District Qualifiers: Teikō's Dominance

The venue for the Tokyo Metropolitan Area preliminary rounds buzzed with a cacophony of voices, the air thick with the mingled scent of sweat and polished floor, filled with the cheers of school support groups and the echoing thud of basketballs. However, the moment the Teikō Junior High players, clad in their iconic blue and white uniforms, stepped onto the court, the atmosphere of the entire stadium seemed to freeze for an instant before erupting into an even more fervent wave—a complex mix of awe, fear, and anticipation.

Teikō, the name itself was an invisible pressure. And this year, as the moniker "Generation of Miracles" spread through word of several shocking practice matches and internal scrimmages, this pressure had transformed into palpable dread, weighing heavily on the hearts of every opponent who was about to face them.

First match, against the weakling Tanigawa Junior High.

The game lost all suspense almost from the tip-off. Murasaki-bara Atsushi's massive frame acted like a mobile fortress, easily tipping the ball to Akashi Seijūrō. Akashi received the ball, his crimson eyes calmly scanning the entire court like a king surveying his domain. He didn't even dribble; with a flick of his wrist, a precise long pass spanning half the court sent the basketball flying like a guided missile towards Aomine Daiki, who had already surged forward like a black lightning bolt!

Aomine caught the ball, a clear path ahead! He let out a wild roar, took three giant strides into the paint zone, and leaped like a beast unleashed, executing a tomahawk dunk filled with violent beauty! The rim groaned in protest!

2:0!

Just 3 seconds into the game!

The Tanigawa Junior High players hadn't even fully settled into position! The stands erupted in an uproar!

The rest of the game devolved into a one-sided showcase for Teikō and a desperate struggle for their opponents.

* Midōrima Shintarō was like the most precise artillery platform. As long as he found even a sliver of space beyond the three-point line—even for a fraction of a second—his action of adjusting his glasses seemed to be the signal for offense, and the basketball would trace that despair-inducing, perfect arc, swishing through the net with the sound of a death knell! Swish! Swish! Swish! The Three-Point Rain mercilessly extinguished any glimmer of hope for Tanigawa's counterattack.

* Murasaki-bara Atsushi was an insurmountable chasm in the paint. Any offense attempting to drive to the basket dissolved into nothingness under his sky-obscuring giant hands and absolute power. The rebounds were his exclusive domain; he effortlessly collected both offensive and defensive boards, then simply and brutally passed the ball to Akashi or Midōrima on the perimeter, or directly to the fast-breaking Aomine or Bai Ze You, launching another deadly fast break.

* Akashi Seijūrō was a commander of ultimate calm. He didn't need to score; his mere presence controlled the entire game. His passes were like surgical scalpels, always finding the most threatening open player on the court, tearing apart Tanigawa's already fragile defense. His existence made Teikō's offense as precise and efficient as a finely tuned clockwork.

* Aomine Daiki was the ferocious finisher. His drives to the basket were like rampaging hurricanes; Tanigawa's defense was like paper in front of him. Mid-range jump shots, contorted layups, powerful dunks—he sent the ball through the hoop in countless unbelievable ways, each score accompanied by his wild roars and his opponents' increasingly pale faces. His "Wildness" shone even brighter under the spotlight of an official game.

* Bai Ze You was like a white phantom weaving through thunder and gunfire. He didn't have Aomine's explosive consecutive scoring or Midōrima's precise long-range shooting. But he was everywhere, acting as the lubricant and gear shifter that made Teikō's terrifying machine run even smoother and more lethally.

* During one set offense, he easily broke through the defense with realistic fakes and agile footwork. After drawing a double-team, he delivered a no-look back pass that ghosted through the gaps, finding Aomine cutting to the basket for an easy layup.

* On defense, he was like a persistent shadow. His sharp anticipation and footwork made his assigned player struggle to move. After a beautiful steal, he brought the ball upcourt himself. Just as an opponent was about to block his shot, he executed a subtle rhythm change stop, creating space and calmly sinking a mid-range jump shot.

