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The 15-minute halftime break passed quickly.
A loud whistle blew through the stadium, announcing the start of the second half of the game between Toho Kotei Gakuen and Shutoku High School.
Toho Kotei Gakuen inbounded the ball.
However, Ryu stepped in front of Midorima to defend. He didn't need to do anything special; as long as he could contain Midorima, Kamimono and the others could successfully break through Shutoku's defense and score.
There was still a significant gap in the overall strength of the two teams.
Shutoku was steadily losing ground, and the score was gradually widening in favor of Toho Kotei Gakuen.
87-74.
95-77.
106-92.
Seeing the score gap widen, Midorima could only stand there helplessly.
Besides shooting, his ordinary offense and defense were mediocre in Generation of Miracles.
Although he possessed absolute dominance compared to most regular players, Ryu was, after all, a member of the "Generation of Miracles." Ordinary offense and defense were no match for him.
He couldn't shake him off, he couldn't break through his defense, and he couldn't stop him.
Midorima, frustrated, also felt worried about the current situation.
He had to find a way to break this deadlock.
After a moment's thought, he beckoned to Takao.
Seeing his ace calling for the ball, Takao didn't hesitate and passed it to him.
Midorima, receiving the ball, stared at Ryu with piercing eyes, as if he wanted to pierce through him. Midorima's aura surged, and the serpentine phantom behind him seemed to grow much larger.
Seeing Midorima's predatory intent, Ryu didn't dare to be careless.
A blazing red aura enveloped him tightly. A gigantic red beast with bared fangs and claws faced off against the giant green serpent.
Both beast and serpent had their scarlet eyes filled with bloodlust and slaughter.
Midorima's eyes flashed with a sinister light.
As he moved, the giant snake behind him arched backward, as if it would bite down on the beast at any moment.
However, Ryu showed no fear. Facing Midorima, who was flicking his tongue at him, he too was waiting for his chance to strike decisively.
Another exciting and intense offensive and defensive battle unfolded on the court.
Even so, Midorima still couldn't break through Ryu's impenetrable defense.
"It's useless. Your offense and defense are good, but they don't work on me," Ryu said.
Midorima's face was serious, and he didn't answer.
The 24-second shot clock was about to expire.
Seeing that Midorima couldn't shake off Ryu, Taisuke Otsubo immediately ran over to set a screen for him.
With his teammate's help, Midorima finally managed to get around Ryu and jumped to shoot.
However, the instant he released the basketball, a shadow loomed over his vision.
Before he knew it, a colossal red beast with its jaws agape had appeared.
Midorima's eyes widened, a sense of foreboding rising within him. The red beast bared its sharp fangs and lunged at Midorima.
Midorima had nowhere to dodge and was ultimately swallowed whole by the beast's maw.
Thud…
The basketball was knocked away, landing out of bounds.
After the first time, there was a second, and a third.
In the following rounds of play… Midorima, like a deflated balloon, was gradually suppressed by Ryu. The giant green serpent was now covered in wounds, appearing on the verge of death.
Midorima stood there dumbfounded, his thoughts seemingly frozen for a moment.
'Damn it… I'm no match for him at all.' Midorima's mind was in turmoil. 'Am I going to lose? No, I absolutely cannot allow this to happen.'
He clenched his fists, his body enveloped in a green aura. Gradually, the green aura began to recede, and the giant serpent vanished. His aura suddenly changed, converging inwards, eventually forming a layer that covered his skin.
Thud…
The basketball was back in Midorima's hands. But this time, when Ryu stood in front of Midorima… Midorima suddenly raised his hand and threw the basketball. The speed and agility of his movement were incomparable to before.
Ryu's pupils contracted slightly, looking at Midorima with some surprise. However, the basketball had already flown above Toho Kotei Gakuen's basket. Under everyone's watchful eyes, the basketball landed precisely in the hoop.
Swish…
A clean swish.
The score was now 115-102.
This sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard.
Momoi Satsuki, sitting in the stands, blinked and said, "Midorima seems to have changed a bit."
Aomine Daiki, standing nearby, narrowed his eyes, analyzing Midorima's current state. He wasn't entirely sure what Midorima's change was.
After shooting, Midorima turned and went back on defense.
Watching his opponent's back, Ryu followed closely.
Toho Kotei Gakuen inbounded the ball.
Facing Toho Kotei Gakuen's attack, Shutoku was still powerless to resist, and Toho Kotei Gakuen scored easily.
However… when Shutoku inbounded the ball, something unexpected happened. The moment Midorima received the ball, he jumped and shot. Ryu, naturally, wouldn't let him succeed, stepping forward and jumping to block.
However, Ryu missed. Midorima had already released the ball.
The basketball soared high into the air, crossed half-court, and finally fell into Toho Kotei Gakuen's basket.
The score was now 117-105.
Ryu frowned slightly. 'What's wrong with this guy?'
Ryu could sense that Midorima's aura had lost its previous aggressiveness, becoming instead more restrained.
It wouldn't be noticeable until he made a move, and then it would be a fatal strike.
Like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, waiting for its chance to strike.
He glanced at the scoreboard. More than five minutes had passed in the third quarter.
'In that case.' Ryu waved to Hanafuji Souji, signaling him to pass the ball.
Seeing Ryu's signal, Hanafuji Souji decisively passed the ball to him.
"Although I don't know what happened to you, as long as you can't stop me, the score won't get any closer," Ryu said.
With that, Ryu's figure flashed. Like a silver lightning bolt, he instantly arrived at Shutoku's three-point line. Just as he was about to shoot, a figure blocked his view—it was Shintaro Midorima.
Ryu raised an eyebrow, not surprised that Midorima had caught up. "You can't stop me like that."
Ryu raised the ball, preparing to force a shot over his opponent's head.
But before he could even raise his arm, a large hand slapped at the ball.
Ryu's pupils contracted, and he quickly pulled the basketball back.
That was close…
'It was almost intercepted; his defensive reaction speed has increased significantly.' Ryu narrowed his eyes slightly, but he was still in mid-air.
His gaze swept across the court and landed on Kugawa on the other side. He flicked his wrist and passed the ball to him.
Kugawa received the ball and immediately launched an attack.
Kiyoshi Miyaji, defending him, gritted his teeth, not daring to relax for a moment.
However, his strength was far inferior to Kugawa's, and he was eventually broken through. Kugawa forcefully shot a three-pointer right in front of him.
The basketball flew through the air, passing over head after head, finally landing in the basket.
119 to 105.
The Toho Kotei Gakuen members clapped and celebrated, very satisfied with Kugawa's performance.
Only Kiyoshi Miyaji remained, standing there gritting his teeth with a look of utter resentment on his face.
Just then, the sound of a basketball hitting the ground rang out, drawing the attention of the celebrating members of Toho Kotei Gakuen.
Looking towards the sound, they saw Midorima had already jumped to shoot.
So fast… Isn't he afraid he'll miss?
Ryu looked at Midorima, frowning in thought. 'This guy is strange.'
His release speed was seamless, as if he and the basketball were one.
And that block that almost stopped Ryu earlier was incredible. Actually, it wasn't just him; even the members of Shutoku were filled with curiosity, wondering how Midorima had suddenly become so skilled.
Shutoku's coach seemed thoughtful, but a hint of uncertainty flashed in his eyes.
Swish…
The basketball went in.
119 to 108.
Shutoku scored another 3 points.
Beep...
Shutoku requested a timeout.
The sudden timeout startled everyone. Both sides then returned to their respective team benches.
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