The halftime buzzer echoed through the gym, signaling a temporary pause in the battle between Teikou and Rakuzan. Both teams retreated to their respective benches, catching their breaths and wiping away the sweat dripping from their faces.
Souta Fujimura exhaled sharply, feeling the strain in his muscles. The first half had been intense. Every movement had been a struggle against Rakuzan's relentless defense. His Phantom Step had helped create some openings, but it was clear that Rakuzan was adapting.
Their eyes weren't filled with frustration or uncertainty. They were calculating.
"They're getting used to our plays," Souta muttered, looking toward the Rakuzan bench. Their coach, a composed and sharp-eyed man, spoke in a calm but commanding tone, gesturing toward a strategy board. The players nodded in sync, absorbing his instructions like seasoned professionals.
Kuroko sat beside him, his gaze fixated on the floor. "We're keeping up, but they're analyzing our every move."
Aomine leaned back, arms folded behind his head. "Tch. It's annoying. Every time I try to break through, they always have someone waiting."
Akashi, wiping his face with a towel, spoke with his usual calmness. "Rakuzan is a team built around precision and discipline. They thrive in structured gameplay. If we continue playing at their pace, we'll lose."
Coach Shirogane clapped his hands, gathering the team's attention. "We need to shift gears in the second half. Akashi, what do you suggest?"
Akashi glanced at their exhausted but determined faces before speaking. "We play unpredictably. Aomine, stop following set plays and start relying on your instincts more."
Aomine smirked. "Heh. Now you're talking."
"Kise," Akashi continued. "Use your copy ability to its fullest. Rakuzan expects you to mimic, but if you mix techniques unpredictably, they won't be able to react in time."
Kise grinned. "I like the sound of that."
"Murasakibara," Akashi turned to the lazy giant, who was sipping from a water bottle. "Stop holding back. You're stronger than their center. Dominate the paint."
Murasakibara sighed. "Mmm… fine, I guess."
"Souta," Akashi finally said, meeting his golden eyes. "Your Phantom Step is useful, but it's time you take control. Instead of waiting for openings, create them."
Souta felt a chill run down his spine. Akashi wasn't just giving orders—he was seeing further ahead.
"You mean…"
"Force their defense to collapse," Akashi said. "If you move in ways they can't anticipate, we'll control the flow."
Souta clenched his fists. It was a bold strategy, but it made sense.
With renewed determination, the team stood up as the buzzer signaled the start of the third quarter.
They weren't here to just compete.
They were here to win.
The second half began.
Rakuzan inbounded the ball, and immediately, their offense shifted into high gear. Shunsuke Kamizaki, their point guard, pushed forward with incredible control, using smooth dribble moves to keep Akashi at bay.
Souta focused on his movements. The way he changed speeds, the way his eyes flickered toward passing lanes—it was all calculated.
Kamizaki feinted right before dishing the ball to Yukimura Seiji, their shooting guard.
Souta saw the pass coming.
Activating Phantom Step, he moved before Yukimura could react, his body seeming to vanish from view.
"!!"
A split second later, Souta reappeared, intercepting the ball mid-air.
Without hesitation, he spun and launched a fast break.
Teikou's offense roared to life.
Souta sprinted forward, his silver-white hair trailing behind him. He had Kise on his left, Aomine on his right.
The Rakuzan defense rushed to get back, but they were caught off guard by the sudden shift in tempo.
Souta feinted a pass to Kise, causing the defenders to lunge in that direction.
Then—
He vanished again.
Phantom Step activated mid-stride, allowing him to cut past the remaining defenders.
Aomine smirked. "Nice move."
With a quick dish, Souta passed to Aomine, who took off for a one-handed slam dunk.
The crowd erupted.
34-34.
Teikou had tied the game.
Rakuzan refused to slow down.
Kamizaki quickly adjusted, leading his team into a counterattack.
This time, he bypassed Akashi with a series of crossovers before throwing a lob pass toward their center, Hoshigaki.
But Murasakibara was waiting.
The moment Hoshigaki jumped, Murasakibara reached up, using his towering height to stuff the ball mid-air.
The impact sent the ball bouncing wildly.
Kise grabbed it and immediately launched another fast break.
He mimicked Aomine's movements, performing a lightning-fast crossover that left his defender stumbling.
With fluid footwork, he drove into the lane—only to stop abruptly.
Yukimura was in front of him.
Instead of forcing a tough shot, Kise smirked.
He kicked the ball out to Souta, who was wide open at the three-point line.
Souta didn't hesitate.
He pulled up for a three.
The ball arced high—
Then swished cleanly through the net.
37-34.
Teikou took the lead for the first time in the game.
The match turned chaotic.
Rakuzan tried to slow the game down, but Teikou kept pushing the pace.
Aomine danced through defenders, scoring on impossible layups.Kise's Perfect Copy allowed him to adapt on the fly.Murasakibara dominated the paint, shutting down inside plays.
And Souta—
He pushed himself further.
With every play, he tested his limits.
Phantom Step allowed him to move unpredictably, slipping through defensive gaps that shouldn't exist.
By the time the third quarter ended, Teikou was ahead 58-52.
But they weren't celebrating yet.
Because on the Rakuzan bench, Akashi Seijuro was staring at the court with narrowed eyes.
His calm demeanor had shifted.
And when the fourth quarter began—
Something changed.
The moment the final quarter started, Rakuzan became faster.
Sharper.
Akashi suddenly moved with absolute authority.
Souta barely saw the play before it happened.
Akashi stole the ball instantly, cutting through Teikou's formation like a blade.
He passed to Yukimura, who scored effortlessly.
58-54.
On the next play, Akashi intercepted again.
Another fast pass, another score.
58-56.
The momentum had shifted.
And Souta realized it immediately.
This isn't the same Akashi.
His eyes—
They were different.
Colder.
More dominant.
Akashi Seijuro had awakened something.
Something unstoppable.
The true battle had just begun.