Chapter 75 Destiny

Sakuragi patted Miyagi on the shoulder, grinning from ear to ear: "Ryo-chan, pass the ball to this genius more often! Hehehe..."

Upon hearing this, Miyagi raised an eyebrow: "Where do you get your confidence from, you rascal?"

The game continues.

Miyagi easily intercepted the ball from Miyamasu. He stared at Miyamasu, whose defense was practically non-existent, and began to analyze Coach Takato's tactical arrangements in his mind.

Seeing Miyamasu running over to defend him, Sakuragi shouted, "—Ryo!"

Miyagi passed the ball smoothly to Sakuragi, who dribbled quickly towards the basket.

—Sure enough, Miyagi stared at him with a pair of provocative eyes, spewing out a string of harsh and offensive words.

Sakuragi pretended not to hear, closed his ears, and began to unreasonably perform his dunking skills—

In mid-air, he shifted his body slightly and slammed the basketball into the hoop with a backhand.

"Bang!"

A back dunk secured two points for Shohoku.

"Yay!!"

The little red-haired monkey was so excited that it danced around and let out a joyful monkey cry.

Coach Gao was taken aback, and his eyelids twitched.

Kiyota quickly passed the ball to Miyamasu, who was open for a three-pointer.

Suddenly, Sakuragi darted out, stole the ball from Miyamasu, and then dashed towards the basket with lightning speed—

"Bang!"

Another fierce dunk!

"Wow~~!!"

Sakuragi jumped around excitedly on the court, perfectly embodying the phrase "the most eye-catching person." He ran triumphantly to Coach Takato: "Thanks, old man! Hahaha..."

His tone was extremely arrogant.

One more! One more!

Cheers erupted from the audience.

Sakuragi was overjoyed. He put his hands on his hips and laughed loudly, "Thank you all for your support. Now, this genius will show his true strength. Take this, Hainan! Hahaha!"

Mitsui: "What's that idiot Sakuragi so smug about?"

Miyagi: "Please, Sakuragi, that short guy is a score-boosting machine for everyone, okay? There's nothing to be so smug about!"

Rukawa Kaede: "Idiot."

Coach Gao gripped his paper fan tightly, his brow furrowed... Let's take another look... Let's take another look!

When Miyagi saw Miyamasu blocking Sakuragi's way, he raised an eyebrow—"You dare to come back? Then we won't hold back!"

He decisively passed the ball to Sakuragi.

Sakuragi accelerated his run-up and sprinted toward the basket, his target clear—the high basket above him.

However, this time, Amu stood in his way.

【Wow--】

The audience was stunned by his unwavering sprint and resolute gaze; the entire stadium fell silent, holding their breath and staring intently.

Sakuragi's eyes blazed with fury, every muscle in his body radiating terrifying power as he charged towards Maki—

Not to be outdone, Maki's monstrous body leaped into the air in an instant, using his strength and determination to block Sakuragi's path.

【Wow……】

The audience was so stunned by this breathtaking moment that they jumped up from their seats!

Sakuragi unleashed a deafening roar, colliding with Maki with all his might—

The powerful rebound almost caused Sakuragi to lose his balance, but he still carried Maki's body and charged towards the basket.

He gripped the basketball tightly with both hands and slammed it into the hoop!

"Bang!"

—The vibration of the basketball hoop seemed to make the entire stadium tremble!

"bump!"

—A clash of pure flesh and blood!

Maki instantly felt the shocking power of Sakuragi's attack—he was sent flying several meters away and crashed heavily onto the floor.

Sakuragi, hanging on the rim, glanced at Maki, let go, landed, and declared domineeringly and arrogantly, "Uncle, I won!"

Wow, Sakuragi Hanamichi is amazing!

[Wow, Sakuragi Hanamichi is amazing! He beat Hainan Emperor Maki!]

[Sakuragi! Sakuragi! Sakuragi!]

The audience erupted in a cacophony of screams, like flames ignited by hot oil, and the scene instantly reached its boiling point!

Coach Gao was completely stunned, his hand gripping the paper fan tightly until it broke in his hand!

[Hanagata: The memory of being blocked by Sakuragi is truly terrifying...]

