An orange streak, even more beautiful than Hisashi Mitsui's shooting arc, flew towards the basket.
"Whoosh--!"
Hollow-core netting!
The crisp sound could be clearly heard in the suddenly quiet stadium.
37:15.
Hiroshi Natsume's pupils contracted sharply, Tomokazu Godai's confident expression froze instantly.
Cheers erupted from the Shohoku bench as Kawamoto- kun unleashed a three-pointer!
Hanamichi Sakuragi jumped up. "Did you see that! You blond bastard! This is the power of my brother Kawamoto!"
Nango, however, had an indifferent expression, even more composed than the referee, as if he was just there to make up the numbers.
The Tsukubu team's attack failed, and Shohoku grabbed the rebound.
The ball was quickly passed around and ended up in the hands of Kawamoto Kazuki at a 45-degree angle on the wing.
This time, Natsume dared not let go completely.
He rushed forward hesitantly, his steps noticeably slower than usual.
Kawamoto caught the ball and, without pausing or even looking at him, jumped up again from the spot.
"Whoosh--!"
Another win!
Second shot, second three-pointer.
40:15.
"Impossible..."
Tomokazu Godai muttered to himself.
His tactics and his judgment seemed like a joke in the face of those two casual shots from the opponent.
Tsukubu's morale visibly collapsed.
They managed to pass the ball to Koichiro Nango in the paint.
Under immense pressure, Nango used his skill to get past Akagi and managed to score a hard-fought goal.
40:17.
Shohoku attacked, and the ball once again found Kawamoto Kazuki, who was two steps outside the three-point line.
Ignoring the captain's instructions, Natsume lunged forward with all his might, his hand almost touching Kawamoto's chin.
Kawamoto ignored Natsume in front of him and attacked again, facing the block.
"Whoosh--!"
A third three-pointer!
43:17!
Kenji Fujima and Toru Hanagata stood up involuntarily, their faces filled with shock.
"This... this is unreasonable!"
Hanagata's voice was a little hoarse. "Such a big guy, such mobility, and that catch-and-shoot three-pointer that ignores defense... how is that possible..."
Fujima didn't answer; he stared intently at number 15, who was calmly walking towards the bench.
For the first time, I felt a threat that was beyond my imagination.
Are we really going to play Shohoku in the next game?
Was the grouping table filled out incorrectly?
The usual calm on Shinichi Maki's face completely vanished.
His gaze sharpened, fixing intently on Kawamoto Kazuki.
His fingers tapped lightly on his knees unconsciously, as if he were calculating something.
This player, number 15, has shown more than just the ability to shoot three-pointers.
That's a terrifying finishing ability that ignores the defensive environment.
No way! I have to talk to him during halftime and try to recruit him to Kainan!
Sanae Nakagawa, who had just been confident that she had seen through the truth, now had only a blank expression on her beautiful face.
Overwhelmed with shock, the camera in his hand fell to the ground with a thud.
All she could see was the back of number 15, who, in less than a minute, had ruthlessly extinguished any suspense in the game with three three-pointers.
Weak offense, strong defense?
Special talent?
What a joke!
She felt like a complete clown.
Godai's judgment?
That was merely a catalyst that Tsukubu's demise!
Her previous analysis?
They were pitifully weak in the face of the opponent's overwhelming three-point shooting ability.
This isn't a case of having a particular talent.
This is a monster.
They are capable of dominating the game on both offense and defense.
Trampling on all notions of tactics, teamwork, and rationality...
A real monster!
Coach Kawasaki of Tsukubu did not call a timeout immediately.
He couldn't think of an effective way to limit Kawamoto Kazuki.
Tsukubu attacks.
Perhaps fueled by a pent-up anger, Tomokazu Godai dribbled the ball past half-court.
It was a good distance from the three-point line.
Facing Hisashi Mitsui's tired defense, he threw a powerful pitch!
The basketball traced a high arc, bounced high off the front edge of the rim, and soared into the air.
It bounced around several times before finally managing to roll into the net.
43:20.
"Nice shot!"
Scattered words of encouragement came from the bench of Tsukubu, but Godai himself showed no joy on his face.
