It's obvious that everyone hasn't had enough yet.
arrive.
Everyone was hoping that Kiyota could hold on a little longer, after all, his fearless spirit and indomitable tenacity were really inspiring to watch!
However, to be fair, Kaede Rukawa was actually quite exhausted at this point. Although he had been consciously controlling the pace, the depletion of his stamina was real, and besides, Kiyota was incredibly resilient, like a piece of Sticky Candy that he couldn't shake off.
From this perspective, the next attack might actually be a relief for both of them, who have pushed themselves to their limits.
Kaede Rukawa dribbled the ball slowly, adjusting his breathing.
Nobunaga Kiyota bent down and slapped the floor twice with both hands, raising a little dust.
"Come on, Kaede Rukawa!"
He yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice hoarse from exhaustion.
"Wow!! Kiyota still seems to have electricity!"
" Kiyota!! Go for it! If you can stop this shot, you'll have a chance to turn things around!"
The audience on the sidelines was instantly ignited by his action, and they all roared. This kid is really tough; even though he looks like he's about to fall apart, the flame in his eyes hasn't gone out at all. That slapping motion on the ground seems like he's giving himself one last burst of fierce strength in his exhaustion.
Regardless of the outcome, Nobunaga Kiyota's performance today has been thoroughly etched into everyone's minds.
Kaede Rukawa didn't waste any more time, taking the ball and making a strong run down the right flank!
With the final shot on, he chose the safest, closest-to-the-basket method to end the game.
Bang!
Their bodies collided solidly.
Nobunaga Kiyota's face instantly contorted into a grimace, looking somewhat frightening, yet he actually managed to withstand it! He crossed his arms in front of his chest, desperately bracing himself against Kaede Rukawa, his calf muscles bulging like lumps of iron from the force he exerted.
" Kiyota! Let's do it!"
This was the first time in the entire match that Shinichi Maki had addressed the players on the field. He hadn't originally intended to say anything more during the game; he had already given his instructions, and the players had to rely on themselves once they were on the field. But given the current situation, he simply couldn't hold back.
Kiyota's attitude is exactly what I like! He believes in the law of the jungle: if you're not prepared to fight with everything, you deserve to be eliminated. On the court, there are only two kinds of people: winners and those who are willing to risk everything to win!
Clearly, Kiyota has achieved this. He seems to have forgotten about winning or losing, and even his own health, with only the purest desire for victory remaining in his eyes.
The two men clashed and rolled forward, their muscles colliding and grinding against each other, each collision a close contest. In a real match, the whistle would have blown long ago, but here, it became the powder keg that ignited the entire arena. Every impact was met with a deafening roar from the audience.
They were like two magnets of the same polarity, desperately resisting the force of mutual repulsion.
Kaede Rukawa squeezed himself near the three-second zone and started his run. But at this point, it was impossible to easily get past him in two steps. As soon as he took his first step, Kiyota blocked his path with his body.
With no other option, Kaede Rukawa had to temporarily switch to a throwing shot.
The moment the ball left his hands, Kiyota immediately turned halfway, using his back to firmly block Kaede Rukawa, ready to fight for the rebound.
The battle between the two instantly shifted from having the ball to a grueling off-ball struggle, making the scene even more intense. Kiyota almost tore Kaede Rukawa's jersey to shreds, and Kaede Rukawa was equally determined, subtly pressing his elbow against Kiyota's ribs, neither willing to back down an inch.
When~
The basketball hit the rim and bounced vertically.
They both groaned simultaneously, managing to jump up as they pulled each other. But before they reached their highest point, they both lost their balance.
Sizzle...
Kiyota suddenly ripped a huge hole in Kaede Rukawa's jersey!
Kiyota himself, having suddenly lost his footing, fell backward.
Kaede Rukawa kept his eyes on the ball. Even as his body was falling uncontrollably, he still stretched out his arm and forcefully flicked the ball towards the basket at the last moment!
" Kiyota!"
Shinichi Maki cried out in surprise and darted forward like an arrow. Kiyota was falling headfirst, clearly having lost all strength to control his body.
If that head had hit the ground directly, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
Shirasawa and the others all stood up abruptly, their eyes wide open, but it was too late to rush over and save them.
Even Shinichi Maki, who is closest, probably can't catch up.
Thank goodness!
Just as he was about to hit the ground, Kiyota suddenly straightened his neck and raised his head!
His shoulders and upper back slammed heavily onto the floor, the pain contorting his face.
Almost simultaneously, Kaede Rukawa also slammed horizontally to the ground, making just as much noise as Kiyota.
Even so, both of them kept their eyes fixed on the basketball, as if they had temporarily forgotten the pain.
The basketball bounced a few times on the rim before finally rolling into the net.
beep!!
The referee, who seemed to have been setting up the entire match, finally blew his whistle. Throughout the game, he was basically a VIP spectator, enjoying the best view without ever using his whistle once.
And that single whistle signaled the end.
