The Road to the Finals: Nijimura's Last Stand

The roar inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium reached a near-mad peak after Bai Ze You's earth-shattering steal and Kuroko Tetsuya's subsequent deadly cut for a score. The icy silence on Teikō's bench melted away, replaced by volcanic elation and shouts. The chant of "Phantom! Phantom! Phantom!" surged like a tangible tsunami, crashing against the gym walls and weighing heavily on every member of Kitano Academy.

89:85.

A four-point difference with just 1 minute and 28 seconds remaining was a Mount Fuji standing before Kitano, practically signaling their doom. Fujita Shū's look of shock and disbelief hadn't fully faded before it was replaced by a profound despair and helplessness. His pride and joy, the Zone state that had almost turned the game around, was brutally extinguished by that white figure with a steal precise to the millimeter and as cold as ice. Kitano's just-ignited flame of a comeback was doused by a bucket of ice water, leaving only choking smoke and bone-chilling cold.

Teikō's momentum was the complete opposite. Bai Ze You's steal and brilliant pass were like a defibrillator injected into a sinking giant, instantly stabilizing its shaky hull and raising the sails for full speed ahead! Aomine Daiki's eyes burned with a wildness reignited after being suppressed, Midōrima Shintarō pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses turning cold and focused once more, Murasaki-bara Atsushi let out a low growl, his massive frame exuding an even more imposing pressure, and even the usually calm Kuroko Tetsuya's breathing quickened slightly, a determined glint flashing in the depths of his blue eyes.

Akashi Seijūrō stood on the sidelines, his crimson eyes sweeping across each player's face. He didn't say much, but his gaze, filled with absolute will, silently conveyed the command: End the game!

Kitano Academy called their final timeout. Coach Sakuma Ryūji's voice was hoarse as he tried to use his last words to ignite his players' fighting spirit, but the crack in Fujita Shū's confidence, forcibly torn open by Bai Ze You, was clearly visible in everyone's eyes. On Teikō's side, Akashi's voice was cold and clear as he laid out the final defensive strategy and offensive choices.

The timeout ended. Kitano Academy inbounded the ball. Under immense pressure, their pass showed hesitation! Fujita Shū struggled to shake off Akashi's tight marking, and upon receiving the ball, was immediately double-teamed by Aomine and Bai Ze You! He tried to force his way through, but Bai Ze You's eyes, which seemed to predict the future, locked onto his movement path, combined with Aomine's wild pressure, made it difficult for Fujita Shū to even find space to shoot! He was forced to pass the ball to a teammate on the perimeter!

The Kitano player who received the pass, facing Midōrima Shintarō's textbook defensive stance and cold gaze, had his mental defenses instantly collapse! A rushed three-point shot!

"Clang!"

The basketball slammed hard against the front of the rim and bounced high!

"Rebound!" Akashi's command was like an order!

The area under the basket instantly turned into a battlefield! Murasaki-bara Atsushi's massive body erupted with astonishing power, rising like a giant! To the despairing eyes of two Kitano inside players, his huge hands firmly grasped the basketball! Defensive rebound!

Time: 1 minute and 5 seconds!

Teikō's possession! Akashi controlled the ball, steadily maintaining the rhythm and consuming the dwindling time. Kitano Academy fell into a final frenzy, launching a full-court press! They knew this was their last chance!

Akashi Seijūrō danced on the edge of a knife, his dribbling still terrifyingly stable under the frantic biting of the Kitano players. A skillful crossover dribble dodged a swipe, followed by a sudden stop that faked out the charging defender's center of gravity, and then a swift accelerated change of direction, like a red lightning bolt, instantly tearing through the first line of defense!

He pushed into the frontcourt, facing Kitano's re-established half-court defense. Akashi's gaze swept the court. Aomine was heavily guarded by two players, Midōrima was shadowed closely, Murasbara was pinned down under the basket, and Kuroko was lurking on the weak side using Misdire. Finally, his gaze fell on Bai Ze You at the top of the arc.

Bai Ze You had just completed a crucial steal and was now being doggedly held by Fujita Shū like a cornered beast. But Akashi saw the light in Bai Ze You's eyes – calm as a deep pool, yet burning with fiery fighting spirit. That light was the true ace's glow, forged through trials in desperate situations!

