kidding… even you have Animal Instinct?!'
Haizaki was stunned. He'd thought awakening Animal Instinct already put him ahead of the curve.
Now it felt like everyone had it.
Complaints aside, the one-on-one continued.
Shogo Haizaki kept trying to break through, while Murasakibara defended with unwavering focus.
The final score was 5–2, in Murasakibara's favor.
Haizaki truly struggled to penetrate his defense. The only two baskets he managed came from repeatedly shifting his center of gravity to create just enough space before finishing with fadeaway jumpers.
After the match, Murasakibara was breathing a little heavier.
Clearly, Haizaki had put real pressure on him.
Miyamoto noticed and turned to Satsuki Momoi.
"Add another item to Murasakibara's training plan—stamina."
Satsuki Momoi nodded and promptly adjusted his regimen to include additional conditioning.
It wasn't unreasonable.
Murasakibara's stamina really was lacking.
How could he start panting after just a few one-on-ones?
That wouldn't do.
Train. He had to train.
Train until he could open the Zone and play two full quarters without dropping off.
On the court.
Although slightly winded, Murasakibara could still continue, so he chose to move on.
The next opponent—
Dicky Anthony.
As for Tatsuya Himuro… he was already stunned.
He hadn't expected Kirisaki Daiichi's players to be this strong.
Take Shogo Haizaki alone—if Himuro had gone up against him, he might have scored at most one point.
At the same time, he couldn't help but marvel at Murasakibara's strength.
But what he was truly looking forward to was seeing Murasakibara face Dicky Anthony—and Shuzo Nijimura.
He wanted to know whether, against those two, Murasakibara could still come out on top.
On the court.
Dicky Anthony slowly stepped forward.
His towering height, intimidating outfit, and tattoos made Murasakibara's expression grow increasingly serious.
The two stood face to face, their gazes colliding midair.
Dicky Anthony was even taller than Murasakibara.
That alone surprised him.
"Please take care of me."
Dicky Anthony spoke slowly—in Japanese.
After spending time in Japan, he had picked up some of the language.
Murasakibara nodded and lowered himself into a defensive stance.
This time, he crouched even lower than before.
In his mind, someone with Dicky Anthony's build would naturally attack the paint. All he had to do was guard against the drive.
But Dicky Anthony's next move completely caught him off guard.
"Huh? Why'd he shoot?"
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