Bab 215: Chapter 215: Crowning Glory
A while back...
"We'll switch back to man-to-man defense in the next quarter," Tsuna declared, catching everyone at Fukuda Sogo off guard.
Despite the sudden interruption, they held their silence, sensing that Tsuna had more to share.
Haizaki and Ogiwara didn't voice any objections, even though this decision marked the conclusion of their double-team strategy.
With Kise unable to pull off his Perfect Copy and mimic the Generation of Miracles' moves, Haizaki figured he could handle him alone and neutralize any threat.
"But we're gonna tweak our positions a bit," he continued, a sly grin spreading across his face, causing everyone to unconsciously gulp.
Witnessing their uneasy expressions, Tsuna chuckled, easing his own demeanor before turning to Nijimura.
"I need you to step in and mark Kasamatsu."
"...Got it!"
Nijimura's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly nodded.
"Stick to marking Hayakawa, just like you've been doing," Tsuna added, earning Ogiwara's usual bright smile in response.
Haizaki's lips curled into a confident smirk, confident that he could handle Kise on his own.
However, Tsuna's next words left him stunned.
"And Shogo, I want you to handle Kobori in Nijimura's place..."
"...What?"
Haizaki couldn't believe what he had just heard, staring at Tsuna in disbelief.
"Just as I said, I'll personally take care of Kise in the next quarter..."
Tsuna remained unfazed.
He had achieved what he needed in today's game. Now, all that remained was to completely shut down Kaijo High and secure the win in their typical dominant fashion.
Haizaki couldn't help but clench his fist slightly as he questioned, "...Is it because you think I can't handle him?"
"In his Perfect Copy, he'd overpower you. Although, if he can't pull it off, you might have the upper hand..."
Tsuna spoke bluntly, causing a twinge of frustration in Haizaki. Not because of Tsuna's words – he had long come to terms with the current reality.
He still believed that with enough effort and improvement, he could turn the tables. But at the moment, he was simply incapable of doing so!
Haizaki's frustration was mostly directed inward at himself.
"Don't overthink it. We can win, whether you handle him solo or with Ogiwara," Tsuna said with a reassuring smile, slightly easing Haizaki's frustration.
However, Tsuna wasn't finished.
His expression shifted to a serious one as he continued, "But simply winning isn't enough."
Everyone was taken aback before realizing why Tsuna had to personally deal with Kise. Excitement unconsciously curled up on their lips as Tsuna added, "If we're going to win, we'll do it the way we always have!"
That's right!
If they were going to secure a victory, they had to dominate their opponent thoroughly, just as they always did! It's how they lived up to their name!
That's why they had to do it the way the King of Kings should!
The basketball court was getting packed as both teams stepped onto the floor, and you could feel the tension building up. The crowd was getting hyped again, cheers echoing through the arena.
Midorima was keeping a close eye on Tsuna, sizing up the competition.
When the game kicked off, Fukuda Sogo wasted no time and made a quick move as the ball landed in Tsuna's hands.
Tsuna didn't waste a second, either.
Instead of taking it slow, he busted out a move that left Kasamatsu, the defender, in the dust with a slick crossover.
Kasamatsu was caught off guard by this as he widened his eyes in disbelief, grappling with the realization that Tsuna's agility had ascended to an unforeseen level.
Frustration etched across his face, he couldn't help but think, "...Did he hold back since the start of the game!?"
Yet, Tsuna remained focused.
Ignoring Kasamatsu's flustered pursuit, Tsuna flicked his hand as the ball disappeared as quickly as it had arrived. A seamless transfer of possession materialized as the ball now rested in Ogiwara's waiting hands.
At the same time, on the other side of the court, someone else made a bold move.
This guy rushed toward the basket and took a leap without the ball. Everyone from Kaijo watching held their breath in realization.
"You're all too late to stop this..."
Ogiwara chuckled as he sent the ball back to Tsuna.
Without missing a beat, Tsuna swung his hand again. The ball soared through the air, heading straight for Nijimura, who was mid-leap towards the basket, throwing down a slam motion, even though he didn't have the ball in hand.
The ball sent flying by Tsuna's swift and precise flick, soared through the air and seamlessly aligned with Nijimura's forceful slam.
The collision of the ball with the basket echoed with a loud and satisfying noise.
The crowd was left in awe before their excitement erupted, filling the entire gymnasium with cheers and shouts!
Kise could only watch helplessly as everything unfolded too quickly for him to react in time. His eyes gleamed with a light that intensified the color of his pupils.
"...Damn it!" he cursed loudly, observing Nijimura land gracefully before returning to his position.
Although they start it off feeling pressured, seeing Kise's eyes that was gleaming with familiar light that indicate he was truly using his Perfect Copy, everyone in Kaijo High were reassured that there was still chance for them!
However, reality was harsh as they realized something had changed within Fukuda Sogo's formation.
"...They went back to their one-to-man defense, huh?" Midorima thought as he watched how Fukuda Sogo players slowly shadowed every movement of each Kaijo High players before he turned toward Tsuna's figure as he sighed, "You're truly a scary person, Tsuna..."
This was Fukuda Sogo's way! No, Tsuna's way to end things!
This was his finisher! The way to completely suppress Kaijo High!
Kaijo High's hopeful expressions dimmed in an instant as they watched Tsuna closing in on Kise, who deftly dribbled the ball in his hands.
Kise clenched his teeth, a determined look on his face.
With a quick decision, he changed his pace, mirroring Aomine's style, and executed a sharp crossover to the right. Tsuna, however, shadowed his every move with an unwavering focus. The court held its breath as the two players engaged in this intense dance.
But Kise's maneuver didn't stop there.
In a surprising twist, he took a step back, setting himself up for a shooting motion. In that moment, everyone's eyes caught a glimpse of Midorima's figure in Kise's line of sight as he leaped for the basket.
Hope surged among the Kaijo supporters as Kise prepared to take the shot. Yet, just as optimism filled the air, disbelief swept through the crowd.
The ball in Kise's hand had vanished, leaving everyone bewildered as it bounced on the side of the court.
In a flash, Tsuna had snatched it away.
Midorima couldn't help but sigh, a twinge of pity for Kise was evident in his expression.
Undeterred, Kise refused to back down.
As Tsuna surged towards the basket, leaping with the grace of a seasoned player, a formidable presence reminiscent of Murasakibara's imposing stature enveloped the court.
This time, Kise channeled Murasakibara's strength, forcefully extending his hand toward the ball nestled in Tsuna's grip.
However, Tsuna, seemingly anticipating Kise's move, displayed an uncanny agility.
In mid-air, he adjusted his figure with an almost instinctive precision, skillfully evading Kise's powerful attempt to block his dunk. Frustration etched across Kise's face as he witnessed Tsuna smoothly slip past the basket.
And just as Tsuna's figure hovered slightly beyond the basket, he executed a swift and unexpected move. Without even casting a glance at the hoop, Tsuna swung the ball in his hand, unleashing a no-look shot in mid-air.
"...No matter how many adjustments you make by incorporating our moves against him, it will be useless if he can predict which move you'll make," Midorima silently muttered while observing Kise's frustrated demeanor as he shook his head.
The more agitated Kise became, the easier it was to predict his movements.
That's why when facing someone as perceptive as Tsuna, it would be better to stay level-headed.
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