When the solid form behind Sawakita Eiji completely condensed and its outline appeared clearly before everyone, all of them unconsciously widened their eyes. Even Chi Tong, who had remained calm throughout, showed a flicker of emotion in his mismatched pupils.
After freezing for an instant, they saw that the figure appearing behind Sawakita Eiji was indeed, like Sendoh's, the phantom of an animal.
However, this animal's form was completely different from what everyone had imagined.
Most people's Wildness manifestations took the form of land predators such as tigers, lions, and bears. They symbolized strength and explosiveness and were the most common intimidating forms on the court.
A Wildness manifestation like Sendoh's—a giant shark, a marine creature—was already extremely rare. After all, the traits of sea creatures were not particularly suited to the rhythm of a basketball game. Yet what had condensed behind Sawakita Eiji was neither a land predator nor a marine creature. It was a bird—no, more accurately, a flying predator.
The phantom had a vast wingspan, its feathers dark gold and gleaming with a cold luster beneath the lights. Its sharp hooked beak opened slightly, and that piercing cry from earlier had come from its mouth.
A pair of sharp eagle eyes stared dead ahead, carrying the arrogance and ferocity of one looking down upon all living things. Every feather radiated an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Sendoh's eyes widened, his face filled with undisguised surprise.
Chi Tong slowly narrowed his eyes. Calm returned to his mismatched pupils as he stared intently at the phantom behind Sawakita Eiji and said lightly, "A Golden Eagle?"
Another piercing cry rang through the arena, carrying the unique intimidation of the ruler of the skies. The air on the court seemed to solidify several degrees as the figure behind Sawakita Eiji took shape—a