After several consecutive offensive possessions, Meihou Industrial once again dumped the ball inside to Morishige Hiroshi to solve their scoring problem. This time, Miyagi made a bold decision—he pressed forward aggressively, refusing to give Hayama an easy passing angle.
But Hayama remained composed. Sensing Miyagi's agility, he used his hip to shield him while slowly advancing, then lofted a high pass into the paint for Morishige.
Because Sakuragi insisted on confronting the big center head-on—neither fronting him nor using technique—he was simply wrestling with Morishige, allowing the latter to easily receive the ball.
"Why let the red-haired guy defend? Wasn't that other guy doing better just now?" someone in the crowd complained.
Morishige wanted to continue clashing with Nango, but Shohoku had switched again—and standing before him was Sakuragi, who had been helpless against him earlier. This puzzled him, but he didn't intend to hold back.
Morishige backed Sakuragi down like a bulldozer, step by step, then turned and scored with ease.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Is there really no way to stop him?!"
Sakuragi was drenched in sweat. He had used every ounce of strength but still couldn't stop Morishige. Powerlessness flooded him—was his stubborn persistence truly meaningless?
Akagi crossed his arms and shook his head. "This big idiot…"
He understood Sakuragi's emotions better than anyone. Going head-to-head with Morishige easily shattered confidence. Akagi had been the same. Thankfully, he had been subbed out and allowed to recover—if he had stayed on the court, he would have eventually broken down.
But Sakuragi was still on the floor, still confronting Morishige. What would happen to this stubborn fool?
Nango turned to Rukawa, pointed at Sakuragi, and said, "Looks like we can't rely on that idiot. Rukuwa, it's up to you. You haven't forgotten what you said yesterday, right?"
Rukawa rolled his eyes, glanced once at the dejected Sakuragi, then silently ran ahead.
Nango smiled faintly—he knew Rukawa took his words to heart.
Shohoku went on the attack. Miyagi initially wanted to pass to Nango, but Nango waved him off and pointed at Rukawa instead.
Miyagi hesitated, then passed.
Rukawa gripped the ball with both hands, his fingers pinching and brushing the surface, feeling the texture, finding his touch. Facing Horiuchida, he jab-stepped several times, then burst forward. If Nango could get past in one step, the equally agile Rukawa certainly could as well.
After blowing past Horiuchida, Rukawa didn't slow—he charged straight into the paint.
Mikoshiba sighed with a wry smile. "All of Shohoku's first-years are the same…"
Coach Murai burst into laughter. "Another one marching to his death!"
Slap! Rukawa leaped high in the restricted area, protecting the ball with both hands.
Morishige jumped with him, but refrained from pressing down. Although only a few minutes remained in the half, he would not risk picking up a second foul.
Just before contact, Rukawa made an unexpected move.
"Nice!" Nango shouted excitedly.
Aida Makoto was stunned. "Unbelievable… the stubborn Rukawa actually chose to pass?"
Hikoichi's notebook fell from his hands. He didn't even pick it up. "And he passed to Sakuragi?! What is happening?!"
Sendo smiled and shook his head. "Who would've predicted that?"
Kiyota, who was waiting to watch Rukawa fail miserably, was speechless.
Everyone assumed Rukawa would force his way through like always—but instead, he flicked a behind-the-back pass to Sakuragi.
Even Sakuragi froze. Only when Morishige landed and turned to recover did he snap back to reality, jump, and bank the ball in.
After scoring, Sakuragi didn't celebrate. He stared at Rukawa, filled with bewilderment.
Sensing his gaze, Rukawa turned and said coldly:
"Stray dog. You owe me one."
Then he walked away, leaving only a cold, mocking silhouette.
Sakuragi's chest heaved wildly. His breathing quickened. Rage surged uncontrollably.
"What did you say?!"
Moments ago, he wondered if Rukawa's pass was kindness or acknowledgement—but now Rukawa claimed he owed him?
Unacceptable.
Sakuragi bolted back on defense, furious beyond reason.
Meihou attacked again, using the same tactic—trying to feed Morishige. But this time, it wasn't so simple.
"Did this kid take drugs?" Morishige muttered.
Sakuragi had completely changed his defensive approach—now frantically fronting him. If that were all, Morishige could simply seal and receive a lob. But Sakuragi spread his arms wide, sticking tightly to him. Whenever Morishige tried to turn, Sakuragi darted around behind him, switching position like a monkey circling a pillar.
They struggled for a long time—and Morishige still couldn't shake him.
"Oh oh oh! That's it! Take him down, Sakuragi!" Okusu screamed.
"Sakuragi! Don't let him get the ball!" Takamiya shouted, banging a bottle like a drum.
"Go, Sakuragi!!" the others roared.
Coach Murai paced in agitation. "How did this red-haired brat suddenly get smart? Wasn't he brainlessly pushing earlier?!"
Nango, defending Kawashima, watched with amusement, then glanced at Rukawa.
All my words aren't as effective as Rukawa Kaede's taunt. Truly a pair of sworn enemies…
Outsiders watched with excitement—but Sakuragi was growing impatient, cursing Hayama for not passing yet.
Steal the ball! Steal the ball! Steal the ball!
His entire mind focused on one mission—steal the ball, shove it into Rukawa's hands, and declare:
"I don't owe you anymore!"
Everything else disappeared—only revenge remained.
And who was he calling a stray dog? Benchwarmer!
"Damn it!"
Morishige grew irritated. When Sakuragi fronted him again, he subconsciously pushed. Sakuragi tilted forward, giving Morishige just enough space to turn toward the basket.
The referee did not blow the whistle—Sakuragi's earlier contact also bordered on a foul, so he let it go.
Hayama immediately lobbed the ball.
Coach Murai exhaled in relief—then instantly panicked again.
Slap!
Bang!
Morishige caught the ball and rose to dunk—but Nango appeared from the side and swatted it away. Losing control mid-air, Morishige held the rim to avoid falling.
By the time he landed and turned, Nango had already leapt again and secured the rebound.
With Sakuragi battling up front, how could Nango sit back? He had been waiting for this exact moment.
"Fast break!" Nango shouted, exploding forward with the ball.
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