Slam Dunk: Sakuragi learned from Kawamura Eiki's experience

Chapter 98 The Mysticism of Mitsui with Remaining Blood

When Sakuragi Hanamichi's three-pointer went in, Taoka Shigeichi felt his scalp tingle once again.

It's Sakuragi again. He played point guard against Shohoku, he dunked over Maki Shinichi against Hainan, and now against Ryonan, he's pulling up for a three-pointer over Sendoh's block at the top of the arc.

But Taoka took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his chest. He crossed his arms and mentally reassured himself, "It's okay. Once Mitsui's stamina wears off, Shohoku's outside shooting will collapse. The further we go, the more stamina the Shohoku players will decline. No matter how strong Sakuragi is, he can't carry the whole team alone. We're still in the lead, our bench depth is greater, and our system is more stable. We'll definitely win."

On the court, offense and defense transition.

Sendoh Akira dribbled past half-court, the competitive spirit he displayed during his one-on-one match with Rukawa completely gone. He stopped the ball at the top of the arc and lobbed it to Uozumi Jun in the low post with one hand. As the ball left his hand, Sendoh began his off-ball movement: cutting, back-cutting, and cutting again. Fukuda Kichijo cut from the weak side, diverting Sakuragi's defensive attention from the core area under the basket.

After receiving the ball, Uozumi moved up to a high position, backing down Akagi and making a turn and pass motion. This time, Akagi chose to switch to defend Sendoh, only to find that Sendoh's hands were empty.

Looking back, Uozumi had already turned and taken a step to shoot the ball into the basket. This is the triangle offense, impossible to defend against.

As the game transitioned, Sakuragi Hanamichi once again had the ball at the top of the arc, and Sendoh Akira immediately closed in, keeping his center of gravity very low, his nose almost touching Sakuragi's shoulder.

Sendoh had a plan in mind: defend against Sakuragi's shots but not his drives. Ryonan had a lead, and Shohoku could accept two points, but they couldn't allow Sakuragi to continue closing the gap with three-pointers. As long as they maintained their lead, Ryonan would have an increasing advantage as the game progressed.

Sakuragi glanced at the wing with the ball, and saw Mitsui running off the ball, trying to shake off Ikegami's entanglement.

Seeing Mitsui open, I decisively passed the ball to him. Mitsui received the ball outside the three-point line on the wing and jumped to shoot. Ikegami desperately rushed over to block, but he was a little too late.

The ball arced through the air, bounced off the rim, and went in.

The point difference was reduced to 7 points.

In the following rounds, the game turned into a head-on collision between two basketball philosophies.

On one side was Ryonan's triangle offense: Sendoh lobbed the ball, Uozumi provided support, and Fukuda made a cut, with the three players scoring steadily with smooth passing and cutting.

On the other side, Shohoku attempted a desperate three-pointer. Sakuragi dribbled the ball past half-court, Mitsui made an off-ball run, and used a teammate's screen to receive the ball and shoot. Ryonan's defense was always in position to close the gap on every shot, but Mitsui's touch seemed to be on fire.

The numbers on the timer kept changing, and every time Mitsui received a pass from Sakuragi and made a three-pointer, the score difference was reduced by 1 point.

Ryoji Ikegami was bent over, panting, looking like he was questioning his existence. Mitsui's steps looked very heavy when he ran, and he could hardly lift his knees and could barely straighten his back.

And I clearly put in all my effort on defense, keeping up with every step and making every save. So how could he still make the shot?

He didn't know there was such a thing as Mitsui's low-health shooting buff.

With four minutes remaining in the game.

Sakuragi Hanamichi has the ball at the top of the key. Sendoh Akira immediately closes in, lowering his center of gravity to block the shooting path.

Koshino rushed in from the flank, leaving Kogure behind and forming a double-team with Sendoh. The passing lanes were also blocked by Sendoh and Koshino together.

