Chapter 26: The Jabberwock
A little while later, Nash guided Tsuna and Sebas through a maze of narrow streets, leading them to a nearby basketball court. Gold had apologized to Tsuna as he still had some business to do and left them alone.
The court appeared quite worn down, showing clear signs of neglect. Cracks snaked across the once-smooth surface, and weeds had taken over concrete patches. The rusty chain-link fence surrounding it leaned at precarious angles.
The wooden backboards bore witness to numerous makeshift repairs, and the basketball hoops themselves seemed like they'd endured countless slam dunks over the years.
At first glance, it might have seemed like an unusual choice of location, given its shabby state. But Nash had a mischievous glint in his eyes. His anticipation was evident.
"This is where we trained," Nash chuckled, noticing Tsuna's nonchalant demeanor. He continued, "I know it doesn't look like much. But..."
"...this place is where it all started, and it holds countless memories that have shaped our team, the Jabberwock."
Amidst the conversation, the sounds of basketballs bouncing and sneakers squeaking on the concrete court became more pronounced.
A group of teenagers, roughly the same age as Nash, had their own 2v2 match in full swing. Their movements flowed smoothly, and the faded court lines seemed to regain their vibrancy under the rhythmic beat of their sneakers.
"These are the friends I grew up with," Nash explained, gesturing toward the ongoing exciting game as he continued, "We spent countless hours here, playing ball and honing our skills on this court."
"Come on, Allen, do better!"
"Shut up, Nick!"
They observed the action as one of the players, Allen, responded to Nick's taunts with a spectacular crossover dribble, leaving Nick bewildered before nailing a three-point shot. The rest of the group exploded in cheers and exchanged enthusiastic high-fives.
"Aye, Jason. Take a look!"
Zack, a tall, stern-faced guy with a shaved head, gestured to Jason Silver, who stood beside him. Jason, also tall with silver hair, turned his gaze to see what was causing the commotion.
"Hmm? Looks like we've got a visitor."
Everyone came to a halt and shifted their attention to the entrance. Nash, their captain, had brought an Asian guest along with him.
"..."
Silver was known for his sharp tongue, but the presence of this imposing Asian and his butler companion rendered him speechless. He observed the unfolding situation cautiously.
"Nash, you're running a bit late," Nick remarked as Nash approached.
Allen, still catching his breath, regarded Tsuna with a puzzled expression. The newcomer, with his confident demeanor and a butler at his side, was far from the usual sights in their neighborhood.
"Hey, guys, gather around! We've got potential investors here!"
Nash, having halted the ongoing game, addressed his team with enthusiasm. He introduced Tsuna, revealing his background and connection to Sebas, who served the Kazama family. The revelation left the team utterly stunned.
"No way! I knew Nash was out there fishing, but landing a big one like this?"
Zack whispered to Silver, who was nodding in agreement, clearly impressed.
"But, here's the kicker! Our Young Master here says he won't invest in a losing team. So, he wants to sew you guys play and test my skills in a one-on-one match personally. Right, Young Master?"
Silver, who had maintained a serious demeanor, suddenly burst into laughter. The rest of the team couldn't help but join in, finding the situation hilariously unexpected. Their laughter echoed through the court as if they'd just heard the most amusing joke.
Sebas couldn't hide his displeasure as he observed the scene. On the other hand, Tsuna appeared unfazed and even seemed to relish the situation, a sly smile curling on his lips.
"Damn, if we blow this investment, I'm personally choking each one of you."
Nash grumbled under his breath. Though he'd been somewhat disrespectful earlier, he hadn't gone as far as mocking Tsuna like this. Witnessing his team openly laughing at Tsuna's challenge left him awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
"Alright, let's cut to the chase. Time's ticking," Tsuna declared, signaling for Nash to pass him the ball. Nash complied, and Tsuna gripped the ball firmly.
With a simple hand gesture, Nash directed his team to clear the court, and he cautiously stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Tsuna. Tsuna began to dribble the ball with his composure in check, much to Nash's relief.
