Serin began running down the court as Kagami gave Ryu a pat on the back.

Kagami: You held out on us big time man!

Hyuga: Nice dunk back there.

Ryu: Thanks.

Izuki: Better than a pun!

Ryu: -_- Don't overdue it Senpai.

Shutoku came up as the with the utmost quickness passed the ball to Midorima at half court.

Ryu: 'Ah beans!!'

Ryu jumped trying to stop the shot, but it was too late as Midorima was able to get it off getting back to defense staying down to middle.

Midorima: If I stay right here you won't get to use the counter of yours. Plus, when you haven't even seen the full extent of my range I ran just keeping making the score closer and closer.

Ryu: Again, that'd work on with Kagami probably.

Kagami: Huh?!

As Ryu ran up the court Izuki passed him the ball as the half court line.

Ryu: But this is me we're talking about.

Miyaji: 'No the hell he isn't!!'

Ryu jumped and there was no sign of him faking. The ball left his hands too fast for anyone to do anything against it as like a certain someone, it went in.

Ryu: Now there's nothing you can do that I can't Shin.

Midorima: 'Great, he's a threat from everywhere on this side of the court now.'

18-15 Serin

Hyuga: Okay seriously, why the hell have you been holding back so much?!

Kuroko: It's against his nature to go all out against opponents under a certain level.

Ryu: Shut up Tetsu!

They heard bouncing and stopped before turning around.

Midorima: I'm not going to act like that wasn't impressive. But like I said, you haven't seen the full extent of my range.

Ryu: ... He's fucking bluffing.

He jumped up with the ball in hand.

Hyuga: You're kidding!

To everyone's shock he shot the ball as it flew through the air.

Ryu: No no no no no, seriously that bullshit better not be going in!

The ball's course didn't change in the slightest, unlike Ryu's reaction.

Ryu: -_- It's a perfect damn swish.

Midorima: My shooting range is nothing short of the entire court.

Just like that the ball went in the basket ending off the quarter.

18-18

The players went to the benches as Ryu finally started to feel a bit of pressure.

Riko: Ryu, Kuroko, could he do that back at Teiko?

Ryu: Absolutely not.

Kuroko: No ma'am. I've only ever seen him shoot as far as the center line. I had no idea he could score from way back there as well.

Ryu: I've only met one person who could pull of some cartoonish stuff like that in an actual game.

Kagami: ... Should we even ask who?

Ryu: Stephen mother fucking Curry! Seriously if I knew that I wouldn't have even let him touch the ball in the first quarter!

He took in a breath before letting out a bigger sigh.

Ryu: -_- On top of that, they're probably gonna rally to keep me away from him at all times this quarter now.

The buzzer sounded off as Shutoku started off with the ball. However immediately Takao passed Midorima the ball.

Kagami: Right out the gate?!

Seeing this Ryu was about to run fast, but found it was practically useless as he wouldn't make it in time to stop Midorima from shooting.

Midorima: And with this, the 2nd Quarter.

Midorima's shot went in from the full court.

Midorima: Is ours.

21-18 Shutoku

Muramatsu: Shutoku's finally taken the lead. And like that, Serin's finally given up a lead in the tournament for the first time.

Kise: Don't worry. If I know Ryucchi.

Ryu brought the ball up the court seemingly getting ready to shoot. Otsubo ran jumping to block.

Kise: He's taking that personally.

Ryu faked him out crossing over to his left finally putting the ball in his hand completely jumping.

Midorima: 'No you don't!'

Midorima jumped as well attempting to block the shot, but found he was too high as Ryu shot the ball making the shot.

21-21

Ryu: We can't go back and fourth like this all game. You know I can shut you down eventually.

Kagami: 'They're just amazing...'

Midorima: We'll see about that.

Takao began to dribble up the court before immediately passing to Midorima who prepared for a shot. Ryu went up to guard it, but Midorima managed to fake him out going around him shooting a lightning quick three, putting Shutoku back up.

Izuki: 'These two are about to go at it with each other.'

Riko: 'I can't believe I'm saying it, but right now Ryu needs to do his thing.'

After getting back up the court Ryu tried to find an open space to work, but found he was in an awkward position, where between he and the ball were Kuroko and Takao.

