Gu Jin wiped the sweat from his face and nodded.
When he was squeezed by Zawa Kita and Nobe just now, he clenched his fists and counted in his heart—there was still a chance, as long as he could get the ball.
On the other side, in front of Sannoh's bench, Goro Domoto stood the tactical board on the ground and poked his finger heavily on Gu Jin's name: "Everyone remember, keep a close eye on Gu Jin.
Zawa Kita, stick to him, even if he runs off the court, you have to follow him.
Nobe, give up Sakuragi and go to Gu Jin's side to help defend. If he dares to receive the ball, you pounce on him. Absolutely do not let Gu Jin receive the ball."
Zawa Kita Eiji curled his lips: "Don't worry, Coach!"
Masahiro Nobe replied in a muffled voice: "Understood."
Goro Domoto then looked at Kazunari Fukatsu: "You go guard Sendoh's serve, don't let him easily pass the ball. Kawata brothers, you guard the basket."
The timeout ended, and both sides returned to the court.
The air in the gymnasium seemed to be frozen; even breathing could be heard.
Sendoh stood out of bounds with the ball, and Kazunari Fukatsu indeed stuck to him, waving his arms, firmly blocking Sendoh's serving route.
It was even tighter on the court—Zawa Kita Eiji's body was pressing against Gu Jin's back. Wherever Gu Jin moved half a step, he followed as if nailed there;
Masahiro Nobe stood two steps diagonally in front of Gu Jin, his arms spread out like a wall, sealing the passing route to only a tiny gap.
5 seconds!
The referee's gesture made people panic.
"Sakuragi!" Taoka roared from the sidelines.
4 seconds!
Sakuragi Hanamichi suddenly rushed out from under the basket, his red hair flashing under the lights. He quickly moved from under the basket to beyond the three-point line, stopping exactly half a step to the side of Zawa Kita Eiji.
Sakuragi's feet were firmly planted on the ground; he didn't rush forward even an inch, just using his position to cut between Zawa Kita and Gu Jin.
Zawa Kita wanted to stick closer to Gu Jin, but was firmly blocked by Sakuragi, his footsteps pausing for half a second.
3 seconds!
In that half-second, Gu Jin suddenly lunged outward, using Sakuragi's screen to pull towards the free-throw line.
Masahiro Nobe indeed immediately shifted in that direction. Just as he was about to reach out to block the passing route, Uozumi Jun quickly came from diagonally behind and stood firmly beside Nobe—the second screen was perfectly set, and Nobe was blocked, unable to turn around.
2 seconds!
"Sendoh!" Gu Jin shouted softly as he raised his hand.
1 second!
Sendoh had already seized the opportunity, flicking his wrist. The basketball flew across the floor, landing perfectly in Gu Jin's hands.
Zawa Kita, having broken free from Sakuragi, caught up, his fingertips almost touching the ball, but Gu Jin was already driving towards the basket with the ball—10 seconds left.
"The ball is passed! Gu Jin received it! Oh my goodness—this double screen is too beautiful! Sakuragi blocked Zawa Kita from moving an inch, and Uozumi firmly held down Nobe!" The commentator's voice suddenly rose, almost breaking through the microphone, "10 seconds left! Gu Jin drives with the ball—Zawa Kita Eiji has already caught up! His speed is like a cheetah!"
The roar of the crowd in the gymnasium instantly blew off the roof.
No one on Ryonan's bench could sit still. Uekusa was jumping high, waving a towel. Koshino yelled at the top of his lungs: "Gu Jin! Go!" The Ryonan fans in the stands roared with red eyes: "Go! Take down Sannoh!"
As Gu Jin dribbled towards the basket, Zawa Kita's fingertips were already almost touching his jersey. "Don't think you're getting past!" Zawa Kita chased, gritting his teeth, his knees almost hitting Gu Jin's ankle. But Gu Jin suddenly made a sharp stop and change of direction, pulling the ball from his right hand to his left, and, taking advantage of Zawa Kita's forward momentum, he went around his right side.
"Change of direction! Beautiful!" The commentator shouted, slapping the table, "Masashi Kawata has come over to help defend! Japan's number one center is under the basket!"
Masashi Kawata indeed spread his arms, blocking under the basket, his brow furrowed tightly: "You won't!" He was tall with long arms, almost completely sealing off the space in front of the hoop.
Gu Jin, however, didn't slow down. When he reached near the free-throw arc, he suddenly jumped—not for a layup, but to shoot directly?
"He's going to shoot?!" Kazunari Fukatsu shouted urgently from behind.
Zawa Kita also jumped, his long arm reaching to block the ball in Gu Jin's hand.
But just then, Gu Jin, in mid-air, flipped his wrist. The basketball didn't fly towards the hoop; instead, it arced diagonally backward—
"Is it a pass?!"
The entire stadium was stunned for half a second.
Sakuragi Hanamichi just happened to rush over from beyond the three-point line, his red hair dazzling under the lights. He jumped up, caught the ball, and turned to slam it towards the basket—
"No way!" Mikio Kawata pounced from the side, spreading his arms to block.
But Sakuragi, holding the ball, suddenly pulled back, actually passing the ball back—Gu Jin had just landed, and, using the gap created by Sakuragi, he rushed up again, reaching out to catch the ball steadily.
"A second pass! It's a second pass!" The commentator's voice was trembling, "So clever! They're playing tactics against Sannoh! Zawa Kita was blocked by Sakuragi for a moment, and Masashi Kawata hasn't returned to his position yet—"
When Gu Jin received the ball, he was only two steps from the hoop.
Zawa Kita roared as he pounced: "Stop him!" Nobe also rushed from the side, his two large hands covering the ball.
But Gu Jin didn't look at them; he stared at the hoop and suddenly jumped, holding the ball high with his right hand—not a dunk, but with the force of his jump, he gently flicked his wrist.
The basketball, with a slight spin, flew past Zawa Kita's fingertips, dodged Nobe's large hands, and swished through the hoop.
The final buzzer sounded simultaneously.
The numbers on the scoreboard jumped: 82:81.
"The ball went in—!!" The commentator's voice cracked, "The final buzzer has sounded! Ryonan won! They defeated Sannoh Industrial!"
The gymnasium was silent for half a second, then erupted in cheers loud enough to shatter glass.
All the Ryonan players rushed onto the court. Sakuragi grabbed Gu Jin's waist and tossed him into the air. Uozumi yelled with his arms raised until his voice was hoarse.
Taoka Moichi's tactical board fell to the ground with a "thud." He wiped his face, unsure if it was sweat or tears.
As Gu Jin landed, he met Zawa Kita Eiji's eyes.
Zawa Kita was panting, the usual arrogance gone from his face. He just stared at the still-swaying ball in the hoop and said in a low voice: "You won."
Masashi Kawata patted Zawa Kita's shoulder, his gaze complex as he looked at Gu Jin, but he still nodded.
Gu Jin wiped away some sweat and smiled.
The cheers from the stands still surged like waves. Sakuragi was still shaking him wildly. Sendoh walked over and bumped his arm: "You're good, you. Could that pass have been any later?"
Gu Jin didn't speak, just looked at the hoop and smiled.
The moment the ball went in, he heard his own heartbeat, louder than all the cheers in the stadium.
They won! They finally led Ryonan to defeat the undefeated legend—Sannoh Industrial!!!
