Haizaki Shogo felt unusually pleased.
Playing alongside Aomine Daiki gave him a kind of satisfaction he couldn't quite put into words.
Fukuda Sogo
Ball in hand, Haizaki crossed into Tōō Academy's half court. In front of him stood Aomine Daiki—expressionless, focused, and completely locked in on him.
Haizaki's mood lifted.
Back-to-back days of facing strong opponents… this was exactly what he wanted.
So, Aomine… are you ready to be dismantled?
He lowered his center of gravity and went straight into a one-on-one duel.
Both players exploded into motion at extreme speed.
Haizaki drove in and released the ball directly toward the rim.
In the blink of an eye, he was already inside the paint.
BOOM!
He soared up and finished with a powerful one-handed dunk—an airborne self-alley-oop that slammed the ball through the hoop.
Aomine's eyes lit up.
On the stands, however, Kagami Taiga watched the dunk with a dark expression.
That move… it reminds me of something I'd rather forget.
The game immediately shifted ends.
Tōō's possession began.
Aomine received the inbound pass from Imayoshi Shoichi and rose directly into a deep fadeaway jumper in front of Haizaki.
Haizaki leapt with full reach.
But Aomine inhaled calmly… and leaned back even further.
The shot arc rose almost vertically.
Then—
SWISH!
It dropped cleanly through the net.
They landed.
Haizaki watched Aomine turn away.
This monster… just how insane is his body control?
Still, he couldn't help but smile.
Even as a rival, Aomine's basketball was thrilling.
On the stands, members of Yosen High School reacted.
"That kind of shooting form… even you couldn't stop it, right, Murasakibara?"
"Huh? Dunno. I kinda wanna try playing too."
Murasakibara Atsushi spoke with his usual sleepy honesty, while his teammates exchanged amused yet tense expressions.
Elsewhere, in the stands of Shutoku High School:
"That style of basketball… only those two monsters can pull it off."
"Maybe."
Takao Kazunari spoke casually, but Midorima Shintaro remained silent for a moment.
In his mind… another presence briefly flashed—Kise Ryouta.
Back on the court, Haizaki caught the ball again and looked at Aomine, who had stepped up instantly.
Aomine's eyes were sharp, almost hungry.
"So? Interested in Man-and-ball unity?" Haizaki teased.
"Cut the crap. Just use it already," Aomine replied.
"Beg me."
Aomine fell silent, but his eyes burned with excitement and frustration.
Then—
In that instant, Haizaki simply exploded forward.
No warning.
No buildup.
He broke through Aomine cleanly and rose for a one-handed finish.
BOOM!
The dunk slammed down.
Aomine froze.
He hadn't expected Haizaki to use it immediately—and even less expected the overwhelming surge of power behind it.
For a moment, the court itself felt compressed.
That instant dominance left Aomine momentarily stunned.
On the stands in Shutoku's section:
"What was that just now…?"
"That's the technique… and also 'Man-and-ball unity'… even Aomine can't stop him now."
Midorima's voice was calm—but absolute.
Because as the creator of that technique, he understood its nature better than anyone.
Back on court, Aomine recovered quickly, excitement replacing shock.
He grabbed the ball and rushed forward again, eyes locked on Haizaki.
"I really want to crush you right now," Aomine muttered.
"Then try," Haizaki replied.
Aomine began a wild dribble sequence—left, right, unpredictable angles.
Then—
He burst forward.
But—
SLAP!
Haizaki stripped the ball cleanly.
Aomine froze again.
Haizaki was already gone.
BOOM!
Another fast-break dunk.
The ball slammed in effortlessly.
Aomine immediately sprinted back, eyes now fully serious.
So it's not just the technique… his speed, power, everything has evolved.
He finally understood.
This wasn't just "Man-and-ball unity."
It was a complete physical amplification.
Aomine's thoughts darkened.
This is going to be annoying…
When Aomine received the ball again, he realized something—
Haizaki wasn't retreating.
He was waiting for him.
Directly guarding him.
Aomine's eyes sharpened.
So you're trying to lock me down completely? Perfect.
He lowered his stance and began a heavy dribble chain, shifting rhythm violently.
Then—
He spun.
Explosive drive attempt.
But—
SLAP!
The ball was stolen again.
Haizaki sprinted away instantly.
Aomine chased hard this time.
He would not be left behind again.
Haizaki reached the paint and jumped.
Aomine followed from behind, arm stretching for a block.
His fingers brushed the ball.
But—
It didn't move.
Not even slightly.
Aomine's eyes widened.
BOOM!
Haizaki powered through the contact and slammed it down anyway.
The whistle blew.
The basket counted.
And a foul was called on the defense.
The dunk stood—and Haizaki was awarded a free throw.
He walked to the line with a relaxed, almost arrogant expression.
SWISH!
The free throw dropped cleanly.
And at that moment—
BEEP!
The first quarter ended.
Fukuda Sogo 27: Tōō Academy 20
Fukuda Sogo led by seven points.
A small advantage—but a real one.
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