The basketball was passed precisely to Shimizu Seisaku.
He didn't hesitate at all, nor did he choose the three-pointer he was quite confident of.
That's not his preferred way of scoring.
His style is to break through, stop abruptly, and finish the fight with solid mid-range attacks.
Facing Kawamoto's defense, Shimizu Seisaku shifted his shoulder to the right.
Dribble with your right hand and accelerate.
The first step was swift and powerful, heading straight for the right flank.
But Kawamoto had already anticipated this.
The moment Shimizu sank his shoulder, Kawamoto's form already moved.
With swift footwork, he moved sideways, precisely blocking Shimizu's path of breakthrough.
Breakthrough blocked!
A hint of surprise flashed in Shimizu Seisaku's eyes, but his movements did not falter in the slightest.
In an instant, he pivoted on his left foot and turned to the right.
With a smooth turn, the basketball was pulled back from the right hand, attempting to break through from the left.
However, just as he turned around and the basketball was about to hit the ground again after leaving his hand, he was about to turn around.
An arm seemed to have been waiting there, cutting straight in.
Kawamoto anticipated the direction Shimizu would turn.
A lightning-fast shot is taken when the basketball is out of control of the Shimizu and at the most vulnerable point of transition between old and new dribbling techniques.
"Smack!"
A crisp clapping sound.
The basketball was cleanly and decisively knocked away, slipping out of control.
Steal!
Kawamoto immediately took control of the ball without hesitation, his eyes sweeping across the frontcourt like lightning.
Kaede Rukawa was like an arrow released from a bow, sprinting at full speed towards the frontcourt.
His start and Kawamoto's steal occurred almost simultaneously.
Kawamoto flicked out with his left hand, a long pass that spanned half the field.
Kaede Rukawa adjusted his footwork while running, caught the ball steadily, dribbled forward once, and took three steps.
"Bang!!!"
A powerful and devastating tomahawk dunk!
"Wow--!"
The Shohoku bench was finally ignited, and cheers surged like a tidal wave.
All eyes were on Kaede Rukawa.
They can no longer recall the precise anticipation steal and the long pass assist that preceded that dunk that ignited the entire arena.
But Kaede Rukawa remembers.
He landed after his dunk, his expression still cold, but when he turned and ran back to the backcourt, he went straight to Kawamoto.
He raised his hand and gave Kawamoto a firm high five as he approached.
"Well done."
Kaede Rukawa's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear and powerful.
Kawamoto merely nodded slightly, his gaze already shifting to Kazami's half of the field.
Shimizu Seisaku has now returned to their defensive position.
He turned his head and looked calmly at Kawamoto.
His face remained expressionless, as if he hadn't been the one whose ball had been stolen from him.
But deep within those calm eyes, a barely perceptible ripple flickered.
It's been cut off!
It doesn't matter!
As top offensive players, they all have an inherent sense of pride.
What you have taken from me, I will take back from you.
Chiba Hidekazu keenly noticed the changes in Shimizu.
He licked his lips, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
He knew that Shimizu was serious.
In the next possession, Chiba Hidekazu dribbled the ball across half-court and immediately looked for Shimizu Seisaku.
The ace's response after being provoked is the most crucial and also the most lethal.
But Kawamoto seemed to have already foreseen this.
He quickly adopted a frontal defense, using his strong physique and precise positioning.
They stood firmly between Shimizu and the passing lane, giving him no easy chance to receive the ball.
Want to play Answer Ball?
Sorry, I disagree!
"Tsk."
Chiba Hidekazu tried several times but was unable to safely pass the ball to Shimizu.
Damn it, that Kawamoto is absolutely despicable.
With time running out, he had no choice but to pass the ball to his teammate on the other side.
Kazami's attack was forced to change, and he ultimately made a hasty move that missed its mark.
Switching between offense and defense.
Shohoku team advanced quickly.
Kazami Academy continues to use a coordinated defense formation.
Shimizu Seisaku is now blocking Kawamoto's path. Weren't you going to stop me from receiving the ball?
Now it's your turn!
