Practice Match (3)

"In my opinion, those two perimeter players are just average guys with a bit of brains." Ken Kaneki said nonchalantly, sucking on a lollipop. "They think they can lock down the perimeter? They're dreaming."

After hearing Ken Kaneki's explanation, Naoto Sanada suddenly understood. He had originally felt a sense of dissonance seeing the Second String members constantly making mistakes. With Ken Kaneki's explanation, he no longer hesitated and signaled to the players, "Did you all hear what Ken Kaneki just said? Wataru Yamazaki, Shoichi Imagawa are your matchups. Make sure they don't get a chance to get close to Makoto Hanamiya. Also, if Makoto Hanamiya presses up, remember to set screens."

"Yes! Coach!" Wataru Yamazaki nodded in agreement.

"Itsuki Fujii, don't panic when you're pressured. Don't make unnecessary passes. Just focus on passing the ball between you, Wataru Yamazaki, and Taro Sugiya."

"Yes! Coach!" Itsuki Fujii, who had a protagonist's name but a passerby's face, indicated he understood.

"The rest is up to you, Sugiya."

"Leave it to me, Coach. I'll definitely crush them." Taro Sugiya struck a pose showing off his muscles, saying confidently.

Just as Naoto Sanada finished adjusting the tactics, the whistle for the end of the timeout blew. The players returned to the court, and the game resumed.

"You haven't given up yet?" Makoto Hanamiya's expression was like he had discovered a treasure, saying excitedly, "It seems crushing you will be the most exciting thing for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Makoto Hanamiya made a move to press up. But before he could make any move, Wataru Yamazaki appeared beside him, solidly creating an open space for Itsuki Fujii.

Itsuki Fujii didn't hesitate and rushed towards the basket into the open space. The player who was originally guarding Taro Sugiya had no choice but to step up to defend. Itsuki Fujii made a beautiful through pass, and Taro Sugiya scored on a layup, breaking Teiko Junior High School's five-minute scoring drought.

"Yoosh!" Taro Sugiya cheered, pumping his fist, and high-fived his teammates enthusiastically as they retreated on defense.

This play seemed to have ignited their momentum. On defense, Itsuki Fujii actually dared to pressure Makoto Hanamiya, using his own tactics against him with Wataru Yamazaki, causing Makoto Hanamiya to commit a turnover. Itsuki Fujii then scored on a fast break layup.

"This isn't looking good, Makoto." Shoichi Imagawa came up to Makoto Hanamiya, watching the Teiko Junior High School players retreat, and said playfully, "It seems they're gradually getting used to your web, and you were just caught in their web."

"Shut up." Makoto Hanamiya's expression was furious, his face cold. "The prey adapting to the web only means they haven't been poisoned by the spider yet. I won't hold back anymore."

"Honestly, compared to me, you're really more unlikeable." Shoichi Imagawa said with a wry smile.

"Stop the nonsense. Pass me the ball later." Makoto Hanamiya said this before running to the frontcourt.

Not long after, Shoichi Imagawa, who had smoothly brought the ball past half-court, passed it to Makoto Hanamiya as usual, leaving the performance to him.

Makoto Hanamiya looked at Itsuki Fujii, who was still excited about scoring, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. He waved his hand to signal everyone to spread out, used Itsuki Fujii to drive into the paint, and with a spin move after catching the ball, he slammed an elbow into the back of Itsuki Fujii's head. As Itsuki Fujii fell to the ground, Makoto Hanamiya shot the ball towards the basket.

Seeing this, Taro Sugiya rushed to block, but Makoto Hanamiya's expression didn't falter. He said viciously, "To disrupt my meticulously planned spider web to this extent, how could it be just a simple elbow?"

Taro Sugiya inwardly thought, This is bad. But having jumped with all his might, he was unable to adjust his posture in mid-air. Upon landing, he inevitably stepped on Makoto Hanamiya's foot. With a crack, Taro Sugiya felt a sharp pain in his foot. The piercing pain made Taro Sugiya break out in a cold sweat.

"BEEP BEEP, Timeout." Seeing another player injured on the court, the referee on the sidelines immediately blew for a timeout. The Teiko Junior High School players could no longer hold back and rushed forward, shoving the players from Kiriki First Junior High School.

"What is this? Is this all the legendary Tokyo District powerhouse is capable of? Attacking people when you can't win on the court?" Makoto Hanamiya, seeing the situation about to escalate, was not afraid but even seemed somewhat delirious as he taunted, "Come on, hit me! There are cameras above the gymnasium. If you dare to hit me today, all the officials of the Sports Management Committee will receive a video tomorrow. It turns out that the so-called Tokyo District powerhouse, Teiko Junior High School, is just a bunch of thugs relying on brute force."

The players on the court became hesitant because of this. At this moment, a Teiko player indignantly pointed at Makoto Hanamiya and said, "We all love basketball. Don't you think it's despicable to play like this with dirty tactics?"

"Huh? Basketball? Love?" Makoto Hanamiya said with a sinister grin. "Who cares about that stuff? All I enjoy is the thrill of stepping on you like ants on the ground!"

"Although I don't really like basketball that much, that long-haired guy is so annoying. I really want to crush him, Ken-chan." Makoto Hanamiya's arrogance made even the usually gentle Atsushi Murasakibara uncomfortable. "He's no different from a mediocre talent."

"Yeah, Murasakibara, I also really, really want to smash their heads in." Ken Kaneki's anger had also reached its peak.

The argument on the court continued, and the cries of pain from Wataru Yamazaki and Itsuki Fujii echoed in Ken Kaneki's ears. Seeing that Naoto Sanada was considering giving up on this practice match, Ken Kaneki knew he couldn't just sit there any longer.

"You're right, Senior Makoto Hanamiya." Ken Kaneki's loud voice echoed through the gymnasium, interrupting the argument. "Things on the court should be settled on the court, right? Senior Makoto Hanamiya."

Makoto Hanamiya stared intently at Ken Kaneki. His tall figure and short blonde hair seemed particularly striking to everyone.

"Ah, you're absolutely right, kid." Makoto Hanamiya's voice was as cold as the glaciers of the Arctic, his smile carrying undisguised malice. "Things on the court should naturally be settled with basketball."

"You said it, Makoto Hanamiya." Ken Kaneki's face wore a chilling smile. This time, he didn't even call him "senior." "Since that's the case, then let me and classmate Atsushi Murasakibara have a good 'exchange' with you, Senior. What do you say, Murasakibara?"

"Yeah, Ken-chan." Atsushi Murasakibara found a hair tie from somewhere and tied up his long hair. He walked slowly to Ken Kaneki's side. Under the lights, his previously lazy expression became exceptionally serious.