Shintaro Midorima's expression didn't change in the slightest, his tone as calm as ever.
"As you are now, you've already been abandoned by destiny. So it's only natural—you won't be able to beat me."
The moment he finished speaking, Shintaro Midorima suddenly jumped and released a shot without any warning.
Reo Mibuchi froze for a split second, but quickly reacted and jumped as well.
But the instant he got into the air, he realized something was off.
Shintaro Midorima was… still rising.
Higher and higher.
And his release point was absurdly high. If he extended his arm just a bit more, it would practically be a straight-arm shot.
Reo Mibuchi's hand could barely reach Midorima's face—he couldn't even get close to his elbow.
Midorima's eyes sharpened as he locked onto the rim. With a flick of his wrist, the ball soared high into the air.
It climbed toward the ceiling of the gym before dropping sharply.
By that time, Midorima had already turned around and started running back on defense.
Everyone on Rakuzan stared at the descending ball. Even though they all knew it would probably go in—
They still couldn't look away.
Swish!
The ball dropped cleanly through the net, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
Reo Mibuchi let out a breath and glanced at Midorima.
"What kind of wrist strength is that… It's almost a straight-arm shot."
Possession switched.
Rakuzan's point guard brought the ball past half court, and Reo Mibuchi immediately came out to receive it.
The pass came without hesitation.
Dribbling to the three-point line, Reo Mibuchi fixed his gaze on Shintaro Midorima.
Midorima remained calm, his defense tight and precise.
Reo Mibuchi took a deep breath.
Back in middle school, they had been evenly matched. Now, Midorima had grown into someone he couldn't take lightly.
Is this what the [Generation of Miracles] is?
Every one of them feels like a monster.
Exhaling slowly, Reo Mibuchi prepared to attack.
He dribbled twice between his legs, then immediately stepped back, gathering the ball into a shooting stance.
Midorima reacted instantly, closing in—but he didn't jump.
Sure enough, it was just a feint.
Clearly, it was meant to be [Earth], but he didn't follow through.
Now he was stuck.
No more dribble.
Only two options left.
Shoot—or pass.
Reo Mibuchi chose to pass without hesitation.
Failing to deceive Midorima, he immediately sent the ball inside to Eikichi Nebuya, who had established position in the paint.
[Herculean Strength] Eikichi Nebuya caught the ball while backing down Taisuke Otsubo.
With his back to the basket, he leaned slightly, pressing his weight into Otsubo.
Otsubo grimaced, teeth clenched as he struggled to hold his ground.
But it was obvious—he couldn't match Nebuya's strength.
Nebuya laughed loudly.
"That all you've got? Not enough! Not even close!!!"
With a sudden burst of force, he drove forward.
Otsubo was shoved back two full steps.
Seizing the opening, Nebuya spun and went up for a dunk.
Otsubo could only watch.
There was nothing he could do.
Help defense? He wanted to—but there was no time.
After scoring, Kotaro Hayama didn't retreat. Instead, he stood alongside Reo Mibuchi right in front of Midorima.
A full-court double team.
At the baseline, preparing to inbound, Otsubo's pupils trembled.
"They're… using two players to press him full court?"
"Captain! Ball!"
Kazunari Takao shouted.
Snapping back to his senses, Otsubo passed the ball in.
Takao caught it and immediately pushed forward.
With two players locking down Midorima, that meant a 4-on-3 advantage up front.
No matter how you looked at it, Shūtoku had the edge.
Takao sprinted into the frontcourt, quickly breaking past Rakuzan's point guard with two dribbles before driving into the paint.
Nebuya stepped up instantly to help defend.
Without even looking back, Takao flicked his right hand—
The ball flew to Otsubo, who was cutting in.
This was the court vision of [Hawk Eye].
Otsubo caught it and slammed it in with a dunk.
After the basket, still in the backcourt, Kotaro Hayama rubbed the back of his neck.
"Come to think of it… if the two of us keep pressing him like this, Nebuya might not be able to handle it."
Reo Mibuchi had already realized the same thing.
"Then let's switch it up."
Hayama nodded and spoke briefly with the power forward who had come over.
On the sidelines, Chihiro Mayuzumi watched quietly, expressionless.
Eiji Shirogane stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"Mayuzumi, did Akashi say you're allowed to play?"
Chihiro Mayuzumi nodded.
"Yeah. He said as long as we're facing the [Generation of Miracles], I can go in."
Eiji Shirogane nodded.
"Alright. Get ready."
.......
On the court.
Reo Mibuchi received the pass and exchanged a glance with Eikichi Nebuya inside.
Understanding immediately, Nebuya stepped out and set a screen beside Midorima.
Using the screen, Mibuchi forced a switch—
Now he was matched up against Otsubo.
A guard against a big.
Against Midorima, he might struggle.
But against anyone else on Shūtoku?
That was another story.
Facing Otsubo, Mibuchi didn't even bother dribbling.
He gathered the ball and jumped straight into a shot.
Otsubo followed, anger flashing across his face.
Shooting right in front of him like that—
Was he really being treated like nothing?
Otsubo stretched his arm out with all his strength, trying to block it.
But then—
Mibuchi was drifting further away.
A fadeaway.
In other words… [Heaven].
With that fadeaway, Mibuchi cleanly avoided the defense and released the shot.
Swish!
After scoring, a smug smile appeared on his face.
"As expected, as long as I'm not matched up with that Superstitious kid, the rest are easy."
He had no intention of wasting unnecessary energy against Midorima.
Because this game—
He wanted to win.
Not just personally.
But as a team.
...
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