Akagiri's Eyes (I)

But Sendoh's performance just now had made him clearly realize that Sendoh now possessed enough strength to threaten him.

Has this guy really grown to this extent?

Maki Shinichi sighed inwardly. This was definitely not luck or a temporary burst; Sendoh truly possessed the strength to contend with him.

He subconsciously turned his head, his gaze falling on Chi Tong on the other side. Chi Tong's eyes remained calm, as though the intense exchange just now had nothing to do with him.

Yet it was precisely such a seemingly low-key opponent who filled Maki Shinichi with a powerful sense of unease.

From the start of the game until now, Chi Tong had not put on dazzling steals or breakthroughs like Sendoh, but he always appeared in the most crucial positions at critical moments. Sometimes he used feints to shake off defenders and complete a pass; sometimes he silently stole the ball to launch a counterattack. Even his defensive positioning always seemed to anticipate Hainan's offensive routes.

Sento, and Chi Tong.

Maki Shinichi's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. He felt danger from both opponents at once.

Sendoh's growth was obvious, displaying his strength through one brilliant play after another. Chi Tong's threat, on the other hand, was hidden—like an invisible net quietly covering the entire court.

Especially Chi Tong. The constant palpitation of dread Maki Shinichi felt from him had kept him from letting down his guard in the slightest since the game began.

The game continued, with Hainan in possession.

Under Maki Shinichi's leadership, the Hainan players used several well-coordinated passes to successfully tear open Ryonan's perimeter defense and push the attack near Ryonan's basket once more.

Maki Shinichi stood near the free-throw line with the ball, his gaze swiftly sweeping across Ryonan's defensive formation as he searched for an