National Stage: The Phantom's Name First Raised

Inside the Tokyo Gymnasium. Beneath the domed ceiling, the roar of the crowd was like a surging tsunami, threatening to overturn the steel fortress. Dazzling spotlights pierced the arena's clamor like sharp swords, focusing on the gleaming mirror-like wooden floor at the center. The air was thick with the salty tang of sweat, the unique scent of rubber flooring, and the suffocating pressure of tens of thousands of spectators gathered for what was called the "Finals."

The National High School Basketball Championship (IH) Finals. A summit showdown. Teikō Junior High vs. Kitano Academy.

The Teikō players, clad in their blue and white uniforms, stepped into the center of the light. Without Captain Nijimura Shūzō's mountain-like steady presence leading the way, Akashi Seijūrō took his place. He walked at the very front of the team, his crimson eyes calm and undisturbed, as if the surrounding roaring waves of sound were merely a gentle breeze against his face. He exuded a cold, absolute majesty, like a newly crowned Emperor surveying his domain.

Aomine Daiki followed closely behind, his eyes burning with a near-tangible flame of wildness, a ferocious fighting spirit ignited by Nijimura's absence and catalyzed by the finals stage. Midōrima Shintarō pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as a hawk's, precisely calculating the humidity, the court's echoes, and the opponents' positions. Murasaki-bara Atsushi's massive frame was like a mobile fortress, his lazy posture concealing the slumber of absolute strength. Kise Ryōta took a deep breath, trying to emulate Akashi's composure, but the excitement flickering in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil. Kuroko Tetsuya, like the quietest shadow, silently blended into the light.

And Bai Ze You, walking in the middle of the team. He tilted his head slightly, the brilliant lights of the giant dome falling into his clear eyes, reflecting a settled, star-like determination. The tsunami of sound battered his eardrums, the pressure of the finals squeezed his chest like a physical entity. But at this moment, his heart was clear. The sweat from training, the captain's entrustment, Akashi's coldness, his own resolve... all the weight transformed into steady steps beneath his feet and the flame called "Phantom" burning in his heart.

This was his stage. The national stage. The name "White Phantom" would, at this moment, be announced to the world!

The pre-game ceremony concluded. Both teams took their positions at center court. Tip-off! Murasaki-bara Atsushi's massive body erupted with terrifying power, easily tipping the ball to their own half!

The basketball flew precisely towards Akashi Seijūrō! Akashi caught the ball, his crimson eyes instantly scanning the entire court like the most precise radar locking onto targets! Without a hint of hesitation, he flicked his wrist, unleashing a precision guided long pass that crossed half the court!

The target—Aomine Daiki, who had already charged to the frontcourt like a black lightning bolt!

"Fast break!" The announcer's voice soared instantly!

Kitano Academy's defense was incredibly fast! Two players lunged at Aomine like arrows loosed from a bow!

Aomine received the ball! Facing the double-team, a fierce glint appeared in his eyes! With a powerful shoulder drop, he forcefully squeezed through the gap between the two players like a wild beast! His terrifying explosiveness and strength were on full display! He took three giant steps into the paint, facing the last defender, let out a wild roar, and leaped high!

Tomahawk dunk!

The rim let out a pained groan! The immense sound instantly ignited the fervor of Teikō's supporters!

2:0!

Just 5 seconds into the game! Aomine Daiki announced Teikō's arrival in the wildest way possible!

"Aomine! Aomine! Aomine!" The cheers were deafening.

Akashi's expression was impassive, as if everything was within his control.

The Kitano Academy players looked grim and quickly inbounded the ball.

Kitano Academy, the kings from Hokkaido, were not named the best for nothing. Their offense moved like the interlocking gears of a precise machine, with rapid and fluid passes and seamless, coordinated movement. After a patient series of passes, the ball reached their ace scorer—small forward Fujita Osamu. Fujita Osamu moved swiftly, faked a crossover and stopped, hitting a difficult mid-range shot against Midōrima's defense!

2:2!

The game entered a deadlock. Kitano Academy, with their tenacious team defense and efficient half-court offense, stubbornly clung to the score. Aomine's wild charges were met with strong double-teams and help defense; Midōrima's three-pointers were tightly guarded; Murasaki-bara was restricted in the paint by fronting and quick double-teams; and although Akashi's playmaking was exquisite, Kitano's rotating defense was like a tide, always timely in filling the gaps.

8:8!

12:12!

16:16!

The score difference could not be widened. Teikō's offense fell into a brief stagnation. Kitano Academy, like a pack of resilient ice wolves, used discipline and teamwork to tenaciously resist the onslaught of Teikō's geniuses. The atmosphere in the stands grew increasingly tense.

"Teikō doesn't seem... as smooth as expected?"

"Kitano's defense is too solid!"

"Is the impact of Captain Nijimura's absence this big?"

Akashi Seijūrō controlled the ball past half-court, his crimson eyes scanning the situation on the court. Kitano's defensive focus was clearly shifted towards Aomine and Midōrima, with a slight looseness appearing in the defense at the top of the arc and on the weak side. His gaze fell upon Bai Ze You, standing a step inside the three-point line at the right 45-degree angle.

An opportunity!

Akashi flicked his wrist, delivering a quick and precise bounce pass. The basketball, like a crimson lightning bolt, zipped past the feet of the Kitano defenders and reached Bai Ze You!

He received the ball! Instantly, Kitano's defense reacted like an awakened swarm of bees! The closest player, Satō Ken (known for his sticky defense), immediately lunged ferociously! The help defender from the wing, Kobayashi Hiroshi, also quickly collapsed! A double-team instantly formed!

Pressure surged towards Bai Ze You like a tide! The spotlight of the national stage, for the first time, focused so intensely on him!

