Chapter 44: Evolve

After Aomine's steal and score, the audience couldn't contain their excitement. Of course, many couldn't believe it. Was Aizen really defeated like this?

"F**k, what's the speed of Aomine?"

"This is the first time I've seen Aizen get stolen!"

"Yeah, the duel between them should be decided now." 

Kuroko and Satsuki were also stunned by the events on the court. Their excitement was no less than the audience's.

"Aomine-kun is still so strong," Kuroko said, genuinely impressed by Aomine's abilities. As a point guard, Kuroko understood Aizen's strength deeply. For Aomine to still overcome Aizen was a testament to his invincibility.

Satsuki was equally surprised, her mouth wide open. She had initially thought the two would at most draw, restricting the other. Who could have expected Aomine to burst out with such potential? However, after the initial shock, Satsuki calmed down. Unlike most of the audience, she didn't think Aizen would stay down. 

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Amid the loud cheers of the audience, Aizen received the ball from his teammates. They and the coach looked worried about his condition. However, Aizen shook his head at them, his bright eyes showing no signs of defeat. Seeing this, his teammates and coach relaxed. They breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Aizen's condition wasn't affected, everything would be fine. Their confidence in Aizen was sometimes almost blind.

Aizen advanced with the ball, his steps steady and his demeanor calm. When he reached Aomine, ready to attack, Aomine suddenly said, "If this is all you've got, then the winner is decided! I've broken you both offensively and defensively. You are restricted. I won this duel!"

Aomine was calm now, having completed his evolution and brought his speed to a new level. He was confident that Aizen was no longer his opponent. Looking at Aomine's attitude, it seemed he had already announced his victory. Aizen couldn't help but smile and said, "Aomine, since you're so eager to decide the winner, then as you wish."

Lowering his center of gravity, Aizen switched to an offensive posture.

"Thank you for helping me evolve!" he said, activating [Metavision]. In an instant, Aizen's sight changed, allowing him to see further into the future: 0.1 seconds, 0.3 seconds, 0.5 seconds.

"Not enough, not enough!! Keep going!" Aizen's eyes cleared, and the spider web-like patterns became sharper, as if he could control everything.Pushing himself to the limit, [Metavision] broke through its shackles, reaching 1 second. In this 1 second, Aizen deduced the key points of Aomine's defense against him. Smiling, Aizen began targeting Aomine according to the deduced "future."

Aizen changed his rhythm, each movement seemingly reading Aomine's defensive thoughts. Suddenly, Aomine burst out quickly, attempting another steal. This time, Aizen, having anticipated it, responded. "Snap!" Aizen blocked Aomine's attacking arm and stepped out his left leg to obstruct him. Instantly, Aizen saw two weaknesses in Aomine, appearing as "puzzles."

Without hesitation, Aizen activated [Confrontation Core], stabilizing his center of gravity and targeting Aomine's weaknesses, successfully restricting him. The situation was now firmly under Aizen's control. Moreover, not just offensively but defensively as well, he could limit Aomine. Of course, this was assuming Aomine's speed wouldn't evolve further.

Aomine, caught off guard, could only watch as Aizen scored. "Shua!" Aizen shot with the calmness of [King's Domain]. The 1-second deduction time allowed Aizen more time to analyze the court's ever-changing situation. Before, 0.5 seconds was too short, but now, Aizen's gift made full use of it. 

Kuroko, sitting on the bench, couldn't calm down. Satsuki, blushing with excitement, exclaimed, "See, I told you Aizen always has something new to show!" 

Kuroko, startled by Satsuki, looked at her puzzled. Which side was she on? Everyone outside the court only saw the surface, but those in the game knew the true horror of Aizen's abilities. Teikō's team looked solemn, believing Aomine had won. But in a blink of an eye, Aizen suppressed him again. Moreover, it wasn't just suppression; it felt as if Aizen had read the script in advance and delivered a fatal blow at the key moment.

This reminded them of Akashi's Emperor Eye. Before they could ponder further, Aizen turned to Aomine, solving their confusion. "Thank you, Aomine, for allowing me to evolve!"