The two once again launched into a one-on-one showdown at the highest level.
With Wildness active, Liu Chuanfeng lowered his center of gravity and locked his gaze on Mu Shenyi, refusing to give him any opening to drive.
Mu Shenyi's eyes were sharp as blades. He strung together crossover feints, swaying violently from side to side to throw off Liu Chuanfeng's judgment.
Liu Chuanfeng remained utterly focused, his eyes fixed on the basketball in Mu Shenyi's hands. No matter how convincing the feints were, he dared not let his guard slip.
Suddenly, Mu Shenyi took a hard step to the left, feinting a drive.
Rukawa instinctively shifted left to cut off his path.
At that very instant, Mu Shenyi reversed his wrist and pulled the ball sharply to the right, completely fooling Rukawa's defense.
Without hesitating, he swept his gaze across the court and delivered a precise pass to Jin Soichiro on the perimeter.
When Jin Soichiro caught the ball, there was no one in front of him. It was a perfect three-point opportunity. If he made it, they could take the lead and win!
He drew a deep breath, adjusted his shooting form, aligned his fingers with the basket, and began flexing his wrist, ready to release a three-pointer that might decide the game.
The spectators' hearts all but stopped.
Just as Jin Soichiro snapped his wrist and the basketball was about to leave his hand, a red figure suddenly charged in from the side. It was Sakuragi Hanamichi.
With Wildness activated, Sakuragi Hanamichi relied on his beastlike instincts and astonishing leaping ability to read Jin Soichiro's shot trajectory perfectly.
He launched himself into the air like a cannonball, stretching his body to its limit as his right hand slammed toward the ball about to be released.
Smack! A