Ryu: 'Damnit, those sly bastards.'

Riko: 'The problem is, they won't allow him to.'

Izuki seeing not much of another option passed the ball to Kuroko, however once he tried to direct it to Ryu, Takao intercepted running in for a fast break layup.

Takao: Too easy-

Before the ball could touch the backboard on it's own-

https://youtu.be/O8AoR7ODHXY

Ryu came flying in blocking the shot onto the backboard, and then grabbing it for himself.

Takao: WHAT THE?!!

Takao looked to Ryu in shock.

Takao: WHERE DID HE EVEN COME FROM?!!

Midorima: '-_- Maybe I should've just asked for only me to get the ball to score.'

Ryu ran the court with the ball in hand as no one guarded the paint. He jumped from the free throw line slamming the ball down.

24-23 Shutoku

Takao: And a dunk from the Free Throw line?!

Ryu pulled up his jersey numbered 24 to wipe off his mouth.

Ryu: So, how are only threes looking now?

Instead of going all the way back down the court, Ryu stayed with Midorima.

Hyuga: 'He's relentless. He'll basically be going one on one with Midorima at full court.'

Kuroko: It's a little risky, but something he can do.

Takao passed the ball to Midorima who immediately tried to get past Ryu, but he was quick to react getting back in front of him. They quickly came up the court with Midorima unable to get past, and Ryu unable to steal the ball.

Kimura: 'This is nuts!'

They both went past him down the court as he couldn't even react fast enough to set a screen. Midorima stopped abruptly to shoot, but right as the ball left his hand, Ryu leapt into the air finally blocking the shot, shocking the Green Miracle.

Kagami: 'He finally shut him down! And now...!'

The ball went to Kagami was he ran down the court. He jumped and dunked the ball allowing Serin to score yet again.

25-24 Serin

Takao: 'That's the first time I've ever seen Shin's shot be blocked!'

Everyone could see a black aura around Ryu.

Nakatani: 'This kid's nearly unstoppable. Nearly.'

They saw the sweat coming off Ryu as he and Midorima started going down the court once again.

Nakatani: 'He's done most of the scoring for Serin. Applying relentless defensive pressure is only gonna burn him out, until he starts to miss shots.'

Midorima jumped for a shot with Ryu jumping as well. At the last second he passed the ball down to Takao, who passed it to Miyaji, allowing him to score a layup inside.

Ryu: 'Damn, running at full steam like this feels weird after so long.'

Karma: 'Argh, damnit Ryu. This is why-'

Kise: -You never go this long without playing for real!

Kasamatsu: I feel like you finished something there.

Kise: Ryucchi's getting really tired now! I haven't seen him play seriously like this in while, but I can tell it's been at least a few months!

As Serin got the ball again, the ref blew a whistle. Ryu jolted up slightly hearing it before seeing Mitobe standing up.

Ryu: *Sigh* Damn, so it's that time already.

He began walking of the court before tagging out with Mitobe.

Ryu: Give em hell for me alright?

He smiled nodding before jogging back on the court as Ryu sat at the bench letting out a sigh. After that Riko slapped him on the back of the head with a paper fan.

Riko: -_- That was a reckless stunt you idiot.

Ryu: Yeah I know, and "Unnecessary".

Riko: *Sigh* I didn't say that. Midorima could probably get a few of those full court shots off. You temporarily stunned their momentum.

Furihata: Yeah man, and you actually blocked his shot!

Ryu gulped down water.

Ryu: It takes more than a single block to stop Shin for long. I wanted to throw off his game while I still had the energy, but it looks like I should've eased into things more.

He took in deep but slow breaths.

Riko: 'I've never seen him so tired before.'

Ryu: I'll be good for the next quarter, count on it. But for now-

Midorima shot the ball once again after Takao intercepted a pass.

27-25 Shutoku

Ryu: We've gotta hope they can't score too much now that I've gotta take a breather. And more importantly...

Ryu kept a close eye on every player with his Falcon Eye.

Ryu: That I can memorize the movements on court.

The game progressed as the scores began to change, however not in the favor of Serin.

42-27 Shutoku

Ryu simply watched close not even the least bit angered by the scores seemingly.

