We can't lose!
We must not give up!
How could I lose here?
With me joining Shohoku, how could they possibly only make it to the quarterfinals?
I, Mitsui Hisashi, have returned!
Mitsui Hisashi, who successfully sank a three-pointer, was panting heavily while constantly encouraging himself.
Mitsui Hisashi's transformation deeply moved everyone present.
Akagi Takenori shouted, "Mitsui! Well done! The inside game is up to me and Sakuragi, so go ahead and shoot as many three-pointers as you want!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi, Rukawa Kaede, and Miyagi Ryota were already in position on defense, and the three of them shouted in unison, "Go for it!"
The players in the Shohoku rest area chanted, "Defense! Defense! Defense!"
Mitsui Hisashi dragged his weary body into the defensive position.
However, upon seeing this scene, Jun Uozumi of the Ryonan team remarked, "Mitsui's performance just now was truly amazing. His indomitable spirit inspired everyone present. However, his physical condition has declined even more severely now."
Sendoh Akira, who was standing to the side, nodded and said, "Yes! He must have used every last bit of strength he had to shoot that three-pointer."
However, Sendoh Akira quickly changed the subject, his eyes seemingly lighting up, and said, "But he's Mitsui Hisashi, the man who never gives up! He might actually be able to create a miracle next!"
Upon hearing this, the members of the Ryonan team all looked at Mitsui Hisashi with solemn expressions.
Maki Shinichi of the Hainan team looked at Jin Soichiro beside him and asked, "Jin, you're also a three-point shooter, what do you think of that Mitsui Hisashi?"
Jin Soichiro looked at Mitsui Hisashi seriously, smiled slightly, and said, "He should be like me; once he finds his rhythm for scoring, he's unstoppable and can keep scoring."
However, Shinichiro then said with a hint of regret, "But his physical condition has declined significantly, and he is in very poor condition. It's hard to say what will happen next."
Looking at the exhausted Mitsui Hisashi, Maki Shinichi murmured, "Your confident eyes don't lie. You've finally found yourself again, just like in your middle school finals. But can you create another miracle today?"
With Mitsui Hisashi's brilliant three-pointer, Shohoku narrowed the gap to 6 points, bringing the game between Shohoku and Shoyo into a heated phase.
Both teams' cheerleaders and everyone in the rest area shouted and cheered with all their might.
At times like these, it's all about momentum and fighting spirit!
Ayako, in the Shohoku rest area, suddenly shouted, "Ryota! What Sakuragi said earlier is true! You have to do your best! I'm waiting for you!"
If Shohoku loses here, they will completely lose their chance to advance to the national tournament this year.
This year, Shohoku High School finally got so many amazing players: Mitsui Hisashi, the superstar from middle school; Rukawa Kaede, the super rookie; and Sakuragi Hanamichi, the rebounding king. The addition of these three players has brought Shohoku High School's strength to an unprecedented level.
If Shohoku's current roster can't even qualify for the national tournament, then next year, with Mitsui Hisashi and Akagi Takenori graduating and Shohoku unable to recruit any better players, Miyagi Ryota will have even less of a chance to make it to the national tournament!
So at this moment, Ayako no longer holds back her true feelings; she wants to tell that little boy from back then: I've been waiting for you all along!
Upon hearing this, Miyagi Ryota was visibly shaken!
He seemed to see that little girl on the beach all those years ago!
He saw the photo the little girl had mailed to him after they parted ways.
Miyagi Ryota was instantly filled with excitement!
He touched the earring pendant hanging around his neck and roared, "Ayako! Wait for me! Watch how I defeat Fujima!"
As he spoke, Kenji Fujima had already charged forward with the ball!
To everyone's surprise, Kenji Fujima actually wanted to shoot a three-pointer this time!
Kenji Fujima suddenly jumped from outside the three-point line!
"Ah!!! You can't even dream about it!!!" Miyagi Ryota jumped up with a roar!
So what if someone is 10 centimeters shorter than you?
I'm going to treat you to a huge hot pot today!
I'm going to steal the ball from you!
No matter who comes, it won't make a difference!
"What?! Miyagi actually!!!"
"My God! That little guy jumped so high!!!"
"No way! This is possible?"
Ayako exclaimed with delight, "Ryota!!!"
There was a loud "bang"!
Ryota Miyagi, who is only 168 cm tall, treated Kenji Fujima, who is 178 cm tall, to a big hot pot!
Kenji Fujima stared in disbelief, bewildered in the wind!
Ryota Miyagi quickly rushed towards the basketball and took control of it.
Steal successful!
Don't ask why!
Asking is the magic of love!
Immediately afterwards, Miyagi Ryota launched a swift attack!
Kenji Fujima let out a heart-wrenching roar: "Get back on defense!!!"
Everyone on the Xiangyang team ran back for their lives!
Shohoku team would not let go of such a golden opportunity to counterattack. At this moment, all of Shohoku team members went all out to attack Shoyo team's position!
