Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Reality Check
A collective disbelief swept through the spectators as they all fixated on Murasakibara's towering figure, unconsciously swallowing in response to the awe-inspiring display.
"Finally! This is Yosen High's determination!"
"Agree, it was still possible to turn the table around!"
The crowd itself became a part of the spectacle, erupting in excitement. The prospect of Yosen High breaking through Nijimura's unyielding defense injected a surge of energy into the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Nijimura, rising from the ground, shook his head with a knowing expression. He had anticipated this turn of events, having received insights from Tsuna prior to the game. The revelation was shocking, but it was still bearable.
Nijimura, meeting Tsuna's cold gaze, acknowledged with a nod.
Caught in the intensity of the moment, Murasakibara, his heart racing, looked on in confusion as Nijimura suddenly sprang into action.
Meanwhile...
"...Shit, did he get a sudden level up or what?"
Mochizuki's stunned mumble echoed, conveying the astonishment shared by the rest.
Heads shook in disbelief as the other Fukuda Sogo players collectively tried to regain their composure, grappling with the unexpected turn of events.
On the other side of the court, Yosen High's expressions, initially marked by shock, now radiated newfound brightness. Murasakibara's successful breakthrough had allowed them to wrest control of the situation.
Coupled with Himuro's Mirage Shot from the perimeter, the team now possessed the means to score both from within and outside.
"...Finally!"
Fukui's excitement manifested in a tight grip on his fist.
Himuro wore a light smile, his gaze shifting to Murasakibara's towering figure. The breakthrough had injected a positive shift into Yosen High's prospects.
Okamura, observing the unfolding dynamics, offered a light chuckle.
"With this, we should be able to take over the momentum slowly..."
He glanced at the scoreboard, where the numbers read 53 - 39. Despite the ongoing deficit and the fact that the second quarter was about to end, a sense of optimism permeated the atmosphere.
"Whoah! Murasakibara broke past Nijimura's block!" Koganei's exclamation echoed through the gymnasium, carrying the infectious energy of the moment.
Seirin's players, sharing a collective nod, smiled in acknowledgment. "Seems like Yosen High is determined to win..."
Kagami and Kuroko joined in with smiles of their own.
However, Aomine's brow furrowed as he directed his gaze toward Tsuna.
Amid the excitement reverberating through the gym, he shook his head, expressing a sentiment that countered the prevailing enthusiasm. "...As if it would be easy to turn the table around against someone like him."
"Hah!"
A scoff cut through the air, drawing the attention of everyone present. It was Tsuna, dribbling the ball at a deliberate pace.
"...It seems like you were daydreaming." His words, delivered with a cold edge, sliced through the ambient excitement.
A shadow streaked down the court, catching Yosen High's players off guard.
Those who hadn't returned to their positions turned with surprise to see Nijimura now positioned in their free throw area, a sudden leap propelling him toward the basket without even holding the ball in his hand.
The sight left the Yosen High players wide-eyed in disbelief, the unexpected turn of events unfolding before them.
Unable to contain his skepticism, Fukui muttered, "...That's impossible, right? He wasn't even near the center line."
Indeed, Tsuna stood not far from Fukuda Sogo's basket. However, almost as if to taunt their disbelief, with a powerful flick of his hand, the ball shot up like a meteor, arcing toward Nijimura's waiting hand on the other side of the court.
In a resounding slam, Nijimura stroked the ball into the basket.
It sent shockwaves through the entire gymnasium.
"..."
The once electric atmosphere, filled with cheers and excitement, succumbed to a sudden and eerie silence. The swift and seemingly impossible play had frozen the exhilarating moment from just a while ago into a state of hushed astonishment.
*Whistle!
The referee's whistle came into the picture, filling the silence which brought back everyone from the reverie as the second quarter had come to an end.
Everyone could only turned their head slowly toward the scoreboard as if making sure what just happened was not a dream and they could see that Fukuda Sogo's score had indeed been changed to 55 - 39.
And before long, the crowd erupted with disbelief...
"....What the hell was that!?" exclaimed a bewildered spectator.
"Fukuda Sogo's captain is insane!" shouted another, his voice a mix of shock and awe.
"I thought the momentum had totally turned; it seems like we were all mistaken!" a third person remarked, their earlier assumptions shattered.
The atmosphere buzzed with animated conversations as spectators exchanged thoughts and opinions on the remarkable display they had just witnessed.
Although the gym buzzed with excitement, certain spots still clung to a lingering quietness. Shutoku, Kaijo, Rakuzan, and even Seirin were caught in this subdued atmosphere.
Seirin's players, just like everyone else, couldn't help but share a sense of speechless awe. Words seemed to stick in their throats as they absorbed the incredible move Tsuna had just pulled off.
"...He can pull that off from that far away?"
Kagami's question cut through the silence, echoing the collective effort to make sense of the astonishing feat.
Kuroko furrowed his brow in thought. The rest of the Seirin team mirrored his contemplative silence, uncertain about how to react to this extraordinary display of skill.
Seated beside them, Momoi shook her head as she chimed in, "...Kuroko's Ignite Pass Kai can effortlessly traverse the court, so why couldn't Tsuna's do the same?"
"...Now that you mention it, it does make sense..." Aida agreed, though a hint of disbelief lingered in her expression.
However, Aomine just clicked his tongue in response.
From the start, there was no table to be turned. The notion of a table was merely a construct of their imagination. Tsuna, indifferent to the existence of such a metaphorical table, shattered their illusions with his play.
What he executed had obliterated their imaginary table, grounding them in the reality of Fukuda Sogo's prowess.
No, it was Tsuna's might that had left them in awe and forced them to acknowledge the strength that stood before them.
The once-brightened faces of Yosen High players dimmed once again, replaced by somber expressions.
They remained on the court while Fukuda Sogo's players gracefully exited, making their way towards the designated changing room as there was a fifteen-minute break before the second half commenced.
"...Seems like we'll need to push even harder," Okamura muttered, his gaze shifting to Tsuna's back.
Fukuda Sogo's captain moved with an air of regality, accompanied by his teammates like a King flanked by his Royal Knights.
Even Araki, seasoned as a coach, wore a serious expression.
In her entire coaching career, she had never witnessed such a ludicrous play.
"...Well, things started getting ridiculous with the appearance of the Generation of Miracles anyway. It seems showcasing such extraordinary feats has become a trend," she sighed, casting a glance at her players who were making their way towards the bench to gather their belongings before heading to the changing room.
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