At the start of the first round, the character controlled by Eriri launched a fierce assault, and the fight looked almost completely one-sided. (Continued)

His gaze sharpened as he watched for any sign that the other player might charge.

Given the arrogance he'd shown before, he knew the other player would never back down from a challenge like this.

"Try to stop me...if you can."

Hasegawa Izumi dribbled in place, his confidence practically boundless.

"Thump..."

"Thump..."

The moment he finished speaking, as the ball passed between his legs and into his left hand behind him, he seemed to vanish in a blur. Before anyone knew it, he'd dribbled right past them.

"S-so fast!"

When Hyuga Konji turned around in shock, he saw his teammates Kato and Kurosaki trying to stop Hasegawa, but they couldn't even catch up.

Even while dribbling, his speed left them far behind!

In the blink of an eye, Hasegawa Izumi had reached the three-second area. He abruptly stopped, planting his feet in a sudden halt.

"He's going to shoot! We have to stop him!"

Hiiragi Gosho and another defender, Akamine Rōnin, realized what was happening and hurried to close in.

They leaped up together, forming a wall that blocked off every angle for a shot.

Huh? Why's he getting farther away from me?

As they noticed this, a bad feeling welled up inside them.

It was a fadeaway jumper!

In midair.

Hasegawa Izumi looked straight ahead, both hands already poised to shoot. He casually flicked the ball toward the hoop.

As everyone's eyes followed it, the ball traced a perfect arc and dropped through the net.

"Tweet!"

The whistle signaled a score.

Hyuga Konji stared blankly in that direction. Hasegawa Izumi still wore the same smile as he turned around.

Only then did everyone from the Basketball Club fully realize one thing.

This guy wasn't even in the same league as anyone else there...

No!

He wasn't even from the same world!

A One-Man Army

For a moment, the court fell silent.

Even Hasegawa's supporters were stunned.

Everyone knew he was amazing—he'd beaten the Tennis Club President six to zero, and had Divine Speed that surpassed the rising star in track—but no one had expected him to be this ridiculously good.

After all, there was a difference between one-on-one and one-on-five, and his opponents weren't weaklings he could just trample.

They even suspected that not even the world's top basketball players in the NBA could pull off something like this.

"Attack together!"

Every great team had a central figure. For the Far East Magic Society, that was Hasegawa. For the Basketball Club, it was naturally Club President Hyuga Konji. He quickly regained his composure and directed his teammates.

They'd only conceded one basket. They still had a substantial lead.

That was enough to keep them calm.

Kurosaki took possession of the ball and immediately passed it to his teammate Kato. The others followed close behind.

They were now united, all focused on helping their Club President score.

Although there were five people on their side of the court, in their eyes, only one person remained—Hasegawa!

"Leave it to me. I'm enough on my own."

Hasegawa Izumi noticed the concern in his teammates' eyes and smiled reassuringly.

It would be too much to ask the girls to stand against a charge like a raging bull.

The girls stepped aside of their own accord, their hearts filled with absolute trust in their captain.

"Thump...thump..."

By now, the ball had been passed to Hyuga Konji, who was about to face the other team's one and only star player in a one-on-one showdown.

Clearly, he had no intention of accepting the challenge. His opponent's earlier moves had been far too astonishing.

Everything I do is for the team's victory!

He planned to pass the ball to Kato, who was waiting to his front left.

The moment he raised his hand to throw, he saw Kato's expression suddenly change.

"Captain..."

Kato had barely managed to call out his name, not yet getting the words "watch out" out—

When that figure was suddenly right in front of him. As though he'd seen it coming, Hasegawa reached out and smacked the ball from Hyuga's hand, then dribbled straight ahead. A soft voice seemed to drift through the air: "I told you. Too slow."

Hasegawa Izumi darted past Hyuga Konji, then passed Kato and Kurosaki on either side.

Now, he was facing the two defenders again: Hiiragi Gosho and Akamine Rōnin.

"I won't fall for it this time!"

Hiiragi Gosho wasn't intimidated by the earlier shot. He and Akamine took positions in front and behind Hasegawa, covering both sides to block his path.

