Warm-Up's Over—I'm Getting Serious!

When Shirakawa said, "I'm getting serious," every Shohoku player froze.

Warm-up?

You called that a warm-up?

Ryota Miyagi was the first to snap out of it. He looked at Shirakawa as though he were staring at a monster. "Hey, hey, hey, Shirakawa, you're joking, right? In the first half, you dished out assists, gave block warnings, and even dunked off that idiot Sakuragi's 'assist.' And you call that a warm-up?"

"Yeah." Shirakawa nodded as if it were only natural. "Just loosening up, getting familiar with the court and the opponents. What else would it be?"

Miyagi: "..."

Fuck, I actually had no comeback.

Takenori Akagi also had black lines all over his face. This guy was getting more and more masterful at showing off.

Yet for some reason, hearing those words miraculously calmed the frustration and anxiety in Akagi's heart after being utterly crushed by Sendoh.

That was right. They still had Shirakawa.

This unfathomable guy had said he was getting serious. That meant he definitely had a way to turn things around!

Kaede Rukawa also silently glanced at Shirakawa. He said nothing, but a trace of anticipation appeared in those flame-burning eyes.

Only Hanamichi Sakuragi was still immersed in the joy of his "Century Assist." He hurried up to Shirakawa and spoke as if seeking credit. "Lord Shirakawa! You're getting serious next? Great! Do you need another Century Assist from me? I feel like I've just grasped a new secret technique!"

"Get lost." Shirakawa rolled his eyes at him without mercy.

"Enough nonsense. Listen to me."

For the first time, Shirakawa's expression became incomparably serious.

His gaze swept across every teammate. His voice was not loud, yet it carried an authority that could not be questioned.

"Captain Akagi, don't worry about Uozumi anymore. Stay under the basket. I need you to completely control the airspace."

"Senior Miyagi, don't think about anything. Just one word: run! Run at your fastest speed, without stopping!"

"Senior Kogure, stand in the corner and wait for my pass."

"Kaede Rukawa." Shirakawa looked at Rukawa. "Same for you. Go to the other corner. Stop tangling with Sendoh."

"As for Sakuragi..." Shirakawa looked at Sakuragi, thought for a moment, then said, "Stand under the basket. When the ball comes down, use that genius head of yours to knock it in."

Sakuragi: "???" Use his head? Was that how basketball was played?

Shirakawa's tactical arrangement was simple and brutal, even somewhat baffling.

Yet at this moment, not a single person raised an objection.

Because they saw something in Shirakawa's eyes.

An absolute desire for victory, and absolute control over the situation!

"Do you all understand?" Shirakawa asked.

"Understood!"

The Shohoku players answered in unison.

Their voices had never been so loud or resolute!

Beeep—!

Shohoku's timeout ended.

The game resumed.

There were 58 seconds left in the first half.

Shohoku had possession for the final attack.

Shirakawa dribbled the ball and slowly crossed half court.

Every Ryonan player focused his gaze on him.

Akira Sendoh even abandoned Kaede Rukawa and stepped up to face Shirakawa himself!

He had a strong premonition.

For this possession, this man would definitely do it himself!

"Finally done hiding in the back and watching the show?" Sendoh looked at Shirakawa, a smile curling across his lips.

"I've seen enough of the show. It's time to step onto the stage myself and stretch a little." Shirakawa shrugged, looking completely relaxed.

The atmosphere between the two instantly became razor-sharp!

The entire audience held its breath.

They knew the real show was only beginning now!

Shirakawa began to dribble.

His dribbling was completely different from his previous lazy manner!

Fast!

Unbelievably fast!

The basketball seemed to become a living sprite in his hands. Every impact against the floor produced a heart-pounding sound!

Daiki Aomine's [Ultra-High-Speed Dribbling]!

Sendoh's pupils suddenly contracted!

He felt as if he were not facing a high school student, but an ancient beast poised to strike!

He focused every bit of his attention, not daring to relax in the slightest!

Then Shirakawa moved!

At a speed the naked eye could barely follow, he forcefully drove toward Sendoh's left!

Startled, Sendoh immediately slid sideways, trying to keep up with his rhythm!

Yet at the instant his center of gravity shifted—

Shirakawa's body came to a sudden stop at an angle that defied all physical logic!

Then came a behind-the-back dribble!

The basketball passed through Sendoh's legs!

A split between man and ball!

"What?!"

Sendoh's mind went blank!

The defense he had always been so proud of was torn apart as easily as paper before this man!

By the time he came to his senses, Shirakawa had already streaked into Ryonan's paint like a bolt of white lightning!

"Stop him!"

Coach Taoka roared himself hoarse from the sidelines!

Jun Uozumi let out a furious roar and stood in front of Shirakawa like a wall!

He would use his body to defend Ryonan's last shred of dignity!

Shirakawa looked at the giant over two meters tall before him without the slightest fear on his face.

Instead, the corners of his mouth lifted into an excited, almost cruel smile.

He did not slow down. He gathered the ball and leaped!

He was going to slam it home over this giant!

Everyone thought this would be a brutal clash like a meteor striking the earth!

Yet just as Shirakawa's body was about to collide with Uozumi's in midair—

Shirakawa suddenly performed an incomprehensible, utterly unbelievable move in the air!

He actually pulled the ball back, then his entire body drifted behind the backboard!

What was he doing?!

A huge question mark rose in everyone's mind.