The Clutch Player: Phantom's Final Moment

The stage of the National Tournament (IH) was bathed in even more scorching spotlights than the regional preliminaries, and the air itself seemed solidified by an invisible pressure. Teikō Junior High's first opponent was a formidable team from the Tohoku region—Yamagata West Junior High. They were known for their tenacious spirit, ironclad defense, and precise three-point shots, making them far from comparable to the likes of Tanigawa or Nakano.

From the start of the game, Yamagata West displayed their resilience and tailored strategy. They had clearly done their homework on Teikō, especially on the dazzling Aomine Daiki and Midōrima Shintarō.

* Aomine Daiki faced unprecedentedly tight marking. Yamagata West deployed two players with excellent physical conditioning and extensive defensive experience to take turns guarding and double-teaming him. They spared no effort, using forceful physical contact and sticky candy-like entanglement to greatly deplete Aomine's energy and restrict his ability to receive passes and drive. Every point Aomine scored became exceptionally difficult, requiring a huge expenditure of physical energy, and he even missed a few strong drives. His face was etched with frustration, and his wild roars were mixed with the pent-up feeling of being restrained.

* Midōrima Shintarō also received special attention. Yamagata West's defenders stuck to him like burrs, never leaving his side. They engaged in intense physical contact even when he was off the ball, denying him any space to easily receive passes or adjust his position. Midōrima visibly increased the frequency with which he pushed up his glasses. Even when he managed to shoot through sheer core strength, the trajectory of the basketball lost its usual absolute accuracy, bouncing off the rim several times. The "Absolute Accuracy" that the data-driven player prided himself on showed cracks under the high-pressure defense.

* Murasaki-bara Atsushi still possessed dominance in the paint, but Yamagata West cleverly employed fronting and quick double-team strategies to limit his easy catches. At the same time, Yamagata West's perimeter shooters were on fire, hitting a series of difficult three-pointers to compensate for their disadvantage inside.

* Akashi Seijūrō's playmaking remained calm, but the opponent's tenacity and targeted defense made Teikō's usual offensive flow less smooth.

At the end of the first half, the score was unusually close: Teikō 38 : Yamagata West 35. A mere 3-point lead! This was an unprecedented situation for Teikō, who were accustomed to crushing victories! The Teikō supporters' section was eerily silent, while Yamagata West's cheering squad erupted in thunderous cheers! They saw hope of toppling the giants!

The atmosphere on Teikō's bench was somewhat heavy. Sweat trickled down the players' faces, and their heavy breaths were clearly audible.

"Damn it! Those two jerks!" Aomine irritably wiped his sweat with a towel and slammed his fist on the chair.

"The interference intensity exceeded expectations, disrupting my shooting rhythm." Midōrima's voice was still calm, but his tightly pressed lips revealed his inner turmoil.

Murasaki-bara Atsushi, uncharacteristically, wasn't eating snacks, merely complaining lazily, "Ugh~ So annoying, always jumping around."

Akashi Seijūrō sat on his chair, his crimson eyes lowered, hands clasped under his chin, like an Emperor lost in thought, exuding an icy aura. He was calculating, searching for the key to break through.

Captain Nijimura Shūzō surveyed his team, his voice deep and powerful, "Everyone, calm down! Yamagata West is strong, and that's good! The stage of the National Tournament should have opponents like this! They are fighting with their bodies and will; then, we will crush them with stronger will and smarter minds!"

His gaze swept over Aomine and Midōrima, finally landing on Bai Ze You, who was sitting in the corner, quietly replenishing his fluids. Bai Ze You's face showed none of Aomine's frustration or Midōrima's solemnity, only a calm focus. Sweat dampened the tips of his white hair, sticking to his smooth forehead, his eyes clear like a bottomless cold pool.

"Yū." Nijimura's voice rang out.

Bai Ze You looked up, "Captain?"

"In the second half, I need you to step up." Nijimura's gaze was sharp, filled with unquestionable trust. "Aomine and Midōrima are being heavily guarded, and Murasakibara is limited inside. Yamagata West's defensive focus is entirely on them. You are the weakest link in their defensive chain! And you are our sharpest blade to break through!"

