The game continued on the court.
As the Shadow, Tetsuya Kuroko was making full use of his strengths.
Although he could not contribute much to the Dragon Slayer Team's defense, he was causing the Black Dragon Team plenty of trouble on offense.
Using his weak presence, he continuously redirected the ball and gave the Dragon Slayer Team opportunities to reset their offense.
That made things slightly easier for them on the offensive end.
Nash Gold saw through him and intercepted several passes, but Tetsuya Kuroko quickly adjusted.
From then on, every pass and every movement kept him away from Nash Gold.
Naturally, he avoided Miyamoto Tokima as well.
Tetsuya Kuroko had made the Dragon Slayer Team's offense a little smoother, but only a little.
The Black Dragon Team's defense remained suffocating.
Once they grew accustomed to Tetsuya Kuroko appearing and disappearing without warning, they became more cautious.
Instead of watching the ball, they focused entirely on their assigned opponents.
Zack and Nick smothered Shintaro Midorima.
Jason Silver kept Atsushi Murasakibara locked down in the paint.
Miyamoto Tokima marked Taiga Kagami.
Shogo Haizaki was guarded by Nash Gold, who still had [Belial Eye] activated.
With that, the Dragon Slayer Team's offensive firepower weakened once again.
Tetsuya Kuroko noticed this and decided to make a change himself.
When the light was suppressed, the shadow would become the light and buy the other lights a brief opportunity.
On that possession, Shogo Haizaki controlled the ball with a trace of exhaustion on his face. White lightning flashed in his eyes as he continuously scanned the court, searching for a way to break through the deadlock.
Tetsuya Kuroko suddenly ran over and raised his hand, his expression filled with determination.
Shogo Haizaki seemed to understand what he intended and passed him the ball.
Whether it would work or not, no one knew.
Given the situation, they had no choice but to try.
The ball flew toward Tetsuya Kuroko, who caught it cleanly.
The instant he received it, the entire Black Dragon Team focused their attention on him.
At that moment, the Shadow became the Light.
With every member of the Black Dragon Team watching him, Tetsuya Kuroko raised the ball and jumped.
He had taken off near the free-throw line, close enough for Jason Silver to reach him.
Jason Silver roared and charged over.
"You're getting way too cocky, kid!"
He rushed in front of Tetsuya Kuroko and leaped high into the air.
His enormous body completely blocked Tetsuya Kuroko's view.
Tetsuya Kuroko could not even see the basket.
Yet there was no fear on his face. His eyes remained unwavering.
"I'm not being arrogant. I'm filled with hope!"
Tetsuya Kuroko forcefully thrust his right hand forward, sending the ball shooting upward like a streak of blue light.
It passed straight through Jason Silver's palm and dropped into the basket.
Jason Silver's eyes widened in disbelief.
The ball had passed through his hand?!
Zack was just as stunned.
"It actually went through?"
Still trapped in a double-team, Shintaro Midorima adjusted his glasses and calmly said,
"Sometimes, your eyes can deceive you."
The moment he finished, Nash Gold contradicted him.
"No..."
Shintaro Midorima turned toward him.
Nash Gold wore an unreadable smile as he replied meaningfully,
"Eyes don't lie."
Shintaro Midorima's expression immediately changed.
He had noticed the rings of light flickering in Nash Gold's eyes.
"Could it be...?"
Nash Gold gave him an amused smile and ignored him.
Shintaro Midorima clenched his fist.
'Damn it. He may have already seen through Kuroko.'
'I just don't know how he plans to stop him.'
Possession changed hands.
The Black Dragon Team had the ball.
After bringing the ball into the frontcourt, Nash Gold immediately fixed his gaze on Tetsuya Kuroko, an amused smile still on his face.
He dribbled up to Tetsuya Kuroko, then pounded the ball twice in quick succession.
Tetsuya Kuroko suddenly lost his footing and fell uncontrollably to the floor.
Nash Gold looked down at him and sneered.
"Are you trying to save your team with that illusion of a shot?"
"You're far too naive."
"Basketball is a cruel game."
"Becoming the hero who saves the team isn't that easy."
"Passion alone is worthless on the court."
"Strength is everything."
Nash Gold gathered the ball, rose into the air, and released it with flawless shooting form.
The ball traced a beautiful arc before dropping cleanly through the hoop.
Swish!
After scoring, Nash Gold gave Tetsuya Kuroko a brief glance and turned away.
Taiga Kagami ran over and held out a hand.
"You okay, Kuroko?"
Tetsuya Kuroko took his hand and stood.
"Thank you, Kagami."
Taiga Kagami smiled.
"Glad you're okay. Let's keep playing!"
Tetsuya Kuroko nodded and ran forward.
Possession changed hands.
The Dragon Slayer Team had the ball.
Shogo Haizaki once again brought it into the frontcourt.
This time, Tetsuya Kuroko raised his hand and called for the ball again.
Shogo Haizaki chose to trust him once more and passed it over.
Nash Gold saw everything.
He followed the ball and positioned himself directly in front of Tetsuya Kuroko.
Taiga Kagami exclaimed,
"What?!"
He knew that from the perspective of [Belial Eye], Tetsuya Kuroko's [Phantom Shot] had no effect at all.
Standing before Tetsuya Kuroko, Nash Gold said,
"Are you still going to struggle pointlessly?"
Tetsuya Kuroko shook his head. His face remained expressionless, but his voice was unwavering.
"I know basketball is a cruel game."
"But it is precisely because of that cruelty that it creates so many incredible moments."
"Hope will always remain."
"And what I have to do is seize that sliver of hope and turn it into an opening!"
...