Just when the audience was still feeling sympathy for Kenichi Uesugi and the Ryonan team, a surprising turn of events unfolded. Kenichi Uesugi suddenly received a long-awaited notification from the system:
[Ding!] [Host's experience value reached 99% and has successfully triggered the opportunity to awaken the ultimate talent ability: Zone Field!]
"Is it finally here?" Kenichi muttered to himself. A wide grin spread across his face as he reflected on the countless moments he'd spent waiting for this very moment. It had been a long time coming, and now, his patience was about to pay off.
Kenichi knew exactly what this meant. Entering the Zone field required one thing: a formidable opponent. Looking back at the legendary players—Kagami, Aomine, Kise, and Akashi—he realized they had all entered the Zone under immense pressure. Just like Sawakita, who had recently triggered the Zone field himself, Kenichi knew the time had come.
Sure enough, the moment had arrived. Kenichi Uesugi's eyes flashed with determination as he finally entered the Zone. The transformation was immediate. Sawakita, who had been confidently standing before him, now found himself staring into the burning intensity of Kenichi's eyes. The yellow glow in Kenichi's gaze pierced through the court, and Sawakita felt an unfamiliar panic building in his chest.
Without the Zone, Kenichi Uesugi had already been a force to reckon with. He had dominated his opponents with ease. But now, with the power of the Zone, the stakes had shifted entirely. Sawakita, once so confident, now realized that the tables had turned. His earlier advantage had vanished, and the real battle was about to begin.
The game continued as Ryonan launched another attack. Uekusa pushed the ball past half-court, and, sensing the opportunity, he passed it to Kenichi Uesugi. The audience, still not fully aware of Kenichi's transformation, whispered in disbelief.
"Kenichi Uesugi refuses to give up, but what can he possibly do against Sawakita in the Zone?" one spectator murmured.
Another chimed in, "What a waste of talent! He's clearly gifted, but will he ever be able to win the championship?"
In the stands, Tsuchiya Jun shook his head at Kenichi's persistence. "It's like watching a moth fly toward a flame. He's no match for Sawakita."
"Right. Even if he's talented, he'll never overcome Sawakita in the Zone," Chiba Yi added, his voice tinged with regret. Both of them had once been defeated by Kenichi, and now, seeing him struggle, it hurt them to watch.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Sawakita Tetsuji sneered at Kenichi's determination. "You're still trying? You're nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot!"
Sawakita's friend echoed the sentiment. "This is overestimating yourself! You think you can beat Eiji in the Zone? It's impossible!"
On the Ryonan bench, Taoka Moichi lowered his head, unable to watch the painful battle. In his heart, he knew Kenichi was the most talented player he'd ever coached. But Sawakita, after barely entering the Zone, seemed untouchable.
But on the court, Kenichi remained calm, a quiet confidence radiating from him. As he dribbled the ball effortlessly, he activated his Perfect Copy ability. And with that, the Zone was fully activated. The powerful combination of his double BUFF made him virtually unstoppable.
He was now in control.
Kenichi's movement was like lightning. His dribbling speed, inspired by Aomine Daiki, was on another level entirely. He breezed past Sawakita with ease, leaving the once-dominant defender scrambling to catch up. The audience gasped as Kenichi performed a spectacular dunk.
The score stood at 65:75.
"Kenichi Uesugi just broke through Sawakita's defense!" one spectator shouted in disbelief. "That's Sawakita! He's in the Zone, and Kenichi still got past him!"
Another person exclaimed, "Wait… is it possible? Did Kenichi just enter the Zone too?"
The stadium erupted in shock as the news spread. It was unheard of for multiple players to enter the Zone in the same game, but here it was—Kenichi Uesugi had achieved the impossible, and it was clear he was far more powerful than Sawakita.
Sawakita Tetsuji was livid. "Impossible!" he shouted. "How could my son—my son, who entered the Zone with such effort—be overpowered like this?"
Meanwhile, Tsuchiya Jun and Chiba Yi exchanged glances, equally stunned. They had always known Kenichi was strong, but seeing him enter the Zone was a revelation. It was no longer just about talent; Kenichi had surpassed all expectations.
On the Ryonan side, Riki Takato marveled at the sight. "I knew he was strong, but I didn't expect him to be this strong."
As the game progressed, Sawakita, still reeling from the surprise, tried to mount a defense. He wasn't ready to give up so easily, but Kenichi's Zone field was far beyond his own.
Kenichi, moving effortlessly, continued to showcase his superiority. His speed was unmatched, and with the "Emperor Eye," he could predict Sawakita's every move. On one particularly intense play, Sawakita attempted to break through Kenichi's defense, but it was futile. Kenichi stole the ball in a fluid motion and initiated a fast counterattack.
The other players on the court could only watch in awe as Kenichi's dribbling left them in the dust. His teammates were equally stunned, unable to catch up as he advanced toward the basket. Sawakita arrived just in time to attempt a block, but Kenichi, with flawless precision, maneuvered around him mid-air and dunked the ball with both hands.
67:75.
"Kenichi Uesugi crushed Sawakita on both ends of the court!" the commentators marveled. "How is this possible? Sawakita was in the Zone!"
The Ryonan fans went wild as the momentum shifted drastically. The game had taken a dramatic turn, and now, with Kenichi Uesugi's Zone fully activated, Ryonan was on the verge of domination. Despite still trailing behind in the score, the Sannoh players were no longer in control.
Sawakita, filled with frustration, clenched his teeth and said, "I don't accept this!" But Kenichi, unfazed, responded with a chilling calmness.
"Since you don't accept it, I'll beat you until you do."
With a swift movement, Kenichi activated his most powerful skill yet: the "All Members Zone." In an instant, every single player on the Ryonan team was engulfed by the Zone field, their abilities reaching their peak.
The transformation was immediate. Sendoh, Yuzumi, Uekusa, and the others could feel the power surging through them. They weren't just in the Zone—they were empowered by it, with their vision broadened and their abilities enhanced.
Sawakita, stunned by what he saw, could barely comprehend what had just happened. "How is this possible?" he stammered. "You can make everyone enter the Zone?"
Indeed, that's exactly what Kenichi had done.
The Ryonan players now had 80% of the power of the true Zone, but that was enough to leave the Sannoh team completely powerless. Each player felt as though they were invincible, unleashing their skills with unmatched precision. The Sannoh players, once so confident, now found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer might of Ryonan's players.
As the game unfolded, Uekusa, Yuzumi, Sendoh, and the others showcased incredible feats. Uekusa's speed and dribbling left the Sannoh defense in the dust. Yuzumi blocked multiple shots, and Fukuda's dunks electrified the crowd.
Meanwhile, Kenichi, having orchestrated the Zone for his entire team, stood back, allowing his teammates to shine. He knew that the victory was assured. As time ticked down, Ryonan's dominance on the court was undeniable.
The score reached 85:75, and although the game was not over yet, it was clear to everyone that Ryonan had already claimed victory. The final minutes would be a mere formality.
On the Sannoh bench, the substitute players, once hopeful, now sank into despair. The sight of five Ryonan players—each in the Zone—was more than they could bear.
In the final moments of the game, Kenichi's teammates gave everything they had. Uozumi and Fukuda continued to shine, and the crowd roared with excitement as Ryonan pulled further ahead.
The final whistle blew, and the game ended with a decisive score of 95:75.
Ryonan had secured victory, not just through talent, but through unity, and most importantly, through the genius of Kenichi Uesugi. It was clear that, with his newfound ability to bring others into the Zone, no one could stand against them.
The national championship was within their grasp, and Kenichi Uesugi's legacy had just begun.