Chapter 176: Unshackled Force!

(I'm using honorifics just for Murasakibara's flashback)

"...Hey, Muchaan, you're overdoing it."

A child's grumbling voice echoed across the small playground. The words were directed at a tall kid with purple hair who stood out among the others.

The purple-haired kid had been effortlessly dominating their game, taking away the fun for the other kids.

"...Huh? Why should I? It's not fun otherwise."

The purple-haired kid grumbled in an adorable manner, a hint of annoyance on their face.

The response from the purple-haired kid didn't sit well with the others. One of them expressed their frustration, saying, "Come on, Muchaan. It's no fun if you keep blocking us like that..."

The purple-haired kid grumbled once more, "...Such a hassle."

Even though they continued playing, the purple-haired kid still dominated, leading to more complaints. An exasperated mutter escaped from him, "I wasn't even trying that hard..."

"...So irritating."

Despite the complaints, the purple-haired kid continued playing, but this time, he took a more laid-back approach to avoid further objections from the others.

"Whoa!"

The stadium reverberated with a collective gasp, a wave of excitement pulsating through the air. 

"Such an intense game! This would probably be the most exciting game for the day!"

The uproarious cheer of the crowd washed over the court, an audible manifestation of the fervor coursing through every spectator.

Murasakibara, momentarily lost in the thrill of the moment, was drawn back to reality by the crescendo of excitement.

As the game unfolded, Fukuda Sogo began deciphering the mechanics of Himuro's shot, and Mochizuki geared up to counter it. Meanwhile, Murasakibara found himself thwarted repeatedly by Nijimura's unwavering defense over the basket despite relentlessly using his Thor's Hammer.

"...This is annoying," Murasakibara grumbled, clenching the ball tighter.

His gaze remained fixed on Nijimura's figure, frustration evident in the audible click of his tongue. Unbeknownst to Murasakibara, hidden beneath the facade of annoyance, his eyes gleamed with an intensity that contradicted his words.

Nijimura's eyes flashed with a steely determination, his entire body tensing in anticipation for the impending move.

Murasakibara, displaying a nonchalant attitude, effortlessly leaped into the air, his tall frame rotating gracefully toward the basket. With a casual remark, he spoke, "You're so annoying, Senior..."

As he reached the zenith of his jump, Murasakibara unleashed a powerful slam, propelling the ball downward with both hands.

Undeterred by the formidable force of Murasakibara's move, Nijimura demonstrated persistence. His eyes glinted with focus as he calculated the perfect timing. He intercepted the ball with a powerful jump, his hand forcefully striking it precisely.

In disbelief, Nijimura widened his eyes as he felt the unexpected power behind Murasakibara's slam. Nonetheless, he skillfully diverted the trajectory, using his hand to alter the ball's course.

The impact made the ball hit the rim with a resonating sound before bouncing back toward the court.

In a swift move, Fukuda Sogo seized control of the ball, defying the challenges posed by Okamura and Liu from Yosen High, who aimed to snag the rebound.

With remarkable precision, they swiftly passed the ball to Tsuna.

As if propelled by a burst of energy, Tsuna exploded down the court with a streak of speed and a resounding slam as he drove the ball through the basket.

Murasakibara's annoyance manifested in the audible click of his tongue as he retreated to his designated spot on the court.

A furrow formed on his brow as his gaze involuntarily shifted towards Tsuna's silhouette.

Throughout his life, people that he came across had always been saying to him to tone it down. Initially, this constant admonishment had irked him, but with the passage of time, he had grown accustomed to it, accepting it as a natural part of his existence.

Tsuna, however, stood as a singular exception. He was the first person to say the opposite.

A cascade of conflicting emotions surged within him as he clutched his rapidly beating heart. Confusion enveloped his thoughts, a disorienting fog settling over him as he grappled with Tsuna's words echoing in his mind.

"...Confusing," Murasakibara muttered.

His lips unconsciously curled up for a fleeting moment, a subtle shift from his usual annoyed expression, before returning to its accustomed state.

"...The force behind that slam kept getting stronger and stronger," Nijimura frowned, directing his gaze toward his trembling hand that had braved the onslaught head-on.

As Nijimura pivoted his attention towards Murasakibara, his eyes widened in surprise. The towering figure before him appeared to sport a brief smirk. This subtle expression vanished like a passing breeze as if it were nothing more than an ephemeral illusion.

Whether it was a figment of his imagination or a fleeting reality, a shiver ran down Nijimura's spine.

"...Shit, I might not be able to last for long if this keeps going," he muttered silently.

As possession shifted to Yosen High, the game's dynamic underwent a rapid transformation.

Dribbling the ball, Fukui wore a pensive frown, contemplating, "...I guess, I'd pass it to Himuro again, huh?"

Despite comprehending the intricate mechanics behind Himuro's shot, it was useless.

Himuro's adaptability rendered any tactical understanding almost meaningless.

Himuro tossed the ball into the air with a deceptive fluidity, mimicking a shot. The illusion was so convincing that if a defender took the bait and leaped prematurely, Himuro would seamlessly regain possession before executing the actual shot.

And for those cautious enough not to jump prematurely, Himuro possessed the lethal ability to convert the feigned shot into a genuine one.

However, he felt a strong gaze on him, giving him pressure...

As his eyes sought the source of this intense pressure, they fell upon Murasakibara. The annoyed countenance that had adorned Murasakibara's face moments ago now gave way to a serious expression.

"...Murasakibara?"

Fukui muttered, a tinge of disbelief coloring his tone.

A collective awareness rippled through the onlookers, the shift in Murasakibara's demeanor registering with everyone present. 

Fukui sensed an intense desire emanating from Murasakibara for the ball, an unspoken demand that resonated with a palpable energy.

Grinning in response, Fukui declared, "Sure!"

Aware that they needed to seize control of the escalating situation, Fukui acted with swift precision. With a calculated pass, he redirected the ball toward Murasakibara. 

As he took in a deep breath, Murasakibara's gaze flickered to Nijimura positioned on his back. Nijimura felt the hairs on his body stand on end, goosebumps prickling across his skin. He couldn't help but think, "...He's coming!"

Murasakibara wasted no time, propelling himself into the air with a seamless rotation, executing his signature Thor's Hammer towards the basket. A familiar move, yet this time, an undeniable surge of power coursed through the court, prompting widened eyes and disbelief from all witnesses.

Nijimura bided his time, calculating the precise moment. With a powerful leap, he intercepted the ball in Murasakibara's grasp.

Upon the impact, Nijimura gritted his teeth, feeling an unprecedented force.

This time, however, it was immovable. Murasakibara shattered through, a thunderous slam echoing through the arena, accompanied by the triumphant proclamation, "Thor's Hammer!"

The collision left Nijimura swaying, collapsing onto the ground.

He gazed up at Murasakibara from his prone position, towering over him. A shadow of Silver seemed to overlay Murasakibara's figure.

"....He truly was holding back his strength the whole time?" Nijimura mumbled in disbelief.

---

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