Bab 93: Chapter 93: Entering the Zone!
As Tsuna managed to slip past Aomine's defense, he suddenly sensed a looming presence behind him. His eyes widened as he watched a hand swat the ball from his grip.
The air seemed to hold its breath for a moment. Players from both teams gaped in astonishment at Aomine's dominating move.
Alexandra, watching from the bench, leaped to her feet in response.
Her expression was one of utter disbelief as she contemplated, "To believe that such incredible talents exist in Japan. Is this why Tsuna returned?"
Aomine's eyes sparked with electricity as he pursued the ball, charging forward with incredible speed. Tsuna didn't allow his initial shock to hinder him; he swiftly reacted and chased after Aomine.
Fukuda Sogo's other players quickly formed a defensive strategy against the advancing Aomine. Tsuna had noted beforehand that Aomine never passed the ball, rendering marking other players futile.
Aomine's face remained calm, but his eyes were streamlined with dark blue sparks. He effortlessly penetrated their defense before they could react, executing a thunderous slam dunk reverberating throughout the stadium.
The crowd erupted with cheers and applause, their excitement echoing throughout the arena.
Midorima and Kise wore expressions of disbelief.
"What in the world?" Kise muttered.
Just when they thought they had seen it all, Aomine unveiled a performance that utterly stunned them. Midorima focused intently as he commented, "It's usually almost impossible for anyone to give their absolute best in a game."
Midorima recognized that even the most exceptional players often fell short of their full potential. But then...
"The zone changed that," Akashi stated as the others gathered around, hanging on his words.
"...Achieving 100% of your potential sounds like a wild claim."
Kotaro couldn't hide his astonishment as he stared at Aomine's figure. Mibuchi and Nebuya wore equally incredulous expressions. Yet, the undeniable truth stood before them; it was real.
Imayoshi initially flinched in surprise but swiftly composed himself, realizing the advantage they might gain from this revelation. A smirk crept onto his face as he contemplated, "And...no one has ever witnessed Aomine's 100%..."
Alexandra had been on the verge of approaching the referee for a timeout.
However, she stopped in her tracks, observing Tsuna's expression and choosing to let the game continue as it was.
Tsuna, having regained his composure, let out a chuckle. "Well, this is how it should be, Daiki..."
He sported a smirk, casting his gaze at Aomine, who had seemingly tuned him out, giving his undivided attention to the game. Tsuna believed he was starting to grasp what Aomine felt when confronted with a formidable adversary – it was undeniably thrilling.
As the ball made its way towards him, Tsuna contemplated his next move. He signaled to his teammates to continue the game, thinking about the situation ahead.
Tsuna controlled the ball with Aomine on his heels, the tension in the air palpable. Yet, Tsuna wore a self-assured grin and, like a seasoned dancer, began to dribble the ball at an astonishing speed.
"Can he really dribble that fast?"
Kotaro exclaimed, his surprise evident. As a player known for his rapid dribbling, Tsuna's agility on the court left him in awe.
Mibuchi nodded in agreement, saying, "...Did he deliberately hold back before?"
"That's not surprising. Tsunayoshi wasn't the type to reveal all his strengths right away. He was holding back a bit..." Akashi observed the game with keen interest. "But it seems it wasn't sufficient..."
In another section of the stadium, Kise looked puzzled and asked Midorima, "Why do you say that?"
Midorima adjusted his glasses and explained, "...The only way to counter someone in the zone is by entering the zone yourself."
That's how it worked, and there was no way around it.
Too's players watched with wide eyes as Tsuna executed his nimble moves. Aomine, however, remained unfazed, tracking the ball's every motion with a keen gaze.
Tsuna, noticing Aomine's unyielding focus, furrowed his brows. In a swift maneuver, he dribbled the ball behind his back and then smoothly crossed over to Aomine's right side.
Imayoshi, a spectator to this spectacle, was duly impressed by Tsuna's agility. But his astonishment turned into disbelief when he saw the ball had vanished.
"Captain! On your left!" Sakurai urgently cried out as the ball in Tsuna's possession had mysteriously appeared in Nijimura's direction.
Nijimura prepared to receive the ball, but Tsuna, though slightly frowning, noticed a figure intercepting it and snatching it away before sprinting into Fukuda Sogo's defensive formation.
Tsuna thought, "...Daiki didn't even fall for that, huh?"
Slicing through Fukuda Sogo's defense with remarkable ease, Aomine found himself beneath the basket. He leaped for a dunk, but Tsuna was there to thwart his attempt.
Aomine, however, exhibited incredible agility, swiftly adjusting his movement and opting for a lay-up shot instead.
Aomine scored and shot Tsuna a frown.
"Giving up already?" he questioned, his voice sharp.
Tsuna, perplexed, frowned back. "What are you talking about?"
"Then, don't run away again..."
Aomine shook his head in disappointment and returned to his position.
Tsuna froze in his tracks, struck by Aomine's words.
Nijimura, standing nearby, walked up to Tsuna and inquired with concern, "Tsuna, are you okay?"
Even with Nijimura's show of concern, Tsuna let out a scoff.
"You know me better than anyone here. Do you think Daiki's words could rattle me?"
Nijimura nodded and seemed relieved.
Tsuna gazed after Aomine, who was heading back, and quietly mumbled, "But it's been a while since I was pushed like this..."
The game pressed on, and Aomine was on fire, leaving Fukuda Sogo's players in despair as they watched their lead being snatched by Too.
With the ball in his grasp, Tsuna dribbled it slowly, his mind racing to figure out the best course of action.
Tsuna sensed that their team's morale would plummet if he didn't counter Aomine. He closed his eyes for a moment, and time seemed to crawl. Inwardly, he contemplated his next move. In his subconscious, his eyes fixated on the empty throne at the top of the stairs.
"Should I take that seat?" he pondered.
Sitting there would trigger his Conqueror's eyes, a power that could potentially change the game's tide.
Tsuna let out a small laugh, saying, "...Nah, that's too much."
After his words, he felt a peculiar sensation, like he was engulfed by water, almost as if sinking beneath its surface.
"...Maybe I should explore this door," he murmured, facing a colossal and intimidating door that radiated an imposing aura.
Just as Tsuna was about to reach for the door, there was a distinct click, and the door unexpectedly swung open, catching him off guard.
"So, an invitation, huh? How intriguing..."
Tsuna chuckled as he ventured inside.
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