Chapter 217: Slow Descent into Despair

As Haizaki advanced with the ball, Kobori shadowed his every move, sweat rolling down his face in intense focus.

Observing Kobori's exhausted state, Haizaki chuckled and said, "You seem tired. Why not let me pass?"

"Do you think I'd allow that?"

Kobori retorted with a frown, swiftly closing in to increase the pressure as Haizaki slowed down.

Haizaki shook his head in pity at Kobori's response, mumbling, "That's unfortunate..."

"But I don't need your opinion anyway! Move out!"

Haizaki's voice sliced through the air like a blade.

Without waiting for a response, he surged forward, the basketball dancing beneath his skilled fingertips.

The sudden acceleration sent a shiver down Kobori's spine, prompting him to adjust his stance in anticipation.

Haizaki worked his magic, seamlessly guiding the ball behind his back to the left.

The movement was swift, almost too quick for the eye to catch. Simultaneously, he shifted his body weight forward, transforming the court into his personal stage.

A breathtaking display of ball control unfolded.

The ball darted between his legs with an almost hypnotic speed, leaving onlookers in awe.

Meanwhile, the familiarity of Haizaki's mesmerizing dribbling sent a jolt through Kobori, prompting an instinctual alarm to flare within him. 

Suddenly, Haizaki pivoted, executing a move right in front of Kobori. It mirrored Kasamatsu's failed maneuver from earlier, prompting Kobori's eyes to widen in realization.

"Shit, this fucker stole Captain's drive!"

But realization struck too late as Haizaki seized the opportunity, dribbling forward with the precision of a maestro.

The ball was aimed directly between his legs, intricately connected to Kobori's own.

"Haha fucking easy!"

As the ball glided through the narrow gap of Kobori's legs, Haizaki's mocking laughter echoed. His agile form burst forward, claiming the ball that had slipped through, leaving Kobori in a moment of defeat.

Kasamatsu clenched his teeth, watching the scene unfold. As he attempted to chase after Haizaki, Nijimura's imposing figure appeared before him, obstructing his view.

"Well, it looks like you're in a hurry, Captain..." Nijimura remarked, prompting Kasamatsu to scoff.

"I thought only your Captain had a bad attitude. It seems like I was wrong..."

Kasamatsu growled, adding, "Every single one of you is a pain in the neck!"

With a resounding slam echoing across the court, Nijimura quickly made way for him. Bitterly, Kasamatsu could only watch as Haizaki landed on the ground after scoring more points for Fukuda Sogo.

"...Kaijo High seems to be suffocated."

Otsubo slowly muttered, his face etched with a grim expression. The others in Shutoku concurred, nodding seriously as they observed the unfolding game.

"Kise's Perfect Copy was tricky, but it pales in comparison to Fukuda Sogo's Captain..."

Miyaji spoke, his voice trembling.

He had been thoroughly impressed by Kise's ability to seamlessly incorporate the Generation of Miracles' movements. However, he was now shocked to see such a formidable opponent like Kise being effortlessly subdued by Fukuda Sogo's Captain, Tsunayoshi Kazama!

Midorima quietly adjusted his glasses, observing as Kasamatsu persisted with his drive, attempting to replicate the move that had nearly succeeded against Nijimura's defense moments ago.

"His resilience is commendable, but..." Midorima began, his voice measured.

When Nijimura effortlessly thwarted Kasamatsu's attempt once more, Midorima shook his head and continued, "...his rhythm is off now."

Midorima could empathize with Kasamatsu's frustration.

After all, Kasamatsu was just a hair's breadth away from breaking through Nijimura's defense if he had been slightly faster. It was a small step towards making a crucial change in their current situation.

A change that they desperately needed!

Had it been a regular team, Kasamatsu might have succeeded this time, considering Nijimura's inability to match a slightly faster pace in his drive.

Unfortunately, Kasamatsu's hopeful notion of effecting a small change was shattered, as Fukuda Sogo had Haizaki, who was capable of stealing the move.

This way, one of their dimly lit candles of hope was extinguished.

"And this is only the start..."

Midorima understood that completely suppressing the opponent's formation still allowed them some room to maneuver.

Fukuda Sogo aimed for more!

Silencing Kasamatsu was merely the first step.

Midorima observed in silence as the game unfolded. With Kasamatsu effectively neutralized in his attempts to break through, Kaijo shifted their focus to other areas.

"...And that's a mistake from Kaijo High."

Midorima sighed, shifting his gaze towards Tsuna's smirking face on the court.

"He was anticipating exactly this reaction from them..."

Kaijo attempted to leverage every resource at their disposal, starting with Moriyama and his unorthodox shooting, trying to create distance before having his move thwarted and the ball stolen by Haizaki.

Had Kaijo High been more level-headed, they might have discerned Fukuda Sogo's strategy, or rather, Tsuna's intention.

However, it was the last quarter, and desperation clouded their judgment.

Understanding Moriyama was their done for, they aimed to play for a rebound with Hayakawa.

The cycle repeated until Kaijo High was left clinging to nothing but a wishful hope for victory.

"...Looks like they've finally grasped the gravity of their mistake."

Midorima continued his thoughts as he observed the expressions of disbelief on Kaijo's face.

However, it was too late.

Fukuda Sogo didn't aim just to suppress their opponent.

Their goal was to utterly annihilate the opponent, leaving them defenseless and unable to resist. With Haizaki dismantling their rhythm, Kaijo High found themselves completely stripped of their weapons, while Fukuda Sogo held a nuclear bomb.

Tsuna dribbled the ball in his hand, and Kise looked at him in disbelief.

"Why? Cat got your tongue?"

Tsuna's words snapped Kise back to reality.

A surge of frustration consumed Kise as he relentlessly shadowed Tsuna's every move, their paths intertwining across the court.

Kise noticed the once hopeful expressions of his teammates had now turned hollow. Tsuna's ruthless strategy had extinguished the gleam of hope in their eyes.

"Damn it! Why? Why be so heartless?"

Kise exclaimed loudly as Tsuna stepped back, deliberately slowing the tempo.

Observing this, Kise closed in, Tsuna dribbling the ball effortlessly even with Kise in close proximity, prompting him to speak slowly, "Why, you said?"

His expression slowly morphed into one of nonchalance.

Kise's entire body trembled as he locked eyes with Tsuna, whose gaze now lacked any hint of emotion.

It felt as if those eyes were constricting around him.

Tsuna continued, "Don't talk nonsense, Ryota. This is the nature of the game you chose to play. Do you realize what you just said? It's utter nonsense..."

Hearing these words, Kise gritted his teeth. He acknowledged his own immaturity, but the frustration of seeing his teammates in despair was overwhelming.

However, Tsuna was relentless...

He abruptly altered the pace of his dribbling once again, effortlessly slipping past Kise's defense as he leaped toward the basket and executed a powerful slam.

Kise could only watch helplessly as Tsuna walked past him, leaving behind a remark, "Losing is frustrating, indeed. But it's a simple problem, just win..."

"..."

Hearing these words, Kise widened his eyes in disbelief, gazing at Tsuna's retreating figure in stunned silence.

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