The Shohoku bench and stands erupted in cheers. Two consecutive three-pointers, and he even turned around right after shooting—his swagger was unmatched—and the thing is, he actually pulled it off!
Coach Anzai clenched his fist in front of him, and the old man was clearly excited as well.
He hadn't misjudged him, and Mitsui hadn't disappointed him. This wasn't some kind of never-give-up attitude; it was a killer's instinct, a ruthlessness forced out only in dire circumstances.
Moichi Taoka long sigh.
Just as he guessed, Shohoku was letting Mitsui "slack off" on the defensive end to recover. And the whole team was willing to cover for Mitsui's weakness.
The teamwork of this Shohoku has reached a frightening level. They trust each other so much that they can even anticipate each other's movements.
What alarmed Moichi Taoka even more was that he vaguely saw the shadow of the MVP who was sought after by the entire prefecture three years ago in Mitsui.
76 to 57.
The point difference was rapidly approaching 20. To everyone, Shoyo seemed to be on its last legs.
Fujima clapped his hands vigorously, using both the authority of a coach and the responsibility of a captain to try his best to calm the team members down.
We have to win the next round, no matter what.
Shoyo inbounds the ball from the backcourt. Fujima dribbles up the court, calls for Hasegawa to set a screen, avoids Shirasawa, and accelerates to break through from the right side.
Miyagi was jolted half a step by the sudden stop, and in the blink of an eye, Shirasawa had already caught up again.
Fujima neither dodged nor passed the ball; relying on his incredibly skillful left hand, he feinted and then forcefully threw the ball over Shirasawa's head.
The ball traced an arc in the air.
The entire Shoyo team held their breath.
"Clang..."
The ball bounced playfully on the basket, and then... it obediently fell in.
76 to 59.
Fujima's shot was crucial; it finally gave Shoyo a much-needed reprieve.
His left hand is indeed difficult to defend against. If he were just ten centimeters taller, Shinichi Maki would probably have a headache. But fate is fair; it didn't give him height, but it gave him this magical left hand.
Even Shirasawa couldn't completely shut him down; after all, Fujima didn't earn the title of "top scorer" for nothing.
In Shirasawa's opinion, Fujima's current individual attack power is probably still above Kaede Rukawa's. However, Rukawa has the advantage in physical talent, which has a higher ceiling. Fujima, on the other hand, has almost reached his limit.
To go even further, others call it progress, but he calls it a breakthrough.
"Back on defense!" Fujima shouted, leading the team to continue fighting.
The game transitions from offense to defense; Shohoku launches an attack.
Hisashi Mitsui leisurely slipped to the right 45-degree angle, stood still, and didn't move, just like when he was on defense.
But if you look closely at how he's breathing, his energy... seems to be dropping.
This round, we have to win no matter what.
Mitsui's breath was clearly about to run out. Hasegawa, however, stared wide-eyed, more focused than ever. He was genuinely intimidated; the guy opposite him, panting heavily, sent chills down his spine for no apparent reason.
Hasegawa, who hadn't broken a sweat during the game, was now sweating profusely. In a daze, he felt as if he had returned to his junior high school days, and the mountain in front of him was still so insurmountable.
"17 points." Mitsui stared at him and said, enunciating each word clearly. He hadn't forgotten who had boasted that they would keep his score at 9 points.
"I'll keep scoring. You think I'll give up? No way. I'm Hisashi Mitsui." He said this with absolute certainty, his confidence so overwhelming that it made Hasegawa's breathing heavy.
Was all my hard work over the past three years for nothing? Hasegawa wiped the sweat from his eyes, a fire burning inside him. He kept telling himself: Keep trying, and I'll definitely beat talent! Besides, I've put in more effort than anyone else!
" Mitsui! I will definitely defeat you!" Hasegawa practically roared, then spread his arms wide, standing like a wall in front of Mitsui, motionless.
On the other side, Shirasawa controlled the ball steadily. Fujima defended him while yelling instructions to his teammates to move. This ball had to be defended no matter what. Besides Shirasawa, Mitsui, who had scored 6 points in a row, was also a key target. Nagano had already started moving to the right 45-degree angle, ready to rush over to help defend at any time.
Shirasawa challenged Fujima one-on-one again. He dribbled twice with his back to the basket, then suddenly lowered his right shoulder and twisted the ball behind his back with his right hand, pretending to break through from the left. Fujima was indeed fooled, and as soon as he shifted his weight, Shirasawa changed direction and darted past him, heading straight for the basket!
Having no other choice, Nagano had to abandon Mitsui and quickly turn back to defend against Shirasawa.
In that instant, Mitsui, who had been supporting himself on his knees and looked like he was about to collapse, suddenly moved! He pushed off the ground and shot into the three-point line like an arrow released from a bow.
Hasegawa was startled and hurriedly turned to chase after him. But as soon as Mitsui's foot landed, his whole body seemed to have pressed the reverse button. His center of gravity suddenly shifted backward, and with a powerful push from the sole of his foot, he actually jumped back to the three-point line!
