As Seirin trooped towards the bench, a weighty atmosphere descended, shrouding everyone in silence.
Kagami furrowed his eyebrows before his gaze shifted to Kuroko's dejected expression. Kagami's face changed as concern etched on his face.
"This is a huge mistake. I knew Fukuda Sogo's Captain was a formidable opponent, but I never imagined he could unravel our plan and turn it to his advantage..." Aida's mind raced, desperately seeking a way out.
"No, he must have been planning this from the very start..." Her thoughts continued, her eyes widening and paling as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Does that mean we've dug our own grave by trying to throw off the rhythm right from the start?"
Aida clenched her teeth in frustration, her eyes fixed on the gloomy atmosphere surrounding Kuroko. She then decided, "...Kuroko, I'll sub you out for now."
"..."
Hearing this worsened Kuroko's expression; he tightly gripped his fist and nodded heavily. The others were at a loss for words, offering him only a somber silence.
"Let's abandon our initial plans..." Aida spoke with a heavy tone, acknowledging that their strategy had completely backfired.
She then looked at everyone in Seirin, adding, "We'll have to find a way to balance this out somehow. So..."
"Junpei, I need you to take control this time..." Aida directed her attention to Hyuga, who nodded in response, cracking his neck.
"Time to get sweaty, huh?"
The familiar habit brightened everyone's faces; it was a well-known sign of his confidence.
On the opposing side, Fukuda Sogo players took their seats, raising their eyebrows as they observed the Seirin team.
However, Ogiwara wore a concerned expression as his gaze fixated on Kuroko's gloomy demeanor.
"Feeling concerned? Why not have a chat with him then?" Haizaki suggested, clicking his tongue in annoyance at Ogiwara's unusual behavior.
Nevertheless, Ogiwara shook his head in response, stating, "...No need, I know him the best. He'll surely bounce back."
Haizaki shook his head disapprovingly at Ogiwara's response, muttering in annoyance, "If you're that confident in Kuroko, why even worry in the first place..."
"They might take him out, but it won't weaken them. Still, given the circumstances..." Tsuna began, his voice descending, capturing everyone's attention.
His eyes gleamed as he turned to Mochizuki, saying, "Kazuhiro, looks like it's your time to shine..."
"Haha, finally, huh? I'm excited. Are we gearing up for a three-point battle?" Mochizuki's eyes brightened, and he chuckled with enthusiasm.
"Three-point battle?"
Nijimura scoffed, dismissing the idea, "It'd only be a battle if both sides can make it through..."
Mochizuki was taken aback by the remark before he turned to Tsuna for confirmation. Getting a nod from Tsuna, Mochizuki grinned like a madman, muttering, "I see, right away, huh?"
With the timeout concluded, both teams promptly resumed their positions, injecting fresh energy into the game.
The crowd eagerly watched as Seirin initiated the next play.
The ball was now in Izuki's capable hands as they advanced steadily. Despite the absence of Kuroko, their determined gazes remained unwavering.
In a synchronized burst of movement, they surged forward aggressively.
Izuki swiftly passed the ball to Mitobe, who wasted no time before forwarding it.
Seemingly unperturbed by their pace, Fukuda Sogo responded calmly, their actions indicating a composed readiness for whatever Seirin had in store.
Seirin was embracing their dynamic run-and-gun playstyle with the addition of Kagami.
Seeing the ball had reached Kiyoshi's hand, Kagami aggressively moved toward the basket and forced Haizaki to adjust his position.
Holding the ball in his hand, Kiyoshi sported a sudden smile.
"...Good position, Hyuga!"
Rather than passing it to Kagami, he executed a surprising cross-court pass, directing the ball into Hyuga's waiting hands.
"Alright, my turn, huh?"
Hyuga muttered, feeling the immediate pressure from Mochizuki, who closed in rapidly. Mochizuki's intensity didn't faze Hyuga. Instead, he focused on his task with his eyes sharpened as he declared, "You're too far!"
Undeterred, Hyuga smoothly stepped backwards, initiating his Barrier Jump with a decisive motion.
Mochizuki swiftly reacted, leaping to block Hyuga's shot.
Yet, a furrow formed on his forehead as he realized, "...I miss the timing!"
With the ball already in flight from Hyuga's hand, Mochizuki's attempted block narrowly fell short. The ball sailed gracefully through the air, maintaining its perfect trajectory, and effortlessly swished through the basket.
Tsuna observed in silence as Nijimura delivered the ball to him.
Advancing deliberately, Tsuna dribbled at a measured pace, allowing Izuki to close in and apply pressure.
Unfazed by this, Tsuna seemed almost indifferent as he casually sidestepped, effortlessly avoiding Izuki's attempted pressure, and smoothly passed the ball to Mochizuki.
Izuki furrowed his eyebrows in response as he realized he was too late to react to the pass. Still determined, he closed the distance and shadowed Tsuna's every move.
With the ball firmly in his grip, Mochizuki directed his attention to Hyuga, who sported a serious expression, prompting a chuckle from Mochizuki.
Hyuga's displeasure manifested as a frown, and he questioned, "What's funny?"
Maintaining his smile, Mochizuki shook his head, responding, "No, nothing's funny."
"Your Barrier Jumper was fast, I admit it."
His smile persisted as he acknowledged.
Hyuga's frown deepened at Mochizuki's words.
Despite the tension, Mochizuki couldn't resist giving credit to Hyuga for his Barrier Jumper. While it didn't quite match Allen's speed from the Jabberwock, it left an impression.
Overflowing with excitement, Mochizuki couldn't contain himself, expressing, "It's the first time I've encountered a fellow Barrier Jumper throughout the tournament. This is truly exhilarating!"
Hyuga's eyes widened in shock upon hearing those words, and he muttered, "What did he just say?"
Without wasting a second, Mochizuki mirrored the movements Hyuga had executed moments ago, gracefully stepping back.
The sight left everyone on the Seirin team in astonishment, their eyes locked on Mochizuki.
"Did he just copy the captain's move?" Kagami exclaimed, disbelief evident in his voice.
Contrary to Kagami's assessment, Kiyoshi shook his head in disagreement, stating, "No, he didn't..."
Meanwhile, Hyuga attempted to react, but a realization struck him, "He's faster than me!"
Hyuga couldn't deny it any longer...
...Mochizuki was a superior Barrier Jumper!
With a graceful leap, Mochizuki released the ball, leaving Hyuga helpless to even put up a block. The ball sailed through the air, effortlessly swishing through the basket.
The revelation that Mochizuki was a Barrier Jumper sent a ripple through Seirin's collective spirit as the game pressed on. Embracing their dynamic run-and-gun strategy, the ball found its way back to Hyuga.
"This time, I won't miss the timing..."
Mochizuki muttered determinedly as he observed the unfolding game.
"...I can't lose this," Hyuga whispered to himself as he prepared for his Barrier Jumper.
However, his body froze just as he was about to execute the move. Mochizuki's relaxed demeanor exuded a stronger pressure, and the intensity in his gaze made Hyuga feel as if a formidable beast was scrutinizing him.
---
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