Tsuna's behavior initially perplexed everyone on the court when he suddenly closed his eyes. Aomine, however, keenly sensed it. Tsuna had also accessed the door, stirring his anticipation.
Soon, the entire court felt the change.
Tsuna's once imposing aura had intensified, prompting them to widen their eyes in astonishment. Ogiwara and Haizaki gaped in disbelief, their mouths hanging open, mirroring the reactions of their teammates from Fukuda Sogo.
Alexandra and Harasawa widened their eyes in shock on the bench.
Nijimura initially found Tsuna's changes surprising, but he couldn't help but chuckle as he thought, "I thought he was about to use that. This is quite different, isn't it? I didn't know he could do this as well..."
When Tsuna reopened his eyes, his presence expanded to encompass the entire court. Too players sensed a stifling feeling beneath their skin, and a shiver crept down their spines.
His eyes crackled with a dark streamline as he advanced, dribbling the ball forward.
The echoes of the ball on the court seemed to intensify as everyone watched him in disbelief. However, Aomine quickly regained his composure and closed the distance between them.
Tsuna wore a composed expression, but his movements were lightning-fast as he skillfully bypassed Aomine's defense.
Aomine was like Tsuna's shadow, following his every move, and their intense duel unfolded across the entire court. It was as if the other players were invisible, their presence overshadowed by this intense face-off.
For those players standing on the sidelines, it felt like they had turned into mere statues, utterly forgotten in the heat of the moment.
"...But there's nothing we can do at this point," Imayoshi muttered, sweat pouring down his face.
He squinted his eyes in sheer disbelief as he watched the astonishing display of skill by these two monsters.
Even before they entered this heightened state, keeping up with their pace was already a Herculean task.
But with both of them now in the zone, it was as if the other players on the court had become mere background scenery, overshadowed by the overwhelming presence of these basketball prodigies.
Akashi couldn't help but chuckle in the audience as he watched the unfolding spectacle. He turned to Tsuna, his eyes gleaming with an unusual curiosity.
"So, this is your secret weapon, Tsunayoshi?" he remarked, genuinely intrigued.
He found the match fascinating, and his eyes held a peculiar gleam, indicating his deep interest in the ongoing game.
Standing beside Akashi, Kotaro, Mibuchi, and Nebuya were utterly astounded by the incredible display they witnessed on the court.
They were known as the Uncrowned Kings!
A group nearly on par with the Generation of Miracles.
However, as they observed the ongoing showdown between Tsuna and Aomine, it was evident that they couldn't quite measure up to these exceptional players.
Mibuchi wore a somber expression, his thoughts betraying his dismay.
He watched as Aomine effortlessly scored another point with his formless shot and commented, "I used to think Akashi was the only exception."
But now, seeing the astounding display before them, he couldn't help but add, "It appears that all of them are true monsters."
The audience in the stadium was left utterly speechless, gripped by disbelief as they witnessed the incredible skills on display, rendering the stadium eerily silent.
The game had distilled down to a head-to-head clash between Tsuna and Aomine.
Their relentless back-and-forth made the scoreboard light up with points for their respective teams. Aomine displayed an uncanny knack for scoring from nearly any spot on the court, while Tsuna showcased an eerie ability to anticipate his opponent's moves.
Kise couldn't contain his thoughts and vocalized, "So, this is Aomine at 100%?"
His determination surged as he clenched his fists, recognizing the fierce competition unfolding before him.
He came to a humbling realization that he had a steep climb ahead. Kise's eyes glinted with determination as he pondered, "Could I ever compete with them if I managed to perfect my abilities?"
Midorima stayed silent, his thoughts churning. He had already reconciled with the fact that Tsuna hadn't employed his full power in their friendly match. But now, learning that Tsuna was still hiding many hidden cards left a bitter taste in his pride.
However, Midorima adjusted his glasses, pondering, "Why is Nijimura surprised by this?"
He knew Nijimura had long been under Tsuna, and that guy should understand Tsuna better than anyone else.
So why the surprise?
Could it be that Tsuna hadn't shown his full hand yet?
That possibility sent a shiver down Midorima's spine. He clenched his fist, resolute in his determination to improve for the upcoming winter season.
"The next time we cross paths, Tsuna," Midorima silently vowed, "I'll uncover the truth."
The game pressed on, and the entire focus was on their star players.
Momoi watched with concern, aware that giving their all like this had its physical consequences. Beads of sweat trickled down both their faces, soaking their jerseys. She clenched her fist, anxious about their well-being.
Checking the time, Momoi turned her attention back to the court, knowing that the outcome of this intense battle would soon be determined.
"It's going to come down to the winner between these two," she thought.
In the midst of the thrilling game, Tsuna had the ball, and Aomine was hot on his heels. Tsuna swiftly moved to Aomine's right, and Aomine mirrored his steps.
But then, Tsuna stepped back and suddenly slowed his pace, his eyes narrowing at Aomine's grin.
He remarked, "...Daiki, getting excited is one thing."
"But, you're practically in your last breath at this point..." Tsuna took a more relaxed dribble, deliberately shortening the gap between him and Aomine.
Aomine couldn't help but let out a scoff.
His face lit up with wild enthusiasm. "Hah, what are you going on about? This is getting even more thrilling!"
Tsuna simply shook his head, and then his rhythm shifted instantly. The ball weaved between his hands, zipped beneath his legs, and darted behind him in a mesmerizing whirlwind.
Aomine maintained his grin as he engaged his instincts to the fullest. He reacted purely on instinct, tracking the ball's rapid blur as Tsuna moved swiftly to his right.
But Tsuna abruptly changed direction, leaving Aomine caught off guard.
In the blink of an eye, Aomine lost his balance, stumbling and crashing onto the court. Memories of their initial one-on-one match in Teiko flooded back, leaving Aomine in wide-eyed astonishment.
The entire court fell into a moment of stillness when Aomine hit the floor due to Tsuna's maneuver.
Whether it was the players on the court, the referee, the coaches, or even the spectators, all were gripped by disbelief.
Aomine raised his eyes to meet Tsuna's, but he found a chilling gaze that seemed to bore into his very core. He tried to speak, to find words, but they stuck in his throat as he understood the weight behind that gaze.
"...You've become pathetic, Daiki."
Dribbling past Aomine in a casual yet decisive manner. Tsuna's words, delivered with icy precision, penetrated Aomine's being.
Title: The Final Showdown
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