Kenji Fujima, as expected of a point guard who is on par with Shinichi Maki, immediately caught up with Ryota Miyagi, who was running at full speed.
Kenji Fujima used all his skills to try and snatch the basketball from Ryota Miyagi's hands.
However, Ryota Miyagi's inner power has been fully unleashed, and at his peak, Ryota Miyagi is in no way inferior to Kenji Fujima!
However, it must be said that Kenji Fujima's interference did indeed stop Ryota Miyagi's fast attack!
And just then!
Ryota Miyagi suddenly flung the basketball away and shouted, "Rukawa Kaede!"
really!
In this fast-paced situation, I still chose to pass to Rukawa!
Not only is Rukawa Kaede fast and has good individual skills, but more importantly, his physical fitness is now much stronger than Mitsui Hisashi's!
With a "smack"!
Rukawa caught the basketball!
Nagano Mitsuru and Hasegawa Kazushi were desperately chasing after Rukawa Kaede, determined not to give Shohoku a chance to score this time!
After getting the basketball, Rukawa Kaede went all out and rushed towards the basket of the Shohoku team.
Seeing this, Fujima Kenji also abandoned his defense against Miyagi Ryota, unleashed all his energy, and rushed towards Rukawa Kaede, determined to catch up even if he couldn't catch up!
Nagano roared, "Rukawa Kaede! Don't even think about it!"
Hasegawa Kazushi roared, "We won't let you score again this time!"
But Rukawa, who was dribbling the ball at high speed, suddenly glanced in another direction.
Rukawa Kaede has a pair of phoenix eyes, which are very lively when they move. This is one of the reasons why many girls like Rukawa Kaede. Every time they see Rukawa Kaede's eyes, they will show a lovestruck expression!
But at that moment, Nagano Mitsuru and Hasegawa Kazushi were shocked!
Outside line?
Could it be?
Nagano Mitsuru and Hasegawa Kazushi instantly showed expressions of shock!
But it was too late!
Rukawa suddenly threw the basketball out to the outside and shouted, "Mitsui-senpai! It's up to you!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi clenched his fist instantly and said excitedly, "Good brother! That's it! Trust me, you won't go wrong!"
With a "smack"!
Mitsui Hisashi caught the basketball steadily!
At this moment, Hasegawa Kazushi and Fujima Kenji wanted to turn around and rush towards Mitsui Hisashi, but it was already too late!
Because Mitsui Hisashi jumped the moment he received the ball!
That familiar shooting form appeared in everyone's eyes once again!
Although this three-pointer seemed to everyone else to be shot very quickly, Mitsui Hisashi felt that everything was so clear when he released the shot.
He could clearly feel the reaction of his legs after jumping, the reaction of his arms when releasing the ball, the feeling of his wrist exerting force, and the feeling of his fingers flicking the basketball.
Everything was so clear, so familiar.
So much so that as soon as the basketball was released, Mitsui Hisashi showed a confident expression, and his raised right hand clenched into a fist!
In that instant, even Coach Anzai, who was usually as steady as a mountain, couldn't help but suddenly stand up and murmur, "What a beautiful posture!"
With a "whoosh" sound!
Basketball in the net!
Three-pointer!
Mitsui Hisashi scores 3 points for Shohoku again!
Mitsui Hisashi scored 9 points in one go, changing the score between Shohoku and Shoyo to 58-55!
The gap between Shohoku and Shoyo is now only 3 points!
At this moment! The entire stadium erupted!
"It's in! It's in! It's in!!!"
"Three-pointer! Another three-pointer!!!"
"My God! He's on fire! He's on fire! He's made three three-pointers in a row! He's incredible!"
Wow! Shohoku is on steroids! They've managed to close the gap to 9 points in one go!
Kogure Kiminobu, who was in the Shohoku team's rest area, rushed to the sidelines, clenching his fists and shouting excitedly, "That's awesome! That's awesome! That's it!"
Horita Tokuo was as excited as a child, shouting, "Mitsui! Well done!!! Mitsui! Mitsui..."
Yohei Mito jumped up and shouted, "Go! Go! Go Shohoku!"
Nozomi Takamiya, Haruko Akagi, and the others frantically pounded on the large plastic bottles in their hands!
Takamiya Nozomi led the chant: "Three points! Just three points away! Mitsui, another three-pointer! Mitsui, another three-pointer! Mitsui, another three-pointer..."
Haruko Akagi excitedly pounded on the plastic bottle, saying, "Mitsui, although I used to dislike you a little for being a delinquent, I don't feel that way at all now. Go for it, Mitsui!!!"
Aida Hiko of the Ryonan team, holding the camera with one hand, stood frozen in place, exclaiming in shock, "Mitsui, Hisashi! That's amazing..."
Coach Taoka, standing to the side, said in a deep voice, "Mitsui, his MVP-caliber skills from back then are still there..."