With this goal, Kaede Rukawa became the first to reach 100 points, and this 40-minute 100-Point Battle for 100 points finally came to an end.
The fans erupted in wild cheers and shouts.
The 40-minute battle was incredibly intense, with a truly breathtaking result. Some viewers were so engrossed that their jaws clenched until they ached, as they were pushing themselves along with the two players throughout the entire match.
Many female fans in the stands had tears in their eyes. They couldn't say for sure who they felt sorry for, but they just felt a pang of heartache.
But if you ask them whether the competition should be stopped, the answer will be unanimous—no! Absolutely not!
If it weren't for the Tetsuo team sticking to their posts along the stands, excited fans would probably have already rushed onto the field by now.
The fans didn't rush in, but Shinichi Maki and Shirasawa were the first to rush in. After all, that last fall was really hard; Kaede Rukawa and Kiyota both landed solidly on the floor.
" Kiyota! How are you feeling?"
Shinichi Maki quickly ran to Kiyota's side and squatted down, his tone filled with anxiety.
Kiyota lay motionless on his back, his face deathly pale.
" Shirasawa, is the team doctor here?"
Shinichi Maki remained relatively calm and did not rush to help Kiyota, fearing that he might cause further injury.
"Coming, coming, don't rush."
As soon as Shirasawa finished speaking, the team doctor came running over with a box and quickly bent down to check on Kiyota's condition.
In contrast, Kaede Rukawa fared much better. Although he also fell quite hard, it was only a matter of skin and flesh aches, and he even had a smile on his face. His tattered jersey was the most accurate reflection of the entire game.
However, to be fair, this kind of victory, fought to the very end, is much more exciting than a casual 100-0 rout!
"Is he alright?"
Kaede Rukawa struggled to sit up, and his first question was about Kiyota's condition. After this battle, he had come to respect Kiyota, not so much for his skill, but more for his indomitable spirit.
After all, the final score difference was still nearly 30 points.
"Hey... I'd play a hundred more balls if you wanted."
Kiyota finally spoke, his voice weak but his words firm.
These words relieved the team doctor and Shinichi Maki who were standing nearby.
"I'm really fine, Maki." Kiyota forced a smile. "I'm just so tired I barely have the energy to talk."
Although he knew he had lost, he still had a smile on his face and could even crack a joke. This was completely different from his demeanor when he lost games before.
"You haven't lost if you've beaten yourself."
Shinichi Maki patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction. In his opinion, Kiyota did win the match, but he didn't win against his opponent; he won against his past self.
At that moment, Kaede Rukawa reached out and pulled Kiyota up from the ground.
Only after moving did Kiyota realize how sore his whole body was, making him grimace in pain.
The entire audience gave the two players a thunderous round of applause. Today's match was incredibly exciting and thrilling.
"The winner of the first match of the 100-Point Battle — Kaede Rukawa!"
"But let's also give a round of applause to the challenger, Nobunaga Kiyota!"
With Ichiro Katsumi's announcement, the atmosphere reached its final climax.
Shirasawa tossed the basketball high into the air.
By this time, the Taiyo had completely set, and under the court lights, the basketball looked like a slowly rising red sun, illuminating everyone who loves basketball.
About an hour after the match ended.
Most fans had already left, but with the Tetsuo Corps maintaining order, it was difficult to leave without queuing. Staff were also busy dismantling equipment and clearing the venue.
Kiyota was chatting with Kaede Rukawa, Michael Okita. He quickly became familiar with the team members, laughing and joking with them.
Of course, Hanamichi Sakuragi's sarcastic remarks were indispensable. He seized on the issue of physical fitness, taking turns mocking Kiyota and Kaede Rukawa...
Finally, with Fujima's mediation, Hanamichi Sakuragi reluctantly went to help the staff dismantle the stage. Before leaving, he even dragged the completely innocent Ichiro Katsumi along.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shinichi Maki found Shirasawa and directly issued a challenge.
" Shirasawa, let me fight you next time."
"You have to register according to the procedures," Shirasawa replied with an official statement. "But I can't guarantee whether you'll actually play in the end."
The final interpretation of the 100-Point Battle belongs to the team, although everyone knows this in their hearts, but it can't be said outright.
"Okay, don't keep me waiting too long."
Shinichi Maki smiled knowingly. In his opinion, if he were to choose an opponent in Kanagawa Prefecture, Shirasawa would definitely want to fight him the most. As for the others, they probably weren't qualified.
Then Shinichi Maki opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but swallowed the words back.
Shirasawa, of course, didn't see through his thoughts.
"You have something to say?"
"No."
"Then why did you look like you wanted to say something but couldn't?"
"Ugh... I'm so full, I burp."
The first round of the 100-Point Battle has come to a successful conclusion.
This match directly proved the value of the event. Fans are already looking forward to the second match, and even Michael Okita has received some calls – many people want to see just how capable this mixed-race player really is.
That evening, Shirasawa's team went out for dinner to celebrate.