Neck and Neck

Unknowingly, the score had reached 4-4, and the game was incredibly tense.

The crowd of onlookers around them was also growing larger by the minute.

Before this, no one could have imagined that a simple one-on-one match between freshmen could attract so much attention!

Right now, the ball was in Li Zhongshu's possession.

His consecutive attacks had put some pressure on Aomine Daiki.

Honestly, Aomine also felt that anyone who could seize opportunities so precisely and decisively was a formidable opponent.

Therefore, this time, he was determined not to let Li Zhongshu penetrate the paint again!

With that conviction, Aomine Daiki focused all his strength on locking down the paint.

Li Zhongshu also noticed that his opponent had collapsed inside to defend.

Thus, without hesitation, he decisively chose to shoot a three-pointer once again!

*Swish!*

At this moment, everyone's heart skipped a beat.

Even Nijimura Shuuzou, standing on the sidelines, was no exception.

Because this shot would decide the outcome of the match!

Could a genius capable of defeating Aomine Daiki actually appear today?!

The ball...

...slowly traced a beautiful arc through the air.

At this moment, even Aomine Daiki couldn't help but feel nervous.

Would it go in?!

Honestly, he deeply admired Li Zhongshu's decisiveness in seizing the opportunity at this critical juncture.

A completely clean three-pointer!

Without a shred of hesitation!

Such decisiveness was incredibly rare.

The ball began to descend.

Its trajectory was absolutely perfect.

Everyone could clearly see that the ball was heading straight for the hoop!

"No way!?"

"Is Aomine going to lose?!!"

"That's definitely going in!!"

"So precise!"

"The game is over!!!"

"Did this guy actually win... wait!?"

Just as the crowd was about to go wild with cheers, Nijimura Shuuzou calmly shook his head.

He muttered softly, "A pity. Just a tiny bit off."

*Clang!*

The basketball had already gone halfway down the net, yet it rattled hard against the back of the rim!

Then, it bounced high into the air.

And flew out!!!

"Damn it!?"

"How did that not go in?!"

"Unbelievable!!"

"What kind of crazy luck is this!"

"What a shame, oh my god!"

Aomine Daiki let out a sigh of relief.

Then, a confident smirk played on the corner of his lips.

He knew.

It was his turn to rule the court!!

"A real shame, but it's time to end this game."

Aomine Daiki said as he checked the ball back to Li Zhongshu.

Li Zhongshu passed the ball back to him and calmly replied, "It's not over yet."

He could see that Aomine Daiki was absolutely determined to score this point.

But how could he not give his all to stop this shot?

Neither of them was willing to take a single step back.

Even the onlookers on the sidelines could smell the thick scent of gunpowder in the air!

Aomine Daiki observed Li Zhongshu's positioning and reacted instantly!

A crossover drive!!!

The moment he dribbled, he instantly changed direction and accelerated!

This move, combined with Aomine Daiki's speed, was virtually unstoppable.

Quite a few spectators recognized this move; many of them had been blown past by Aomine using this exact technique!

However, the moment Aomine dribbled, Li Zhongshu shifted his body and directly cut off his path!

Aomine Daiki was slightly stunned.

"Interesting!!"

*Thud!*

Aomine slammed the ball down again, using a sudden pull-up stop to tear through Li Zhongshu's defense!

But Li Zhongshu also strained to shadow his every step, refusing to give him any breathing room to attack!

Seeing this, Aomine Daiki smirked.

"You've been tricked."

Then, he immediately leaned into Li Zhongshu, gathered the ball, and executed a smooth spin move, blowing past him to face the basket!

"This match is still my win!!"

Aomine Daiki leaped high into the air.

His elevation was so immense that it looked as if he was going to dunk right over Li Zhongshu's head!

In that split second, Li Zhongshu actually managed to react.

He leaped up as well, extending his right hand to block Aomine Daiki's shooting lane!

"Is he about to get blocked?!"

"This play is spectacular!"

"My god, what kind of high-level offense and defense is this?!"

"These two are ridiculously strong!!"

The crowd gasped in awe.

The coach narrowed his eyes and said to Nijimura Shuuzou, "This freshman is indeed formidable, but that black-haired boy seems to be on par with him."

"No."

Nijimura Shuuzou replied decisively, "I know what Aomine Daiki is capable of. He's definitely winning this point."

The coach didn't understand.

In a situation where there was no way out, how could Aomine Daiki win?

But right at this moment.

Aomine Daiki actually pulled back his extended hand.

Then, while still in mid-air, he swung his arm from the other side.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

"This is an impossible shot!"

"Is he planning to shoot from behind the backboard?!"

"That's absolutely impossible!!"

Seeing Aomine Daiki's movement, Li Zhongshu naturally wanted to defend.

But he no longer had the space to reach out.

This shot by Aomine Daiki was truly an extreme and bizarre release...!!!

What could he say? As expected of the Generation of Miracles.

The ball soared high behind the backboard, then dropped cleanly through the net.

Aomine Daiki had actually completed such an extreme... game-winning buzzer-beater!!!

Everyone who witnessed this shot went wild!

5-4.

Aomine won a hard-fought victory!!!

"Aomine won?!"

"My god... what's so surprising about Aomine winning?"

"The point is, the other guy is insanely strong! I actually thought he might beat Aomine!"

"He really is strong. Their abilities are practically neck and neck!!"

"Aomine's last shot had a bit of luck. If they played again, it'd be hard to say who would win!"

"It's been a long time since I've seen such an outstanding match, and between two freshmen no less."

"Who is that guy who almost beat Aomine? How is he so strong?!"

"No idea, I'm curious too."

...

At this moment, Aomine Daiki sat flat on the ground, staring at the basket in disbelief.

Clearly, this was the first time he had ever made such a shot.

He was incredibly shocked. He never expected anyone could push his defense to this extent!!!

Forcing him to use such a method to end the game.

Although Li Zhongshu looked harmless, this black-haired guy's strength was truly terrifying!!

If they played this match again, even Aomine wouldn't be sure of victory.

"Great game. As expected of you."

Li Zhongshu walked over with a smile, completely unburdened.

After all, he had just awakened his abilities. Losing to Aomine of the Generation of Miracles was nothing to be ashamed of.

Aomine, feeling like he had found a kindred spirit, smiled back and said, "You're really strong too, seriously. No one has ever defended me to that extent."

As they chatted, two men slowly walked out from the crowd.

The middle-aged man with glasses leading them asked, "Are you two interested in joining our Teiko basketball team?"

Both of them were stunned.

Then, Aomine smiled and said, "First-year, Aomine Daiki, 175 cm. I'd love to join the basketball team!"

Li Zhongshu didn't hesitate, as this was a great opportunity for him to earn Honor Points.

So he also said, "First-year, Li Zhongshu, 178 cm. I would also like to join the basketball team!"