Even many neutral viewers couldn't help but start calling out Mitsui Hisashi's name.
Feeling the enthusiastic atmosphere of the entire arena, Mitsui Hisashi felt as if he had been transported back to the finals of his junior high school days!
That's it!
Never give up, live up to your youth!
Sakuragi Hanamichi was the first to rush to Mitsui Hisashi's side, giving him a hard high five. "Mitsui! Well done!"
Mitsui Hisashi flashed a bright smile, "Sakuragi! You were great too!"
Rukawa Kaede, Miyagi Ryota, and Akagi Takenori also gave Mitsui Hisashi a high five.
Miyagi Ryota's brilliant steal goes without saying, but what Mitsui Hisashi didn't expect was that at that crucial moment, Rukawa Kaede, who always preferred to play one-on-one, actually chose to pass the ball to him.
It's worth noting that although he did make a brilliant three-pointer before that, even he himself admitted that he was in very poor condition and his physical fitness had declined significantly.
When Rukawa had a clear opportunity to score, he chose to pass the ball to Mitsui Hisashi instead!
That takes an incredible amount of trust!
Therefore, when Mitsui Hisashi and Rukawa Kaede high-fived, he specifically thanked Rukawa Kaede for his recognition.
Being recognized always brings a sense of joy. Although Rukawa felt a strange sense of comfort, he simply nodded without saying anything, as he was not good at expressing himself.
However, Rukawa Kaede's bright eyes gave Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was pretending not to know anything, a meaningful look.
Mitsui Hisashi was slightly taken aback.
Could it be... that it's because of Sakuragi again?
At this moment, Takenori Akagi asked with concern, "Mitsui, is your foot injury alright?"
Why did Mitsui Hisashi leave Shohoku back then? It was because of his foot injury!
Upon hearing Akagi Takenori's words, not only was Mitsui Hisashi stunned, but the other teammates also widened their eyes, their gazes filled with concern and worry!
But Mitsui Hisashi immediately revealed a determined look in his eyes and said loudly, "Don't worry! I'm perfectly fine!"
Seeing Mitsui Hisashi's stubborn expression, no one dared to say anything more!
However, Sakuragi Hanamichi was still very worried about Mitsui, and he began to think of ways to help him.
The game continues, and the Xiangyang team serves.
Although Miyagi Ryota had just treated Fujima Kenji to a big hot pot, Fujima Kenji did not appear particularly dejected at the moment.
Victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare.
If you're going to throw a tantrum over getting blocked, then you might as well quit playing basketball!
However, Ryota Miyagi's sudden burst of inner strength did put Kenji Fujima on high alert.
Kenji Fujima has now chosen to play it safe and continue using the most reliable tactics he's employed before.
After all, the average height of the Shohoku team is the highest in Kanagawa, which is beyond doubt. As long as they play steadily, relying on Kenji Fujima's fancy footwork and superb individual skills, and then steadily passing the ball to teammates in the paint, allowing teammates with height advantages to score inside, this method of scoring is extremely reliable.
Kenji Fujima slowly dribbled the basketball while glancing at Toru Hanagata and Shoichi Takano in the paint.
Immediately afterwards, Kenji Fujima first used his speed to sprint forward, and then weaved left and right in the paint.
He first pretended to pass the basketball to Hanagata Toru, the inside playmaker, but in the end he passed it to Takano Shoichi.
I have to say, Kenji Fujima is really strong; this attack was executed beautifully.
Finally, Takano Shoichi successfully jumped and shot.
With a "whoosh" sound!
The basketball goes into the net.
Xiangyang scored 2 points.
The score between Shohoku and Shoyo became 60 to 55, with the difference widening to 5 points.
Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the Shohoku cheerleaders, Kenji Fujima deliberately ran over to Kazushi Hasegawa, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Kazushi, cheer up! So what if Mitsui made three three-pointers? Didn't I just eat a big hot pot from Miyagi?"
Hasegawa Kazushi hadn't expected Fujima Kenji to comfort himself by mentioning how he'd been blocked by Miyagi Ryota. "Fujima..."
Kenji Fujima glanced at Hisashi Mitsui and said, "Look at yourself, how badly is Mitsui in? You can't even defeat Mitsui in this state?"
Before Hasegawa Kazushi could answer, Fujima Kenji immediately said, "Kazushi, you just keep a close eye on Mitsui Hisashi this time and don't give him a chance to make a move. You don't need to worry about anything else."
Hasegawa Kazushi nodded firmly with a determined look in his eyes.
This scene was witnessed by Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Sakuragi Hanamichi instantly understood the Shohoku team's plan!
No, we need to think of a way to help Mitsui quickly!
Three-pointers... Three-pointers... There seems to be a specific tactic used for shooting three-pointers...
Suddenly, Sakuragi Hanamichi's eyes lit up. He hurriedly walked to Mitsui Hisashi's side and whispered, "Mitsui, I'll teach you a tactic called 'Elevator Door'..."
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