Regardless of who loses, it's a blow to the morale of the losing team. If Coach Taoka knew, he'd probably want to devour Kaede Rukawa whole.
Takenori Akagi was the first to object, stepping forward with a stern face. "Nonsense! If we're going to compete, let's wait until the semifinals and have a fair fight!"
Kaede Rukawa didn't even look at him; his gaze was fixed on Shirasawa like a nail, waiting for an answer.
Vice-captain Kiminobu Kogure was thinking even more deeply, inwardly groaning. Kaede Rukawa's move was a checkmate! Even if they couldn't win, Shohoku would still be affected. Refusing the challenge? To outsiders, it would be no different from being afraid. Kogure couldn't help but mutter Kaede Rukawa's name several times in his mind.
However, the rest of the team didn't think as much as the two captains. Hanamichi Sakuragi, Ryota Miyagi, and the others had their eyes shining, just waiting to see a good show. They had blind faith in Shirasawa, thinking that Kaede Rukawa was just asking for trouble.
Shirasawa certainly didn't disappoint them. He smiled, his tone as relaxed as if he were agreeing to a regular practice session, "Alright, since you're already here, we can't let you come for nothing."
Akagi and Kogure's faces instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot... They agreed just like that?
Kaede Rukawa pulled a pair of basketball shoes from his bag and quickly put them on at the sidelines, a rare hint of excitement on his face. He had been waiting for this moment for a long time; finally, he could test his skills against Shirasawa. He didn't care about team morale or tactical considerations at all. Besides, he didn't think he would lose.
Shirasawa's exaggerated statistics and performance didn't bother him at all. In his view, things like double-thirty-point games and record-breaking achievements were all empty talk. If he were to play against those weak teams, averaging fifty points per game would be a piece of cake. Scoring was the only standard for measuring a player's toughness!
The situation was much more lively on Shirasawa's side. His teammates swarmed around him, and Hanamichi Sakuragi, like a lackey, massaged his shoulders. " Xiao Shirasawa, take him down! I remember now, this arrogant guy is from Ryonan, and he even bumped into this genius during a practice match!... Although this genius would rather take care of him himself!"
Miyagi snorted from the side, mercilessly puncturing the situation. "Face reality, Sakuragi, you can't beat that guy right now." He turned to look at Shirasawa, grinning, "But Xiao Bai will definitely be fine. Consider it a warm-up for our quarterfinals."
Shirasawa looked relaxed, as if this was no big deal at all. For him, this challenge came at just the right time. He had already made things difficult for Kaede Rukawa during the practice match, but he hadn't taken the initiative to attack. Now, more than a month had passed, and his strength had increased significantly. Using Kaede Rukawa as a touchstone was the perfect choice. What's more... his agency's second step in their plan might be able to be brought forward with this opportunity.
A few minutes later, under everyone's watchful eyes, Shirasawa and Kaede Rukawa walked to the center of the field.
Hisashi Mitsui took over the referee's duties, holding the whistle with an expectant look on his face. Takenori Akagi remained silent with a dark expression; from the moment Shirasawa agreed, the situation had spiraled out of control, and all he could do now was silently encourage Shirasawa in his heart. Kogure, on the other hand, muttered anxiously to himself, looking extremely flustered.
Mitsui stood between the two and cleared his throat. "The rules are simple: 11 points, ball possession alternates, one game decides the winner."
The two nodded in agreement, and Shirasawa immediately ceded the first attack to Kaede Rukawa.
Kaede Rukawa didn't hold back, receiving the ball at the top of the arc and ready to go. Mitsui blew the whistle formally, and the game officially began.
Kaede Rukawa held the ball with both hands, his eyes fixed on Shirasawa. He dared not underestimate Shirasawa; every choice he made could determine the outcome of the game.
Shirasawa took two steps back from him and observed his movements.
Snap, snap...
Kaede Rukawa started dribbling, his eyes turned cold, and he suddenly accelerated to the right!
Shirasawa moved sideways, blocking their path, and the two collided with a "bang." Upon this impact, Kaede Rukawa's heart skipped a beat—he was completely at a disadvantage in terms of strength.
He immediately stopped, made two behind-the-back dribbles to adjust his center of gravity, and his movements were so fast they seemed to fly. Then he pulled up and was about to shoot!
Miyagi, watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but click his tongue. "At this speed... are they going to score first?"
But just as the ball was about to be shot, Kaede Rukawa's expression suddenly changed.
Kaede Rukawa's dribbling rhythm was indeed beautiful, and his choice of direction was decisive enough. This offensive play was almost perfect.
Unfortunately, he ran into Shirasawa.
Just as Kaede Rukawa leaped to attack, Shirasawa also sprang up, his reaction speed almost superhuman. Despite the perfect timing, Bai Ze still managed to catch up.
Moreover, Shirasawa's speed was incredible, instantly sealing off Kaede Rukawa's path.
" Xiao Bai! Block him!" Hanamichi Sakuragi shouted at the top of his lungs.
Both of them were suspended in mid-air, but Kaede Rukawa hesitated to throw the ball. Even Shirasawa was taken aback—was he going to try Falling Shot?
Playing the falling card in this situation is practically suicide.
Kaede Rukawa's face remained expressionless as he fell. He kept falling... until his feet touched the ground again.
The entire audience was stunned.
Everyone craned their necks, their faces full of question marks, completely baffled.
Once Shirasawa landed, Kaede Rukawa simply handed him the ball without saying a word and took his defensive position.
Kogure blinked blankly, "Um... is he afraid of being cheated on?"