On the sidelines, Momoi Satsuki's heart leaped into her throat, the pen tip on her scoreboard hovering.

In the stands, countless eyes were fixed on this relatively "low-key" first-year player for Teikō.

The Kitano players regarded him with scrutiny and caution.

Bai Ze You's eyes were as calm as still water, showing no panic. The moment Satō Ken lunged in front of him, he moved! His body's center of gravity shifted with an uncanny fluidity, like mercury!

An exaggerated crossover dribble feint! His shoulders, eyes, even his upper body were pulled to the left as if by an invisible hand! The movement was incredibly realistic!

Satō Ken's center of gravity was instantly deceived! His feet involuntarily shifted to the left!

The feint was successful!

The instant Satō Ken's center of gravity shifted! Bai Ze You's core strength erupted! He forcefully pulled his body back from the feint to the left! Simultaneously, his right foot pushed off the ground with all its might, as if spring-loaded! His body compressed like an extremely tight spring and instantly sprang to the right! A step-through crossover as swift as a ghost!

His starting speed was astonishing! His strides were huge!

Satō Ken, having been deceived, was half a step too slow to recover! He could only watch as Bai Ze You flashed past him!

But the help defender, Kobayashi Hiroshi, had already arrived! He stood like a wall, firmly blocking the path of the breakthrough!

A head-on collision! No retreat!

Bai Ze You's speed did not decrease one bit! Just as he was about to collide with Kobayashi, his body displayed extreme flexibility and sense of balance! Using his left foot as a pivot, he executed an exaggerated, dance-like wide Eurostep!

His body first tilted dramatically towards the front left! Kobayashi's center of gravity instinctively shifted left to block!

Then! Bai Ze You's core strength erupted like a precisely tuned spring! He forcefully pulled his body back! Simultaneously, his right foot stomped down hard! His body slid towards the front right like a phantom!

The entire movement was as fluid as flowing water, full of deception and aesthetic beauty!

Kobayashi Hiroshi was completely fooled by his change in center of gravity, like a clumsy wooden stake!

One against two! Smooth as silk!

"He's through!!" the commentator exclaimed in disbelief!

"My god! What kind of footwork was that?!"

"So slippery! Like an eel!"

The stands erupted in deafening cheers and shouts!

Bai Ze You dodged the double-team, facing the basket. Kitano's center, Takahashi Isamu, roared and lunged from the inside, his massive palm whistling through the air as he swiped!

In mid-air, Bai Ze You's core exploded like the toughest bowstring! He forcefully contorted his extended body into an Extreme body fold and tuck, simultaneously flicking his right wrist holding the ball. Instead of attempting a high-difficulty layup, at the peak of his body's fold, when he was almost losing balance, he used a motion akin to a "fling" to gently toss the ball towards the hoop!

The basketball, with intense backspin, traced a bizarre arc, skirting past Takahashi Isamu's fingertips, grazing the backboard, and softly bouncing into the net!

"BEEP—!"

The referee's whistle blew simultaneously!

Hándǎ foul! One additional free throw!

2+1!

The entire Tokyo Dome went wild! Teikō's supporters screamed frantically! The roar of "Bai Ze! Bai Ze! Bai Ze!" drowned out the cheers for Aomine for the first time!

"Phantom! The White Phantom!" someone shouted excitedly!

The commentator was beside himself: "Unbelievable! Teikō's first-year! Bai Ze You! With a dreamlike breakthrough and finish, he tore through Kitano's ironclad defense! This is the 'White Phantom'! Flexibility! Balance! Deception! Creating miracles in tight spaces!"

Bai Ze You stepped up to the free-throw line, took a deep breath, ignored the jeers from the Kitano fans, and calmly sank the shot!

19:16! Teikō led again!

He calmly returned to defense, without any exaggerated celebration, but his clear eyes sparkled with confident, brilliant light. The spotlight of the national stage, for the first time, focused so clearly on him, and he responded to all expectations with a perfect "Phantom" performance!

Momoi Satsuki excitedly wrote on the scoresheet:

"Observation Record: National Stage Debut!"

"Performance: A Perfect Breakthrough! Triple Threat (Center of Gravity Deception → Eurostep → Unbalanced Finish)!"

"Effect: Tore through Kitano's ironclad defense, ignited the whole court, and made a name for himself!"

"Codename: White Phantom - Showing its Edge at the National Peak!"

And in the "Individual Value" section, she forcefully drew a rapidly ascending arrow:

"Deterrence: From 'Potential Point' → 'Core Threat'!"

Akashi Seijūrō watched Bai Ze You's retreating back, and for the first time, his crimson eyes clearly reflected that white figure. No longer a blurry gear, but a phantom blade, already sharpened and gleaming with its edge! He nodded slightly, a subtle, approving curve gracing his lips.

Aomine Daiki grinned and slapped Bai Ze You hard on the back: "Nice one! Shiro! That's more like it!"

Midōrima Shintarō pushed up his glasses: "Efficiency value significantly increased, a crucial breakthrough point."

Murasaki-bara Atsushi: "Ah, he slipped past."

Kise Ryōta's eyes were full of admiration: "Bai Ze-senpai! So cool! That Eurostep just now! I want to learn it!"

Kitano Academy's coach called an emergency timeout. The players gathered around their coach, their faces grim. Fujita Osamu's gaze cut through the crowd, locked onto that white figure, his eyes filled with unprecedented vigilance and fighting spirit. They knew that within Teikō's terrifying machine, a fatal gear named "White Phantom" had officially engaged, beginning to reveal its unparalleled sharpness capable of tearing through any defense!

The final stage of the National Tournament was thick with tension. And the name "White Phantom," along with that earth-shattering "2+1," was like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, its ripples spreading rapidly nationwide from the Tokyo Dome! The era belonging to Bai Ze You officially began at this moment!