[Yan Yi's hands trembled: Sakuragi-nii jumped so high, and his strength was amazing...]

Kiyota quickly ran over and helped Amu up: "Amu-nii, are you alright?"

Amu felt a tingling sensation all over his body, the excitement of facing a formidable opponent. He took a deep breath and calmly said, "I'm fine."

Sakuragi's dunk over Maki instantly boosted Shohoku's morale!

Using his speed and agility, Miyagi broke through before the double team could react, but Maki suddenly appeared and slapped the basketball with one hand—

"Miyagi, pass the ball!"

Without hesitation, Miyagi threw the ball with all his might—

Mitsui received the ball, his feet moved like the wind, and he rushed to a point one meter outside the three-point line.

Maki's speed in returning to defense was astonishing. Mitsui knew he couldn't get past Maki, so—

He jumped and shot from a meter beyond the three-point line!

Maki was stunned by Mitsui's unexpected long-range shot and couldn't react, only able to watch helplessly as the ball spun through the air—

"Whoosh!"

With a soft thud, the basketball swished through the net, adding another three points to Shohoku's scoreboard.

Wow! That's a true sharpshooter! He can make a shot from that far!

Look! That sharpshooter is none other than Mitsui Hisashi, the Flame Man!

Every player on Shohoku High School is amazing!

Go Shohoku!

Most of the viewers who originally supported the Hainan team have now switched their support to the Shohoku team, cheering them on.

Akagi ran over with a smile and gave Mitsui a high five in celebration: "Well done, Mitsui!"

Miyagi and Sakuragi, those two lively characters, one with his arm around Mitsui's shoulder and the other with his arm around his neck, jumped up and down excitedly: "Hehe, well done, Mitsui!"

Mitsui blushed deeply, overwhelmed by this suffocating love. He dragged Ersha along and clung to Rukawa, pleading for help: "Rukawa, save me!"

Rukawa Kaede coldly puffed out his chubby cheeks and shoved Mitsui away with disdain: "Three idiots."

Maki controlled the ball and came to the top of the arc, where Mitsui quickly closed in.

Miyagi against Miyagi? Easy peasy! He subtly shifted his foot, forming a pincer movement with Mitsui against Maki.

Although Mitsui was experienced, his speed and strength were completely incomparable to those of the monster Maki.

Maki easily beat Mitsui in a few moves and quickly passed the ball. Miyagi, distracted by two tasks, watched helplessly as Miyagi received the ball beyond the three-point line, and then—

"Yay..." The people from Hainan couldn't help but cheer softly.

"Snap!" A crisp sound, accompanied by the loud clatter of the conspicuous bag.

"Watch this genius make you a huge hot pot!"

"What?!"

Coach Gao was both shocked and furious. Where did that guy come from?! What kind of insane athletic ability is this?!

"Well done! Sakuragi Hanamichi!" the Shohoku bench cheered happily.

The ball was knocked out, and both teams fought hard for it.

In terms of speed, Miyagi was superior. He picked up the ball and, like an arrow, charged towards Hainan's basket with the three tigers.

Amu returned to defend in time, halting Miyagi's advance.

Miyagi didn't force his way through, but passed the ball out.

Rukawa received the ball, and Kiyota, not to be outdone, immediately closed in on him, while simultaneously launching a trash-talking attack: "Rukawa! Come on, let's see who the strongest rookie king is!"

Rukawa Kaede swung his arms rapidly, the basketball darting across his body at high speed. He gave Kiyota a cold look: "You really talk too much nonsense."

Rukawa Kaede, holding the ball, suddenly charged to the right, shifting his weight to the right, with Kiyota close behind—

With a flick of his wrist, Rukawa sent the basketball through his legs to his left, and then "whoosh," it darted past Kiyota on his left!

Kiyota was so shaken he almost lost his balance, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.

In that instant, he clearly saw Rukawa Kaede's every move, but his own body seemed to be moving in slow motion, unable to keep up with Rukawa Kaede's speed.

Rukawa Kaede drove into the paint, leaped into the air, and slammed the ball into the basket over the defending Takasago.

[Aaaaaah! Rukawa Kaede! Rukawa Kaede!]

