After both teams' lineups were announced, a huge cheer erupted from the stands.
However, only two names echoed throughout the arena—Kise Ryota and Rukawa Kaede.
This was the first time Akagi Takenori had seen Rukawa Kaede look so serious. He had heard about Rukawa's past: in middle school, facing Teiko Middle School, they lost 26–100, and Rukawa had scored 20 of those 26 points. So this match could also be seen as Rukawa's revenge battle.
Akagi looked toward Kise Ryota and couldn't help narrowing his eyes. Just standing there, Kise gave off an intense aura.
"Beeeeep—!"
"The match begins!"
At center court, the referee tossed the ball into the air, and Kobori Kōji and Akagi Takenori jumped simultaneously.
Smack!
Akagi tapped the ball toward Rukawa.
Rukawa caught it and immediately accelerated, spinning past Hayakawa Mitsuhiro and leaping for a dunk.
"Well! Long time no see, and you're going straight for a dunk?"
A golden figure suddenly appeared, slapping the ball out of Rukawa's hands.
Hayakawa grabbed the ball and threw a quarterback-style long pass. Moriyama Yoshitaka, who hadn't even retreated, caught it and fired a three-pointer.
Swish!
Kaijo took the lead, 3–0.
"Stupid fox, what are you doing?!" Sakuragi Hanamichi shouted.
Only Miyagi had reacted fast enough to run back, but Moriyama had already scored.
Mitsui froze, realizing Moriyama hadn't even retreated—how much trust did he have in Kise?
Rukawa quickly recovered. He knew Kise's talent from middle school. Even though he'd improved, he knew the Generation of Miracles had improved too.
Midorima watched calmly. "Seems that guy hasn't been idle either."
"Still too weak," Aomine said.
Shidou asked, "What's special about that guy?"
Momoi explained, "You were in America then. He's strong individually but had weak teammates. I never expected him to go to Shohoku."
Aomine added, "He's skilled, but his limit is just approaching the Generation of Miracles' level."
Shohoku's ball.
Miyagi dribbled against Kasamatsu, suddenly accelerating past him. Kasamatsu anticipated it, blocked him, but Miyagi used a behind-the-back crossover to pass him again.
Moriyama came to help, and Kasamatsu double-teamed.
"Mitsui!"
"Not good!"
Mitsui was ready outside the arc. Miyagi passed through Kasamatsu's legs.
"Shorty, that pass was slow!"
Swish!
3–3.
Mitsui and Miyagi high-fived.
Kasamatsu brought the ball up and passed to Kise.
Kise crouched slightly, eyes playful. "What? Not greeting an old friend?"
"Get past me first."
Rukawa lowered his center of gravity.
"Well! Very standard defense."
Kise attacked. A quick crossover, ghostlike movement, and he slipped past Rukawa.
Rukawa's eyes widened as Kise created space.
Kise drove straight to the basket. Akagi stepped in. "This is my territory!"
Kise jumped anyway and floated the ball over him.
Swish!
The arena exploded.
Rukawa clenched his fist. "Next time… I won't let you pass so easily."
As Kise ran back, he whispered, "Not bad… but still lacking."
Shohoku inbounded. Miyagi passed to Rukawa.
"Daiki, who wins one-on-one?" Momoi asked.
Aomine snorted. "How can you even ask? Kise won't lose."
"But…"
"Kise will let him score."
Momoi looked confused.
On the court, Rukawa attacked again, breaking past Kise with speed and spins.
They reached the basket together. Kise jumped to block—but at the last moment, he withdrew slightly.
Rukawa dunked.
Shohoku cheered, except Sakuragi, who complained.
Rukawa stared at Kise. "What did you mean?"
Kise shrugged. "Maybe I just wanted to see how strong your dunk was."
Rukawa turned away, dissatisfied.
Chizuru whispered, "Why did Kise give up on that block?"
Aomine, Midorima, and Shidou all looked at her.
"Ah… sorry! Did I say something wrong?"
They turned back.
Shidou said thoughtfully, "You're pretty observant."
Momoi asked quietly, "Daiki, why did Kise stop?"
"Did you forget his ability?"
"Then why not block and copy him?"
"You should ask his teammate—that Shidou guy. Psychological pressure."
Momoi looked toward Shidou Ryusei, who was almost asleep.