Chapter 20: The Zone

This goal would decide the match between Aizen and Aomine Daiki.

If Aizen didn't score, based on the pattern of previous goals, Aomine had a high chance of scoring. The two of them were neck and neck, neither giving in, and the score was very close. This thrilling back-and-forth had the surrounding audience screaming with excitement.

...

Aizen stood at the top of the arc with the ball, feeling in excellent condition. Only strong opponents could bring out his best. In Aizen's sight, there was only Aomine Daiki. He could even feel his heartbeat. This gave him an unprecedented feeling of peace.

Despite the surrounding noise, Aizen's focus remained unshaken. He felt close to grasping something profound, but it eluded him. He knew that to truly enter this wonderful realm, he needed more pressure. Only by colliding with the strong could he unleash his true potential.

Aizen frowned and taunted, "You only have one chance to score, is that all?"

He could sense Aomine's physical energy waning, due to both his playing style and neglect of training. Aizen's own physical condition was better, but he didn't underestimate Aomine.

The final play was set.

Aizen dribbled towards Aomine, not keeping his distance but engaging directly. He knew Aomine's physical strength was declining, so he opted for physical entanglement. This was Aizen's court wisdom: using his strengths to exploit the opponent's weaknesses.

With [Core Confrontation] activated, he chiseled Aomine step by step. Each collision pushed Aomine back, while Aizen remained stable. But Aomine Daiki was a fierce competitor. Every retreat was met with a rapid return to defense and an attempt to interfere, showcasing his explosive speed and wild, panther-like agility.

However, Aizen's ball-handling was impeccable. Aomine gritted his teeth and defended hard but couldn't block Aizen. As Aizen reached the perimeter of the penalty area, Aomine anticipated another physical confrontation.

Suddenly, Aizen stepped back, catching the declining Aomine off guard. The next second, Aomine stepped forward to defend, but Aizen seized the opportunity and broke through. Aomine's forward momentum fixed him in place momentarily, unable to adjust quickly enough.

Aomine fought hard to defend, but Aizen had already leaped high. The next moment, the explosive sound of the dunk echoed through the stadium.

"Bang!!!"

The dunk ended the game, and Aizen won.

The explosion left the crowd momentarily stunned. Aizen landed and looked back at Aomine without speaking. During the dunk, he felt a strong sense of oppression from Aomine, like a man-eating monster watching him. Goosebumps rose instinctively.

It was the Zone.

Aizen admitted Aomine's strength, but it was too late. He didn't know why Aomine entered the Zone at the end—perhaps he wasn't as free to enter it as in high school or simply underestimated Aizen.

However, seeing Aomine's sweaty face, Aizen dismissed the idea that Aomine had underestimated him. He didn't ponder long before the excited voices of the audience brought him back.

"Too amazing!"

"That dunk was explosive!"

The game was over, and Aizen's concentration waned. Feeling the atmosphere around him and having just conquered a strong opponent, although not in his prime, made Aizen extremely satisfied.

"It feels so good to win!"

Aizen turned to Aomine, who was standing with his head down, covered in shadow. Everyone thought Aomine was sulking over his loss. But then he looked up, smiling innocently like a child. Aizen suddenly felt Aomine Daiki's pure love for basketball and couldn't help but laugh.

Aomine: "I won't lose next time."

Aizen: "I'll be waiting."

...

Aizen didn't mock his opponent. He respected Aomine's love for basketball and acknowledged that Aomine hadn't used his full strength. There was no need to mock, especially after seeing his genuine smile. Aizen recognized Aomine Daiki and looked forward to their next match.