[Yan Yi shouted excitedly: "He's too strong! Rukawa Kaede is just too strong!"]

Coach Taoka couldn't help but exclaim: "His speed is incredible! He breaks through defenses with such ease, it's like he's playing around!"

Sendoh silently watched all this, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes: This kid has improved a lot.

A-Maki looked at the five Shohoku players, his eyes gleaming: "Shohoku team, they're really interesting!"

The game grew increasingly intense, and the audience was absolutely thrilled and thoroughly enjoying themselves. Especially impressive was Shohoku's 26-20 lead over Hainan in the first quarter – a six-point advantage!

During the first quarter break, the Xiangbei team members beamed with undisguised joy.

Unfortunately, this joy didn't last long. Less than a minute into the second quarter, Captain Akagi was unexpectedly injured…

[Oh no, Shohoku is in deep trouble now...]

[Akagi's luck is just too bad!]

The rest of the matches are going to be boring...

The audience felt a deep sense of regret, and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere filled the stadium, making it hard to breathe.

Takato stroked his chin. With Akagi off the court, Shohoku's season was over.

Shohoku Lounge.

Sakuragi looked completely bewildered.

To his utter surprise, the gorilla was injured again, and just like before, it was injured in its ankle.

Is this some kind of divine will?

Is everything...predestined?

Akagi had taken off his right shoe, and seeing his ankle swollen like a bun, everyone's hearts sank to the bottom.

Ayako immediately suggested, "Quick! Senior, let's go to the hospital right away to take pictures and see what's going on!"

But Akagi stubbornly shook his head, insisting on continuing the match.

"Senior," Ayako stared seriously at Akagi's foot, "this injury is so serious, are you still going to participate in the competition?"

"Stop being so long-winded! Just tie me up, why all the questions? I know my own injuries, I don't need you to teach me!"

Akagi shouted directly, his tone firm and resolute.

"..."

Ayako stood there blankly, her mouth opening and closing repeatedly, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Haruko covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face: "Brother..."

This is the match that my brother values ​​most!

Hanon stepped into the lounge and said, "Hanamichi, go to the gymnasium to borrow a wheelchair first. Haruko and I will take Akagi-senpai to the hospital!"

The people inside looked at her in surprise.

Sakuragi snapped out of his daze: "...Yes!"

Akagi tried his best to suppress his anxiety and said in as calm a tone as possible, "I'm not going to the hospital! Do you know how much hard work I've put in for this match? I've waited three years to compete against Maki!"

Hana stared straight at him. "Is this the only thing you care about? Aren't you planning to participate in the national tournament?"

This isn't a comic book, this is reality!

She couldn't just let Akagi get a simple bandage and go back on the field.

Even without Akagi, Shohoku can still win this game!

If Akagi suffers any long-term health problems due to delayed medical treatment, it would be a greater loss than a gain.

Akagi became agitated, his voice rising: "How can you expect me to go to the hospital now?! What if I'm not there and we lose the match…?"

Hanon calmly replied, "There's no 'what if'."

Akagi's eyes reddened, like an angry lion: "What guarantees do you have! This is my last summer of high school!"

Hanon looked at the glaring countdown on her palm and said in a light but firm tone, "Take my life."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened; these words carried immense weight!

Sakuragi quickly pushed his wheelchair and hurriedly entered the lounge. Just then, he heard those words, and the veins on his hand gripping the wheelchair instantly bulged, an inexplicable emotion swirling deep within him.

Kanon continued to persuade him, "Senior, you need to learn to trust your teammates. The current Shohoku team can no longer win a game simply by defeating Akagi Takenori. Can you guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen in the national tournament?"

The lounge was eerily quiet, almost suffocating.

"…sorry."

Akagi realized his attitude was inappropriate and understood what Kanon meant. He took a deep breath and said, "Kogure, help me into the wheelchair."

Kogure snapped out of his daze and said firmly, "Yes! Akagi, don't worry, we will definitely win!"

"Please help me."

Before going to the hospital, Hanon told Ayako, "Send in a defensive player and let Mitsui-senpai and Miyagi rest for a quarter."

Ayako was slightly surprised, then nodded.