He knew it was pure luck.
His shot was rushed and the arc was forced; it wasn't even on the same level as the consistent shooting style of Shohoku's number 15.
You'd be lucky to get one in ten of those shots in the basket.
"We can't let any more go!"
Godai, panting, shouted to Hiroshi Natsume, who had just been face-shot by Kawamoto.
" Natsume, we absolutely cannot let him make a move now."
"I know, but Captain, I can't defend against it!"
"If one person can't defend, then two will!"
"As long as he gets the ball, we'll all go for it! Double-team him in midfield! We have to stop his momentum no matter what!"
Shohoku's attack resulted in the ball being passed to Kawamoto Kazuki, who was positioned in the backcourt.
Kawamoto receives the ball, his eyes searching for Mitsui in the attacking third.
Mitsui had already taken his position, but he was holding his knees and panting heavily.
Kawamoto made his judgment.
" Mitsui- senpai has reached his limit."
"Forget it, let's handle this ourselves."
He looked up and gazed ahead.
It was only then that Tsukubu's Hiroshi Natsume and Tomokazu Godai had already positioned themselves near the center line.
They positioned themselves in a two-man defensive formation, one in front and one behind.
Their eyes were resolute, their bodies tense.
A very determined defensive attitude.
Kawamoto calmly assessed the situation.
Faced with this level of double-teaming...
He began to move forward, dribbling the ball slowly and heavily.
After three steps, the dribbling rhythm suddenly accelerated, and power burst forth!
"Boom--!"
Kawamoto seemed to transform from a slow-moving tractor into a heavy tank going full speed ahead in an instant!
His aura shifted from calm to explosive in an instant.
Carrying a terrifying, overwhelming force, it charged wildly toward the two men who were waiting in ambush at the center line.
accelerate!
Accelerate again!
In Natsume and Godai's vision, the white figure resembled a collapsing white mountain, carrying a suffocating gale, and crashing towards them.
The world seemed to tremble with his every step.
It was a dual impact, both visual and psychological, brought about by pure power and speed.
"Captain, Captain... I, I..."
Hiroshi Natsume's legs began to go weak, and his teeth chattered uncontrollably.
Facing such a savage, behemoth-like charge requires immense courage.
And his courage was being rapidly drained away...
"Hold on tight, Natsume! He won't dare hit you; hitting you would be a foul!"
Tomokazu Godai roared behind him, his voice trembling.
But he forced himself to stand behind Natsume: "I'm behind you, your strongest support! Take the first hit!"
"Backup? I... I'd rather you be my human shield in front of me!!!"
Natsume screamed in despair.
But his sense of responsibility to the team made him grit his teeth and prepare to face the inevitable and unavoidable impact!
Go for it!!!
Kawamoto's calculations are very clear.
Using speed and weight, a sharp, preemptive change of direction is enough to shake off Natsume's center of gravity.
If Godai helps on defense, he can draw a foul and get a 3+1 opportunity, maximizing the offensive score.
The plan was perfect, and the execution was decisive.
He rushed to within a step of Natsume and slammed his left foot into the ground.
The power is transferred from the ankles to the waist and abdomen, and all the muscles in the body work together to prepare for a large-scale change of direction in front of the body.
Just as he pushed off with his left foot and his center of gravity was about to shift, at the critical moment!
"Sizzle--!"
A strange sound of fabric tearing through rubber suddenly exploded from beneath his feet.
His cheap basketball shoes, which he hadn't worn long, bore the full impact of starting, accelerating, and extreme changes of direction...
The connection between the sole and the upper was as if it had been torn apart by an invisible force, and suddenly it exploded!
The supporting leg instantly lost its balance!
A rare look of astonishment flashed across Kawamoto's eyes.
The immense forward momentum and the sudden loss of control created a fatal contradiction.
First and foremost, protect your ankles!
His incredibly strong core muscles were working frantically.
Instead of resisting the reaction force beneath their feet, they try to rush forward with inertia.
That enormous body, like a runaway war machine, hurtled toward Natsume with terrifying force, as Tomokazu Godai contracted in horror!