Chapter 116: You’re Not Playing Alone!
Off the court, Satsuki Momoi continuously recorded data with her pen.
Shuzo Nijimura stared in shock at Jason Silver hanging from the rim, his emotions in turmoil.
‘This kind of physical talent… it’s terrifying…’
Shuzo Nijimura had once thought that Atsushi Murasakibara’s static and dynamic physical gifts were already outstanding, but compared to Jason Silver, Murasakibara’s current physique didn’t even come close.
“Woohoo! Silver’s dunk is as explosive as ever!!!”
Allen cheered beside Shuzo Nijimura, waving his towel nonstop.
Shuzo Nijimura glanced at Allen, who, like himself, was a substitute. He knew very well that Allen was on the bench not because he was weak, but because Miyamoto Tokima overshadowed him.
On the contrary, Allen was stronger than Shuzo Nijimura, almost on the same level as Zack.
Yet even someone like that could only be a substitute under Miyamoto Tokima. The realization left Shuzo Nijimura deeply moved.
‘Tokima… among all of us… you’re the one who’s hidden the deepest…’
“Beep! Black Emperor Dragon Team requests a timeout!”
The referee signaled for a timeout. Shuzo Nijimura looked toward the court in confusion and realized it was Miyamoto Tokima who had called it.
After leading everyone off the court, Miyamoto Tokima said to Shuzo Nijimura, “Senior Nijimura, you’re going in.”
Shuzo Nijimura froze and waved his hands hurriedly. “Tokima, you can still play. I—”
Miyamoto Tokima gently waved him off. “It’s fine, Senior Nijimura. Go on. You’ve probably wanted to get on the court for a long time already.”
Shuzo Nijimura fell silent. He really did want to play, but compared to everyone else, his strength didn’t stand out. He was afraid—afraid of embarrassing Miyamoto Tokima.
“Tokima, actually, Allen—”
“Oh come on, Nijimura, stop overthinking it,” Allen cut in. “If Tokima tells you to go on, then go on. Why so much talk?”
Shuzo Nijimura turned his head and saw the encouraging smile on Allen’s face. Finally, he made up his mind.
He nodded to Miyamoto Tokima. “I understand!”
Only then did Allen show a satisfied smile.
...
The game resumed.
The spectators noticed that the Black Emperor Dragon Team had subbed out the Miyamoto Family heir and sent a black-haired youth onto the court.
“Huh? Tokima isn’t playing anymore? Why the substitution?”
“No idea. He just started getting serious and now he’s off?”
“Maybe the opponents are too weak. After all, the Jackets still haven’t scored a single point!”
The crowd buzzed with speculation, analyzing why Miyamoto Tokima had left the court.
On the court.
Shuzo Nijimura adjusted his jersey, his eyes filled with determination. After looking at the Jackets’ players, he took a deep breath.
It had been a long time since he last felt nervous—and now that feeling returned.
Nash Gold noticed Shuzo Nijimura’s tension and walked over, patting him on the shoulder.
“Relax, Nijimura. You’re not playing alone.”
Already on edge, Shuzo Nijimura flinched when Nash Gold touched him. When he realized who it was, he finally relaxed a little.
“Thanks, Nash.”
Feeling the tremor just now, Nash Gold said softly, “Being nervous isn’t a bad thing—but too much is. Get ready. Be ready to receive the ball.”
Nash Gold patted his shoulder again, then turned to prepare for defense.
Shuzo Nijimura stood quietly for a moment, took a deep breath, and got ready to defend.
On the Jackets’ side, Isaac noticed the substitution and spoke up.
“They switched players. Tokima is off.”
Seeing Shuzo Nijimura enter the game, Brown let out a small sigh of relief.
“Next, give the ball to Isaac. I don’t feel any sense of danger from that guy. He’s not strong.”
Isaac’s eyes lit up immediately. “Really?! Then I’ll attack properly!”
...
The ball was inbounded.
After Bobby crossed half court, he immediately passed the ball to Isaac.
Isaac looked at Shuzo Nijimura, who was defending him seriously, and sized him up.
Sensing that Shuzo Nijimura really couldn’t keep up with him, Isaac grinned.
He suddenly slammed the ball down and burst past Shuzo Nijimura’s right side.
By the time Shuzo reacted, Isaac had already broken through and was charging toward the paint.
Shuzo Nijimura cursed inwardly, “Not good!” and quickly turned to chase him.
After getting past Shuzo Nijimura, Isaac took two steps and immediately pulled up for a jump shot. He didn’t dare challenge Jason Silver inside.
Shuzo Nijimura tried his best to recover, but it was already too late. Isaac had released the ball.
At that moment—
Smack!!!
A crisp blocking sound rang out.
Both Isaac and Shuzo Nijimura looked up at the ball in shock.
They saw Nash Gold, his golden hair flying, soaring through the air and swatting the ball away with his left hand.
If one looked closely, they would see that his emerald-green eyes were now shimmering with a golden halo—he had clearly activated the [Belial Eye]!
“Hey, Nijimura! I told you—you’re not playing alone!”
Shuzo Nijimura stared blankly at Nash Gold, a strange emotion rising in his chest.
Zack grabbed the deflected ball and shouted at the still-dazed Shuzo Nijimura,
“Hey! Nijimura! What are you standing around for?! Fast break!!!”
Shuzo Nijimura snapped back to his senses, turned around, and sprinted toward the frontcourt.
Watching him run, Zack smiled faintly.
‘This kid.’
Zack whipped the ball forward, sending it straight into Shuzo Nijimura’s hands.
Shuzo Nijimura caught it and dribbled forward with his right hand.
Marlon immediately rushed back and blocked his path.
“You little punk! I won’t let you through that easily!”
Shuzo Nijimura’s face remained completely expressionless. There was only one thought in his mind now—
Score!
Score!!
Score!!!
Suddenly, the world around him changed.
He found himself in a pitch-black space, with nothing around him but darkness.
Within that darkness stood a single, solemn gate.
The gate was magnificent, standing alone in the void. Before it, Shuzo Nijimura seemed to glimpse countless faint silhouettes.
They were so dim that they were almost impossible to see unless one looked carefully.
Shuzo Nijimura slowly walked toward the gate. Driven by instinct, he reached out with both hands and pushed with all his strength—but no matter how many times he tried, the gate wouldn’t budge.
Just then…
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