Chapter 26

As expected, Ichigo stops outside the three-point line to pull up for a shot. But with Murasakibara standing in front of him, Akashi knows that either Ichigo will miss the shot or Murasakibara will block it. These are the only options, as Murasakibara's height and agility make it almost impossible to evade his block, especially in a jump shot.

As Ichigo came to a halt, he planted his feet and prepared to take a shot. However, Murasakibara was already positioned in front of him, anticipating his every move. Without hesitation, Murasakibara leaped into the air to block the shot.

Unbeknownst to Murasakibara, Ichigo had actually intended to provoke him into challenging his shot. It seemed that Murasakibara had a tendency to always jump and contest shots due to his extensive experience in blocking attempts.

The moment Murasakibara leapt to block his fake shot, Ichigo took advantage and deliberately bumped into him while he was in mid-air. The referee immediately blew the whistle, indicating that Murasakibara had committed a shooting foul. Meanwhile, Ichigo released the ball towards the hoop, but unfortunately, his shot missed. Nonetheless, he was awarded three free throws, which was a positive outcome for Ichigo.

With Murasakibara fouling Ichigo, the game clock stopped with less than 2 seconds remaining.

Ichigo shoots his first free throw and effortlessly makes it, bringing the score to 113-116. With Teiko High School's lead now reduced to just three points, the crowd becomes increasingly unruly. The majority of the spectators are actually cheering for the underdogs, the Meiko team.

They long to witness a true miracle in this game, hoping for a story that will captivate their imagination and provide fodder for gossip once they leave the gymnasium.

As Ichigo receives the ball from the referee for his second free throw, the crowd falls silent. They don't want to distract him from making his shot. With bated breath, they observe Ichigo going through his routine. The ball leaves his hand, soaring through the air and gracefully finding its way into the basket. The score now stands at 114-116.

In the face of this intense moment, the crowd erupts with wild excitement. They can feel the pressure building up in the crowded gymnasium. Will Meiko's team pull off an unexpected upset and secure a remarkable comeback victory? Or will Teiko continue to assert themselves as the undisputed best team in middle school history? These are the burning questions on the minds of the spectators witnessing this scene. Will Meiko's Cinderella run continue towards the championship, or will they crumble in the end?

As the referee hands the ball to Ichigo for his third and final free throw, the excitement in the air is palpable. The atmosphere in the entire gymnasium feels electric.

As Ichigo catches the ball, he prepares for his free throw routine. He claps his hands three times, each clap echoing loudly throughout the stadium. Seeing him clap three times, Ichigo's teammates are reminded of what he said during their last huddle.

(Flashback)

As his teammates gathered around him, Ichigo wore a serious expression and addressed them, "Guys, I've reached my limit. I'm not sure if I can continue playing if the game goes into overtime."

His teammates remained silent and waited for him to proceed, their determination evident on their faces. "Here's what we'll do," Ichigo continued. "Box out Aomine and Kise to give me a chance at the rebound, and I'll try to draw a shooting foul from Teiko."

He then turned his attention to Ogiwara and said, "Ogiwara, I want you to take the last shot. While Teiko focuses on me, find a comfortable spot beyond the three-point line. After that, wait for my signal, and then take your position take your position." He spoke with a serious expression on his face.

Ogiwara simply nodded. Initially surprised that Ichigo was entrusting him with the final shot, he quickly pushed aside any doubt and prepared himself for the last play of the game.

(Flashback Ends)

Ichigo's teammates are preparing themselves for the last play of the game, with Ogiwara, in particular, realizing that this is their final opportunity to win the game and bring home the championship trophy.

Following that, all the players position themselves for Ichigo's last free throw. With less than two seconds remaining on the clock, it would be nearly impossible for the ball to return to them if Ichigo misses. Consequently, the entire Teiko team is hoping for Ichigo to miss the shot so they can secure the rebound.

As Ichigo takes a moment to regulate his breathing, the focus seems to be solely on him. However, Teiko fails to notice that Ogiwara is discreetly making his way towards the right corner of the court.