However, Kawamoto stood quietly outside the three-point line, like an old woman resting after a long walk, showing no intention of getting rid of Shimizu Seisaku.
His expression seemed to say, "Young man, are you tired? Let's stand and rest together."
Partnering with Kaede Rukawa often provides more offensive options.
Without Shimizu Seisaku's zone defense, Kawamoto had faith in Kaede Rukawa's one-on-one ability.
All he needs to do is appear at his sniping position and maintain the threat.
Shimizu Seisaku looked at Kawamoto, who was standing still, and then at Kaede Rukawa, who was in an attack stance and was about to break through Hidekazu's defenses with a single step.
He couldn't resist and immediately stepped forward to assist in the defense.
Then, in the next second, the ball flew precisely through the defense and into Kawamoto's hands.
Kawamoto receives the ball, bends his knees, and raises his hand.
They acted without hesitation!
Shimizu Seisaku is lunging at him with all his might.
It's too late!
Swish!
Three-pointer goes in.
Swish!!!
Hollow-core netting!
A 22-point deficit was whittled down to 14 points in the blink of an eye!
Kazami's attack turn.
Shimizu Seisaku tried to receive the ball using a screen, but Kawamoto stuck to his old tricks, sticking to him tightly.
But Coach Kazami had already made arrangements, and with the help of a solid screen, Shimizu finally received the pass.
He sneered, "Not letting me receive the ball? Is that even possible?"
The ace AnswerBaI might be late.
But they will never be absent!
However, just as he received the ball and adjusted his position...
Kawamoto's hand reappeared.
Snap!
Another precise slice.
The basketball bounced out of control.
Shimizu Seisaku leaped to make the save.
But Kawamoto was faster than him!
With a diving leap, he forcefully flicked the ball with his left hand.
The basketball is shot straight into the frontcourt.
There, Kaede Rukawa started at full speed again.
Catch the ball, take off, and the tomahawk strike reappears.
"Boom-!!!"
The rim groaned again.
Point difference, 12 points!
Takahashi Nanase was shocked.
" Kawamoto Kazuki isn't just a three-point shooter; his defense is top-notch too! He thwarted Seisaku's offense for three consecutive possessions! Steals! Assists! We all underestimated Kawamoto's defense!"
"These damn media outlets, their reporting is always one-sided!"
Attack Shohoku again.
Kaede Rukawa has the ball, Kazami and three others collapse into a zone defense.
As it turns out, Chiba Hidekazu couldn't stop Kaede Rukawa.
So he was assigned to guard against Kawamoto.
It's not that his defensive ability is better than Shimizu Seisaku's.
Compared to Shimizu Seisaku, he possesses additional defensive attributes.
Trash talk and underhanded tactics.
"You think you're a savior just because you made two three-pointers?"
Chiba Hidekazu kept ramming into her with his body, spewing out trash talk.
"I wasn't guarding you properly just now! Now, you can't even touch the ball!"
Kawamoto's heart is as still as water.
Trash talk?
It's nothing compared to having to pay tuition tomorrow, which is far more alarming.
He took the initiative and darted out in a lightning-fast counter-run.
An empty space has appeared.
Kaede Rukawa's pass arrived in an instant.
Kawamoto catches the ball and jumps.
But Chiba Hidekazu and lunged forward, his right arm slashing fiercely at Kawamoto's face.
Although it was stopped at the last moment, the realistic malice was still palpable.
However, Kawamoto's shooting motion remained unchanged.
"Whoosh!"
He hit another three-pointer!
The score difference is 9 points.
Kawamoto landed.
There was no angry roar, nor did he go to the referee to appeal.
That feint aimed at his face was a blatant threat and insult, crossing the line of acceptable conduct on the court.
He simply gave Chiba Hidekazu a deep look with those eerily calm eyes.
There was no anger in his eyes, but it seemed to say: I'll remember you.
Chiba Hidekazu felt a chill run down his spine under that gaze, but it was quickly replaced by an even stronger desire to provoke him.
"Scared? Coward!"
He chuckled softly and turned to join the attack.
However, the roles of hunter and prey can sometimes switch silently.