A normal shot usually involves at least three steps:
Prepare stance, raise hand to aim, release shot.
During a game, one extra step is required:
Evade defense, prepare stance, raise hand to aim, release shot.
Ordinary players train to reduce the time it takes to complete these four steps, but they never skip any of them.
Akashi Asuka, however, had seemingly condensed the entire process into just two steps:
Evade defense, release shot.
"He can even do this… Wait, can this really go in? There's not even basic aiming. Can he maintain accuracy like this?"
"Such a 'simple' shooting motion… Even Akashi's Emperor's Eye probably can't predict or defend this!"
Most spectators marveled at Akashi's new fadeaway three-pointer, but Atsushi Murasakibara, simpler in thought, understood the real reason Akashi had developed this unique shot.
Exactly.
Akashi's fadeaway three-pointer originated from being blocked by Akashi Seijuro during the Interhigh.
Advancing from skill level 85 to 86 meant officially reaching Generation of Miracles level.
Once a player's skill crosses that threshold, not only does their proficiency improve, but they also develop a unique playing style.
For example, after surpassing 86 in three-point shooting, Akashi didn't aim to maximize accuracy like Midorima Shintaro. Instead, he focused on a smoother release.
The same principle applied to his fadeaway three-pointer.
With his height and jumping ability, Akashi considered very few high school players capable of challenging him in terms of vertical reach.
To improve his ability to shoot under pressure and to avoid a repeat clash with Akashi Seijuro, he trained during summer to perfect this ultra-condensed shooting motion.
This move was a trump card against Kaijo.
Stopping Akashi's three-pointer was already extremely difficult for them. Now, with this simplified shot, every last exploitable flaw was gone.
"Damn monster… Fine, then we'll open the path elsewhere."
Even Yukio Kasamatsu, known for his calm temper, was slightly rattled by Akashi's monster-level skill. Muttering a curse, he decided to redirect their breakthrough.
"Let you guys see Kaijo's new formation!"
With that, Kasamatsu drove forward from midcourt. This time, he failed to break past Kasuga Ryuhei's defense. Before Akashi and Tsugawa Tomoki joined Seiho, Kasuga had been one of the team's two main pillars.
If opponents could break through him easily every time, Seiho wouldn't have deserved the title of Tokyo's Iron Wall.
Even so, Kasamatsu's expression barely changed. In a way, he hadn't expected to score on his own anyway.
THUMP!
A bounce pass sent the ball to Kise Ryouta.
Surprisingly, Kise didn't challenge Akashi in a one-on-one duel this time. Instead, he deliberately avoided him.
"Huh? What's he trying to pull now?"
Kise's move was puzzling, he seemed to dodge Akashi's defense yet still aimed to score.
Impossible.
Akashi's defensive coverage alone could span the entire three-point line. In normal matchups, bypassing a single player continuously was nearly impossible.
"No, it's completely possible!"
As if reading Akashi's mind, Kise suddenly spoke.
Immediately, his aura changed, showing a presence strikingly similar to Kasamatsu's.
The next second, Kise passed the ball back to Kasamatsu. Without a second's pause, Kasamatsu turned and drove it into the paint.
Kaijo's power forward Hayakawa Mitsuhiro caught the pass and shot immediately.
SWISH!
Basket in.
6:5.
"Eh?"
"What just happened?"
Seiho's players were momentarily stunned. Kasamatsu and Kise's consecutive passes were brilliant, but where had that open space appeared from?
Passing is a basic basketball skill, but the simpler the technique, the stronger the fundamentals required.
Seiho recognized Kaijo's solid foundation as a top-tier team, yet they trusted their man-to-man defense would prevent such open gaps.
·····
"Huh? Takeuchi actually came up with such an interesting formation?"
From Seiho's bench, coach Matsumoto Yukinori studied Kaijo's setup with intrigue.
Looking toward Kaijo's bench, his eyes met coach Takeuchi Genta's satisfied gaze, just as he expected.
The game continued.
Seiho's offense, still centered on Akashi, pierced Kaijo's defense like a sharp spear, scoring another three-pointer.
9:5.
Kaijo immediately countered.
Kasamatsu advanced the ball, with Seiho's players on high alert, marking every Kaijo player tightly.
Then, the next moment:
Kasamatsu passed to Kise, who pushed the ball forward, breaking through Seiho's defense again, reaching center Kokoroho Kosei.
SWISH!
Although Tsutomu Iwamura reacted quickly, he was still a step too late. The ball went in.
9:7.
With this second breach, many previously confused spectators began to grasp the strategy.
"Dual point guard tactic… Kise's 'Imitation' can be used like this?"
Among the audience, Generation of Miracles players Midorima Shintaro, Aomine Daiki, and Murasakibara Atsushi all looked surprised. Even they hadn't realized Kise's talent could be applied this way.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria