Chi Tong advanced with the ball at an unhurried pace, carrying an indescribable air of composure. In moments, he crossed the center line and entered Akita's half.
Fukatsu dared not let his guard down for an instant. He pushed off and rushed forward, lowering his center of gravity and spreading his arms slightly to shut off Chi Tong's direct path to the basket, his defensive intensity instantly at its peak.
But Chi Tong had anticipated this. Just as Fukatsu closed in to block him, he deftly flicked his wrist, brought the ball behind his back, and followed with a swift, low bounce pass.
The basketball bounced off the floor, its force and angle perfectly judged, and landed smoothly in Sakuragi Hanamichi's hands on the wing.
Sakuragi Hanamichi scooped the ball into his arms, his red hair flying with the movement. He raised his voice so loudly that the air around him seemed to buzz.
"Great pass!"
"Everyone, get out of this genius's way! Watch this!"
"A monster dunk!"
Before his words had faded, he charged straight into Akita's paint with the ball, reckless and fast, utterly ignoring the layers of defenders collapsing around him.
"Don't just force your way in!"
Takenori Akagi's heart tightened as he watched from the paint. He shouted a stern warning, the veins at his temples bulging.
Maki Shinichi's brow twitched. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry at this reckless charge, he sighed under his breath. "This guy!"
But Sakuragi Hanamichi paid no attention to Akagi's warning. More accurately, he had not even heard it.
At that moment, all he could see was Akita Prefecture's hoop hanging high above him. His mind was filled with nothing but the urge to slam the ball through it.
His utterly fearless, reckless strength was on full display. In