Ryota Miyagi landed back on the ground, his disdainful expression still frozen on his face.
That ball just now...
He clearly judged the timing correctly and jumped to the highest point...
But...
Out of reach!
How could that kind of release height be possible?
Is this reasonable?
Hanamichi Sakuragi was the first to react, letting out a deafening cheer. "Great shot! Kawamoto- nii was so cool!"
"That shorty is hilarious! You think you can block Kawamoto? Dream on!"
He knew Kawamoto's jumping ability all too well.
A dunk from the free-throw line with almost no running start.
He also tried it after he got to know basketball better.
With my incredible jumping ability, my hand landed some distance from the rim.
Besides, that short, stout guy!
He had never seen Kawamoto shoot a three-pointer before, but seeing such a clean and decisive shot in person still excited him immensely.
He even recalled what Kawamoto Kazuki had said.
"Imagine if you not only had a reliable shot, but also could use your speed and strength to force your way through the defense and attack the basket, just like a small forward..."
"Then you'll become the nightmare of every defender you face!"
"A shooting guard who can shoot and drive, and possesses the characteristics of a swingman, is the most threatening."
This is the consistent shooting ability that Kawamoto Kazuki was talking about!
Sakuragi became even more determined in the growth path that Kawamoto Kazuki had set for him.
Takenori Akagi gasped, utterly shocked.
It wasn't a fluke!
It's definitely not a fluke!
Such release height, speed, and accuracy are simply impossible to achieve without countless hours of practice.
This Kawamoto Kazuki...
He's no beginner at all; he's a true ace!
Even Kaede Rukawa's icy face showed a rare hint of emotion.
He stared intently at Kawamoto Kazuki, his fighting spirit intensifying.
He was almost certain that the last time he fought Kawamoto Kazuki bullfight, his opponent hadn't used his full strength at all.
hateful!
Do you look down on me?
Kaede Rukawa secretly vowed to make Kawamoto Kazuki use his full strength so that he could have a real fight.
Everyone from Shohoku except for Kakuta, who hadn't opened his eyes, was petrified.
Wow, he really knows how to shoot threes!
But this is only the first goal; there's definitely an element of luck involved...
Kawamoto Kazuki's expression remained completely unchanged after scoring the goal.
He picked up the ball from the ground and walked back to the three-point line.
Looking at Ryota Miyagi was still somewhat dazed.
"Senior, I'm going to vote again."
His voice remained calm.
Ryota Miyagi suddenly snapped out of his daze and looked at Kawamoto's calm, expressionless face.
A sudden surge of inexplicable anger welled up inside him.
His eyes became incredibly serious.
"That last shot... was pretty lucky."
Miyagi said through gritted teeth.
But he knew in his heart that this big guy was quite capable!
Miyagi showed no sign of underestimating his opponent this time; he kept his eyes fixed on Kawamoto.
The goal was to use his speed to intercept the ball from Kawamoto 'Kawamoto Kazuki hands the instant he jumped.
However, he only blinked, Kawamoto Kazuki had already jumped!
You must be kidding!
Jumping so fast?
Miyagi followed suit, leaping up with all his might and desperately reaching upwards.
He vowed that this time he would jump higher than the first time.
But...
The basketball seems even further away now!
Kawamoto shot with complete ease, as if he were unguarded.
With a gentle flick of the wrist, the basketball once again traced a beautiful arc.
Swish!
Another swivel into the net!
The crisp sound of the net being swished echoed through the quiet stadium.
6:0!
Ryota Miyagi landed, his face looking extremely pale.
If Miyagi felt he hadn't tried his best after the first three points, then...
That second three-pointer was a complete and utter domination.
It's a complete domination in terms of height difference and jumping ability.
Hanamichi Sakuragi was so excited he almost jumped up, but Akagi held him down firmly.
Kaede Rukawa clenched his fist tightly.
At that height, if I were the one defending him, would I be able to reach the ball?
Takenori Akagi had nothing more to say.
Um...
It's great to have Kawamoto in Shohoku.
After scoring, Kawamoto Kazuki remained expressionless.
He silently walked over, picked up the ball that had fallen to the ground, and walked back to the three-point line.
He still had possession of the ball.
"Senior, please continue."
His voice was devoid of any emotion, but to Miyagi at that moment, it sounded like the loudest slap in the face.
Ryota Miyagi shook his head violently, trying to dispel the turmoil in his heart.
He felt his palms were sweating.
No, impossible!
It must be a coincidence!
How can a big guy have such accurate three-pointers?
He took a deep breath.
This time, he decided to stop staying close and instead leave half a step, focusing on defending against drives but not shots!
He bet that Kawamoto didn't have the ability to hit consecutive three-pointers.
I also bet that his dribbling and penetration skills are average.
