Inside Teikō Gymnasium, the air was taut as a drawn bowstring. A team in-house red-versus-blue match, played at the intensity of the IH Finals, was raging. Akashi Seijūrō sat on the sidelines, his red eyes sweeping over every detail on the court like icy probes. The Blue Team—Bai Ze You, Aomine Daiki, and Midōrima Shintarō—faced the Red Team—Murasaki-bara Atsushi, Kise Ryōta, Kuroko Tetsuya, and one substitute. The score was locked, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
Bai Ze You advanced with the ball. Sweat soaked his white jersey, making it cling to his body and trace his compact, supple muscles. His gaze was calm, but a flame burned deep within it—the fighting spirit of the "White Phantom," tempered again and again under extreme pressure. After day after day of "dual-track training," his phantom techniques had found a foothold within Akashi's "Absolute Efficiency" framework, growing increasingly deceptive. But today, he felt that he had touched an invisible barrier—a throb born from his body's instincts, yearning to break past its limits.
Defending him was Kise Ryōta, who had entered a state of heightened imitation. His golden eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, while his posture combined Aomine's wild pressure, Midōrima's precise anticipation, and some of Bai Ze You's own supple deceptiveness. He was like a golden, fully armed mirror image!
Bai Ze You steadied his pace at the top of the arc. Kise's defense was airtight, leaving not the slightest opening for an easy drive or pass. Time slipped away.
Suddenly, Bai Ze You moved! He feinted a swift straight-step drive to the right! The movement was lifelike and brimming with force!
A golden glint flashed in Kise's eyes. Relying on his imitation-based anticipation and powerful athletic instincts, he slid laterally and firmly sealed off the path! At the same time, he