Kise Ryota dribbled the ball across half-court while Rukawa Kaede stuck close to him on defense. At the same time, Kasamatsu Yukio and the others pulled Miyagi Ryota and his teammates to one side.
"So impatient," Kise said with a raised eyebrow.
Rukawa ignored him. "How boring… You asked what I meant just now. It seems you've forgotten… my ability."
Rukawa's pupils shrank, and Kise moved instantly.
With a powerful step of his right foot, Kise drove forward. Rukawa stayed tight on him, but Kise suddenly paused, spun violently, and switched the ball from his left hand to his right.
He broke through Rukawa's right side in an instant.
Just as Rukawa turned to chase—
Bang!!!
Kise had already dunked, using the exact same move Rukawa had used.
The difference was that Rukawa couldn't keep up. Anyone could see the gap between them.
Kasamatsu and the others were used to Kise's ability, but Miyagi and the rest had only heard about it. Seeing it with their own eyes left them stunned.
Sakuragi Hanamichi tried to hold back a laugh. Hayakawa Mitsuhiro looked at him like he was crazy.
"What are you looking at, Thick Brows?!"
"Huh? Red-haired idiot! What did you say?!"
Sakuragi headbutted Hayakawa.
"Beep—!"
Shohoku No. 10, foul! Two free throws for Kaijo!
"Why am I getting called?!" Sakuragi protested, but Akagi quickly dragged him away.
Rukawa muttered, "Idiot."
Miyagi held his forehead in disbelief.
Hayakawa went to the line. His vision was blurry after the headbutt, so he missed the first shot but made the second.
Still Kaijo's possession.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The ball bounced between Kise's hands. "Why so serious?"
"Has anyone told you you're very noisy?"
Before the words finished, Kise vanished. Rukawa couldn't even see his movement before he was bypassed.
Akagi stepped in, blocking his path. Kise slapped the ball right, then pulled it back and spun past Akagi for a floater.
"You dare shoot in front of me?!"
Sakuragi rushed in and smacked the ball away with a huge block.
Kise froze. "Is this guy… a second Kagami?"
Sakuragi grinned. "Haha! How was that? This genius's defense is no joke!"
Kise smiled calmly. "Oh? I underestimated you, Red-haired Kid."
"Come again if you've got guts!"
Kise chuckled. "Let's see how many times you can stop me."
They stared at each other, sparks flying.
"Sakuragi! Good job!" Akagi praised.
"I told you I'm a genius, Gorilla!"
Akagi punched him instantly.
Kise prepared for the throw-in while Rukawa spread his arms to block passing lanes.
Kise faked left and snapped a pass right to Moriyama Yoshitaka.
Moriyama caught it outside the arc. Mitsui guarded closely, but Moriyama suddenly shot with a strange two-handed motion.
Swish!
"Senior, that shot was cool!" Kise high-fived him.
Moriyama whispered, "Introduce me to some pretty girls later."
Shohoku's morale dipped slightly.
"Hey, Miyagi! Pass me the ball! Let this genius show off!" Sakuragi shouted.
His enthusiasm fired up the team.
Miyagi dribbled up, faked left, dashed right, and broke past Kasamatsu. He weaved through help defenders and finally passed to Sakuragi in the corner.
"Haha! My turn!" Sakuragi shot confidently.
Airball.
Laughter came from Kaijo's bench.
Takeuchi had predicted it—Sakuragi had rebounding talent but no scoring ability yet.
Sakuragi's face turned red. "How is that possible?!"
"Idiot." Rukawa had already rushed in, grabbed the rebound, and slammed it home.
Bang!
"Rukawa scores on the putback dunk!"
Sakuragi shouted, "Stinky Fox! You stole my spotlight!"
"Talk after you can make a shot," Rukawa replied calmly.
Miyagi patted Sakuragi. "Aim better next time."
Sakuragi clenched his fists. "This genius will make it next time!"
Kasamatsu whispered to Hayakawa, "That guy's speed is insane. We need a way to stop him."
Hayakawa nodded.
The game continued, Shohoku's morale rising while Kaijo grew more cautious.
"Beep—!"