The Miraculous Shot

At this moment, the players of Zhao Rong (Shoei) Middle School clapped for each other. Next, Mu Ji Tie Ping (Kiyoshi Teppei) slowly walked to the free-throw line.

It should be noted that a technical foul allows any player to be designated for the free throw. Generally, the team’s most accurate shooter would step up.

He received the ball from the referee and prepared for the free throw.

In Zi Yuan’s (Murasakibara Atsushi) cold eyes, a look of confusion appeared.

I got a damn technical foul!? He was clearly the one who fouled me!!

Just as he was about to go and argue further with the referee, Li Zhongshu walked over, held him back, and said slowly, “Don't say anything more, Zi Yuan.”

“I saw what happened just now. This is their experience; there’s nothing we can do.”

“In that kind of situation, it was impossible for the referee to call a foul.”

“Just endure it.”

Li Zhongshu knew very well that the move just now, while strictly speaking had a hint of a foul, was only a hint. In the battle for rebounds under the basket, experienced defenders use hidden force to disturb their opponents. Zi Yuan was only focused on the rebound, not realizing the competition had begun before the ball even hit the backboard.

Although this explanation might annoy Zi Yuan, Li Zhongshu felt that he would understand now.

After Li Zhongshu finished speaking, everyone expected Zi Yuan to explode. But unexpectedly, after being persuaded by Li Zhongshu, Zi Yuan thought for a moment, stopped his attempt to argue, and pouted.

“Fine, let it be.”

He then turned and slowly walked toward the opposite side of the court.

Tao Jing (Momoi Satsuki) smiled from the sidelines. “This kid actually listens. Li Zhongshu really has a way with… taking care of children.”

On the court, Mu Ji Tie Ping (Kiyoshi Teppei) steadily sank the free throw. Then it was Di Guang’s (Teiko) turn to attack.

Li Zhongshu said slowly, “Try to drag out the attack time as much as possible. Don't let them score any more points before the end of the first half.”

Hearing this, everyone began to move off-ball, looking for opportunities but not rushing the attack. Li Zhongshu held the ball at the top of the three-point arc, constantly dribbling in place, with no intention of launching an attack yet.

Seeing this, Mu Ji Tie Ping and his teammates naturally wouldn't let them waste the attack time so easily. However, Li Zhongshu and Chi Si (Akashi Seijuro) kept passing the ball back and forth, making it impossible for the opponents to grasp the ball’s movement. After all, both were masters of passing!

Just as the shot clock was about to run out, Li Zhongshu used a diagonal run to pass the ball to Lu Jian (Midorima Shintaro). Lu Jian immediately raised his hand and shot!

*Swish!*

A successful three-pointer.

Only 5 seconds remained in the first half. In this amount of time, completing a fast break was extremely difficult!!

Li Zhongshu also said at this moment that they absolutely could not give them any chance to attack. Everyone rushed up to perform tight-press defense. This was very effective. Zhao Rong Middle School struggled immensely just to get the ball past half-court.

But they had nearly used up all the time! At this point, they were still two or three steps away from the three-point line. Even if they wanted to shoot, there was no chance!!

Katou faced an awkward and pressing situation. He couldn't just stop the ball like this…!

At that moment, Mu Ji Tie Ping appeared behind him. He reached out and said, “Give it to me!”

Without thinking much, Katou instantly passed the ball over. Receiving the ball hand-to-hand, Mu Ji Tie Ping took it in his most comfortable stance and, without any adjustment, jumped directly to shoot!!

*Whoosh!*

The ball left his hand just as the buzzer sounded.

*Beep! Time’s up.*

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the ball in the air. Could such a rushed shot actually go in?

“No way, that was just a desperate move.”

“Exactly, but it’s impressive that he even dared to shoot.”

“The trajectory is clearly a bit off. What a pity.”

“But this makes me like Mu Ji Tie Ping even more. He doesn't care about his shooting percentage at all; for the sake of the team’s scoring, he dared to take that shot.”

“True! No wonder Zhao Rong Middle School is so strong; this is their playing style!”

…

Although the ball looked a bit off and hit the backboard directly, missing the rim, to everyone’s surprise, after hitting the backboard, it bounced straight into the basket!

Such an absurdly long three-pointer actually went in!!!

“Oh my god!!!”

Immediately, a loud cheer erupted from the stadium stands. Everyone felt that the play just now was unbelievable. Utterly unbelievable! To score from such a distance was simply incredible!!!

Mu Ji Tie Ping, of course, couldn't believe it either. To think such a lucky thing could happen. But even though he scored, he only smiled and waved it off, saying, “Just luck, not worth mentioning.”

Naturally, his humility once again won the favor of many people present.

At this moment, Lu Jian (Midorima Shintaro) saw this scene. He felt a stir in his heart. That play just now… seemed to attract him from deep within. It was a very familiar feeling. That kind of skill should have belonged to him.

“An ultra-long three-pointer…”

Lu Jian knew today was his lucky day. Deep down, he felt that today he should try a new skill.