The Powerful Akagiri

Akagi made two consecutive crossovers, the ball switching rapidly between his hands. Takenori Akagi's pupils constricted as his gaze locked onto the basketball's path, every muscle tensed, ready to cut off either a drive or a passing lane.

The next instant, Chi Tong drew his right hand back, pulling the ball behind him.

Was it a behind-the-back dribble, or a pass using the momentum?

Takenori Akagi immediately shifted his gaze to the other side, staring intently at where the ball might emerge.

But one second passed, then two. The basketball never appeared.

There was no sound of a pass, no teammate receiving it. Only Akagi stood there, quietly watching him.

There was no ball!

A violent jolt ran through Akagi as he snapped back to his senses, but when he looked up again, he was struck as if by lightning.

Chi Tong's hands were empty. There was no trace of the ball in front of him, behind him, to his left, or to his right.

But he had not blinked. He had not looked away. How could the basketball have vanished into thin air?

"I told you."

Chi Tong's voice rang out again, still calm.

"Against Shohoku, passing is all I need."

As soon as he finished speaking, he slowly turned around and began heading back.

At that very moment, Takenori Akagi's eyes flew wide open. Behind Chi Tong, Yueye Hongming had already gathered the ball in both hands and leaped high into the air, his shooting motion complete.

The basketball traced a beautiful arc, silently passing over Takenori Akagi's head. A crisp swish followed as it dropped cleanly through the net.

The entire court fell into an eerie silence.

Shohoku's players stood frozen in place, as though their souls had been ripped away.

Takenori Akagi pressed both hands to