* When the opponent tried to limit Aomine with double-teams, he would appear like a ghost in the weak-side open spot, receiving a pass from Akashi and hitting a three-pointer with a swift motion, fluid and unhesitating.

* Even on one fast break, facing a help defense from the opponent's center, he showcased his signature flexibility and sense of balance. With a slight mid-air fold and stretch, he avoided the block and scooped the ball in with his off-hand, earning thunderous applause.

His scoring might not have been the highest, but he always appeared when needed, solving problems in the most rational and deceptive ways, like sprinkling invisible salt on the opponent's wounds, intensifying their sense of helplessness. On Momoi Satsuki's stat sheet, the number in the "efficiency value" column for Bai Ze You was ticking up wildly.

End of the first half, score: Teikō 68 : Tanigawa 12.

The massive point difference was like an insurmountable chasm. The Tanigawa Junior High players had hollow eyes and heavy legs, as if they had exhausted all their strength and hope. In the stands, Teikō's supporters cheered wildly, while spectators from other schools sat in stunned silence, their faces etched with shock and fear.

During halftime, the Teikō bench was relaxed. Nijimura Shūzō didn't outline complex tactics, only emphasizing, "Stay focused, reduce unnecessary mistakes. Execute what you've practiced." For them, this was merely a warm-up.

Second match, against Nakano Jitsugyo, who reached the regional quarterfinals last year.

Nakano Jitsugyo had clearly done their homework, attempting to limit Teikō with more aggressive zone defenses and physical play. At the start, they even managed to keep the score close for a short while.

However, in the face of an absolute talent gap, effort appeared so pale.

When Midōrima Shintarō, under a double-team, still shot a super long three-pointer with a blank expression, the ball tracing a deadly sickle-like arc into the net; when Aomine Daiki used his unreasonable speed and strength to crash through two defenders for an And One; when Murasaki-bara Atsushi effortlessly grabbed rebounds under a triple-team and casually flung the ball forward to launch a fast break... the sliver of fighting spirit that had just ignited in the eyes of Nakano Jitsugyo players was completely crushed.

Bai Ze You, in this game, took on more of a role in organizing the offense and serving as a defensive spearhead. He keenly observed the opposing point guard's driving habits, executing several precise anticipatory steals that directly stifled Nakano's counterattack attempts. And during one set offense, facing their tight zone defense, he utilized his exceptional off-ball movement ability, continuously using screens from Murasaki-bara and his teammates, slithering like an eel to the baseline. He received a brilliant pass from Akashi and, just before the opponent's outstretched fingertips could block, executed an extreme fadeaway mid-range jump shot, calmly sinking the ball into the basket! This play perfectly showcased his flexibility, balance, sense of rhythm, and composure in crucial moments!

Final buzzer: Teikō 102 : Nakano Jitsugyo 48.

Nakano's coach slumped dejectedly onto his chair, staring at the glaring score on the scoreboard, speechless for a long time. His tactical board fell to the floor, unnoticed.

Finals, against last year's regional runner-up, Itabashi High School, known for their iron-clad defense.

Itabashi High School was a truly tough opponent. They possessed a strong group of big men and tireless perimeter defenders who gnawed at their opponents. Before the game, their coach roared encouragement in the locker room: "Remember! We are Itabashi! Use our muscle and sweat to build an iron wall! Even if we lose, we'll tear off a piece of Teikō! Don't let them win so easily!"

As the game began, Itabashi indeed showed tenacious fighting spirit. They used near-suicidal physical play and a mad-dog-like full-court press to try and disrupt Teikō's rhythm. For a time, Teikō's turnovers increased slightly, and the score wasn't rapidly pulled apart.

However, in the face of an absolute talent chasm, their efforts seemed so futile.

When Midōrima Shintarō, under tight defense, still expressionlessly sank a three-pointer with a trajectory like the Grim Reaper's scythe; when Aomine Daiki used his brute force and speed to crash through two defenders for an And One; when Murasaki-bara Atsushi easily grabbed rebounds under a triple-team and tossed the ball forward to initiate a fast break... the last spark of fighting spirit in the eyes of Itabashi's players was utterly extinguished.

The real turning point came three minutes into the second half.

