Sakuragi Hanamichi felt a sudden shock as he watched Mitsui Hisashi successfully sink another three-pointer.
A word inexplicably appeared in his mind: faith!
Belief!
He felt the power of faith in Mitsui Hisashi!
For Mitsui Hisashi, no, for the entire Shohoku team, scoring goals was their only belief.
As long as I can score a goal, as long as I can win, I'm willing to risk breaking every bone in my body!
As long as I can play basketball, as long as I can fight alongside my brothers, even if the next moment is the end of my life, this life is enough!
"If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening!" That's probably what this feeling is all about, right?
We often ponder three ultimate questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going?
In the world of Slam Dunk, Sakuragi Hanamichi figured out this: he is a super genius, he came for his dream, and his life goal is to win the national championship with his brothers and marry Haruko.
He worked tirelessly towards this goal, making every day very fulfilling.
He gets up at four or five in the morning to practice.
He also spends his evenings practicing basketball.
His life revolves around his best friends, Haruko, and basketball.
He never felt lost in his life; his goals were very clear.
His youth was without regrets!
...
Mitsui Hisashi's three-pointer changed the score between Shohoku and Sannoh to 84-81.
Shohoku team has taken the lead again.
At this moment, all the fans of the Shohoku team in the stadium erupted in cheers.
Keep in mind, there are only 3 minutes left in the game!
At this crucial moment, Shohoku team made a steal and a three-pointer to take a 3-point lead, which was really amazing!
Sakuragi Hanamichi and Miyagi Ryota, the genius duo, rushed to Mitsui Hisashi's side, excitedly patting him on the shoulder.
The Shohoku team's rest area erupted in hysterical screams, a sound so loud it seemed to rip the roof off the stadium.
Next, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Mitsui Hisashi, and Miyagi Ryota struck a synchronized horse stance, flexing their muscles and bringing the atmosphere to its peak.
"Shohoku! These guys are amazing!!!"
"There's no way a team could push the strongest team, the three-time national champion, Sannoh Industrial, to this point!"
"What on earth is Sannoh up to?"
Moroboshi Dai from Aiwa Academy, considered the most likely to defeat Sawakita Eiji, stood in the stands watching the Shohoku and Sannoh teams on the court and said, "It's number 11! Rukawa Kaede!"
"Although Rukawa Kaede is currently unable to defeat Sawakita Eiji head-on and score for himself, his brilliant passes allow the others around him to make their mark."
During the quarterfinals, Shohoku defeated Aiwa Academy. Moroboshi Dai knew how strong Rukawa Kaede was, and seeing Rukawa Kaede put aside his pride and choose to pass the ball to his teammates, he couldn't help but feel admiration for Rukawa Kaede.
But then, Moroboshi Dai changed the subject, saying, "Sawakita hasn't been defeated yet!"
At this moment, the Sannoh team serves.
The basketball was quickly passed to Eiji Sawakita.
This time, Eiji Sawakita completely snapped.
After getting the basketball, he sprinted at full speed, first accelerating past Rukawa Kaede, and then making a jump shot in a horse-riding style.
The basketball went into the net.
"As expected of Zebei!"
"That was a beautiful shot!"
"Clean and efficient! Brilliant!"
"With Sawakita on the team, Shohoku won't win so easily!"
Sawakita Eiji's goal changed the score between Shohoku and Sannoh to 84-83.
At this moment, the ball is in the hands of the Shohoku team.
The two teams seemed to have reached a tacit understanding: whenever Sannoh inbounded the ball, it would definitely be passed to Sawakita Eiji, and whenever Shohoku inbounded the ball, it would definitely be passed to Rukawa Kaede.
Now the basketball is back in Rukawa's hands, and Sawakita Eiji is keeping a low profile to defend Rukawa head-on.
Rukawa Kaede didn't speak; he never liked wasting words.
Rukawa Kaede stood still, holding the basketball in both hands, and made a feint.
The next moment, Rukawa Kaede suddenly accelerated and sprinted past Sawakita Eiji like a hurricane!
That's right!
Just as Sawakita Eiji had sped past Rukawa Kaede, Rukawa Kaede was now retaliating in the same way.
Sawakita Eiji was shocked and hurriedly chased after Rukawa Kaede.
In the blink of an eye, Rukawa Kaede rushed to the basket.
Masashi Kawata had been waiting here for Rukawa Kaede for a long time!
Masashi Kawata: "Rukawa Kaede! You can't get past this!"
Rukawa Kaede remained silent, confidently jumping with the basketball in his hand.
When Sawakita Eiji saw Rukawa Kaede's move from behind, his face was filled with disbelief: "This guy!!!"
At the same time, countless people at the scene exclaimed in surprise.
"That move!"
"Oh my god! Isn't that exactly the move Sawakita used when he challenged Sakuragi Hanamichi?"
"To avoid being blocked, toss the basketball high when jumping under the basket!"
"That's what Sakuragi Hanamichi was talking about earlier, the 'little guy layup'!!!"
"Rukawa Kaede! When did he learn this move too?"
"Did he learn it just by watching Sawakita Eiji use this skill twice?"
Amidst gasps of surprise, the basketball swished through the net.
Rukawa Kaede used Sawakita Eiji's signature move, dodging Kawata Masashi's block, and scored a powerful basket under the basket!
At this moment, even the usually composed Takenori Akagi couldn't hold back anymore.
Akagi Takenori, Mitsui Hisashi, Miyagi Ryota, and Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately surrounded Rukawa Kaede, raining slaps on his shoulders and back.
Ryota Miyagi: "You! You're amazing!"
Akagi Takenori: "Unfathomable!"
Mitsui Hisashi: "Well done!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi: "So beautiful!"
Moroboshi Dai had just analyzed Rukawa Kaede, but his analysis was based on Rukawa creating opportunities for his teammates. Now, watching Rukawa use Sawakita Eiji's skill to score against Kawata Masashi, he was incredibly shocked: "His strength! It might have already surpassed Sawakita Eiji!"
Rukawa's goal changed the score between Shohoku and Sannoh to 86-83.
Looking at the score on the scoreboard and the little time left, Coach Domoto, who had been sitting in his chair, squatted down on the ground and slammed his right fist into the ground.
"There are only two minutes left in the game, and our Sannoh team is behind our opponents!"
"In my memory, this has never happened before!"
Coach Domoto looked serious, seemingly considering whether to call a timeout, but after a moment's hesitation, he said with a firm look in his eyes, "But I believe that everyone on our Sannoh team has an extremely strong will. At this crucial moment, they will definitely stay calm and show their true strength!"
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