Moreover, when he jumped back, his hands were already in front of his chest, ready to catch and shoot at any moment.
This sudden reversal completely bewildered Hasegawa, who had just turned around but had to quickly turn back. This constant back-and-forth movement caused him to stumble, and he looked like he was about to lose his balance.
As Mitsui landed, Shirasawa's pass arrived perfectly in time. Mitsui caught the ball, jumped smoothly, and completed the movement in one fluid motion.
Hasegawa gritted his teeth, staggered as he jumped to block the shot, his whole body lurching forward. Even so, he desperately stretched out his arm, determined to stop the ball!
This was Mitsui's third consecutive three-point attempt. This time, his form finally regained that smooth and graceful feel from back in the day, making it seem like the shot was sure to go in.
The moment the ball left his hand, Hasegawa's hand also touched it.
The slap landed squarely on Mitsui's forearm, ruining his perfect shooting form. Mitsui fell backward.
Whistle! The referee blows the whistle; Hasegawa commits a defensive foul.
Bang! Swish--!
Mitsui fell backward onto the floor, but the basketball swished through the net.
3+1!
The entire venue erupted in chaos.
Hasegawa was still standing, while Mitsui lay on the ground. But judging from the result, the one who was standing looked like the loser. Mitsui closed his eyes, exhausted, his chest heaving violently, at least proving he hadn't passed out...
In the front row of the stands, Tetsuo Hotta grabbed a fan next to him and stepped onto a stool. His eyes were filled with tears as he turned the volume of the loudspeaker up to the maximum.
"A man who never gives up! Hisashi Mitsui--!" This shout was heart-wrenching, filled with all his emotions.
Mitsui was lifted up by Akagi and Shirasawa, one on each side, and practically carried to the free-throw line. He barely had the strength to stand.
The referee passed the ball to Mitsui. He held the ball with both hands, shaking uncontrollably, and could only manage to calm himself down by taking deep breaths.
Even the tough Akagi couldn't help but rub his sore eyes at the sight. Mitsui was really going all out, risking everything.
Kogure had already walked to the sidelines, and as Coach Anzai had arranged, he was preparing to substitute Mitsui Koei after this free throw.
Mitsui practically shoved the ball away, his movements completely distorted. But the basketball was kind to him, obediently going into the basket.
3+1, done!
Three consecutive three-pointers, plus three free throws, Mitsui scored a whopping 12 points in those few possessions in the second half. He proved with his actions that the MVP Hisashi Mitsui is back!
Akagi immediately fouled the Shoyo player and called a timeout. This was to allow Mitsui to leave the court in a grand manner and rest.
The entire Shohoku fanbase stood up in unison, rhythmically chanting his name. The sight of number 14 stirred their hearts and ignited their passion. This was the highest respect the fans could give him.
Hisashi Mitsui raised his head, savoring this long-awaited moment that belonged to him.
Hisashi Mitsui raised his head, savoring this long-awaited moment that belonged to him. However, the match was not over yet, Kiminobu Kogure had already strode over.
Kogure wiped his eyes and grinned. " Hisashi Mitsui from Class 1-10, leave the rest to me!"
Upon hearing this, Mitsui's lips curled into a smile. "Then you'd better not hold us back."
The two former teammates didn't say much, but simply raised their hands and gave each other a high five.
At that moment, the entire Shoyo team was walking back dejectedly. As Kazushi Hasegawa passed by Mitsui, Mitsui suddenly spoke up.
"Do you think that hard work is nothing compared to talent?" Mitsui stared at him, then paused. "That's because you have no idea how much I've sacrificed for this little bit of talent."
Hasegawa stopped in his tracks, completely stunned. " Mitsui..."
Coach Anzai also came over, his chubby hand clenched into a fist, and held it out to Mitsui. " Mitsui, well done."
Just those few words brought a sudden lump to Mitsui's throat. He didn't say anything, but simply bumped fists with his coach.
Mitsui has returned to his place. But this return is not as simple as just sitting on the bench. After today, Coach Anzai's grueling physical training will be waiting for him.
The score was 80 to 59, with 7 minutes remaining. For Shohoku, 80 points was their lowest score this year; but for Shoyo, only 59 points was a first since Fujima joined the team.
Regardless of winning or losing, they have never been suppressed like this before, not even against Kainan or Hainan. Now, Shoyo is truly on the brink of death.
In front of his teammates, Kenji Fujima stood somewhat bewildered. Starting with Hanagata, their faces were filled with disappointment, and even he, the temporary coach, was unsure of what to do.
" Fujima... do we... have no hope?" someone whispered.
All of his teammates' eyes immediately focused on Fujima.
Fujima took a deep breath, and his expression suddenly changed.
"In my opinion, Kenji Fujima, the match is not over yet!" His voice wasn't loud, but it was resolute. "Everyone, follow me and give it your all!"
Toru Hanagata stared blankly at him. As Fujima's only friend, he understood instantly.
"Captain!" Hanagata suddenly stood up straight, "Lead us to fight this last time!"
The timeout has ended, and the game has resumed.