"Strange… why isn't Haizaki using [Pillage]?" Satsuki Momoi asked, puzzled.
"Well… maybe it's because…"
Aomine Daiki lazily slid his hands into his jacket pockets, about to answer, but his words were suddenly cut off by another voice.
"It's not that he's not using it… it's that he can't! "
Momoi and Aomine froze, then turned to see Kise Ryouta behind them, his golden hair fluttering as he waved cheerfully.
"Yo~~ Aomine, Momoi, long time no see!"
Aomine's face instantly fell.
Momoi, however, looked pleasantly surprised. "Kise! You're here to watch the game too? By the way, what did you mean when you said Haizaki 'can't use [Pillage]'?"
Kise?"
Kise Ryouta was momentarily speechless at Momoi's nickname, then replied: "Because Seiho hasn't given Haizaki the chance to use it."
"Huh?"
"You'll understand if you watch Seiho's offense," Aomine said.
·····
Following Aomine's words, Momoi turned her attention to the court. The altercation between Haizaki and the referee had been resolved, and the match resumed.
Seiho launched the attack.
Kasuga Ryuhei dribbled past midcourt and passed the ball outside the three-point line to Omuro Yoshikasu. Omuro used a crossover to break past the opposing forward, but was blocked by their center inside the paint.
Without hesitation, Omuro passed to Tsutomu Iwamura under the basket. Iwamura back-to-buttled the center and scored.
Swish!
45–12.
Watching Seiho's attack, Momoi couldn't hide her astonishment. "Such stability… not just the players' skills, but their teamwork is unbelievably smooth. Compared to summer, it's like a completely different team. But…"
Her tone faltered slightly, hesitant.
"But too ordinary, isn't it?"
Before Momoi could voice it, Kise spoke up.
Momoi nodded reluctantly, conceding: "Exactly."
Seiho's offense wasn't flawed; in fact, basic, disciplined execution often reveals a team's true strength.
Yet Momoi felt that with Seiho's current level, they should be scoring more efficiently.
Take that previous attack, for instance.
With Fukuda Sogo's players, except Haizaki, none could beat Seiho one-on-one. Kasuga could have simply driven in and scored on his own instead of passing.
According to intelligence Momoi had gathered, Kasuga had a solid mid-range shot, even possessing a signature move: scoop shot.
"Signature move?"
A sudden spark lit in Momoi's mind. "Could it be… Seiho is doing this on purpose to counter Haizaki?"
"Looks like you figured it out," Kise said with a grin. "Haizaki's [Pillage] seems like my [Mimic] on the surface, copying an opponent's move after a glance. But in reality, I just imitate moves; his [Pillage] also changes the rhythm and speed of the skill, subtly disrupting the opponent."
"In other words…"
"Any technique he 'plunders' temporarily becomes unusable for the original user."
"Seiho's scouts clearly discovered the secret behind Haizaki's skill, so from the start, they've been using a simple offensive formation."
"But doesn't that mean Seiho's own scoring efficiency will drop…?"
Momoi stopped mid-sentence. She had realized that with Akashi stationed under the basket, Seiho's four-player offense would still remain effective.
Undoubtedly, with only four players attacking, the success rate might only be fifty percent, but the other half would be blocked by Akashi, who would defend every rebound and fast break.
Against any other team, this counterattack could be dangerous.
But with Akashi guarding the basket, Fukuda had no chance.
"Ah… so that's why Seiho has only scored forty-something points by the end of the third quarter."
Even if the offense doesn't score efficiently, the team is already virtually unbeatable because fast breaks cannot penetrate Akashi's defense.
"This tactic's target isn't just Haizaki, is it?"
As Momoi marveled at Seiho's strategy, Aomine interjected.
Kise scratched his head, impressed: "Exactly, little Aomine! Seiho's tactic has another crucial goal."
"With Seiho's current strength, even if both sides gave it their all, Haizaki wouldn't stand a chance against Akashi. [Pillage], like [Mimic], cannot steal a Generation of Miracles-level skill."
"But if they both exert full power, stamina would drain too quickly."
"Seiho's tactic sacrifices most of their offensive setup, concentrating entirely on defense, conserving energy for later rounds."
Every national-level match is a marathon.
Though teams only play one game per day, the physical and mental toll is extreme. Recovery in one day is nearly impossible.
Managing stamina is a key responsibility of every coach.
Kise's expression reflected admiration: "Seiho has clearly planned for the championship from Round One."