NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12: Senpai, You Were Careless!
The crowd's attention was fixed on Ryu.
This first-year student was now facing Miyagi's defense, leaving everyone curious about what remarkable move he might make next.
Coach Anzai, observing from the sidelines with his usual calm demeanor, chuckled lightly - "Ryu, this little guy, always manages to surprise. He reminds me of someone familiar."
"His style is a bit like Sannoh's Eiji Sawakita. Hehe."
Hearing this, Ayako, standing nearby, froze for a moment - "Sannoh? Eiji Sawakita?"
"Coach Anzai holds Ryu in such high regard?"
Although Ryu's performance had been impressive, comparing him to Sannoh's Eiji Sawakita seemed far-fetched. Ayako couldn't hide her surprise at the unexpected compliment.
She blinked and kept her gaze firmly on Ryu on the court.
"Ryu, don't embarrass this genius! Break through!" Sakuragi yelled, waving his arms frantically as he saw Miyagi blocking Ryu's path.
Meanwhile, Miyagi smirked confidently, looking at the young player in front of him - "Come on, kid. Try to get past me."
Ryu could feel the intense energy radiating from Miyagi.
"Stay on him, Miyagi!"
"If we let Ryu get past again, where's our upperclassman pride?"
[Ding!]
[Task Completed - Steal the ball from Ryota Miyagi.]
[Reward: 'C'-Dribble Skill]
As soon as the system notification echoed in Ryu's mind, the 'C'-dribble skill seemed to be imprinted in his brain as though he'd known it his entire life.
[Ding!]
[New Task: Break through Ryota Miyagi's defense.]
[Reward: Aerial Hand-Switch Dunk Skill]
Ryu was briefly stunned at the new task - "Miyagi? Could it be he's a task machine?"
He smiled, mimicking Miyagi's grin and flashing his white teeth - "Senpai, I'll accept your challenge."
The moment the words left his mouth, Ryu moved.
"Whoosh!"
With the basketball in his right hand, Ryu executed a flawless 'C'-dribble, slipping past Miyagi like a streak of black lightning.
"Nani?!"
"He got past me?!"
Miyagi's face twisted in shock.
If losing the ball earlier could be blamed on underestimating Ryu, this time Miyagi had been entirely focused, yet Ryu still broke through.
Akagi watched the move in astonishment - "Such a perfect maneuver… Was this kid holding back all along?"
"Interesting."
Earlier in the game, while Ryu had broken through Kogure, his moves were crude, nowhere near as smooth as this.
"Bring it on!" Akagi roared as he saw Ryu rushing toward the basket. He prepared himself to test the boy's abilities.
"So fast!"
Miyagi, after being beaten, turned to chase Ryu, but Ryu's speed after breaking through had increased significantly. Miyagi couldn't keep up, leaving him bewildered.
Ryu's pace had surged dramatically, a result of the system's enhancement, allowing his dribbling speed to briefly match a human's peak sprint. The cost, of course, was considerable physical strain.
Even Rukawa's eyes widened, his usual calm replaced with disbelief - "That speed… Even I can't compare. Ryu's burst is terrifying. What a monster."
In the blink of an eye, Ryu reached the basket.
Akagi abandoned his defense of Rukawa and spread his arms wide to stop Ryu's attempt.
"What kind of shot will he try?"
Akagi's instincts tingled with a vague sense of pressure.
"Ryu, go for it!" Kuwata and the others cheered, electrified by Ryu's speed and skill.
Just then—
[Ding!]
[Task Completed: Break through Ryota Miyagi's defense.]
[Reward: Aerial Hand-Switch Dunk Skill]
[Note: High energy consumption.]
Hearing the system's voice, Ryu's lips curled into a smirk - "It's here at last!"
"Akagi-senpai, watch out!"
With momentum propelling him, Ryu leaped into the air near the basket.
At this moment, he saw himself as the king of the court, undeterred by Akagi's towering presence.
The spectators erupted—
"A dunk?"
"A layup?"
"That kid's reckless!"
"Does he realize who Akagi Takenori is?!"
Akagi, glaring fiercely, roared - "Kid, don't underestimate me!"
With a thunderous shout, Akagi launched himself into the air, his massive hands reaching for the ball.
But just as Akagi's fingers were about to graze it, something unbelievable happened.
Ryu pulled the ball back with his left hand, swiftly switching it to his right.
"Senpai, you were careless!" Ryu taunted with a playful grin.
"It's over!" Akagi's face contorted in realization, but it was too late.
Before the crowd's stunned eyes—
"Bang!"
The ball slammed into the hoop with a powerful left-handed dunk.