Chapter 87 Rukawa's Sudden Enlightenment

"Smack!"

"Smack!"

"Smack!"

Rukawa Kaede no longer rushed to shoot, but instead steadily controlled the ball at crucial moments, calmly looking for opportunities.

Coach Taoka was taken aback at first, then gave a dismissive "humph".

Is Rukawa Kaede controlling the ball?

Organizing an attack is not as simple as just passing the ball! It requires calm observation, meticulous analysis, decisive choices, and precise execution.

Rukawa Kaede certainly has extraordinary potential. He's definitely capable of playing one-on-one, but what about organizing the team's offense?

I'm afraid he'll end up attacking on his own...

The game is ever-changing, with complex offense and defense.

Sendoh, even in his first year, went through double the hard work and painful transformation to reach his current level!

Is it Rukawa Kaede?

Do you think you can reach the top in one step just by relying on your extraordinary talent and unlimited potential?

Pshaw, keep dreaming!

Before Coach Taoka could finish his rant, he saw—

After drawing the attention of Ryonan's best defender, Rukawa pulled the basketball behind him with his left hand, then flicked his wrist slightly towards Miyagi on his right.

As the defensive linchpin of Ryonan, Ikegami's reaction speed is astonishing! He forcefully shifted his center of gravity, pushed off the ground with his right foot, and charged straight towards Miyagi!

Ikegami shouted, "Don't even think about succeeding!"

Rukawa Kaede looked indifferent, as if he were detached from the matter.

In an instant, he struck with his right elbow—

The basketball instantly changed its trajectory, becoming an orange phantom, flying from behind him to the left—

Before anyone could react,

Kogure caught the ball steadily!

With no one guarding him under the basket, he leaped lightly and sent the ball into the hoop!

Whoosh!

It swiftly and cleanly pierced through the net.

Xiangbei vs Lingnan, 26:37!

After the timeout, Shohoku responded with a 5-point attack!

The entire audience was stunned, rubbing their eyes as if they had seen wrong.

[Holy crap, was that an elbow pass?!]

Wait, Rukawa Kaede... isn't he going to play one-on-one anymore?!

[Ahhh, even though it wasn't Rukawa who scored, he looked even cooler when he passed the ball!]

[Rukawa Kaede, Rukawa Kaede...LOVE Rukawa Kaede!]

The fanatical Rukawa shouted Rukawa Kaede's name, kicking his thigh high, his pink skirt billowing out in waves of heat.

Despite the noisy atmosphere around him, Rukawa remained as calm as an iceberg, his face expressionless.

He tugged at his wristband, his fox-like eyes unconsciously drifting in a certain direction—

At the end of the line of sight…

Hana smiled brightly and gave him a thumbs up.

Rukawa Kaede's usually straight lips were pulled upwards uncontrollably, and his cold and aloof eyes became softer and more tender.

He seemed to hear the sound of blood flowing through his own veins.

Rukawa Kaede finally understood!

He had been trying to pass the ball to his teammates, but people still said he was "selfish" on the court.

So that's where the problem lies—

He only chooses to pass the ball when the attacking opportunity is not good, which is passive!

But now, Rukawa Kaede has finally grasped the true meaning of basketball—

Running with the ball, observing teammates' positions, attracting defense, and creating attacking opportunities for teammates—that kind of momentum, like a sword being drawn from its sheath, that kind of control, like rain falling!

Rukawa Kaede felt his blood was hot and itchy!

Coach Taoka's mouth was half-open, and he almost exclaimed in shock: "No, impossible!!"

Rukawa Kaede, how did you suddenly realize that?!

You said he understood it all at once, and understood it so thoroughly!

This kind of tactical skill and strategic vision cannot be developed overnight!

What kind of efforts did the Shohoku team make behind the scenes?

"Rukawa, well done!" The glasses guy's praise was always so heartwarming.

"Beautiful!" Miyagi smiled and held out his palm.

"You're not bad, kid!" Mitsui draped one arm over Rukawa and stretched out the other.

Rukawa raised his hand and gave them a high-five to celebrate.

The people on the bench were stunned and couldn't help but look at Hanon next to them. Was this the reason why she didn't replace Rukawa Kaede?

Ayako said softly, "What Rukawa Kaede lacks has never been 1v1 ability, but rather how to better integrate with the team..."

Kanon is that bridge, connecting Rukawa and the team, allowing them to integrate more closely together.

Haruko's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with both hands.

At first, she was really into Kanon and Rukawa's looks and basketball skills... It was like the dawn finally piercing through the dark clouds, and she seemed to catch a glimpse of their relationship—

When teaching Rukawa to play basketball, Hanon never nagged him incessantly, nor did she forcefully control his playing style.

Instead, he used the most comfortable way to do his best to create a god. Like everyone else, Kanon looked up from the sidelines as the god shone brightly on the field!

The radiant God, with an even more devout posture, firmly fixates on his one and only God.

Both of them were etched with passion and fervor into their very bones and flesh.

Haruko found it hard to describe the shock she felt; she had never seen such intense and pure emotion!

Sendoh raised an eyebrow, looking nonchalant: "Hey, not bad."

That last shot, Rukawa could have scored himself, but he made a beautiful pass instead!

The attacking demon seems to have improved.

Rukawa Kaede only glanced coldly at Sendoh, said nothing, and focused on returning to defense.

Possession returned to Ryonan, and Sendoh controlled the ball, charging straight towards Rukawa.

All eyes of the audience were focused on the field, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Rukawa Kaede single-handedly defends against Sendoh!

