Next, with only Aomine replaced by Nijimura, Teiko kept its starting lineup, as did Rokko.
Rokko has possession.
Seeing Midorima enter the game, Mibuchi was a bit surprised but quickly smirks. "Well, well, Midorima, I didn't expect you to play so soon. Your coach must really not be afraid of me taking you down"
"Mibuchi, victory in this game will belong only to us, Teiko!" Midorima declared confidently, staring at Mibuchi with a sharp look.
Seeing Midorima so resolute, Mibuchi scoffs inwardly. 'A player with four fouls talking big? We'll see how long you last'
Mibuchi promptly asked for the ball from Kawamura, determined to crush Midorima's confidence yet again.
Seeing Mibuchi with the ball, Midorima pinched his thigh, focused, and watched Mibuchi's movements intently.
A smirk spreads across Mibuchi's face as he steps forward to feint, then pivots into a step-back jumper, creating space from Midorima and setting up his shot.
'His weight is forward—it's an Earth Shot!' Midorima reads his move, taking a small step closer, keeping enough distance to avoid a foul.
"What?!" Mibuchi's eyes widen in surprise. He didn't expect Midorima to guess right, but he quickly adjusts, switching to a Heaven Shot.
'Now his weight's shifted back—a Heaven Shot!' In a flash, Midorima leaps, reaching up to swat the ball just as Mibuchi releases it.
Snap!
Midorima slaps the ball away decisively.
Mibuchi stares at Midorima in disbelief, shocked by how he anticipated his shot so perfectly.
'Did he actually figure out my shooting pattern? Impossible!'
While Mibuchi is still processing, Midorima scoops up the ball and sprints down the court, Akashi leading the break ahead.
Without hesitation, Midorima launches a full-speed pass to Akashi, who catches it securely while Kawamura closes in on defense.
Ignoring Kawamura's approach, Akashi dribbled to the three-point line, setting up for a layup. Kawamura matched his pace, trying to disrupt his rhythm.
Unexpectedly, instead of going for a layup, Akashi threw a no-look pass behind him, the ball flying precisely toward Midorima, who was positioned just beyond the three-point line.
Midorima received Akashi's pass, calmly shot, then adjusted his glasses with a small smirk. "Today's horoscope: Cancer has the second-best luck. My three-pointer won't miss."
Swish!
The ball sank through the net with a crisp sound.
71:74
Teiko has finally taken the lead.
Akashi jogs over and high-fives Midorima. "Nice one!"
For once, even Midorima cracks a smile, feeling he's redeemed himself a little for his previous misses against Mibuchi.
"Damn it, Kawamura, get me the ball! I swear I'll put Midorima out of the game!" Mibuchi fumes, eager to reclaim his edge. If he could take Midorima down, and Aomine's still benched, Rokko would be halfway to victory.
Kawamura frowns slightly. Honestly, he thinks they should be focusing on coordinated plays, but he reluctantly passes to Mibuchi, who's laser-focused on scoring.
Without hesitation, Mibuchi launches a Heaven Shot, fading away.
'Weight back again, another Heaven Shot!' Midorima recognized the pattern and jumped, blocking Mibuchi's shot once again.
After landing, Midorima moved to grab the ball, but Kawamura quickly appeared, securing possession.
Midorima was puzzled. How did Kawamura get there so fast? Was he doubting Mibuchi's abilities?
He was right. After Mibuchi's last blocked shot, Kawamura had stayed alert, suspecting another block, and Mibuchi had indeed been blocked again by Midorima.
"Kawamura, I…" Mibuchi stammered, shocked at being blocked by Midorima twice, feeling as though his shooting style had been cracked
"Mibuchi, don't rush it, keep passing." Kawamura says coolly, initiating a pick-and-roll, prompting Midorima and Akashi to switch defensive assignments. This gives Mibuchi just enough room to step back and make a clean Heaven Shot over Akashi's head, sinking a three-pointer with ease.
74:74
The game is tied once again.
From there, the match turns into an intense back-and-forth battle, both teams trading high-energy plays in an electrifying duel.
Mibuchi and Midorima were on fire, opening up scoring opportunities for both teams. With Akashi and Kawamura skillfully setting up plays, each player got touches on the ball, scoring one after the other.
Underneath the hoop, the powerful Nebuya and Hachimura manage to score against Murasakibara, while Nijimura uses his skills to remind Nebuya exactly why he was once the best power forward in junior high.
Only Shiro seems almost… still, as if he's conserving his energy. Despite his solid contributions on both offense and defense, he's oddly calm, a shift Watanabe, who's standing close to him, finds intriguing. It's as though Shiro's building up to something.
For everyone else on the team, it just seems like Shiro might need a moment to rest.
Shiro stands motionless in front of Watanabe, his head tilted downward, moving seemingly on instinct alone. Slowly, he closes his eyes, as if falling deeper and deeper into the depths of his mind. As he sinks, he feels himself nearing a gate.
Watanabe, sensing something strange, signals to Kawamura to pass, ready to take advantage if Shiro suddenly falters.
Kawamura trusts Watanabe completely, he and Hachimura have been the team's most consistent players, showing unwavering composure on offense and defense. Without hesitation, Kawamura passes the ball.
Without hesitation, Watanabe drove straight past Shiro.
'So, this is the gate to the Zone!' Shiro lifted his head slowly, eyes flashing with pure white lightning.