Bai Ze You met Nijimura's gaze, and without hesitation, a calm fire burned in his eyes. He nodded firmly, "Understood!"

"Use your rhythm! Use your style! Tear open their defense! End their hopes!" Nijimura's voice was decisive. "Teikō needs you, the 'Clutch Player,' now!"

As the second half began, Yamagata West's morale surged even higher. They continued to implement their first-half strategy, relentlessly encircling and suppressing Aomine and Midōrima. The score was tied, and then they even took the lead!

40:40!

42:40! (Yamagata West leads!)

The cheers from the Yamagata West supporters in the stands were deafening! Teikō's fans sweated, too nervous to speak. Momoi Satsuki clutched her stat board tightly, her knuckles white from the pressure, her eyes fixed on the white figure on the court.

Just then, Akashi Seijūrō made his move. He dribbled the ball past half-court, his crimson eyes like the most precise radar, instantly capturing the subtle shifts in Yamagata West's defensive formation—due to their excessive focus on Aomine and Midōrima, their defense on the weak side, Bai Ze You, and the top of the arc had loosened slightly!

Akashi didn't hesitate! With a realistic eye fake towards Aomine, who was being double-teamed on the strong side, his wrist flicked with the dexterity of a magician! The basketball transformed into an orange-red lightning bolt, flying accurately and swiftly towards Bai Ze You, who was standing near the free-throw line extension in a moment of open space!

"Bai Ze!" Akashi's voice remained calm.

Bai Ze You caught the ball! Instantly, Yamagata West's defense reacted like a startled swarm of bees! The two closest defenders immediately abandoned their original targets and lunged at Bai Ze You like hungry wolves! They knew they couldn't let this relatively "quiet" scorer for Teikō get going!

A double-team! Formed instantly! The pressure surged like a tidal wave!

On the sidelines, Nijimura Shūzō clenched his fist. Momoi's heart leaped into her throat.

Facing the fierce double-team, Bai Ze You's eyes showed no fluctuation; instead, they became even calmer! He didn't choose to pass hastily or force a shot. The moment he received the ball, his center of gravity began to flow like mercury!

Using his left foot as a pivot, he made a large backward spin fake to the back-left! His shoulders and eyes were incredibly deceptive! The defender on the left was completely fooled by this realistic feint, his center of gravity involuntarily shifting to the left!

Now!

Bai Ze You's core strength erupted! He forcefully pulled his body back from its backward rotation! Simultaneously, his right foot sprang off the ground as if he had springs, his center of gravity compressing like a spring to its limit, then instantly launching towards the right! A forward spin drive as swift as a ghost, completely opposite to the fake!

Bang!

The defender rushing from the right felt like he had run into a ball of slippery cotton! The moment he made contact, Bai Ze You, using his extraordinary flexibility and roll-off technique, his body slithered like a snake along the direction of the impact force. At the same time, his feet moved rapidly, and he slipped through the gap that was about to form between the two defenders!

"He broke through!" the commentator exclaimed!

The stands erupted in an uproar!

Bai Ze You, like a White Phantom breaking free from its restraints, instantly escaped the double-team and drove straight into the heart of the paint! Yamagata West's interior players were shocked and frantically scrambled to recover.

Facing the tall recovering defender, Bai Ze You didn't slow down! He took one dribble and leaped into the air! The recovering defender roared and jumped high, his massive hand whistling as it swiped fiercely at the ball! Determined to extinguish this drive!

However, Bai Ze You in mid-air once again displayed his inhuman sense of balance and core strength! His body forcefully contorted in mid-air into an extreme tuck, curling up like a shrimp, narrowly avoiding the opponent's sure-fire block! At the same time, he nimbly flicked his right wrist holding the ball. Instead of attempting a difficult layup, at the moment his body was at its limit and about to lose balance, he used an almost "flicking" motion to gently toss the ball towards the hoop!

