Although Sakuragi Hanamichi couldn't save the basketball that went out of bounds, his fighting spirit and attitude deeply influenced everyone on the court.

Even the Ryonan players on the court looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi as if he were a monster, as if Sakuragi Hanamichi would rush over to snatch the ball from every player who got it. Sakuragi Hanamichi was everywhere.

This person is terrifying!

Sakuragi Hanamichi, oblivious to everyone's stares, thought to himself, "Damn it! If only I could have passed that ball!"

As Ayako watched Sakuragi Hanamichi get up from the ground as if nothing had happened, she couldn't help but say to Akagi Haruko beside her, "Haruko, your favorite Sakuragi Hanamichi is really amazing! He has such fighting spirit!"

Haruko Akagi subconsciously said, "Yes! Flower arrangement is really amazing."

But then, Haruko Akagi quickly changed her tune, saying, "No, I didn't say I liked Hanamichi Sakuragi, Ayako, don't talk nonsense."

Ayako said with a smile, "You silly child, if you like him, just tell him loudly, what's wrong with that?"

Ayako, the eldest sister, seems to have a particular fondness for calling people younger than her "kids." She just called Sakuragi Hanamichi "kid," and now she's calling Akagi Haruko "kid."

The boss lady truly lives up to her title!

Haruko Akagi immediately started playfully fighting with Ayako again. "Ah! Ayako, what are you saying? Stop talking nonsense..."

But just then, Coach Anzai spoke up.

Coach Anzai looked at Rukawa and asked, "Rukawa, you go on the field to replace Tetsuji Shiozaki."

Rukawa Kaede's expression hardened, and he nodded seriously. Then he took off the large towel draped over his body and stood up abruptly!

Haruko Akagi and Ayako immediately stopped their playful fighting and looked excitedly at Rukawa Kaede, who was about to take the stage.

They knew that the moment that would decide the outcome of the match had arrived.

The referee stopped the game. "Shohoku, make a substitution!"

Tetsushi Shiozaki breathed a sigh of relief and slowly walked towards Kaede Rukawa, their hands clasped together.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Rukawa Kaede entered the field!

At this moment, everyone, from Sakuragi Hanamichi and Akagi Takenori of Shohoku to Sendoh Akira and Uozumi Jun of Ryonan, was looking at the super rookie Rukawa Kaede.

"Rukawa Kaede!"

"It's Rukawa Kaede!"

"Rukawa Kaede is back on the field!"

The audience couldn't help but shout Rukawa Kaede's name.

Everyone realized that the moment that would truly determine the outcome had arrived.

The current score is Ryonan 83 points, Shohoku 79 points.

Just after Rukawa and Tetsushi Shiozaki high-fived, Coach Anzai called out, "Sakuragi, Rukawa, you two come here for a moment."

Sakuragi Hanamichi's lips curled up slightly as he thought happily, "Dad has finally made his move!"

Immediately afterwards, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede walked toward Coach Anzai.

At the same time, Coach Taoka of Ryonan High School was shocked!

From the start of the match, Coach Taoka kept an eye on Coach Anzai's movements. During halftime and when the match was paused, Coach Taoka would not forget to glance at Coach Anzai while arranging his own tactics.

Coach Taoka had a lingering question: it seemed he had almost never seen Coach Anzai gather all the players together to discuss tactics.

At this crucial moment, with only two minutes left in the game, Coach Anzai singled out Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede to his side, clearly indicating that he was arranging a key tactic.

While Coach Taoka was tense, he was also calmly analyzing what arrangements Coach Anzai would make for Rukawa and Sakuragi. "Coach Anzai, it's already the last moment. What tactics can you still come up with to turn the tide?"

The audience outside the stadium gasped in surprise at this moment.

"My God! That person is actually the coach?"

Wow! So that person really was the coach!

"Yes! I saw him sitting there without moving, I never imagined he would be a coach."

"This is going to be interesting! The Shohoku coach, who had been sitting there without moving, has finally made his move. The outcome will be decided by this tactic!"

When the referee saw that Coach Anzai had called two players off the field, he rushed to Coach Anzai's side and asked, "Coach, if you want to make tactical arrangements, please call a timeout. Otherwise, this will hinder the normal progress of the game."

Coach Anzai smiled and said, "Oh, sorry, I just wanted to say one thing to them. I've finished now, please continue the game."

The referee was a little confused because Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede had just walked up to Coach Anzai when he rushed over. He didn't expect Coach Anzai to just say one sentence and then it was over.

Is a tactical maneuver that can be summarized in a single sentence really worth calling two players to the sidelines?

Soon, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede returned to the court.

At this moment, everyone could clearly feel that Shohoku's fighting spirit had returned!

The game continues, and Ryonan serves.

Ryoji Ikegami inbounds the ball from the sidelines, and it falls into the hands of Hiroaki Koshino.

Kiminobu Kogure immediately rushed up to defend Hiroaki Koshino, attempting to steal the ball.

The next moment, Hiroaki Koshino passed the basketball to Akira Sendoh.

Ryonan still wants to target Sendoh Akira!

After all, Sendoh Akira was like a god descending to earth, incredibly brave and invincible, so passing the basketball to Sendoh Akira was definitely the first choice for every Ryonan player.

"Bang!"

The basketball bounced off the ground and landed in Sendoh Akira's hands.

Akira Sendoh also secured the basketball.

But the next moment, even Sendoh Akira himself was a little confused!

Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede simultaneously surrounded Sendoh Akira!

Coach Taoka, standing off the court, jumped up from his seat with a start. "It's a two-on-one tight marking game! Are they trying to completely shut down Sendoh?"

Coach Taoka then looked at Coach Anzai on the other end, "Coach Anzai, so this is the tactic you arranged!"

For Sendoh Akira, neither Sakuragi Hanamichi nor Rukawa Kaede could defend against him.

However, if Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa Kaede were to defend Sendoh Akira at the same time, it would definitely put a lot of pressure on Sendoh Akira, and he would not be able to easily dribble past them and score a layup like before.

At this moment, both the Ryonan and Shohoku players looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi, Rukawa Kaede, and Sendoh Akira in shock.

The Shohoku team is actually defending Sendoh like this!

Sendoh, what are you going to do now?

Sakuragi Hanamichi was clearly very confident at this moment. He believed that with Rukawa Kaede assisting in the defense against Sendoh, Sendoh would definitely not be able to break through and would choose to pass the ball.

Rukawa Kaede, however, remained expressionless, staring intently at Sendoh Akira.

Sakuragi Hanamichi glanced at Rukawa Kaede beside him, thinking, "Good bro, you're finally on the court. This time, let's team up and crush Sendoh!"

But suddenly!

Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately sensed that something was wrong!

Suddenly, Sendoh Akira's lips curled into a smile.

Sakuragi Hanamichi was startled. "Holy crap! No way? Our defense is making him even more excited?"