Just thirty seconds into the game, it was 5–0.
The Miuradai High School players wore expressions of utter confusion and shock.
Their vaunted pressure defense was as fragile as a sheet of window paper before that white-haired boy, breaking at the slightest poke.
"Wh... what happened?"
"That number 1 is way too fast, isn't he?!"
"And number 14, Kaede Rukawa... that dunk of his..."
On the court, Miuradai captain Kengo Murase's face was dark enough to drip water. Every plan they had made before the game had been shattered in those brief thirty seconds.
He took a deep breath and forcibly calmed himself down.
"Steady yourselves! Don't panic!" Murasame growled at his stunned teammates. "It's only two baskets! Their offensive cores are number 1 and number 14! The others are nothing to worry about!"
His gaze swept across Shohoku's lineup before settling on Hanamichi Sakuragi, the redhead currently sulking because he had failed to steal the spotlight.
"See that? That red-haired monkey, number 10, is Shohoku's weak point!" Murasame's voice carried a hint of malice. "He's a complete amateur! We'll open things up through him! Our way!"
"Our way..."
At those words, the Miuradai players' eyes changed instantly. Their earlier panic was replaced by a familiar, chilly malice. They exchanged glances, wicked smiles curling across their lips.
In the stands, Ryonan scout Hikoichi Aida was scribbling furiously.
"This is incredible! Shohoku is so strong this year! That rookie named Shirakawa, his court vision and passing ability are practically monstrous! And Kaede Rukawa, his drive to attack and scoring ability..."
Beside him, his older sister Yayoi Aida wore a grave expression. She had keenly sensed the change in the atmosphere on the court.
"Hikoichi, watch Miuradai's movements carefully," she said in a low voice. "This team... doesn't play very clean."
Possession