With Daiki Aomine's explosive surge, the court had completely turned into a one-on-one showdown between Miyamoto Tokima and Daiki Aomine.
Daiki Aomine charged straight into Kirisaki Daiichi like an unstoppable spear.
Although Miyamoto Tokima's defense was excellent, Daiki Aomine still managed to score on him twice with his Formless Style.
Seeing this, Miyamoto Tokima burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha! Daiki! Again!"
Daiki Aomine didn't answer.
BOOM!!!
Above the gymnasium, the black dragon began twisting and surging through the air once more, radiating an overwhelmingly terrifying presence.
Then, under everyone's stunned gaze, the black dragon charged straight toward Miyamoto Tokima.
Whoosh!
In an instant, the enormous black dragon plunged into Miyamoto Tokima's body and began to merge with him!
At the same time, the lightning in Miyamoto Tokima's eyes grew even more violent.
His hair lifted into the air, and his eyes became unfathomably deep!
As the black dragon completely entered his body, Miyamoto Tokima's aura instantly became razor-sharp!
Just standing on the court made him seem utterly unmatched!
Miyamoto Tokima's Zone plus inner Animal Instinct!!!
"Come on!" Miyamoto Tokima laughed. "Daiki!!!"
Daiki Aomine's face had gone pale. Just as he was about to answer, his vision suddenly went black.
Smack!
The milky-white glow surrounding Daiki Aomine vanished instantly. The three radiances of Perfection, the Zone, and inner Animal Instinct all disappeared at the same time.
Daiki Aomine's vision went completely dark, and he lost consciousness.
Miyamoto Tokima appeared in front of him in an instant and caught him before he could hit the floor.
He hurriedly checked Daiki Aomine's condition and found that he was merely exhausted, with no other serious problems.
Through the [Eye of Truth], Miyamoto Tokima could also tell that Daiki Aomine hadn't suffered any injuries from that explosive burst of power.
In other words, Daiki Aomine had simply exhausted himself.
"Beep! Teikō Middle School requests a timeout!"
"Sigh." Miyamoto Tokima shook his head helplessly. "So that really was your limit?"
He supported Daiki Aomine, an unsatisfied smile lingering on his face.
"Next time, let's have a proper battle."
As though he had heard him even while unconscious, the corner of Daiki Aomine's mouth curved into a faint smile.
Miyamoto Tokima helped Daiki Aomine over to the Teikō Middle School bench, where the others immediately cleared space for him to lie down.
Only then did Miyamoto Tokima notice that the bench had already been covered with a thick layer of clothing.
Clearly, they had prepared it specifically as a place for Daiki Aomine to rest once he left the court.
After gently laying Daiki Aomine down, Miyamoto Tokima stood and turned toward Kōzō Shirogane.
Looking at the coach he hadn't seen in a long time, Miyamoto Tokima spoke sincerely.
"It's been a long time, Coach Shirogane."
A warm smile appeared on Kōzō Shirogane's face.
"It has, Tokima."
"Coach Shirogane," Miyamoto Tokima said, "how about we make the third quarter the final showdown?"
Kōzō Shirogane nodded.
"Alright! I was thinking the same thing."
"And..." Kōzō Shirogane glanced at the Teikō Middle School players around him, all of them burning with fighting spirit, and smiled. "I think they feel the same way..."
...
The timeout ended, and the game resumed!
This time, both teams sent their strongest forces onto the court once again!
Taiga Kagami stepped onto the floor, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.
"Aomine has already done so much for us," Taiga Kagami said solemnly. "I'm not going to let everything he did go to waste!"
"Haaah!!!"
Taiga Kagami roared as the Zone and inner Animal Instinct activated at the same time!
His aura instantly reached its peak!
"Man, everyone's really fired up." Ryota Kise rolled his wrists and grinned. "Perfect. I'm fired up too!"
The next second!
Yellow and milky-white light erupted around Ryota Kise, while yellow lightning flashed in his eyes. His aura seemed almost sacred!
[Perfect Copy] and the Zone!
Activated!!!
Tetsuya Kuroko adjusted his wristband and slowly walked onto the court.
Then, little by little, he faded from the spectators' awareness.
Shintaro Midorima pushed up his glasses and stepped onto the court one step at a time.
He slowly closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he found himself standing before that solemn [Gate].
This was the Zone's second [Gate].
Shintaro Midorima stared at the [Gate], his eyes flickering.
Daiki Aomine's actions had finally made him understand what it truly meant to have done everything in his power!
Giving everything he had to do what he wanted most.
That was what it truly meant to have done everything in his power!
And so...
Click...
The [Gate]...
Opened!
On the court, Shintaro Midorima opened his eyes once more.
For the first time, unprecedented green lightning flashed within them!
"Screech!"
The cry of an eagle rang through the gymnasium.
An eagle appeared beside Shintaro Midorima, circled around him once, then slowly entered his body.
The Zone's second [Gate] plus inner Animal Instinct!
Seijuro Akashi stepped onto the court, his eyes filled with unprecedented determination.
Crackle!
"ROAR!!!"
The lightning of the Zone and the roar of a lion erupted at the same time, accompanied by the distinctive sound of the [Emperor Eye] turning!
Zone plus Animal Instinct!
"Everyone, give it everything you've got!"
"Yes!!!"
Kirisaki Daiichi was just as fired up.
Shuzo Nijimura still hadn't recovered enough stamina to return, so all he could do was quietly cheer the others on.
It was worth noting that Atsushi Murasakibara had recovered, though not completely.
The moment Atsushi Murasakibara stepped onto the court, purple lightning flashed in his eyes.
Zone!
Activated!
Shogo Haizaki stepped onto the court and gently closed his eyes.
The next second, waves of milky-white light appeared around his body.
When he opened his eyes again, grayish-white lightning was already flashing within them!
Zone plus [Pinnacle of Great Wisdom]!
Tatsuya Himuro smiled gently. The moment he stepped onto the court, he activated his Animal Instinct.
A sly fox appeared behind him.
Makoto Hanamiya did the same.
He walked onto the court with a sinister expression, and a ferocious spider appeared behind him!
Finally, Miyamoto Tokima stepped onto the court with a faint smile.
Violent black lightning flashed within his dragon-like eyes, radiating overwhelming dominance!
Zone plus inner Animal Instinct!
"Everyone! Let's go!"
"Yes!!!"
...
...
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