The timeout ended. Only a short stretch remained in the first half.
Fujima controlled the ball calmly beyond the arc.
Hanagata glanced sideways, then suddenly stepped out from the paint again. Nango moved to follow — but Takano slid across, blocking his path while still "guarding" Kakuta.
That half-second was enough.
Fujima whipped a left-handed pass.
Hanagata caught, turned, and released.
Simple. Clean. No complicated action.
Which made it even harder to read.
Nango frowned.
What are they setting up? It can't be this basic.
Shohoku's possession.
Nango originally planned to hold for a mid-range jumper — secure timing, aim for the final shot of the half.
But Mitsui was already waving aggressively on the wing.
After being "lectured" by him earlier, Nango had no choice.
He swung it over.
Mitsui caught the ball and lifted slightly — pump fake.
Hasegawa didn't bite.
He stood firm, balanced, waiting.
Mitsui clicked his tongue internally.
You think you've figured me out?
Then watch closely.
He gripped the ball with both hands. Jab step. Attack the lead foot.
Sudden acceleration right.
Hasegawa slid to cut him off.
Instant change of direction.
Hasegawa turned —
Another crossover. Wider angle this time.
He couldn't keep up.
Mitsui broke free.
But it had taken effort. Too much time.
Takano was already waiting inside.
Mitsui slowed, floated a low underhand layup past the contest—
Clang.
Off the rim.
"Tch."
He had avoided the block, but the result wasn't satisfying.
Still—
His movements were sharper. His stamina steadier. His footwork cleaner.
He was chasing the player he used to be.
Behind him, Hasegawa let out a rare breath of relief.
Fujima patted his back.
"Stay sharp. One more possession."
Final attack of the half.
Fujima dribbled patiently.
Eight seconds.
Hanagata stepped out again.
This time Nango anticipated it. He fought around Takano's body and closed the gap.
Fujima didn't hesitate.
Swing pass to Hasegawa on the wing.
Mitsui rushed to contest.
Hasegawa immediately dumped it inside.
Because Nango had chased outward, the paint was exposed.
Kakuta.
Alone.
Takano caught the pass, raised the ball high, pivoted — power layup off glass.
Kakuta jumped with everything he had.
It wasn't enough.
The ball dropped through.
Two seconds remained.
Nango's desperation three at the buzzer missed.
Halftime.
In the locker room, Mitsui spoke first, assuming command naturally.
"They'll attack the paint even harder in the second half."
He looked directly at Sakuragi.
"You can't foul out again."
Sakuragi nodded seriously.
"I won't give them another chance."
Mitsui turned to Nango.
"Anything else?"
Nango smiled faintly.
"Yeah. I'm taking a five-minute break after halftime. Let Sakuragi handle it."
No one objected.
It wasn't surrender.
It was pacing.
"Kakuta-senpai," Nango added, "you did well in the first half. We'll still need you."
Kakuta scratched his cheek, blushing.
"I'll do my best."
Nango stood and lightly tapped Rukawa on the shoulder.
"Rukawa… your stage."
Rukawa nodded.
Understood.
Second Half
"Damn it…"
Nagano gritted his teeth.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop that expressionless forward.
With Nango resting, Rukawa unleashed himself.
Isolation. Pull-up. Baseline fade. Straight-line drive.
Points came one after another.
Shoyo continued hammering the interior with efficiency.
But the score held steady.
Entirely because of Rukawa.
So this is Tomioka Middle School's ace…
Urano narrowed his eyes.
Relying on individual offense to stabilize the game? Smart.
But—
"We have adjustments too."
"Ito. Warm up."
"Yes!"
During a dead ball, Ito replaced Nagano.
Hasegawa shifted onto Rukawa.
Ito took Mitsui.
The logic was clear:
Hasegawa's defense for Rukawa.
Fresh legs from Ito against a tiring Mitsui.
Rukawa noticed the switch immediately.
Inbound.
He moved to receive.
Hasegawa denied aggressively.
The ball arrived anyway.
The moment Hasegawa reached—
Rukawa shifted his weight and exploded forward.
Blown by.
Hasegawa spun to chase, stunned.
Takano rotated.
Ito collapsed from the baseline.
Rukawa drove straight into the collapsing triangle.
Takano planted outside the lane.
Ito sealed the escape angle.
"Don't take another step!"
Rukawa stopped.
Three defenders watching.
Then—
He passed.
Corner.
Mitsui.
Wide open.
Release.
Splash.
Silence.
Then eruption.
"…Rukawa passed?"
Hanagata instinctively adjusted his glasses — then realized he didn't need to.
Fujima stared.
"He's changed."
Urano's expression finally shifted.
This wasn't the selfish scorer described in reports.
This was controlled aggression.
Evolution.
So that's your adjustment, Coach Anzai…
He folded his arms again.
It was only the first exchange of the half.
Observation first.
Reaction later.
The real battle had just begun.