Ryonan's Back-to-Back Blows (Part Two)

Just as Itakura Daijiro was about to cross half court, still a few steps from Ryonan's defensive line, he caught sight of Chi Tong ahead of him.

Chi Tong stood near the three-point line, his hands hanging at his sides. He watched Itakura calmly, his mismatched eyes betraying no emotion, yet their gaze seemed to bear down on him with invisible force.

That single glance made Itakura's body stiffen instinctively, as though an unseen hand had seized him.

His dribbling faltered. The ball struck the floor in a broken rhythm, and his once-fluid steps slowed.

The memory of Chi Tong's gaze freezing him in place flashed through his mind. That fear of being unable to move crept back.

Anben Shili, standing on the wing, saw what happened and frowned. He immediately shouted at Itakura, his voice sharp with impatience.

"What are you looking at?"

"Why are you just standing there?"

He couldn't understand it. Itakura had been itching to settle the score with Chi Tong moments ago. How had one look at him turned Itakura timid again?

Anben's shout snapped Itakura back to his senses. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

He shook his head hard, trying to drive away the memory.

He took a deep breath, ready to pick up his dribble again.

But before he could move, his vision blurred. A figure sprang in from the side like a hunting leopard, too fast for him to react.

Suddenly, the weight vanished from his hand. The basketball he had held so securely was gone.

A crisp sound rang beside Itakura's ear. He turned toward it instinctively, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Chi Tong had appeared at his side. The ball Itakura had been shielding was now firmly in Chi Tong's hand.

"What?"

"How is that possible?"

"When did he