The two bodies collided briefly, and a contest of strength erupted in an instant.
Rukawa exerted a slight force through his shoulder and neck, forcibly holding off Sendoh's obstruction. Yet the hand controlling the ball remained steady as a rock, the basketball continuing to bounce precisely in rhythm amid their struggle.
For several breaths, the stalemate seemed to press the court into slow motion. Their gazes clashed in the air—one sharp as a blade, the other steady as an abyss.
Just as Sendoh prepared to shift his center of gravity and press him further, Rukawa suddenly changed direction. His left toe tapped the floor, and his body slid left like a nimble cat. At the same time, his right hand swiftly pulled the basketball back, evading Sendoh's reaching steal.
The series of movements flowed as smoothly as water, perfectly blending Wildness's explosive power with delicate ball-handling skill, instantly tearing open Sendoh's tight defensive line.
The moment he broke through, Liu Chuanfeng's speed surged again as he charged straight for Ryonan's basket, leaving behind only Sento's fleeting look of astonishment.
The red figure galloped forward like an untamed horse, the wild aura surrounding Rukawa growing ever more intense.
Facing the hastily formed defensive line of two Lingnan players, he did not bother making any major adjustment. His footwork suddenly changed, and a swift crossover tore open a gap. Then he dipped his shoulder and forced his way through the narrow space between them, charging straight toward the basket. Uozumi had long stood beneath it like an iron tower. Seeing Liu Chuanfeng rush in, he lowered his stance and spread his arms, his massive frame blocking the hoop and radiating mountain-like pressure.
Yet before this wall of a city, Rukawa showed no fear. Instead, a bloodthirsty gleam flashed through his eyes.
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