Akashi flicked his wrist! The basketball turned into a precise streak of orange-red light, a bounce pass that cut through the defensive gaps and landed steadily in Bai Ze You's hands!

Trust!

At the decisive moment that would determine the championship, Akashi Seijūrō handed the reins of the offense to the "White Phantom" who had just saved the team!

Bai Ze You caught the ball! Fujita Shū pressed in like a madman, his eyes filled with desperate ferocity! He intended to use every last bit of his strength to wash away the humiliation of being stolen from!

Time: 45 seconds!

Bai Ze You took a deep breath. The roar of the dome, Fujita Shū's heavy gasps, the expectant gazes of his teammates, Momoi Satsuki's clenched fist... everything seemed to fade into the background. His world consisted only of the basketball in his hands and the opponent before him.

He didn't choose to force his way through! Instead, he dribbled steadily about a step outside the three-point line! His center of gravity was low, his eyes keenly observing Fujita Shū's shifts in balance.

Fujita Shū was angered by Bai Ze You's composure! He suddenly stepped forward, reaching out to steal the ball!

Now!

Bai Ze You's core strength exploded! His right hand, dribbling the ball, suddenly executed an explosive pull-back dribble! Simultaneously, his body's center of gravity, like a roly-poly toy, followed the ball's trajectory in a huge step-back fake!

Fujita Shū's center of gravity was completely fooled! His body leaned forward involuntarily to steal!

A cold glint flashed in Bai Ze You's eyes! He didn't choose to pull back and shoot. Instead, the moment Fujita Shū's center of gravity shifted forward and his steps became disordered, he lightning-fast pushed the ball forward to the left with his left hand! The entire person moved like an arrow released from a bow, sticking to the side of the off-balance Fujita Shū, passing him in one step!

A clean, decisive straight-line drive! Using a realistic step-back fake to lure the center of gravity, then accelerating instantly to tear through the defense!

"This is bad!" Fujita Shū's internal alarm bells rang, but his center of gravity was already lost, and he could only watch as the white phantom streaked past him!

Bai Ze You blew past Fujita Shū, with only the Kitano inside player coming to help defense in front of him. He didn't slow down at all! The moment the opponent's massive body blocked his path, Bai Ze You displayed his unparalleled flexibility and sense of balance in Teikō! His body seemed boneless in the air as he executed an extreme twist and fold, evading the blocking arm! At the same time, his right wrist, like the most precise instrument, flicked gently!

High lob bank shot!

The basketball, with an elegant spin, flew over the defender's fingertips and landed precisely on the upper edge of the backboard's frame!

"Swish!"

The crisp sound of the ball entering the net was like heavenly music!

91:85!

The lead expanded to 6 points!

"Wooooooooh—!!!" The entire Tokyo Dome erupted! The cheers of Teikō supporters nearly shook the roof off!

"Bai Ze! Bai Ze! Bai Ze!"

"Game killer! Closer!"

Time: 38 seconds! A 6-point lead! Kitano Academy had completely lost hope of a comeback! Fujita Shū stood dejectedly in place, looking at the white figure calmly returning to defense after landing, his eyes filled only with utter powerlessness. He had lost, and he accepted it wholeheartedly.

Kitano Academy's final offensive attempt appeared pale and weak. Fujita Shū forced a three-point shot, but under the dual interference of Akashi and Bai Ze You, the ball went wildly off target. Murasaki-bara Atsushi grabbed the rebound again, holding it firmly until the final whistle blew!

"Beep—!!!"

The game ended!

Teikō 91 : 85 Kitano

Three consecutive championships in the National Tournament (IH)! The Teikō Dynasty had forged a new, unshakeable monument!

Teikō's players instantly rushed onto the court, hugging, shouting, and jumping wildly! Sweat and tears mixed, flowing freely! This was their moment of glory!

Bai Ze You was surrounded by his excited teammates. Aomine laughed and clapped him hard on the shoulder, Midōrima showed a rare smile, Murasbara ruffled his hair with his huge palm, and Kuroko stood silently nearby, warmth in his eyes. Kise Ryōta shouted excitedly, "Little Bai Ze! That was so cool! That drive and layup at the end! So awesome!"