Ichigo noticed his teammates positioned themselves in the corner of his eyes. Without going through his usual freethrow routine, he swiftly threw the ball towards the basket with great force.

Caught off guard, Teiko could only watch helplessly as the ball bounced straight back into Ichigo's waiting hands. Ichigo then passed the ball to the right corner. As soon as Ichigo caught the ball, the game clock began ticking, indicating that there were less than 2 seconds remaining. However, this was all the time Meiko needed to execute their play.

Akashi, seeing the pass's trajectory, followed it as he noticed that Ogiwara was already positioned there, waiting for the ball. Akashi sprinted towards Ogiwara, attempting to block or disrupt his shot. Unfortunately, his efforts were in vain as he failed to anticipate Meiko's strategy and was late to react.

Just as Ogiwara caught the ball, he quickly set his feet and prepared for the shot. Without hesitation, he rose up and released the ball towards the basket.

As the ball ascends into the air, the buzzer resonates, signifying the culmination of the game. Every individual in the gymnasium, be it the players or the onlookers, fixates their attention on the suspended ball.

Time seems to decelerate for the people in the gymnasium as they await the outcome of the ball's trajectory, pondering whether it will successfully enter the hoop or miss its mark. The members of Teiko's team pray fervently for Ogiwara to miss, whereas Meiko's supporters hope for it to safely enter the basket.

An agonizing wait ensues as the result of the shot hangs in the balance. The spectators within the gymnasium are able to discern the enthralling sound of the net swishing, indicating that Ogiwara's shot has indeed found its mark. The scoreboard now displays a score of 117-116 in favor of Meiko.

The crowd erupts with excitement as the shot lands successfully, causing the entire gymnasium to reverberate with thunderous cheers. The players from Meiko, overwhelmed with elation and joy, energetically rush towards Ogiwara, and even the coach joins the jubilant celebration.

The initial group of players to reach Ogiwara consists of his teammates who were on the court, followed by those on the bench and the coach. However, Ichigo remains on the sidelines, unable to partake in the euphoric swarm of his teammates. After Ogiwara's successful shot, Ichigo's legs relinquish their strength, as the adrenaline that fueled his performance in the Zone subsides. He can only sit in his designated spot where he executed the pass, gazing contently at his team embracing Ogiwara, a satisfied smile gracing his face.

While Meiko Junior High revels in their triumph, Teiko Junior High experiences the opposite sentiment, with the entire team left crestfallen by their defeat.

No one was more devastated by this loss than Akashi. It was the first time since his awakening of the Emperor Eye that he had lost a game. He had been overly confident in his abilities, believing that he couldn't possibly lose if he was playing.

But this game proved him wrong, showing that even with his extraordinary ability, he wasn't absolute.

For Aomine and Kise, however, this game was a revelation. It demonstrated to them that there are players beyond the Generation of Miracles. Losing the game didn't dampen their spirits; instead, it fueled their excitement. They looked forward to their next encounter with Ichigo, determined to emerge victorious in their next matchup.

Murasakibara, on the other hand, wasn't deeply affected by the loss. Winning or losing didn't matter much to him. His overwhelming feeling was frustration. He was frustrated that his inability to make a free throw and Ichigo's constant scoring on him, especially that monster dunk, contributed to their loss. However, the defeat itself didn't bother him much.

Midorima, on the contrary, felt empty inside. He believed that he had hardly made any contribution in the game. He felt like a mere side character, and he despised being sidelined. Despite blowing away their opponents, Midorima continued to practice diligently, always the last one to leave the gym. He would tirelessly work on his shooting skills, even though it seemed almost impossible for him to miss. His frustration stemmed from not being involved in the last two quarters of the game. Despite not receiving many passes, he still felt inadequate. It felt as if all his hard work and dedication were for naught, as he couldn't help his team win this crucial game.

On the other hand, Teiko's coach, Sanada Naoto, seemed disappointed with his team's loss outwardly. However, deep down, he was actually satisfied with the outcome. He believed that this result would serve as a valuable lesson for his players, highlighting the significance of training and personal growth.