"Seriously, was Miyamoto Tokima always this strong?"
"No idea. He sent him flying so far."
"Then why did the ref call a blocking foul? That looked like a charge."
"Are you dumb? Fukuda's center initiated the contact. It's just that Miyamoto Tokima was way stronger!"
The stands buzzed with discussion. After several games, the names of Teikō Middle School's players had already become well known among the spectators.
On the court, the Fukuda players, unhappy after hearing the blocking foul call, all crowded around the referee to argue.
Miyamoto Tokima watched them with a look as if he were staring at a group of clowns.
Such an obvious blocking foul, and they still dared to question it? Looks like they're about to earn themselves a free technical.
The referee had a short temper and didn't indulge Fukuda at all. He blew his whistle sharply and slapped a technical foul on the Fukuda player who was yelling the loudest.
Miyamoto Tokima laughed.
What a nice guy. A free throw for nothing.
After the technical was called, Fukuda's captain hurriedly pulled his teammate back, stopping the situation from escalating further.
Kotaro Hayama walked over to Fukuda's center and helped him up.
"You okay?"
The center shook his head and rubbed his chest. Aside from some lingering pain there, he didn't seem to have any other problems.
After getting his answer, Kotaro Hayama nodded and glanced at Miyamoto Tokima with clear wariness.
What is this guy's deal? He actually knocked Tsukikawa flying. Tsukikawa is someone I can't even budge myself.
Kotaro Hayama's expression darkened. Tokima's defense was already frightening, but now his offense was just as outrageous—faster than Hayama, and stronger than Tsukikawa.
It was hard to believe a first-year could reach this level.
Miyamoto Tokima stood at the free-throw line, first shooting the technical free throw, then the free throw from the original foul.
Both shots went in.
Two points.
The score became 8–2, Teikō leading by six.
Fukuda's coach immediately called a timeout to address the team's issues.
"Kotaro, conserve some energy. Save it for the second quarter. You can explode when the timing's right."
Kotaro Hayama nodded.
After quickly arranging their tactics, the timeout ended and both teams returned to the court.
Fukuda ball.
Fukuda's point guard brought the ball past half court and began running the play.
Fukuda's center and power forward set the screens, while Kotaro Hayama and Fukuda's shooting guard ran their routes.
Surprisingly, the play actually freed Kotaro Hayama.
Because Atsushi Murasakibara didn't feel like moving, he stood directly behind Fukuda's center, completely blocking Miyamoto Tokima's path and leaving him stuck behind the screen.
With the opening, Kotaro Hayama showed no mercy and knocked the shot down.
Miyamoto Tokima shot an exasperated glance at Atsushi Murasakibara.
"Atsushi, why'd you block me like that?"
Atsushi Murasakibara scratched his head and apologized,
"Sorry, Tokima. Won't happen again."
Miyamoto Tokima didn't dwell on it and got ready to attack.
As if trying to make up for his mistake, Atsushi Murasakibara inbounded the ball to Miyamoto Tokima.
Seijuro Akashi showed no displeasure, simply smiling as he ran upcourt. He still cared deeply about his teammates.
Left with no other choice, Miyamoto Tokima brought the ball across half court himself.
Even after crossing half court, he had no intention of passing.
He dribbled straight toward Kotaro Hayama. Just as he was about to attack, Atsushi Murasakibara stepped up proactively to set a screen.
Miyamoto Tokima smiled faintly.
Atsushi was pretty interesting. He messed up earlier, and now he was actively trying to make amends.
Without hesitation, Miyamoto Tokima used the screen and broke through at speed.
Kotaro Hayama was completely sealed off by Atsushi Murasakibara, unable to do anything.
Fukuda's center rushed over to switch, but the earlier violent collision with Tokima still lingered in his mind, making him instinctively back off by two steps.
Miyamoto Tokima smiled slightly at the Fukuda center and said,
"You don't like stepping up to defend either? In that case…"
He jumped smoothly, power flowing from his legs through his body and into his arms, finishing with a clean flick of the wrist.
The motion was seamless, without the slightest hesitation.
The Fukuda center hadn't even reacted yet when the ball was already gone.
Swish!
The ball slid cleanly through the net, producing a crisp, satisfying sound.
Only then did Miyamoto Tokima finish his sentence.
"…I'll gladly take this one."
He turned and jogged back on defense, leaving the Fukuda center standing there, face dark, frozen in place.
Kotaro Hayama was starting to lose patience, likely because Miyamoto Tokima had torn through his defense again and again.
The moment Fukuda's point guard crossed half court, Kotaro Hayama clapped his hands, signaling for the ball.
Seeing their ace demanding it, the point guard passed without hesitation.
Kotaro Hayama caught the ball and began dribbling.
Thud… thud… thud! Thud!! Thud!!! Thud!!!! Thud!!!!!
The sound of the ball pounding the floor grew louder and louder, until it was deafening. The entire arena echoed with the impact.
In the stands:
"What's going on? Why is the sound so loud?"
"You don't know? That's Lightning Beast Kotaro Hayama's signature move—Lightning Dribbling."
"I can't believe Hayama's using his ultimate this early. Teikō's pressure must be insane."
On the court, Kotaro Hayama slammed the ball hard, his eyes locked onto Miyamoto Tokima as he spoke:
"Three fingers!"
In the next instant, Kotaro Hayama turned into a bolt of yellow lightning, flashing past Miyamoto Tokima.
Even though Miyamoto Tokima was prepared, facing Lightning Dribbling for the first time caused his reaction to hesitate ever so slightly.
And it wasn't just him. Teikō as a whole didn't react in time. By the time they did, Kotaro Hayama had already laid the ball in.
On the bench, Daiki Aomine jumped to his feet, eyes shining.
So… so strong!!
He immediately turned toward Coach Shirogane and shouted,
"Coach! Let me play!"
Coach Shirogane took a sip of tea and replied calmly,
"Not yet, Daiki. It's not your time."
Daiki Aomine slumped back down, his gaze locked tightly on the court.
Seijuro Akashi narrowed his eyes.
Lightning Beast, huh?
Miyamoto Tokima stood up slowly. Since it was his first time seeing the move, he hadn't reacted in time—but next time, Lightning Dribbling wouldn't get past him again.
"Nice shot, Kotaro."
Fukuda's point guard ran over happily and high-fived Kotaro Hayama.
Hayama, growing confident, bared his sharp canines and declared boldly:
"Just watch. I'll tear apart Teikō's number seven's defense."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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