276 Chapter 276: Assuming Control

Akashi and Coach Shirogane shared a brief glance, a silent agreement passing between them before Shirogane nodded, signaling for a timeout for Rakuzan High.

"...They're calling a timeout already?" Midorima remarked, his expression remaining composed as he observed the unfolding scene.

Meanwhile, Takao's voice cut through the tension.

"Hey, isn't that Seirin over there?"

Midorima turned his head to follow Takao's gaze, spotting Seirin's team just a few seats away.

Coincidentally, the members of Seirin seemed to have noticed Shutoku as well, their gazes meeting.

Just yesterday, they had battled for third place in the tournament, with Seirin emerging victorious. Now, with Seirin wielding the power of the Direct Drive Zone, Shutoku found themselves unable to thwart their advance, even with Midorima accessing the zone.

"...Looks like they're here to watch as well."

Kagami's voice rang out, drawing nods from his teammates. Hyuga's response was laced with his usual sharpness, "Of course, you idiot. It's the finals; everyone's here to witness the showdown."

"Easy there, Hyuga." Kiyoshi intervened with a chuckle, gesturing Hyuga to calm down. 

Feeling the weight of Hyuga's words, Kagami scratched his head in embarrassment.

He shifted his gaze to the scoreboard, his expression clouding with thought. "...Even Rakuzan might struggle against him."

Kagami couldn't shake the conviction that Tsuna was unbeatable, not after witnessing his recent display of skill.

"..."

His gaze inevitably fell on Tsuna, who seemed unperturbed, casually taking a sip from his water bottle as if the high-stakes game were a mere walk in the park.

"...Captain, I think we might have to swap our positions after this." Ogiwara's concerned voice and frustrations were palpable as everyone turned to him.

"..."

Haizaki remained silent, mirroring Ogiwara's sentiments.

Despite their formidable combo, the circumstances surrounding Rakuzan High were dire. With Akashi potentially taking matters into his own hands and becoming more serious, they faced an uphill battle.

"...Even with both of us, his ability to see the future is too ridiculous for us to counter," Haizaki silently ruminated, clenching his fists in frustration.

Tsuna regarded them both with a hint of surprise. He had expected their thirst for vengeance to cloud their judgment, but it appeared he had underestimated them.

Observing from the sidelines, Nijimura couldn't help but smile inwardly.

"They've grown," he mused to himself.

He could understand Haizaki's development, having faced his own reckoning against Kaijo High in the past.

But Ogiwara?

Despite his seemingly innocent demeanor, someone as inherently pure-hearted as Ogiwara might typically find it challenging to let go of grudges, especially compared to someone as naturally vindictive as Haizaki.

Yet here he was, maintaining a clear mind amidst the tension. Nijimura found himself regarding Ogiwara in a newfound light, impressed by his resilience.

"We'll talk about this later. For now, stay focused and maintain control," Tsuna instructed, eliciting nods of agreement from his teammates.

"Even if Akashi manages to gain an advantage, it doesn't alter the fact that we hold the advantage in the present circumstances," he added, casting a glance towards Rakuzan High's bench.

Each member of the team redirected their attention to their opponents before affirming in unison, "Understood, Captain."

On the opposing side, Shirogane stood in silence, his gaze fixed on his team's score displayed ominously on the scoreboard, mocking their lack of points.

He shook his head in contemplation, noting the stark change in their performance since the arrival of their captain.

During the Interhigh final, Fukuda Sogo operated as a cohesive unit, each player seamlessly fulfilling their roles.

However, with the captain's presence, the team dynamics had shifted.

"He's become their focal point, their driving force," Shirogane mused to himself, a hint of resignation in his demeanor as he observed the unfolding situation.

Rakuzan High had also operated under a similar dynamic, with Akashi serving as the linchpin of the team, instilling immense confidence and ensuring they maintained the upper hand in every situation...

...until the semifinal.

Everything shifted after Akashi single-handedly dominated the game, relegating his teammates to mere bystanders on the court, mere extras in the grand scheme.

The realization that Akashi had become notably quieter left a furrow in his brow.

"...He's gradually losing faith in his teammates," he mused, a sense of concern creeping into his thoughts.

"Fukuda Sogo prefers a fast-paced game, particularly relying on their captain, along with their center and power forward, to execute individual plays," Shirogane explained, his words sinking in as nods of understanding rippled through the room.

"..."

After a moment of contemplation, he continued, breaking the silence, "...We'll adjust our strategy for the first quarter, slowing down our tempo and focusing on defensive play. With this approach, we can effectively counter their aggressive offense."

With a decisive nod to reinforce his plan, Shirogane turned to his team. "Do you all understand?"

"Yes, Coach!"

They responded in unison, their voices ringing with determination.

"Good. Now let's rise and show them why we're known as Rakuzan!"

Shirogane concluded his speech, sparking a surge of resolve as everyone rose to their feet, ready to take on the challenge ahead.

As the teams took their positions on the court, the crowd erupted in fervent cheers, their excitement palpable in the air, filling the gymnasium with energy and anticipation.

The game resumed with Akashi dribbling the ball relaxedly, dictating the pace as Rakuzan followed his lead, advancing cautiously.

However, upon encountering their opponents' defensive formation, they found their path forward obstructed.

Despite their attempts to penetrate, any openings that appeared were swiftly closed off by the opposing team's stalwart defense.

He observed Nebuya struggling to find an opening, with Nijimura relentlessly shadowing his every move.

Turning his attention to Mibuchi, Akashi noticed Ishida's fierce determination, akin to a predator tracking its prey, as he focused intently on the ball in his hands.

Ishida's instincts drove him to shadow Mibuchi's every step, determined not to let the ball slip away from his sight, knowing that preventing the shooter from even touching the ball was the most effective defense.

Akashi recognized that if he were to pass to Mibuchi, Ishida would intercept it instead.

He didn't bother checking on Hayama, understanding Tsuna was there. He completely understood that he wouldn't be passing in that direction anyway.

Instead, he shifted his focus to Mayuzumi, who seemed poised to receive any passes. However, despite the distance, he sensed Tsuna's gaze lingering on Mayuzumi, prompting a frown from Akashi.

"...Looks like I'll have to take matters into my own hands," he muttered, acknowledging the need to assert his control over the game.

His words hung in the air, accompanied by a sudden blaze in his eyes, radiating with intensity.