You can use your speed and agility to intercept or interfere with the ball.
Miyagi assumed a throwing stance to defend against a sudden attack, his eyes fixed on Kawamoto's shoulders and knees.
Miyagi inbounds the ball to him, Kawamoto Kazuki receives it two steps outside the three-point line.
He glanced at the Miyagi's defensive formation and seemed to understand the opponent's intentions.
Without hesitation, he received the ball two steps from the three-point line, jumped up and shot.
Pull-up jumper!
There were no prior actions, no warnings whatsoever.
Just before Miyagi realized what was happening and instinctively tried to pounce on him to block the shot.
The basketball flew from his fingertips like an arrow.
Miyagi jumped with all his might, but his fingertips were far from the trajectory of the basketball.
That speed of attack, that unwavering confidence, sent a chill down his spine.
The basketball traced a very high arc in the air and fell precisely towards the basket.
Swish--!!!
The third three-pointer!
It's still a hollow entry point!
9:0!
The match is over.
"Boom--!"
After a brief silence, the entire basketball arena erupted in cheers.
It wasn't cheers, but a shock that almost burst the roof off!
"Another... another one? Three three-pointers in a row?"
"Two steps beyond the three-point line, my god! What kind of accuracy is that?"
" Miyagi- senpai was completely overwhelmed! He couldn't even interfere!"
Hanamichi Sakuragi finally broke free from Akagi's grasp, excitedly waving his arms and rushing to Miyagi, pointing at him and laughing, "Hahaha! See that, you shorty!"
"This is the skill of my genius master, Kawamoto! A perfect 100% three-point shooting accuracy!"
The phrase "hitting the bullseye every time" sounds exaggerated, but at this moment, no one thought he was talking nonsense.
Takenori Akagi felt like his heart was about to jump out of his throat.
He gripped Kogure's arm tightly, his voice trembling. " Kogure... did you... did you see that? Three three-pointers in a row! One of them was from way beyond the arc! Is he... is he even human?"
The absurd combination of Kawamoto's conjecture that had been in his mind was now becoming a reality in the most shocking way.
Unbeatable strength, terrifying leaping ability, accurate long passes, and now, add to that a reliable three-pointer that ignores defense and has an extremely long range!
This... this guy is practically a one-dimensional warrior!
Kiminobu Kogure was completely dumbfounded; he even forgot to adjust his glasses, which had slipped down to the tip of his nose.
He muttered to himself, "Unbelievable... utterly unbelievable..."
Kaede Rukawa stood to the side with his arms crossed, staring at Kawamoto Kazuki with a wary look in his eyes, as if facing a formidable enemy.
This guy...
It was far more terrifying than he had imagined.
Ryota Miyagi, who was being pointed at by Sakuragi, stood there dumbfounded.
He watched the basketball roll toward the sidelines again, then looked up at the rim.
Finally, our gaze fell upon Kawamoto Kazuki, who remained expressionless even after sinking three three-pointers.
He felt his mind go blank, his ears were ringing, and the world seemed to have lost its color.
Lost?
Did we really lose just like that?
9:0?
My head was shaved?
The opponent finished the game cleanly and decisively with three fast, accurate, and powerful shots.
He didn't even make a single decent defensive play?
The massive impact rendered Miyagi temporarily unable to react.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but found his throat too dry to make a sound.
Kawamoto Kazuki looked at Miyagi's distraught appearance.
After hesitating for a moment, I seemed to feel that I should say something.
He thought for a moment, then said in a calm but serious tone:
"Senior, your defense is very aggressive, and your speed is also very fast..."
Miyagi looked up at him blankly.
Kawamoto Kazuki paused, then continued earnestly:
"However, my three-point shooting percentage is still decent when I'm unguarded."
"My worst practice ever; I missed seven out of a hundred shots in a row."
"Of course, I still need to continue practicing."
Miyagi: Wait! No one's defending me? What am I then? A shorty?
The entire stadium fell silent once again.
Even Sakuragi's cheer got stuck in his throat.
Takenori Akagi was completely numb.
Kiminobu Kogure's glasses finally fell off completely.
The underdogs on the bench were once again completely stunned.
Out of 100 balls, only seven were lost?
The hit rate is acceptable?
The worst one yet?
Do I still need to practice harder?
Listen to this! Listen to this! Is this even human language?!
Ryota Miyagi was completely dumbfounded.
He stared blankly at Kawamoto Kazuki's incredibly sincere face.
There was no hint of smugness or mockery on that face.
Only the earnestness of stating the facts.
Ryota Miyagi felt his self-confidence shattered in that moment.
Compared to this guy, what am I but a fleeting spark?
I'm just a sloth!
People who are so much better than me are working so hard, what's the point of me even trying?
I might as well just lie down!