Sakuragi lowered his center of gravity, his shoulder slamming into Sendoh's chest, then using his core strength to forcefully grind between the two. His sneakers screeched against the floor as he forcefully drove from the top of the key into the free-throw line.

In the stands, Maki Shinichi's eyes were wide open. This red-haired monster had switched to point guard in the second half, running the entire court, and was still using brute force to withstand double-teams.

He couldn't help but blurt out, "Doesn't this guy get tired?"

There was no envy or mockery in his voice, only pure shock.

Sakuragi cut into the paint, and Uozumi and Fukuda immediately collapsed from both sides to double-team him. The four arms covered him simultaneously, squeezing out all the space around Sakuragi and turning it into a cocoon.

Sakuragi stopped abruptly with the ball, preparing to force a shot, when he saw Mitsui Hisashi running off the ball beyond the three-point line.

Mitsui's legs were almost too weak to lift, and his running motions were more like dragging his body forward. However, he still managed to shake off Ikegami half a step with Kogure's screen and waved for the ball outside the three-point line.

Sakuragi twisted his waist in mid-air and flung the ball through the gaps between the four defenders' blocks.

Mitsui received the ball, his toes just a step outside the three-point line, his knees slightly bent, and he jumped.

Ikegami lunged at him from the side, his fingers brushing against Mitsui's wrist. The ball flew out, tracing a high arc in the air.

Bang! It bounced off the rim. Bang! It bounced again. And then it went in.

"Whoosh—!" The referee's whistle blew, pointing at Sendoh: "White number 7 committed a foul by pulling an opponent. Goal stands, one penalty added."

Only then did everyone see that after Mitsui landed, he was lying on the floor with his legs curled up and his chest pressed against the floor, breathing heavily.

His teammates rushed over, and Miyagi sprang up from the bench. Akagi knelt down and helped him up.

In the stands, Tokuo Horita gripped the railing, his face contorted with grimaces, his throat hoarse from yelling, his voice almost drowning out the clamor of the entire stadium: "Mistress—! Mistress—!"

When Mitsui was supported by the two men, he was completely unable to stand. His legs were shaking like a leaf, and he could only barely stand by leaning on Akagi and Kogure.

Sendoh raised his hand to indicate that he had deliberately pulled Mitsui just as he jumped, betting that Mitsui might not make all three free throws.

But Mitsui still put it in. Sendoh's lips moved, and a complex feeling welled up in his heart.

Looking at number 14, who was barely able to stand, he muttered to himself, "Mitsui Hisashi—he really is a monster."

On the sidelines, Taoka Shigeichi's eyes lit up. He had been waiting for this moment; Mitsui's stamina was finally giving out. He couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips, and slammed his fist down hard. The opportunity had arrived.

The balance of power is now tilting in Ryonan's favor.

Mitsui was helped to the free-throw line, his hands on his knees as he gasped for breath. The gym was so quiet that only his breathing could be heard. He took the ball from the referee, stood up straight. His legs were still trembling. He bent his knees, raised the ball, and flicked it with his wrist.

The ball traced a trembling arc, swish. The free throw was made, and Shohoku finally tied the score.

Mitsui was helped off the field and sat on a bench in the substitutes' area. Ayako immediately handed him a water cup and a towel.

His hands were trembling as he took the water cup, and his legs were shaking as he put them on the ground.

"Mitsui, you get some rest." Sakuragi patted Mitsui on the shoulder. "Now, watch this genius's move."

He paused in front of Takenori Akagi before stepping onto the court. Akagi was panting heavily, his jersey soaked through. Sakuragi leaned closer: "Gorilla. I won't be under the basket on offense, so the rebounds are your responsibility."

Akagi looked up, wiped the sweat from his chin with his wristband, and nodded: "Understood."

Sakuragi turned around and looked at Rukawa again. Sakuragi didn't stop walking, but just turned his head as he passed by him: "Fox, on offense, you go to the basket and help the Gorilla grab rebounds. I'll take care of the outside shots with Glasses-kun."

Rukawa Kaede was silent for half a second, then nodded.

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