Riko: 'Is he not upset right now? This entire time he's been watching like a hawk. Nothing's distracted him.'

Ryu: 'God that score is pissing me off, but I still need a little more time. Both to recover, and to finish the plan.'

Midorima got the final shot in while Kagami tried to contest, and that ended off the 1st half.

45-27 Shutoku

The teams moved to the locker rooms as Ryu said nothing thinking back to the Shutoku players ball movement, specifically Takao's.

Ryu: 'Staying on the bench will sadly be the best way. Coach is gonna sit down Tetsu who's-'

He looked at Kuroko who studied the tape filmed by Kogane.

Ryu: 'Reading my mind.'

Ryu put on his headphones once more as Serin looked at him while he did this.

Hyuga: Jamming at a time like this?

Kuroko: It's better not to distract him. Right now, Ryu's hellbent on finding a way to shatter through Shutoku's defense, along with the offense.

Ryu closed his eyes not even realizing they were talking about him.

Hyuga: ... I should've guessed by now.

Kagami: So that means he isn't giving up at all.

Kuroko: To be frank, he hates being associated with the phrase.

The entire team smiled hearing this as in Ryu's mind the speed of the players became slower. Finally the break was over as the teams had gotten back on the court. Kuroko had sat on the bench as well looking at the court. The game went on as once again, Midorima made a three pointer. However in a counter, Izuki bounce passed the ball behind him to Kogane, who shot and actually made it.

48-29 Shutoku

Takao passed the ball past Izuki to Midorima who got ready to shoot yet again with Kagami there.

Kagami: 'You don't give up until the bitter end. That means that if you give it your all and still can't do it, you accept the loss and move on. Playing against an opponent who's impossible to beat is exciting, but ultimately there's no point if I don't win in the end!!'

He jumped up to contest the shot yelling. Midorima was shocked as surprisingly to everyone Kagami's finger grazed the ball. This shocked even Ryu as the ball went to the basket.

Ryu: 'I thought I imagined it, but Kagami's been jumping higher the entire game.'

Midorima's shot hit the rim and rolled around before eventually going in.

51-29 Shutoku

Ryu: '... That day, it really wasn't just a fluke.'

Ryu thought back to when he and Kagami played one on one in practice. Ryu went up for a dunk, but Kagami was right there giving him a shock, as for a moment, he was about to touch the ball. However at the last second Ryu switched it to his left hand slamming it down.

Ryu: 'For that one instant. In that second in air, Kagami made me get serious.'

After getting the ball again Hyuga shot a three drilling it.

51-32 Shutoku

Kagami took a page from Ryu's book guarding Midorima all the way up the court.

Kagami: 'I defeated Kise, but in reality, that was Ryu and Kuroko. Ryu's especially has carried us through so many games. But right now, he's tired. What if the day comes we meat someone that shuts him down entirely? In future if that happens will I lose?'

Takao did a screen after seeing his teammate have trouble.

Kagami: I'll still stop you! Thanks to all this time you spent showing off, I figured out your weakness!!

He got past Takao as Midorima prepared to shoot once more. Kagami jumped, and managed to tap the ball harder than before.

Midorima: 'He touched it again?! It can't be!! The only one's who could are...!!'

Midorima missed the shot, but Otsubo managed to put it back in.

53-32 Shutoku

Once again down the court, Kogane tried to go to score, but this time it was blocked by Otsubo hitting him in the stomach. They went down the court as Otsubo was doubled.

Ryu: 'It might have been for a short time, but it was long enough. I got to see Kagami really did have it.'

Once Midorima got the ball he jumped to shoot the ball. However closing the space, Kagami once again jumped higher than ever before.

Ryu: 'Potential to rival the Generation of Miracles.'

Kise: 'He's got one of the greatest weapons in any basketball players arsenals.'

Kagami was able to fully block the shot.

Kise: 'His hidden ability, is his immense jumping power.'

Izuki grabbed the block shot running up the court.

Izuki: You see? Even the strongest ability has it's drawbacks. We just exposed a new weakness!

Izuki scored the layup as Kagami looked fiercer than ever.

51-34 Shutoku

Ryu: 'I wonder. Is this a good thing?'

CHAPTER END!!