Seiho's first-round offense was simple, and remarkably stable.
Dribble. Pass. Layup. Score.
2–0.
Seiho scored the first point.
The ball then switched possession. Fukuda Sogo Academy initiated their attack. Compared to Seiho's methodical offense, Fukuda's style was aggressive, an influence brought by Shogo Haizaki joining the team.
Whether that was good or bad was another matter.
One thing was certain: Haizaki's addition had significantly strengthened Fukuda's basketball team. Thanks to him, Fukuda could achieve a Winter Cup upset and secure a spot in a major tournament.
But… that alone was far from enough.
"Damn it, can't break through… no gaps at all!"
Fukuda's power forward charged forward, but before he could reach the paint, Yoshiichi Omuro blocked him. No further progress was possible.
"As expected of the Interhigh champions… they're in a whole different league! If we're going to beat these guys, it's got to be him."
The power forward silently sighed, recognizing the gap between himself and Omuro. He decisively passed the ball to Shogo Haizaki on the other side of the court.
Once he received it, Haizaki's menacing intent became clear.
"Now, our game begins!" he growled at Akashi Asuka under the basket.
The moment his words fell, Haizaki accelerated, charging toward Akashi.
Akashi glanced at him briefly, then returned his gaze forward, as if Haizaki posed no threat at all.
This blatant contempt only fueled Haizaki's anger further. But before he could reach Akashi, another figure suddenly intercepted him.
"Almost forgot to mention, Haizaki… your opponent today isn't Akashi. It's me!"
The one blocking him was none other than Tsugawa Tomoki.
"You?"
Surprised, Haizaki paused, then broke into a furious laugh. "Hahaha~ You really think just because you stopped Kise once back in junior high, you can stop me?!"
"If that's what you think, you're seriously underestimating me, punk!"
BAM BAM BAM~~
Haizaki dribbled with a sudden burst, faking a move to the right before pivoting sharply to attack from the left.
A simple fake and shift, technically easy, but in Haizaki's hands, it was as if two players were attacking from both sides at once.
Just this move alone revealed his physical abilities: he was clearly on par with Generation of Miracles members.
Yet Haizaki's breakthrough barely reached halfway before it was forced to stop.
Tsugawa had matched his speed, cutting him off mid-charge.
"What?"
"Heh heh~~~ underestimate you? Impossible. No way would I ever underestimate a former Generation of Miracles member! If anyone's underestimating, it should be you! Don't think the world only has Generations of Miracles to beat you, punk!"
·····
"He… actually stopped him…"
Seeing Haizaki unable to surpass Tsugawa, Kise, Midorima, and other Generation of Miracles members in the stands were stunned.
They hadn't anticipated this. They knew Haizaki might be suppressed, after all, Seiho still had Akashi, but even before Akashi intervened, Tsugawa alone had already contained a player of Haizaki's caliber.
Aida Riko touched her chin thoughtfully. "We already knew Seiho's individual stats had improved since summer… but I didn't expect we still underestimated them."
"Last semester, Tsugawa's defense was already comparable to the Generation of Miracles. In that match, he almost completely shut down Kagami…"
Kagami Taiga: Σ(゜ロ゜;)
Alexandra: "Huh? Kagami got beaten by him before?"
Taiga: "…I was just careless last time."
"A whole summer has passed since then. If Tsugawa's defense evolves another step, even the Generation of Miracles will struggle to get past him."
Riko's expression grew heavier. "At this rate, the balance of this match might be more one-sided than we originally thought."
Other coaches from Kaijo, Shutoku, Yosen, and Rakuzan probably had the same thought.
Most of them disliked Haizaki's cruel personality.
But facing Seiho's overwhelming strength? That was far less desirable.
If given a choice, most would rather face Haizaki than play against Akashi's righteous, overwhelming power.
·····
The match continued.
Now, Tsugawa, hardened by last semester's Nationals and a full summer of training, had evolved into a new defensive tier.
Even if both sides went all out, Tsugawa couldn't block every move of Haizaki. But this time, after multiple attempts, Haizaki still couldn't break through.
Like the Generation of Miracles, Haizaki's playstyle didn't rely on passing.
Left with no other option, he tried a forced shot, but under Tsugawa's interference, it clanged off the rim.
Akashi easily grabbed the rebound. Seiho launched a counterattack.
It could have been a fast-break opportunity; most of Fukuda's players were still near Seiho's basket, and Omuro had already sprinted toward midcourt.
But Seiho didn't rush. Instead, they chose a stable, measured approach.
The ball reached Kasuga Ryuhei. Akashi stayed under his own basket. The other four starters carried the attack.
Even with just four players, Seiho's offense felt calm, like a mountain unmoved by the storm.
In the stands, someone muttered, "Why does Seiho seem… almost uninterested in scoring today?"