That unbelievable Extreme Layup Bai Ze You had pulled off after breaking past Sawabe Eiji and finishing over Kawata Masashi's head was like a block of ice dropped into boiling oil, instantly detonating the entire gymnasium! The deathly silence was replaced by deafening gasps and shouts. The stands erupted, and even the players on Teikō's bench leaped to their feet in excitement. Momoi Satsuki clutched her clipboard so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her eyes shining with disbelief and intense worry—Yū's movement just now had been too fast for her data to capture!
However, at center court, Bai Ze You had no time to savor the shock he had caused. After landing, he merely panted heavily and lowered his head to stare at his faintly trembling hands. The searing, powerful strength surging through his body after breaking past his limits had not faded. Instead, like a newborn star, it burned even more fiercely, roaring soundlessly. That lightning-fast change of direction and Extreme Layup—every movement had seemed to be completed by his body on its own, surpassing the limits of thought! Was this... what awakening felt like? The White Phantom... its true power?
"Nice shot, Yū!" Kise Ryōta rushed over excitedly and slapped Bai Ze You hard on the back. Murasaki-bara Atsushi also gave a rare snort, apparently showing his approval. Midōrima Shintarō pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses carrying a scrutinizing edge.
But Bai Ze You's gaze passed over his cheering teammates and locked tightly onto one person—Aomine Daiki.
Aomine was not as excited as the others. He stood where he was, his eyes exceptionally deep in the shadows, like a black panther that had spotted its prey, staring fixedly at Bai Ze You. The indifference and laziness that had been there before were gone, replaced