After a successful defensive play, Itabashi High School attempted a quick counterattack. However, the ball had barely crossed half-court when it was intercepted by a white phantom! Bai Ze You, as if foreseeing the play, anticipated the passing lane and completed a beautiful steal!

He didn't hesitate for a moment and instantly accelerated! Itabashi's retreating defenders reacted quickly, two players attempting to close him off from both sides!

Just as they were about to converge, Bai Ze You's body, as if boneless, displayed unbelievable flexibility! His upper body tilted sharply to the front right, feigning a strong drive to the right! The defender on the right instantly lost his balance!

Bang!

Bai Ze You's left foot planted firmly on the ground like a nail! His core strength exploded, pulling his leaning weight back! Simultaneously, with a lightning-fast crossover dribble, he passed the ball from in front of him to his left hand! His body shot forward like an arrow, passing through the tiny gap between the defender on the right whose balance had been thrown off and the defender on the left who hadn't fully recovered—he went right through them!

"One against two!" the commentator exclaimed!

The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers!

But it wasn't over yet! Itabashi's last interior defender charged forward like a bull! Bai Ze You, moving at high speed, didn't slow down! Facing the imminent violent collision, he again demonstrated inhuman balance! At the moment of contact, his body leaned sideways like a willow branch, absorbing and deflecting the force of the impact! At the same time, his dribbling hand executed an extremely subtle underhand scoop layup!

The basketball grazed the fingertips of the opponent's block attempt, spinning slightly, and gently kissed the backboard before falling into the net!

And One!

The referee's whistle blew! A foul and an additional shot!

The entire play, from the steal to the one-on-two break, to the ultimate finish amidst contact, was fluid, filled with deception and skill, perfectly combining power and beauty! It completely ignited the entire arena!

Bai Ze You stepped up to the free-throw line, took a deep breath, and calmly sank the shot. He returned to defense calmly, as if he had just completed an ordinary practice.

However, this play was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. The last flicker of stubborn light in the eyes of the Itabashi High School players was completely extinguished. Their proud iron-clad defense, in front of that white phantom, was like paper, easily torn apart and toyed with!

Dominance! This was the only word in everyone's mind at this moment.

The rest of the game completely entered garbage time. Teikō brought in their reserves, but still maintained an overwhelming advantage. Itabashi High School had lost the will to resist and were merely going through the motions of finishing the game.

Final Score: Teikō 115 : Itabashi High School 63.

Teikō Junior High, with a terrifying average victory margin of over 50 points per game, crushed the Tokyo Metropolitan area qualifiers without any suspense, easily claiming the championship and advancing to the national tournament (IH)!

At the awards ceremony, Nijimura Shūzō, as Captain, held the trophy symbolizing regional dominance high. Sunlight streamed onto the young, confident faces of the Teikō players. Aomine Daiki grinned wildly; Midōrima Shintarō adjusted his glasses, his expression calm; Murasaki-bara Atsushi seemed to find the trophy a bit light, showing little interest; Akashi Seijūrō's gaze was deep, as if contemplating a more distant future; Kuroko Tetsuya stood quietly in the corner, like a shadow; Kise Ryōta excitedly waved to the fans below, his eyes filled with longing for a higher stage.

Bai Ze You, standing among the team, lightly brushed the medal on his chest with his fingers. A faint smile graced his face, his eyes clear and serene. The victory in the regional qualifiers was, for him, merely a necessary step on the path to a higher peak. He looked down and gently wiped the wristband on his arm, as if the feeling of sweat from the game still lingered there.

Momoi Satsuki applauded vigorously from the stands, her face beaming with pride. On her stat board, the page regarding team performance was left with only a concise yet incredibly powerful comment:

"Observation Conclusion: Teikō Wall – Unsurpassable. Dominance: S+. National Tournament (IH) – The true stage awaits."

The Teikō juggernaut, having crushed the regional qualifiers, charged towards the flames of the national tournament with unparalleled dominance and unfathomable potential! The era of the "Generation of Miracles" had officially begun! And Bai Ze You's "Phantom" would also leave its own unique mark on a grander stage.