"...Alright, let's do this," Tsuna said, dribbling the basketball confidently in Nash's direction.
Nash was momentarily puzzled when he noticed Tsuna closing his eyes. However, as Tsuna's eyes shut, an overwhelming pressure emanated from him.
The sensation was familiar to Tsuna, reminiscent of the times in Japan when he felt absolute control over everything in his surroundings.
"Such an addicting feeling," Tsuna muttered as he opened his eyes.
Nash was stunned, almost frozen in place. Tsuna's gaze bore into him with intense crimson eyes that seemed to pierce his very soul.
A shiver ran down Nash's spine as an oppressive force enveloped him, making him instinctively close and reopen his eyes. His irises now glowed fiery light, revealing that he, too, had activated his unique ability, the Belial Eye.
"..."
The air was thick with an intense silence. Nobody had anticipated that this 1v1 would escalate to such a dramatic showdown. A cocktail of shock, surprise, and sheer astonishment painted the expressions of everyone present as they watched the unfolding spectacle.
Even Sebas, who had been Tsuna's unwavering guardian since childhood, couldn't help but be taken aback. This was an entirely new facet of his Young Master that he had never witnessed before.
"That pressure... It's astounding," Sebas mumbled to himself, finding himself comparing Tsuna's aura to that of his father, Hirutora, during times of extreme tension. The resemblance in their formidable presence was striking.
"W...what in the world..."
Silver couldn't contain his bewilderment, and his muttered words captured the shared sentiments of the entire team. They were all utterly perplexed by what they were witnessing.
As Tsuna neared Nash, he abruptly shifted the rhythm of his dribbling.
"Wow, he's fast!" Nash couldn't help but express his surprise. Tsuna's speed matched his own, but Nash's quick reflexes allowed him to keep an eye on the ball's swift movements.
Tsuna swiftly darted toward Nash's right, attempting to create an opening. However, Nash, utilizing his Belial Eye ability, preemptively extended his hand, anticipating Tsuna's movement before it even occurred.
"Impressive, but it won't be enough to stop me," Tsuna thought silently as he abruptly altered his course, heading in the opposite direction.
Nash once again widened his eyes in astonishment. He activated his eye's unique power and moved in anticipation of Tsuna's path, but his predictive ability faltered against Tsuna's agile maneuvers for the first time.
"No, I read it correctly. He intended to go that way, but my hand made him change direction. How can a person react this fast!?" Nash pondered in disbelief.
Tsuna, however, had anticipated Nash's defensive maneuver. He never underestimated Nash, who was reputed to be superior to the Generation of Miracles. It would have been foolish to do so.
Unfortunately for Nash, his movements were as clear as daylight to Tsuna.
When Nash shifted to block Tsunayoshi, he realized he was falling into a trap. Tsuna had swiftly dribbled the ball between Nash's legs, leaving him wide open.
"Damn!"
With lightning speed, Tsuna weaved past Nash's defense. He sprinted toward the basket, dribbling the ball in sync with his every stride. In a breathtaking leap, he ascended into the air as if preparing to make a powerful slam dunk.
"It's not over yet!"
Nash yelled in his mind as he sprinted and leaped to block Tsuna's trick.
"...I knew you're better than that," Tsuna couldn't help but smile slyly.
In this intense moment, Tsuna sensed Nash's lightning-fast movement behind him and skillfully adjusted his body in mid-air, smoothly transitioning into a layup posture before effortlessly flicking the basketball towards the hoop.
Nash's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Double Clutch!?"
The entire Jabberwock team stood in awe, utterly captivated by the astonishing display of skill unfolding before them. It was a level of basketball prowess they rarely encountered. Both players, Tsuna and Nash, seemed to be operating on a plane above the ordinary, leaving the onlookers in utter amazement.
As the ball swished through the net, Nash stared at Tsuna with visible astonishment in his eyes.
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