The ball, with a slight spin, sailed over the despairing fingertips of the recovering defender, grazed the backboard, and bounced into the net!

"Beep—!"

The referee's whistle blew simultaneously!

Blocking foul! Plus one!

2+1!

The entire stadium erupted! Teikō's supporters unleashed roars they had suppressed for so long!

"Bai Ze! Bai Ze! Bai Ze!"

"Clutch Player!"

Bai Ze You landed from the air, stumbling slightly before regaining his balance, his chest heaving. The feint, the drive, the mid-air evasion, and the off-balance shot in that split second had been a tremendous physical and mental drain. He stepped up to the free-throw line, took a deep breath, ignored the jeers from the Yamagata West fans, and calmly sank the shot!

45:42! Teikō had regained the lead!

This shot was like sunlight piercing through dark clouds, instantly dispelling the gloom in the hearts of the Teikō players! Aomine clenched his fist forcefully. "Well done! Shiro!" Midori pushed up his glasses, the tension in his lips easing slightly. Murasakibara yawned, as if to say, "It was about time." Akashi Seijūrō's lips curved into an almost imperceptible arc.

Meanwhile, the hope that had just ignited in the eyes of the Yamagata West players was completely extinguished by Bai Ze You's earth-shattering "2+1"! Their morale began to waver significantly! That white figure, whom they had dismissed as a "weak link" all along, transformed into the most lethal phantom at this moment, delivering the most crushing blow!

The Clutch Player's Moment of Truth!

This "2+1" completely turned the tide of the game! Bai Ze You's drive opened up the court, and Yamagata West's defense was no longer impenetrable. The pressure on Aomine eased dramatically, and he seized the opportunity to repeatedly drive to the inside for scores. Midori finally found a moment of respite and sank a much-needed three-pointer. Akashi's playmaking became more fluid, and Murasakibara re-established a no-fly zone in the paint!

Teikō, that terrifying machine, driven powerfully by Bai Ze You, that "Phantom Gear," resumed its overwhelming performance! Yamagata West's resistance melted away like snow, and the score difference rapidly widened.

Finally, when the final buzzer sounded, the score was fixed at Teikō 88 : Yamagata West 65. A game that seemed close, but was ultimately decided by Teikō's Clutch Player!

After the game, the players gathered to celebrate their victory. Aomine laughed heartily and ruffled Bai Ze You's white hair. "Not bad, Shiro! That play was crucial! So cool!"

Midori Shintarō, uncharacteristically, also spoke. "Your handling of the crucial play was very calm."

Akashi Seijūrō walked up to Bai Ze You, his crimson eyes holding a hint of approval. "Well done, Yū. You stepped up when you were needed."

Murasaki-bara Atsushi said, "Ah, you dodged that one pretty smoothly."

Bai Ze You offered a faint smile, his jersey soaked with sweat. He didn't say much, simply accepting his teammates' praise calmly. But inside, a burning warmth surged through him. He had proven that in the star-studded Teikō team, in moments of desperation when his teammates were being stifled, he, Bai Ze You, could also become the "Clutch Player" who decided the outcome! His "phantom" was not just flashy, but deadly!

Momoi Satsuki, on the scoreboard, added a heavy mark to the "Mental Attributes" section for Bai Ze You:

「Clutch Ability: S++」

「Performance: Unwavering composure under high-pressure desperation, calm and decisive decision-making, extremely high execution of technical moves, possessing the traits of a big-hearted closer.」

「Signature Play: First game of the National Tournament, crucial 2+1 that turned the tide!」

And next to "Tactical Value" on the team page, she drew a small, glowing white gear, with a note beside it:

「Codename: The Clutch Gear - Activates in dire situations, injecting decisive momentum for victory.」

Bai Ze You took the towel Kuroko Tetsuya silently handed him and wiped the sweat from his face. He looked up, gazing at the broader stage of the National Tournament, his eyes clear and determined. He knew this was just the beginning. The crucial moments for the "White Phantom" would shine again and again on more intense battlefields! He was ready.