Momoi Satsuki was already in tears. She rushed down from the stands, cheering with the players, her gaze towards Bai Ze You filled with pride and adoration.

Amidst the ocean of jubilation, however, one figure remained remarkably quiet, tinged with a subtle, almost imperceptible loneliness.

Nijimura Shūzō.

He stood at the very edge of the substitute bench, clad in a neat tracksuit, a thick bandage covering his left eye. A gratified smile graced his face as he watched the players celebrating wildly on the court, especially the white figure who had stepped up in the final moments—Bai Ze You. Yet, his right eye, uncovered by the bandage, clearly reflected a deep sense of regret and reluctance.

This should have been his battle, his final campaign. For Teikō's third consecutive championship, for the captain's last glory, he should have poured every last drop of sweat and shed his final tears on the court. But a damn bone fracture, a damn injury, had pinned him firmly to the cold bench. He could only watch as an outsider, as the young players, tempered in blood and fire, achieved this final ascent.

Especially Bai Ze You. The freshman he had personally discovered and placed so much hope in. In the team's most critical hour, he had stepped forward, delivering a steal worth a king's ransom and a game-sealing individual offense, shouldering the responsibility that should have been Nijimura Shūzō's, paving the final road to Teikō Dynasty's third crown.

Gratification, pride, yet mixed with an ineffable bitterness and emptiness.

Akashi Seijūrō walked up to Nijimura. The coldness on his face seemed to have melted slightly at the moment of victory, but his eyes remained deep. He bowed solemnly and deeply to Nijimura.

"Captain," Akashi's voice was low and clear, carrying an unprecedented level of respect, "Teikō's three consecutive championships, achieved. This is your dynasty, initiated by your own hands, and you led us to this day. Thank you."

This bow, this "Captain," this "your dynasty," acted like a key, instantly unlocking the complex floodgates of emotions within Nijimura. Gratification, pride, the lightness of shedding responsibility, and the deep regret of not being able to participate personally… a torrent of emotions surged forth.

Nijimura Shūzō's eyes instantly reddened. He held back, refusing to let tears fall, merely patting Akashi's shoulder heavily and forcefully. He then looked towards Bai Ze You, who was surrounded by teammates on the court, and the other ecstatic members of the team.

"Well done… everyone did so well…" His voice was a little hoarse, yet filled with strength. "Teikō… is in your hands now!"

His gaze finally settled on the glaring "85" on the scoreboard. That was Kitano's score, and the final chapter of Nijimura Shūzō's career as a Teikō player. He hadn't been able to personally score the final point for this number, but the young players, especially that white phantom, had completed this final battle for him.

Bai Ze You seemed to sense Nijimura's gaze. He broke free from his excited teammates and quickly walked over to Nijimura. Seeing the complex emotions in the captain's eyes, seeing the glaring bandage, Bai Ze You also felt a surge of deep respect and reluctance.

"Captain…" Bai Ze You began, his voice carrying the clarity unique to youth, yet exceptionally solemn. "We won! Your Teikō, won!"

Nijimura looked at the boy before him, his eyes bright, his jersey soaked with sweat. He saw the pure admiration and the determination of a mission accomplished in the boy's eyes, and the last bit of regret in his heart seemed to be replaced by a stronger emotion. It was legacy, it was hope.

He extended his large hand and vigorously ruffled Bai Ze You's sweat-dampened hair, just as he had during the freshman tryouts.

"Yū," Nijimura's voice held a sense of relief and anticipation after shedding his burden, "you did very well… better than I imagined. Teikō's future rests with you."

With that, he raised his head, gazing at the brilliant lights of the dome, as if to deeply imprint this moment, this stadium symbolizing the peak and end of his basketball career, into his heart.

The road to the finals was also Nijimura Shūzō's curtain call as Teikō's captain.

He was unable to step onto the final battlefield himself, but his spirit, his will, had long since merged into Teikō's very blood.

Bai Ze You's emergence had taken up his banner, delivering a thrilling victory that offered the most glorious and heart-pounding finale to this meritorious captain's last campaign!

On the foundation of the Teikō Dynasty, the name "Nijimura Shūzō" is forever inscribed. And the path to the future will be led by that rising "White Phantom," guiding the new generation of Teikō to continue fearlessly forward!