[True Eye]
Effect: Nullifies feints.
This isn't some innate talent. It comes from Akashi Asuka's accumulated experience in his previous world. Facing those fox-like playmakers who loved "pass-and-attack" tactics, Akashi was forced to develop this keen, almost prophetic perception.
After arriving in this world, he underwent intense training, eventually solidifying it into a usable skill.
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"Counterattack!"
Amid a wave of gasps, Omuro Yoshikasu snatched the rebound after a block and launched the fast break against Shutoku.
Shutoku reacted quickly. Though it was a bit surprising that Midorima was intercepted by Akashi so fast, after experiencing adjustments against Kagami's style, they were now fully prepared for this kind of defensive disruption.
Before Omuro could rush into the paint, Kimura Shinsuke and Miyaji Kiyoshi were already in position to intercept. Omuro faked several moves, but ultimately couldn't get past them.
Yet he wasn't discouraged. In front of the two defenders, he smiled strangely and said, "Are you two really okay keeping such distance from me?"
SWISH!
As soon as the words left his mouth, Omuro stepped back and released a shot, instantly sending the ball flying toward the hoop.
Kimura and Miyaji didn't even react until the ball swished through the net behind them.
They spun around in disbelief.
"This… is it… the Hyuga signature move?"
In the stands, Seiho's supporters immediately focused on Hyuga Junpei. Omuro's move looked so similar to Hyuga's signature that even Hyuga himself felt a momentary shock, thinking the technique had been replicated.
Until Aida Riko spoke up:
"No, that's not it. It looks similar, but the essence is different."
Hyuga uses a subtle shift in weight to instantly create space, but his footwork remains largely unchanged from preparation to release.
Omuro's shot, in essence, is just an ordinary step-back jumper, but cleaner, faster, and rhythmically unique.
It's a move perfected by combining with his style, a signature only Omuro Yoshikasu possesses.
20:15.
With that basket, the previously balanced score between Seiho and Shutoku instantly shifted.
"This guy… actually invented such a troublesome move?"
Kimura wiped sweat from his forehead. He and Omuro had been rivals since high school, meeting annually in Tokyo qualifiers and occasionally in Nationals.
They should know each other well, but who would've thought in their last year of high school, Omuro secretly developed a trick behind his back? Truly unforgivable.
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WHOOSH!
Seconds later, a descending basketball brought Shutoku back into the score.
20:18.
But it hardly mattered, next possession, Akashi stretched the lead again with the same three-pointer.
23:18.
23:21.
26:24.
29:24.
29:27.
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"What a fierce three-point battle!"
Himuro Tatsuya watched in awe.
Even though spectators had anticipated such a spectacle, witnessing it firsthand still delivered an incredible shock.
Nine shots, nine hits… now ten for ten, with zero misses on either side.
Just hearing it sounds unreal.
Beside him, Murasakibara Atsushi, munching a snack, muttered, "Wow… truly impressive! I've never seen anyone go toe-to-toe with Midorima in three-point shooting like this."
"But continuing like this… it doesn't look good for Shutoku. Even with the shot distance moved from baseline to midcourt, consistently shooting from half-court drains immense energy."
"Can't blame him! From what I know, if there's a chance, Midorima would try to drive forward. Even at Teikou, he was the most well-rounded player besides Akashi."
Murasakibara wiped the powder from his snack fingers and added, "But now he's only shooting from midcourt… which means he sees too much risk in driving forward. Honestly, I've never seen his attacks disrupt this easily!"
Himuro couldn't help turning to ask, curious: "Is Akashi's defense really that strong? Even you, Atsushi, can't match him?"
Atsushi paused mid-snack, then childishly replied, "I'm not losing to him, but… on defense, that guy is terrifying."
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BEEP~~~
Soon after, the first quarter ended.
The overhead screen froze the score at 43:39.
Over forty points in the first quarter, a feat never seen in previous Winter Cup tournaments.
Both Midorima and Akashi maintained perfect 13-for-13 three-point records.
Back in the bench area, Midorima's sweat dripped from his chin to the floor.
"Such incredible sweat output."
Shutoku coach Nakatani Jinryou was shocked. Even he had never seen Midorima expend so much energy in just one quarter.
"This won't do. Midorima alone can't carry the whole game. We need to break Seiho's defense, or stop that monster on the other side."
Looking toward Seiho's bench, Nakatani frowned. Both tasks were near impossible.
Earlier, Shutoku tried abandoning threes to attack Seiho's half-court, but the attempt failed, and nearly triggered multiple counterattacks.
If not for teammates decisively forcing fouls at crucial moments, the score difference would be more than just four points.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria