The basketball traced a short, precise arc through the air, drawing the entire arena's gaze as it dropped straight toward Sannoh Industrial High School's basket.
No, this wasn't a shot!
The ball's flight path became clearer and clearer. The closer it got to the basket, the stronger the unease grew in the hearts of Sannoh Industrial High School's players.
Its speed and angle of descent were completely different from an ordinary shot. There was an indescribable strangeness to it; it did not look like a simple finishing attempt at all.
The answer was revealed in the next instant.
A blue figure sprang up from the side like a ghost, his body stretching out in midair as a large hand shot forward, precisely targeting the basketball.
It was Sendoh!
When Sannoh's players saw the figure that had suddenly appeared, their pupils shrank sharply. Their eyes widened as though an invisible hand had clenched around their hearts.
It was an alley-oop dunk!
Just as Sendoh's palm was about to touch the ball, when everyone in the arena thought the spectacular play was about to succeed, a crisp interception sound rang out. Everyone froze abruptly, even their breathing seeming to skip a beat.
An instant before Sendoh's fingertips could reach the ball, another fair yet powerful hand suddenly shot out from below at an even faster speed and a trickier angle, snatching the basketball out of the air and firmly gripping it in its palm.
Chi Tong's previously calm eyes widened sharply, disbelief filling his pupils. For the first time, the composure vanished from his face, replaced by genuine shock.
His Eye of Heaven had clearly predicted every weakness in the defense, yet he had not accounted for this sudden variable.
Ryonan's other players stood rooted to the spot as well, stunned by