"Lots of spirit, but spirit alone won't do you any good."

Hasegawa Izumi wore a thoroughly delighted expression as he smiled in reply, then performed the legendary move that had once struck fear into basketball players across other dimensions.

There was no one to pass to, nor any need to pass.

He charged straight in, his movements as graceful as drifting clouds. Like a sprite dancing on the court, he slipped into the defensive zone between the two as though no one were there.

Their eyes and expressions hadn't even changed, yet the man and ball before them had already slipped past.

"What!?"

As everyone stared in shock, Hasegawa Izumi had already made it into the key. He leaped into the air like a soaring butterfly, grabbed the ball with one hand, and slammed it into the hoop!

"Tweet!"

The whistle sounded again.

"What just happened?"

Hiiragi Gosho's voice was bitter.

He'd been completely unable to react before Hasegawa got past him. Could anyone in the world really move that fast?

"That's called Blue Butterfly Swirling Cloud Body Movement... It's a shame this world hasn't recovered enough for me to use the full version. Otherwise, you'd remember it for the rest of your lives."

Hasegawa Izumi explained as he headed back on defense, his tone unmistakably regretful.

So that wasn't even the full version?

Was he planning to jump from halfway down the court?

At that moment, everyone desperately wanted to say something.

"Stay calm! Stay calm!"

"Keep attacking!"

At Hyuga Konji's shout, the Basketball Club players finally felt like they'd returned to reality.

"He's so weird, but he's so cool!"

"Go, Hasegawa!"

"Hey, Hasegawa! Would you go out with your upperclassman?"

The one-on-five game had turned out like this, and even the cheerleaders on the sidelines had switched sides. Some of the spectators were the same, shouting all sorts of embarrassing things in their excitement.

What a bunch of horny pigs. He shows off a couple of tricks and they're practically climaxing.

Eriri blushed, her face twisting with disgust as she cursed them in her heart.

Still, Izumi's getting better and better at looking cool. I have to admit, he's impressive.

The excitement on the court was almost contagious enough to set her ablaze.

"Let's go, Hayasaka. There's no point in watching any longer."

On the other side, Shinomiya Kaguya was ready to leave.

"Shinomiya Kaguya-sama, do you feel threatened?"

Hayasaka Ai quietly appeared from the shadows.

"Hayasaka, do you think I'd lose?"

Shinomiya Kaguya glanced sideways at her. Her wine-red eyes were as gorgeous as blood, cold enough to freeze the heart.

"I think you already know the answer, Young Lady."

Hayasaka Ai chose a clever reply.

Losing wasn't necessarily humiliating. Other than academics, Shinomiya Kaguya didn't care much about winning, and most of the time, she only showed sixty percent of her ability.

But honestly, this man was clearly someone she might not be able to beat even if she gave it her all.

"Let's go."

She didn't answer, and quietly left.

"Whoa!!!"

The shouts from the basketball court continued without pause.

It was still one against five, and the ball was passed just as before. This time, the Basketball Club cautiously passed it from the back, and managed to make it into the Far East Magic Society's key.

But just as it seemed Hyuga Konji had successfully dunked, Hasegawa Izumi leaped up and pressed one hand against the ball. An overwhelming force came down on him, sending him crashing to the floor.

After landing, Hasegawa Izumi once again showed off his lightning-fast dribbling and unbelievable footwork.

No one could stop him!

"Unrepentant Dragon Whirlwind Dunk!"

Then he launched himself again, performing an incredible move that made everyone exclaim, "Oh my God!" He spun a precise 360 degrees and dunked.

"Thump."

Another basket.

By now, the Basketball Club players were numb with shock.

Could anyone stop this "monster"?

Coach, I Want to Learn That...!

After a few minutes and a short break, the fourth quarter began.

The Basketball Club players had barely managed to collect themselves before heading back onto the court.

This time, they made one last desperate effort, all five of them swarming him.

"Now, even your speed won't help you!"

Akamine spoke, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

But it still wasn't enough to stop him.