Chapter 121 Bubble Tea

Hanon tapped her knees lightly with her fingers, her eyes fixed on the situation on the field.

Ryonan's defense is gradually showing signs of crumbling.

Uozumi's legs trembled slightly, and Fukuda was panting heavily. Only Sendoh remained calm, his agile figure constantly tearing through Sannoh's solid defenses.

"Bang!"

"Whoosh!"

The score was fluctuating narrowly.

The difference is obvious.

Sannoh seemed to score with ease, while every point scored by Ryonan was as precarious as walking a tightrope.

Coach Domoto made a gesture.

Sawakita was as fast as the wind, and Kawata's dunk made the rim vibrate.

32:38.

The first half has ended.

Sendoh braced himself on his knees, sweat pouring down his face. He looked up at the scoreboard, his brows slightly raised.

Mitsui bit his finger and muttered, "Six points short..."

Akagi said in a heavy tone, "The second half will be the real test."

Coach Taoka stopped abruptly as he passed the Shohoku stands and nodded to Kanon.

"Help me—!" Boeing mouthed exaggeratedly from behind.

Hua Yin smiled slightly and suddenly stood up.

Sakuragi's eyes widened: "Sis? Where are you going?!"

“I’ll go check out the lounge in Ryonan.” She easily climbed over the railing.

Rukawa Kaede silently followed, and as he passed Sakuragi, he deliberately bumped him with his shoulder: "You're in the way."

"You filthy fox, are you asking for it?!" Sakuragi instantly flew into a rage, taking a leap after him. "This genius is going too! Sis, wait for me!"

...

Ryonan Rest Room.

Uozumi lay sprawled on the bench, his face covered with a towel, his chest heaving violently.

Fukuda stared at his trembling hands, saying nothing.

Even Yan Yi, who is usually the most talkative, huddled in the corner, his notebook spread out on his lap, but he didn't write a single word.

"Bang!"

The door was suddenly kicked open.

"Cheer up, everyone!" Boeing rushed in, carrying a large bag: "We've pushed Sannoh to within 6 points!"

Sendoh lazily took the things from her hands: "Haruka, keep your voice down, Uozumi-senpai is almost asleep."

"Who's asleep!" Uozumi ripped off the towel, his eyes bloodshot. "I'm thinking about how to tear that Kawada guy to shreds!"

Coach Taoka stood with his hands behind his back in front of the tactics board, his brow furrowed. He didn't rush to give instructions, but instead told the players to calm their breathing first.

Everyone knew that the Mountain King would not give up easily; the real battle was yet to come.

"Thump, thump, thump"

Three soft knocks broke the silence in the lounge.

Boeing Yao's ears twitched slightly, and he sprang up from his chair, his eyes shining: "The savior has arrived!"

Sendoh smiled slightly: "Welcome~"

Hanon stepped into the room, followed by the expressionless Rukawa Kaede, and—

"Sis! Wait for me!" Sakuragi's loud voice instantly filled the entire space.

Coach Taoka turned around abruptly, his tightly furrowed brows relaxing slightly.

His lips moved slightly, and finally he solemnly uttered three words: "...Please advise me."

This was the first time in Shigeichi Taoka's teaching career that he used honorifics when addressing a junior colleague.

Hanon smiled and said, "First of all, let's abandon the idea of ​​directly competing with Sannoh in terms of overall strength."

The members of Ryonan looked up abruptly: "What?! Give up?!"

Hanon didn't explain, but instead snapped her fingers.

Boeing quickly took out a uniquely shaped cup from the bag.

"Our special bubble tea is here!" Hanoyah excitedly handed out cups. "Drinking it will give you a taste of the second half of the battle!"

Uozumi stared at the glowing pearls in the cup, swallowing hard. "This stuff... is it really drinkable?"

"It tastes surprisingly good~" Sendoh was already leisurely sipping his drink. "Haruka, how about another one?"

Hanon took a small sip, then handed the cup to Rukawa: "Try it."

Without saying a word, Rukawa tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

"Hey! Give this genius a cup too!" Sakuragi snatched the milk tea that Hikoichi had already half-finished and gulped it down amidst the latter's wailing, "Ah! My milk tea!"

Coach Taoka stared intently at the liquid in his glass: "This...is this a rehearsal for the second half?"

“I can only predict 90% of Sannoh’s actions,” Kanon nodded. “As for the remaining 10% of variables—”

Her gaze swept over the group from Ryonan. "Tear it to pieces with your sharp teeth and claws."

The lounge became eerily quiet.

Predict the future!

Seize the opportunity!

We will win!

"Glug—"

The empty cup landed steadily on the table, making a crisp clinking sound.

Immediately afterwards, a realistic scene from the competition appeared before everyone's eyes—

Zebei's phantom raised an eyebrow at Sendoh provocatively.

"Attention," Kanon's voice rang out, and the scene shifted, "when Kawata returns to the center position—"

The virtual Kawada suddenly sprang up, its enormous arm slamming down on Uozumi with a whooshing sound.

"Hmph!" Uozumi instinctively raised his arms to defend, and heard Hane's prompt in his ear: "Left rear, Matsumoto, prepare to receive the ball."

Sendoh quickly turned around, just in time to simulate Matsumoto jumping and shooting.

Hana's voice echoed in my ears:

"Now--"

"Experience the worst-case scenario."

...

"Beep—!"

The referee blew his whistle, and the match officially began.

Rukawa's voice was indifferent: "The first goal."

Hanon nodded in response: "Let's see how it goes."

Uozumi clung tightly to Mikio like a plaster, rendering him unable to move.

Sendoh kept a close eye on Sawakita, and suddenly struck the ball the moment Sawakita changed direction, knocking it down with a "smack".

