The referee's whistle echoed through the gym. The match had officially begun. Shohoku versus Ryonan.
Within the first minute, the pace was electric. Rukawa scored a quick layup, but Ryonan responded immediately. Sendo Akira moved with a grace that made basketball look like a dance. He bypassed Rukawa with a subtle shoulder fake and drove hard toward the basket.
[System Warning: S-Rank Threat approaching the paint!]
[Recommended Action: Use 'Gravity Shoes' boost + 'Rebounder's Instinct' to track the shot!]
Sakuragi, who was supposed to be guarding Uozumi, suddenly peeled off his man. His eyes were locked on Sendo.
"Not on my watch, Spike-hair!" Sakuragi roared.
Sendo smirked, adjusting his shot mid-air for a high-arcing layup that should have been impossible to reach. But he didn't account for the Gravity Shoes.
Sakuragi jumped. It wasn't a normal jump; it looked like he was launched from a catapult. His hand reached the peak of the backboard.
BOOM!
He swatted the ball so hard it flew across the court and hit the Ryonan bench. The gym fell into a deathly silence.
"He... he blocked Sendo?" Hikoichi, the Ryonan scout, stuttered while dropping his notebook. "From that distance?!"
[Ding! Mission Update: Blocked Sendo (1/1).]
[Temporary Buff Awarded: 'Intimidation Aura' - Opponents' shooting accuracy decreased by 10% for 3 minutes.]
Sendo landed, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second before that calm smile returned. "Interesting... You really are something else, Red-hair."
Sakuragi landed firmly, his shoes absorbing the impact. He pointed at the scoreboard. "The genius doesn't just score, Sendo. I own this whole court!"