Ten streaks of lightning, symbols of Zone, exploded simultaneously across the court—a scene as awe-inspiring as it was chilling.
Even though only Tendou and Akashi had access to the true Zone, and the rest could only unlock 90% of their potential, it was still an overwhelming display.
By now, no one was surprised that the Generation of Miracles could enter Zone.
Tendou and Akashi even achieving complete mastery over Zone was no longer shocking.
That was simply the level of talent they had.
But being able to bring their teammates into the Zone's domain?
That—was jaw-dropping.
Akashi looked across at Tendou and couldn't help but let out a slightly bitter smile. Fresh chapters posted on novèlfire.net
"Let's begin, Akashi—the second half."
Tendou spoke calmly, like a race starter announcing the beginning of a sprint—then fired the gun.
In the next instant, both teams erupted into motion.
This was no longer about individual players boosting their performance—all ten players were operating at peak form.
The intensity of the match doubled instantly.
Fans could see it clearly: every movement was sharper, every reaction faster.
The court was electrified. Everyone was fully immersed in the game—with only their opponents in their eyes.
Reo Mibuchi received the ball, sinking his hips deeply.
Yamazaki Hiroshi immediately recognized it, leapt into the air, and raised his hands to contest.
Reo gritted his teeth—but when he caught Akashi's encouraging glance, he released the shot without hesitation.
The ball struck the rim and bounced upward.
Underneath the basket, Nebuya Eikichi roared, every muscle bulging.
With sheer brute strength, he shoved his opponent aside and grabbed the offensive rebound.
"You savage!" Seto Kentarō growled.
Brains vs. brawn—the eternal clash.
He landed, spun, and went up for a dunk.
Seto didn't back down. Though he'd lost the rebound, he jumped with all his might to block the shot.
Both men let out primal shouts mid-air as four arms collided around the ball.
At this point, scouting reports and data no longer mattered.
Both teams had elevated their level dramatically. This was pure basketball instinct, with players operating at their physical and mental peaks.
Nebuya slammed the ball into the basket with both hands, winning the mid-air struggle.
"Damn it!" Seto hissed, veins bulging as a spark of silver lightning crackled across his body.
Tendou pointed at Hara Kazuya.
"Kazuya, your help defense needs to be faster next time."
The Five Bad Boys weren't just your average strong players—they were sharper than national-caliber athletes.
He could feel it—his body heating up from within. A wild restlessness bubbling under the surface.
"Is this what it means to feel fired up?"
Fierce games change players.
A powerful desire to win ignites something deep inside—the true core of a competitor.
In this state, players give everything—holding back nothing.
Kirisaki Daiichi launched a quick counter.
Tendou, facing off with Akashi, unleashed his most powerful drive.
The ball bounced like thunder, his speed reaching the limit.
Akashi couldn't stop him.
After just three seconds of resistance, Tendou blew past him.
"He's even faster? Did his state improve again?"
"What nonsense," Aomine snapped. "Tendou's already at the bottom of the lake—he's operating at 100%. If anything improves now, he'd be past human limits."
Aomine had faced Tendou. He knew this version of him was already beyond perfect.
"Then why does it look like he's moving so easily?"
"Probably because Akashi's use of the Emperor Eye has weakened."
This Akashi—the original one—wasn't as dependent on the Emperor Eye as his second personality.
But that also meant… he didn't use it as well.
That much was clear: the Akashi who'd fought Nash had struggled far more than the other Akashi.
Rakuzan's help defense came quickly.
But it didn't matter.
Even at 90% activation, they couldn't escape the Six Eyes.
Tendou spiked the ball off the floor, and it rebounded sharply, slicing through two defenders.
It landed in front of Seto Kentarō, who jumped.
"A fake?! Even at this speed and intensity—he's still that calm?"
"Well, his IQ is 160. Thinking under pressure is exactly what these types of players excel at."
Sure enough, Seto pivoted away from Nebuya, slipped behind, and banked the ball in—a perfect response to the earlier dunk.
Entering the Zone—even the partial kind—allowed players to maximize their own strengths.
"You're awesome, Seto-senpai!"
The Kirisaki Daiichi bench erupted in cheers.
The game had become a full-blown slugfest.
The crowd was electric—ready to blow the roof off the stadium.
This match was worthy of the national finals.
Both teams were showcasing everything—their skill, their will, their hunger.
The sheer level of play was stunning.
Before anyone realized it, the first half was over.
Score: 47–42. Kirisaki Daiichi led by 5.
Players filed into the tunnel and returned to their locker rooms.
Hara Kazuya collapsed into a seat the moment they entered.
Even a 90% boost came with a price—the physical toll was much heavier than playing in a regular state.
"I can't imagine what a full Zone would feel like…"
Everyone glanced toward Tendou.
Their team leader was completely drenched—more so than Hanamiya or the others.
He'd kept the Zone active the entire quarter.
His silver hair clung to his face like he'd walked through a thunderstorm.
"Still, we made it through the second quarter, didn't we?"
And if Tendou was this exhausted, then Akashi Seijūrō had to be even more drained.
Rakuzan's Team Zone was likely about to collapse.
Momoi's scouting reports would become effective again.
The advantage… was swinging back to Kirisaki Daiichi!