"Just as I thought..." Sendoh murmured to himself.

At this point, the score is 34:38.

When Fukatsu took the throw-in, Fukuda reacted quickly and intercepted the ball.

"I knew he would flick his wrist!" Fukuda said triumphantly as he scored on a fast break.

36:38.

Coach Domoto loosened his tie on the sidelines.

[Audience Seating]

"Hey! Hey!" Mitsui suddenly grabbed Miyagi's arm. "Sannoh is getting serious!"

Miyagi nodded: "So, they're finally going to use that move...?"

Akagi unconsciously clenched his fist: "Full-court press... can Ryonan hold on?"

Rukawa's fingers tightened slightly, gripping Kanon's hand, a fleeting smile playing on his lips—

She predicted everything.

...That's really impressive.

……mine.

Sakuragi pointed at the field, "Look, Sendoh!"

—On the field.

Sawakita and Fukatsu quickly formed a double-team, but Sendoh had anticipated this and delivered a precise behind-the-back pass to Uekusa.

Uekasa quickly advanced forward, and just as Ichinokura rushed in, he accurately passed the ball to Ikegami.

Without the slightest hesitation, Ikegami quickly passed the ball back to Sendoh, who was making a run.

"Swish!" The basketball swished through the net, sending the net swirling in a flurry of motion.

"Beautiful!" Miyagi whistled. "It's like they've rehearsed it!"

Mitsui's eyes widened in surprise: "Uekusa passed it to Ikegami, and Ikegami passed it back to Sendoh... This is..."

"Triangle attack!" Akagi and Miyagi shouted in unison.

Sakuragi, hands on his hips, laughed loudly: "Hehe~ That's the result of my older sister's special training!"

Hanon and Hanon exchanged a smile, the latter playfully winking.

Every time Sannoh's double-team was about to take shape, the ball would be passed to an open player.

This new team, which was not favored before the game, is tearing apart Sannoh's pressing tactics with amazing tactical execution!

Akagi said in a deep voice, "The first time could be attributed to luck..."

“The second time might be a coincidence…” Mitsui continued.

Miyagi grinned: "But the third time—"

"Someone is definitely behind this!" Sakuragi's loud voice instantly echoed throughout the stands.

He pointed to the sidelines and said smugly, "Look! Old man Domoto's face has turned green!"

really--

Coach Sannoh's tie was already askew, while Coach Taoka was calmly crossing his arms.

Sawakita defeated Sendoh in a one-on-one duel, and arrogantly held up two fingers as he returned to defense—

Kanon: "Sannoh has more than just this one move~"

Rukawa Kaede immediately sat up straight.

"They're here!" Miyagi leaned forward abruptly from the stands. "Sannoh's signature move is closing in!"

Sure enough, when Uozumi stood at the baseline to serve, Kawata and Nobe blocked him like two towering towers, their four long arms completely obscuring the passing route.

But Ryonan was prepared.

Hanon had drawn the tactics clearly on the whiteboard before the match, and having Uozumi serve was a key element.

—On the field.

As soon as the Sannoh Twin Towers moved, the entire Ryonan team erupted in a burst of energy!

"Disperse!"

The four of them exploded like fireworks, shaking off the defense!

"Gather!"

They quickly formed a human wall!

"Whoosh!"

Uozumi tossed the ball high into the air with all his might!

The basketball traced a perfect parabola—

It crashed right into the crowd!

Amidst the chaotic figures, Sendoh caught the ball and dashed out!

The Ryonan team members spread out in perfect unison, transforming into a mobile barrier!

"Whoosh!"

Quick attack succeeds!

"Beautiful!" Mitsui couldn't help but shout in approval.

Sakuragi's jaw nearly dropped in astonishment: "Sis... what's that move called again?"

Hanon explained, "This involves creating space through collective back-runs, and then launching a fast break by coordinating a screen and set at the moment of receiving the ball."

Miyagi's eyes widened: "This tactic seems far-fetched, but against the Mountain King, it's absolutely brilliant!"

Hana smiled slightly: "Sannoh's pressing tactics are nothing but a paper tiger. They look scary, but they break easily."

Rukawa Kaede: "...!"

My wife is so handsome!

...

Sannoh is still stubbornly executing their pressing tactics—

Sendoh stopped abruptly, and just as Zebei lunged forward, he flicked his wrist!

"Smack!"

Fukuda made a precise pass from behind and then quickly cut inside.

"boom!!!"

The rim vibrated violently under Fukuda's powerful dunk.

"They've overtaken them! Ryonan has overtaken them!"

The audience erupted in deafening cheers.

Coach Domoto's face turned ashen instantly—

His prized tactic of pressing the opponent has become the opponent's weak point!

"Beep!" Sannoh paused abruptly.

When the Mountain King reappeared, their formation had changed.

Fukatsu, taking advantage of Kawata's impenetrable defense, delivered a surgical-like bounce pass—

Zebei soared into the sky!

Whoosh!

A high-difficulty shot hit the target.

78-78, another tie!

—Lingnan's response.

Uozumi suddenly bounced outward after setting a screen, and Mikio staggered and couldn't catch up.

Whoosh!

The mid-range shot went in.

Ikegami relentlessly blocked the right flank, forcing Fukatsu to break through on the left.

They crashed directly into Fukuda, who was providing defensive support.

After deliberately making two mistakes while facing Sawakita, Sendoh suddenly pulled up for a three-pointer!

—Professional-level targeted attacks often require only the simplest adjustments.

Coach Domoto had beads of sweat on his forehead.

This new Kanagawa team didn't try to compete with Sannoh in terms of overall strength, but instead used the purest team basketball to erode the pride of the champions inch by inch.

Coach Taoka remained unusually calm throughout, giving the players a great sense of security.