Kenji Fujima's role

With his wristbands on, Kenji Fujima strode confidently onto the court, high-fived Taku Ito, and took over as the team's point guard.

Seeing Kenji Fujima come onto the court, Toru Hanagata lowered his head in shame. "Sorry, Captain. I let you down."

"Don't say that, Hanagata. The real game has only just begun. Leave the rest to me." Kenji Fujima patted Toru Hanagata's shoulder and reached out to catch his teammate's inbound pass from the baseline.

Ryota Kudo focused intently on Kenji Fujima, who dribbled steadily in front of him. He knew his opponent's approach to offense very well, because he also possessed the special ability [On-court coach].

But Kenji Fujima was clearly better at using this ability.

Or rather, Shoyo's players trusted Kenji Fujima more. The team's entire aura changed the moment their captain stepped onto the court.

If Shoyo had merely been an ordinary strong team before, then with Kenji Fujima on the court, they truly became that national top-sixteen team.

"Let's score this one!" Kenji Fujima raised one finger high, and Shoyo's players immediately began moving into position.

Kaede Rukawa glanced at Ryota Kudo. Seeing that he had no new instructions, he hesitated before choosing to double-team Toru Hanagata.

The instant the opposing small forward, Mitsuru Nagano, got open, Kenji Fujima's pass was already in his hands.

Unlike his earlier lack of confidence and stiff shooting motion, Mitsuru Nagano's eyes were now filled with resolve. He decisively launched a three-pointer.

Ryota Kudo had been observing the changes in Shoyo since Kenji Fujima came onto the court, and now he understood.

Kenji Fujima's strength came not only from his sharp mind and outstanding basketball skills, but also from his standing in the hearts of Shoyo's players.

He was like a totem. As long as Kenji Fujima was on the court, Shoyo's performance improved by more than a notch without him needing to do much of anything.

Ryota Kudo could not learn something so mystical, nor did he dare rely on anything like it.

The moment he saw Mitsuru Nagano release the shot, Ryota Kudo knew it would go in. Without hesitation, he immediately sprinted toward Shoyo's half.

Since Kenji Fujima is their pillar of support, I'll start by taking you down.

While everyone else was still watching the basketball in flight, Ryota Kudo and Kenji Fujima were already running.

The basketball bounced off the rim and dropped through. Just as expected, the shot went in.

Takenori Akagi spotted Ryota Kudo, who had already crossed half court, and hurried to inbound the ball from the baseline.

Hisashi Mitsui caught the ball and hurled it downcourt. Already exhausted, his pass was slightly off target, and the ball dropped toward the space between Ryota Kudo and Kenji Fujima.

As he sprinted, Ryota Kudo kept an eye on the basketball's flight.

Ryota Kudo realized that the ball was not flying in the direction he was heading, but veering toward the left side of the court. He hurriedly changed his route.

This change allowed Kenji Fujima, who otherwise could not have caught up, to close the gap. Fearlessly, he contested the ball with Ryota Kudo.

Ryota Kudo stood 1.86 meters tall and weighed 75 kilograms, while Kenji Fujima was 1.78 meters tall and weighed 66 kilograms.

Physically, Ryota Kudo had far more than a slight advantage.

Even though Kenji Fujima gave it everything he had, Ryota Kudo still easily muscled him aside.

Without even jumping, Ryota Kudo reached out from his favorable position and caught the descending basketball.

At that moment, Ryota Kudo and Kenji Fujima were still the only two players in Shoyo's backcourt. No one else had gotten back on defense.

Without any hesitation, Ryota Kudo took his steps and scored an easy layup.

Despite being overpowered for a basket, Kenji Fujima's expression did not change at all. He calmly prepared to launch another attack.

Neither physical play nor defense was Kenji Fujima's strong suit. In past matchups against Kainan, Shinichi Maki had often used his body to take him on one-on-one.

To stop a powerful guard like this, Kenji Fujima needed help defense from his teammates.

This was hardly the first or second time he had been overpowered. Kenji Fujima was long accustomed to it, so he remained completely calm, without the slightest ripple.

Over the following minutes, Ryota Kudo witnessed just how formidable Kenji Fujima was. He linked the entire team together all by himself.

Shoyo's offense began to flow seamlessly, and their intensity on defense improved considerably as well.

Shohoku refused to back down either. Ryota Kudo repeatedly singled out Kenji Fujima in isolation, and whenever someone came over to help after he drove past, he passed promptly to create a shooting opportunity.

The first half ended at 46-42, with Shohoku taking a four-point lead into the second half.

However, in the five minutes since Kenji Fujima had entered the game, Shoyo had not lost ground. Instead, they had made up six points.

If things continued at this pace, Shohoku would not have the advantage.

The players from both teams prepared to leave the court for a rest. By now, Hisashi Mitsui was utterly drained, and both his legs were trembling nonstop.

Just as he was about to leave, Hisashi Mitsui heard Kazushi Hasegawa's mocking voice.

"Hey! Mitsui, you only scored two points in the first half, right? As long as I'm here, don't even think about scoring more than five this game!"

Hisashi Mitsui froze briefly, then continued off the court without responding to Kazushi Hasegawa.

However, Hisashi Mitsui's clenched fists showed that he was not nearly so calm inside. He simply wanted to prove himself on the court rather than get caught up in an argument.

Kazushi Hasegawa really was an odd one. Throughout the game, he had eyes for no one but Hisashi Mitsui. Even when Hisashi Mitsui did not have the ball, he kept watching Mitsui like a hawk.

Several times, even when Ryota Kudo successfully drove past his defender, Kazushi Hasegawa acted as though he had not seen it and refused to provide help defense, leaving that to his other teammates instead.

It was unclear whether this was because of a personal grudge between Kazushi Hasegawa and Hisashi Mitsui, or captain Kenji Fujima's tactical arrangements.

More likely, though, it was Kenji Fujima's tactical arrangement. Kazushi Hasegawa was an obedient player and probably would not act on his own.

Although this could not shut down the entire Shohoku team, it could make Hisashi Mitsui's stats look very ugly.

Inside Shohoku's locker room, all five starters sat panting heavily. They were all tired after playing the first half.

Apart from Hisashi Mitsui, however, the others were still doing all right. They could replenish their fluids while listening to Coach Anzai analyze their tactics.

Only Hisashi Mitsui, exhausted to his limit, felt so awful that he did not even want to drink water. A constant buzzing roar filled his head as well.

Standing in the center of the locker room, Coach Anzai actually had the clearest view of the situation. He could tell that Hisashi Mitsui's stamina had reached its limit.

"In the second half, Ryota Miyagi will play point guard, and Ryota Kudo will play shooting guard. Hisashi Mitsui, you'll come off and rest for now."

Hearing his name, Hisashi Mitsui raised his head in some confusion.

What did Coach Anzai just say? Something about taking me off to rest?

No! Absolutely not. I haven't proved to Kazushi Hasegawa that he can't guard me yet.

"I can do it, Coach Anzai. I can still play. Please believe in me!"