On the court, Jason Silver, Nick, and Zack of Jabberwock stood frozen, staring at Haizaki Shogo's rotating silver-ringed eyes. For the first time, fear settled into their hearts, just like the fear they normally reserved for Nash.
Shogo and Nash retreated together, taking position on the left and right sides of the paint. Their presence radiated an overwhelming, almost oppressive aura. Jason Silver, standing in the restricted area, cycled through emotions, fear, relief, then arrogance. The same shifting expressions appeared across every player on the court, including those on the bench.
At this moment, could Jabberwock, with both Shogo and Nash, still lose? Silver would never believe it, even if he were beaten to death.
Shogo now looked colder than ever. Detached. Unreachable. No one dared approach him, much less speak casually to him. His teammates could only watch silently, filled with awe and reverence for the glowing presence of Shogo and Nash.
On the other side, the Serbian Eagles had fallen into dead silence. The sudden eruption from Jabberwock had caught them completely off guard. Then a voice exploded across the court. "THIS is a game. The whistle hasn't blown yet, so get your heads up!"
The speaker was Jack. "There are no cowards in the Serbian Eagles. Only eagles that soar across the sky!" His words struck like a hammer against their minds, snapping them out of their daze. This was the will of the team, and the will of Giant Jack himself.
All eyes turned toward him. And then, shock, followed immediately by excitement. Because their captain had stepped into Zone. Electric blue lightning crackled across his body.
ZZZZT! Jack passed the ball forward with glowing, electric eyes. "Even if we lose, this is getting interesting!" "Let's go! I'll hold Nash down!"
The Serbian Eagles rose again, now led by a fully awakened Jack. Silver, Nick, and Zack stared at him in disbelief, then slowly calmed. Because the captain standing before them was no longer normal. He was something else entirely.
Meanwhile, Nash and Shogo remained expressionless. Silver-ringed eyes and electric pupils both activated, calm, still, unreadable. Like a storm waiting without wind. Like predators that didn't need to move to kill.
Serbian Eagles Velia brought the ball up. But this time, he hesitated. He immediately lobbed a high pass toward the paint, aiming for Jack. Silver and Jack both jumped. They collided midair. Both reached the ball. But Jack was stronger.
And then Jack extended his left hand. Both hands clamped onto the ball. He forced it downward with brutal power, overpowering Silver completely. BOOM!! A monstrous two-handed finish. That was "Jack's Hand." The pride of giants. The roar of giants. The will of giants. All fully displayed in that single motion.
Nash and Shogo didn't even glance at Silver's frustration. They were already moving. Nash pushed the ball upcourt, then drove left after a feint to the right, slipping past Levic. He exploded into the paint and rose for a dunk.
But Jack was there. Electric eyes blazing. He activated No Fly Zone. His hand reached the ball. At the same moment, Shogo jumped. He pressed Jack's arm downward, assisting Nash's motion. Three forces collided in midair.
BOOM! The ball slammed into the rim and dropped through. THUD! Jack landed off balance, falling to the floor. Nash and Shogo landed cleanly. No celebration. Just a quiet turn back to defense.
The No Fly Zone and Jack's Hand, both shattered by their combined pressure. Jabberwock had become terrifying. The lead stretched to 22 points.
Jack stood up again, eyes still crackling with electricity. No hesitation. No fear. Just a continuation. The crowd erupted in applause that shook the arena. Even the Serbian Eagles felt it, respect, shame, determination.
Velia brought the ball up again. This time, his fear was gone. Only focus remained.
"Spirit is admirable. Willpower is strong, but the gap is still the gap." Shogo spoke softly. Then moved.
Steal attempt, first wave. Velia switched hands. Dodged. Second wave. Switch again. Barely escaped. Third wave, SLAP! The ball was ripped away.
Shogo exploded forward like a storm. Velia turned and chased, but it was useless. He couldn't catch him. BOOM! A one-man fastbreak dunk. The score widened again, to 24 points.
Shogo turned back without expression, leaving only silence in his wake. Fear. Pressure. And inevitability. One thing became clear: this was no longer just basketball. It was domination.
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