Takenori Akagi next to him, crossed his arms and nodded thoughtfully.
That's probably the only explanation.
It took everyone a while to realize what had happened. It made sense, considering Shirasawa's block was almost there. Rather than having everyone get blocked and demoralizing, it was better to admit the mistake.
The emotional letdown will be less.
No one expected that Kaede Rukawa, a famous offensive maniac since middle school, would have such a disastrous first attack.
Hanamichi Sakuragi yelled at Mitsui, "He fouled Mitchy! He deserves a free throw! Free throw!"
Takenori Akagi took a step forward and slammed a powerful fist into his head. "Shut up! Watch quietly, don't embarrass Shohoku!"
Possession changes.
Shirasawa held the ball, thinking to himself that Kaede Rukawa's choice just now was quite interesting. Mainly, it was paired with his cold face, creating a strong contrast.
Shirasawa adopted a triple threat stance. Although it was a one-on-one situation, lacking the option of passing, his drives and shots alone were already putting immense pressure on Kaede Rukawa.
Defense was never his strong suit, and the memory of being completely outmaneuvered by Shirasawa was still fresh in his mind, so he dared not relax for a moment.
" Xiao Bai has a lot of offensive moves; Kaede Rukawa definitely won't be able to handle them," Kogure said confidently from the side.
In the previous few games, Kogure had been on the bench the whole time, making him a true VIP among VIPs. He could see every single one of Shirasawa's attacks clearly.
Whether the opponent is one person or two, no one has been able to defend against Shirasawa so far. The ball is in his hands as if it's glued to him.
Shirasawa observed for a few seconds and saw that Kaede Rukawa dared not get too close, obviously more wary of his breakthrough, leaving himself enough room to adjust.
Shirasawa seized the opportunity, suddenly lifting the ball upwards and choosing to break through from the right side as well.
Kaede Rukawa immediately moved sideways to block the attack.
The moment their bodies made contact, Shirasawa made two consecutive behind-the-back dribbles to adjust his movements—the action and speed were exactly the same as Kaede Rukawa's earlier move!
After completing the move, Shirasawa pulled the ball back in front of him with his left hand, and Kaede Rukawa seemed to see his own reflection in it.
Shirasawa simultaneously raised his right hand as if to support himself, looked up at the basket, and assumed a shooting stance.
Kaede Rukawa immediately pounced to block him.
But in that instant when his center of gravity shifted, Shirasawa suddenly withdrew his supporting right hand and flipped his left wrist outward—
The basketball grazed past Kaede Rukawa's side, and Shirasawa also slid past him.
It's been shaken clean again!
Kaede Rukawa turned around angrily, only to watch as Shirasawa easily made a layup and put the ball into the basket.
Cheers erupted from the Shohoku side.
"That was a beautiful shot! Well done, Xiao Bai!"
"They even fooled us!"
Takenori Akagi finally smiled, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, eased a little. It wasn't that he didn't believe in Shirasawa's strength; it was just that he had experienced a lot and knew all too well that anything could happen on the basketball court. After all, Kaede Rukawa was a well-known offensive maniac, and anyone watching would have to worry for Shirasawa.
Moreover, Akagi had been on edge these past few days. With the quarterfinals drawing ever closer, his mind was in turmoil, fearing that any mishap would affect the overall outcome.
This time, Hanamichi Sakuragi didn't shout. Instead, he quietly moved next to Kogure and asked in a low voice, " Four-Eyes, did Xiao Bai just double-team? Hehe, don't worry, I definitely won't expose him." He paused, then added, "It's only right to use some special methods against someone like Kaede Rukawa."
He had barely finished speaking when he received a heavy punch to the head.
Takenori Akagi glared at him with a dark expression. "Idiot! Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand! Shut your mouth!"
Sakuragi covered his head, looking aggrieved. Kogure could only gently explain from the side, "That shot really didn't have a second dribble; it was more of an extreme maneuver. Simply put, it's pretending to shoot, but actually aiming to drive, tricking the defender into shifting their weight and losing their rhythm." He pushed up his glasses and sighed, "But that's easier said than done in a real game. Xiao Bai is really amazing."
The game continued.
The score is 2-0, and the two sides exchange possession.
Having learned his lesson the hard way, Kaede Rukawa is much more cautious this time.
But at the same time, he became even more enthusiastic!
After a series of crossover dribbles, he seized a slight opening and lunged forward. Just as their bodies touched, Kaede Rukawa suddenly stopped, changed his rhythm, and half-turned to force his way into half a step of space, tossing the ball out from the right side of the basket.
The ball bounced off the rim but still fell in.
Kaede Rukawa let out a heavy breath, clearly having expended considerable energy on this attack. In his mind, Shirasawa was putting even more pressure on him defensively than Sendoh. Every breakthrough was extremely difficult, and if he hadn't trained so hard recently, he probably wouldn't have been able to move an inch.
2:2.
Kaede Rukawa tenaciously tied the score.
Things have quieted down a bit on the Shohoku side for the time being.
Shirasawa walked over and tossed the ball to him, his voice low, only the two of them could hear. "You've improved quite a bit, Kaede Rukawa. You really want to beat me that badly?"
Kaede Rukawa's gaze darkened, and he nodded with a strong fighting spirit.
Shirasawa smiled meaningfully, "Alright, if you can't win, you have to promise me one thing. Are you willing to bet?" He paused, then added, "Don't worry, it won't be a bad thing for you."
Kaede Rukawa frowned slightly. "I will definitely win."
" Miyagi, what are those two whispering about?"