Ryonan vs. Shohoku (2)

Ryonan's bench instantly erupted, cheers rising one after another like a tsunami sweeping across the entire backcourt.

Tiangang Maoyi stood at the sideline. Seeing his team securely claim the first points right from the opening, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. A trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes as he nodded gently.

Chi Tong, meanwhile, remained seated calmly in the rest area, arms folded across her chest and back straight as a motionless statue.

Her gaze was sharp as an eagle's, sweeping back and forth across the court as she coolly tracked every player's movement, actions, details, and changes in rhythm.

She neither cheered for a single defensive play nor reacted to a single score, because in her eyes, the game had only just begun.

On the court, Shohoku swiftly launched a counterattack. The basketball was quickly pushed into the frontcourt, and after a simple sequence of passes, it finally went inside.

Takenori Akagi received the ball with his back to the basket, standing firmly in Ryonan's paint as he faced Uozumi head-on. The two centers stood opposed like twin mountains, muscles taut and momentum surging. The air seemed to freeze in that instant as every eye in the arena focused on this clash, hailed as Kanagawa's strongest matchup in the paint.

Uozumi spread his arms wide and held his position firmly. In a deep, thunderous voice, he called out, "Akagi!"

Akagi raised his brows, his eyes sharpening. His shoulders and back suddenly exploded with force as he feinted a powerful post-up and turn, ready to force open the situation with sheer strength.

Everyone held their breath, believing a brutal collision of strength and will was about to erupt.

But at that critical moment, Akagi suddenly swayed, then spun with a convincing turn!

Uozumi's balance shifted slightly from the fake. Then Akagi flicked his wrist, sending the basketball streaking sideways like lightning into Kogure Megane's hands beyond the three-point line.

Uozumi's pupils contracted sharply. He had never expected Akagi to pass outside from so close to the basket—and with such perfect timing!

However, in the split second Kogure caught the ball, raised his arms, and jumped for the shot, Uozumi burst into motion like a tiger unleashed, circling out from behind Akagi in a single long stride.

He leaped high, his arm thrusting upward with the force of iron, carrying an overwhelming presence as he smashed down.

It was a ferocious block, sending the basketball flying away.

A crisp, resounding smack exploded through the entire gym like thunder.

Uozumi swatted the basketball away with overwhelming force, his movement clean and decisive, so powerful it seemed as though even the air had been split apart by that palm.

Great block!

Ryonan's players erupted instantly, roaring in unison as their morale soared.

Aida Hikohiko's calm reminder rang out in time. "The ball's still live!"

Before his words had even faded, Liu Chuanfeng charged in like a cheetah and seized control of the basketball before anyone else.

Without the slightest hesitation, he raised his hand and fired off a quick jumper.

Not good!

Ryonan!

Everyone's expressions changed drastically, their hearts clenching tight.

But at the instant the ball left his hand, a huge palm swept in from the side like a falling sky.

The basketball was solidly blocked, spinning violently in midair as its trajectory changed in an instant.

Rukawa's pupils shook, astonishment filling his eyes.

The one who stopped him was still Uozumi!

Uozumi, who had just blocked Kogure, had somehow shifted several meters in such a short time and blocked Liu Chuanfeng's shot as well!

The entire arena was in an uproar. Shohoku's players stared wide-eyed, as though they had witnessed something impossible.

He was clearly a giant over two meters tall, yet his footwork was as nimble as a guard's.

But it was not over yet. While everyone was still immersed in shock, something even more astounding happened!

The basketball Uozumi had swatted away was cleverly snatched by Shohoku's An Tian Jingchun, who immediately made a backhand pass and sent the ball inside.

Akagi caught the ball, gripping it firmly with both hands. He turned and jumped in one fluid motion, ready to restore his team's morale with an unstoppable slam dunk.

However, just before he could viciously hammer the ball into the hoop, a figure charged out again like a phantom!

Uozumi again!

Even after completing two blocks, he had not stopped moving. Like a tireless guardian, he leaped high and slammed his huge hand down onto the basketball.

The ball was completely swatted away, flying straight out of bounds!

Akagi landed heavily, his arms frozen in midair and his face full of disbelief.

He slowly turned his head, his gaze locked firmly on the newcomer. The person before him was Uozumi!

At that moment, the entire arena fell deathly silent.

In those brief ten-plus seconds, Uozumi had defended against three players in succession, appearing in the most crucial position for all three blocks and instantly driving the momentum to a peak.

Everyone from Shohoku looked at Uozumi with shock in their eyes.

Is this Ryonan's strength?

At Shohoku's bench, "This is bad, this is bad, Old Man!"

Sakuragi Hanamichi kept pressing one hand against Anzai Mitsuyoshi's round belly while tugging and shaking his chubby chin with the other. His tone was so anxious that he practically seemed ready to jump up.

"That monkey boss is scary!"

His booming voice nearly drowned out the noise on the court, his eyes filled with a sense of crisis.

Seeing this, Ayako hurried forward in a single stride and pulled Sakuragi's hand away. Her tone carried a hint of reproach. "How can you call the coach 'Old Man'?"

"You need to show some respect. Call him Coach Anzai properly."

After being pulled away, Sakuragi turned his head with a serious expression, his tone unlike that of the usual grinning red-haired idiot.

"This is bad, Ayako. This is too dangerous!"

Ayako froze, blinking her eyes. Then a pair of bewildered, confused dot eyes appeared on her face.

"Huh? Why are you so polite to me but not to the coach?"

"Ugh, I really don't understand you!"

On the court, Uozumi stood tall, arms spread wide like a massive tower guarding the paint. His face overflowed with long-lost confidence and boldness.

His gaze blazed as he scanned his nearby teammates, his voice loud and powerful.

"Come on! Let's stop them one more time!"

There was not the slightest hesitation in his tone, only iron-blooded determination and the responsibility of a leader.

"Yes!"

Ryonan's players answered in unison, their voices ringing like thunder. Their morale was ignited in an instant, and their shouts echoed through the gym as if stirring up an invisible storm.

At this moment, with Chi Tong off the court, Uozumi seemed to have become the Uozumi captain he once was again.

Seeing this, Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately flew into a rage. His brows shot up as he muttered furiously, "That monkey boss is scary!"

"That guy only blocked Akagi, Liu Chuanfeng, and the gorilla, and he's already acting so damn smug!"

Beside him, Kakuta Gatsu folded his arms and stared intently at the situation on the court. With a grave expression, he said in a low voice, "The atmosphere doesn't seem too good."

He paused, a trace of unease entering his voice.

"Uozumi's momentum is rising, and the others have become more active because of it." The substitutes beside him nodded repeatedly.

The moment Sakuragi heard that, it was as if he had found an opportunity.

He suddenly turned, threw an arm around Anxi Guangyi's thick neck, and practically pressed against that calm face as he shouted, "Old Man, this is the critical moment! We can only win by unleashing the secret weapon!"

Before his words had even ended, he sprang up from his seat like a beast about to leave its cage and strode toward the court.