Sendoh repeatedly switched hands to dribble the ball, clearly wanting to compete with Rukawa.

Should I attack myself? Or pass the ball?

Rukawa's gaze was cold and sharp as he stared intently at the ball in Sendoh's hand.

I need to anticipate!

I need to anticipate!

I need to anticipate!

I need to anticipate!

I need to anticipate!

Sendoh's ball began to move in a crisscross pattern in front of him, its speed noticeably increasing. He then suddenly lifted his right hand, preparing to launch himself.

Now!

Rukawa Kaede felt a chill run down his spine.

Sendoh raised the ball, made a feint to break through, but suddenly stopped, pushed off with both legs, and jumped up.

I knew you would do this!

A glint flashed in the dark fox eyes.

Before Sendoh could even shoot, Rukawa's large hand accurately caught the ball, and then, as fast as lightning, he sprinted towards Ryonan's half of the court!

Xiandao was left with a completely bewildered expression.

The ball is lost?!

Sendoh was filled with questions. How could the ball have disappeared in the blink of an eye?!

Not only Sendoh, but even Coach Taoka, who was watching from the sidelines, had his eyes wide open like saucers!

How did Rukawa's defensive skills suddenly become so amazing?!

This guy is not only exceptionally talented, but also incredibly hardworking, making him both lovable and infuriating!

Thinking of this, Coach Taoka was filled with envy and jealousy. Coach Anzai had really struck gold!

[Kiyota: That stinky Rukawa Kaede, how did he guess Sendoh's move?!]

[Ah Shen blinked: Maybe it's just a coincidence...]

Before he could finish speaking, he realized that this was clearly not a reasonable explanation!

[Amu: It must stem from experience and judgment. To be honest, I didn't believe this view at first, but I witnessed what happened just now. Generally speaking, first-year high school players absolutely cannot reach that level of judgment and awareness!]

Kiyota muttered through gritted teeth: ...Damn it! It must be a coincidence!

[Aki shook his head: Kiyota, don't be unconvinced, and don't let jealousy blind you. Think back to your duels with him; Rukawa Kaede always won!]

Kiyota put aside his thoughts and stared intently at the arena.

Rukawa Kaede dribbles towards the paint!

opposite--

Uozumi stared at him intently.

Ikegami caught up as well, clinging to Rukawa Kaede like a leech, one on each side.

Seizing the opportunity, Miyagi swiftly darted into the paint.

Rukawa Kaede reached behind his back, the ball slipped from his hand and he made a reverse cut—

Miyagi receives the ball, turns, and accelerates!

Off-road quickly filled in to cover, but it was too late…

Miyagi reacted quickly and passed the ball to Mitsui!

Shohoku's sharpshooter calmly takes a shot from beyond the three-point line.

"Whoosh!"

The ball traced a perfect arc through the air and swished through the net!

Xiangbei vs Lingnan, 29:37!

The point difference has returned to single digits.

In the stands, the audience members were excitedly discussing the event, their eyes never leaving the venue.

Wow, the score is closing so fast!

[Rukawa Kaede is amazing! He single-handedly tore apart Ryonan's defenses!]

The players from Hainan and Xiangyang were greatly shocked.

With Rukawa's support, Shohoku's offensive firepower was incredibly strong! Most importantly, Rukawa broke up the opponent's double-team with just a wave of his hand!

Kiyota's eyes widened: He's just a first-year student, there's no way he can know everything!

However, he is Rukawa Kaede! Not some ace that can be defined by first or second year students…

[Ah Shen: Ryonan is in a bit of trouble now. Rukawa's growth rate at crucial moments is too fast! Was Shohoku really just letting Rukawa play one-on-one...?]

[Amu sighed deeply: "The broadened horizons, the empathetic experience, the stimulation and refinement from the depths of the spirit and soul—Rukawa has gained so much from this match..."]

Judging from this alone, Shohoku has already won...

Coach Taoka was furious, yelling at Sendoh, "Sendoh! Are you asleep?! Wake up right now and beat that first-year kid to a pulp! Do you hear me?!"

Yan Yi quickly grabbed Coach Taoka and whispered, "Coach, calm down! There are a lot of reporters here today!"

Coach Taoka froze for a moment, then quickly straightened his back and tugged at his green polo shirt.

Sendoh was no pushover. He instantly dropped his nonchalant attitude, calmly dribbling the ball and gently encouraging his teammates, "Okay, everyone relax, let's score first."

The Ryonan players nodded, their tense expressions relaxing slightly.

Coach Taoka nodded in satisfaction.

This is the quality of Ryonan's ace player: he can remain calm under any circumstances and let his strength speak for itself!

Team cohesion is the key to victory!

Ryonan launched a counterattack.

With a "whoosh"—

Sendoh darted through Rukawa's tight defense like lightning, heading straight for the basket. Before Kakuta and Kogure could even regain their footing, Sendoh was already flying directly above the rim.

With a deafening roar, a powerful tomahawk slam!

Xiangbei vs Lingnan, 29:39!

Once the path of immortality becomes serious, its power is boundless!

Shohoku has possession of the ball.

Kakuta serves from the baseline, and according to the tactic, the ball is passed to Rukawa.

Rukawa dribbled the ball forward, facing a double-team from Sendoh and Ikegami. With swift, decisive movements, he quickly passed the ball to Miyagi.

Well, to put it simply, let Miyagi organize the attack.

In the previous rounds, Rukawa Kaede's performance was so dazzling and threatening that the Ryonan team members forgot that Shohoku also had the lightning-fast Miyagi Ryota.

Ignoring the palace will naturally come at a price!