Shirogane watched in bewilderment, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he struggled to comprehend the sudden change in Akashi's demeanor.
Though uncertain of the reasons behind Akashi's transformation, Shirogane couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than met the eye.
"He must have some plans for us," he muttered quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Despite the shock evident in their expressions, Akashi remained unfazed as he pressed on.
"Still, I understand that we're truly in peril," he acknowledged, his tone grave and introspective.
"My past behavior didn't help much to this, so..."
With a gesture of humility, Akashi lowered his head in apology, a gesture that sent another ripple of surprise through the room.
"I would like to apologize for my rudeness. It's time for me to address our situation properly." His words hung heavy in the air, each syllable carrying unexpected sincerity.
Hearing this unexpected display of humility left everyone speechless, their disbelief palpable. It was unfathomable for the Akashi they knew to behave in such a manner.
Undeterred by their shock, Akashi pressed on, ignoring their stunned expressions. "Let me borrow your strength once again to face Fukuda Sogo," he implored, his voice steady and resolute.
"This time, we'll face them as a team," he declared solemnly, a small but genuine smile gracing his lips.
As the break for the second half came to an end, both teams began to filter back onto the court, their determination renewed.
Tsuna moved slowly, observing the players as they returned to their benches, preparing for the remainder of the game.
Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching from behind.
"Hey, Tsuna."
"...Tsuna?"
At the sound of the familiar voice, Tsuna turned to find Akashi standing there, a smile playing on his lips. The unexpected way of calling his name surprised Tsuna, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Seijuro, it's been a long time."
"You don't seem to be surprised..."
"...I was actually," Tsuna admitted, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I see," Akashi responded, his smile unwavering as he shifted his gaze to the scoreboard.
"Seems like we're in a tough situation, but I just wanted to let you know it's not over yet..."
"Sure, I'll see what you've got..."
Tsuna returned the smile, nodding in understanding.
After bidding farewell, Akashi returned to his team, while Tsuna slowly made his way back to Fukuda Sogo's bench.
Everyone in Fukuda Sogo have keen instincts. So they sensed that something was off with Akashi.
Their confused gazes fixated on him, silently questioning the shift in his demeanor. Nijimura was acquainted with Akashi's presence since he was a teammate back in Teiko and couldn't resist approaching Tsuna to voice his uncertainty.
"Is that truly Akashi?"
Nijimura inquired, his curiosity piqued by the noticeable change in Akashi's demeanor.
"Who else could it be if not him?"
Tsuna merely shrugged in response, his expression nonchalant.
"But, now that it comes to this, seems like we gotta slightly change our plan..."
Tsuna's gaze swept over each member of his team, ensuring they were all fully engaged in the discussion.
"Not really changing it, but more like we gotta bring it forward since there was an unexpected variable this time..." His tone was calm yet decisive, conveying the need for adaptability in the face of new challenges.
Tsuna's eyes flickered briefly towards the Rakuzan High players, who appeared to have regained their composure. A faint smile played at the corners of his lips as he murmured to himself, "Hmm, I guess I might have to use it soon..."
"..."
Nijimura observed Tsuna with keen interest, noting the spark of excitement in his demeanor.
The referee's signal prompted both teams to take their positions on the court, each player brimming with anticipation.
With the game recommencing, the members of Rakuzan High exchanged determined glances before springing into action.
The ball found its way to Akashi, who dribbled it with calculated precision as his teammates surged forward, probing Fukuda Sogo's defensive line with relentless aggression.
Tsuna's expression flickered as he swiftly closed the distance between himself and Akashi, determined to intercept the play.
But Akashi merely smiled, executing a skillful dribble between his legs before swiftly passing the ball to Mayuzumi, catching him off guard.
"...."
The unexpected pass initially took aback Mayuzumi, hadn't anticipated being the recipient, especially with Ogiwara closely marking his position.
As Ogiwara swiftly closed in, Mayuzumi braced himself for the challenge.
"Huh? What is this pass?"
However, to his astonishment, a surge of comfort washed over him as he received the pass, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Mayuzumi refused to succumb to Ogiwara's pressure, swiftly pivoting his body to evade his marker. With a flick of his wrist, he lofted the ball into the air toward the waiting basket, where Nebuya soared to meet it with a thunderous slam.
"Great pass, Senior!"
Nebuya's jubilant shout echoed across the court, acknowledging Mayuzumi's impeccable timing and strategic advantage over Nijimura, allowing for the decisive score.
Yet, despite the success, Mayuzumi's expression was one of stunned disbelief as he turned to Akashi, clearly unsettled by the unexpected turn of events.
"Nice pass, Senior..."
Akashi's voice reverberated across the court, drawing Mayuzumi's attention.
He observed Akashi's figure as the captain calmly returned to his position.
A faint smile tugged at Mayuzumi's lips as he mused, "His words seem more sincere than usual..."
"..."
Tsuna remained silent, absorbing the seamless flow of the game.
He recognized the perfection in Akashi's pass, a hallmark of a skilled point guard—a role Tsuna himself embodied. Yet, Akashi executed it effortlessly, akin to Nash's finesse, impressing not only Tsuna but the entire team with his mastery.
"That pass..."
Aomine's voice trailed off, his eyes fixed on Akashi with a mix of astonishment and recognition.
The other members of the Generation of Miracles shared similar sentiments, their gazes drawn to Akashi's figure in disbelief.
"It's definitely the passes we used to receive back in Teiko," Aomine mumbled, his tone tinged with nostalgia.
Momoi couldn't conceal her surprise, her mouth falling slightly agape at the unexpected turn of events.
"Does that mean he's back?"
She whispered to herself, her eyes darting between Akashi and the unfolding situation on the court.
Tsuna's gaze swept over the court, taking note that Rakuzan High had repositioned themselves.
A tense atmosphere settled over the arena, accentuated by the palpable pressure emanating from Akashi, whose eyes glowed crimson streaks.
However, it wasn't just Akashi who exuded this overwhelming pressure.
"Wha?"
The members of Fukuda Sogo were taken aback, their expressions betraying their shock as they felt the weight of the collective pressure bearing down on them from the entire Rakuzan team.
The court seemed to vibrate with the force of their unified presence, leaving Fukuda Sogo's players feeling increasingly uneasy and apprehensive.