Slam Dunk:Starting with perfect copy

The crowd erupted as Kenichi Uesugi sank his fourth consecutive three-pointer, his calm demeanor and flawless execution leaving everyone in awe. "He did it again! Another three!" someone shouted. "How is he this consistent? Daiei's defense is supposed to be impenetrable!"

"This guy's unreal! He's single-handedly dismantling Daiei's defense!"

On the court, the Daiei Academy players were visibly frustrated. Their once-vaunted defense, which had shut down even the most potent offenses, was crumbling under Uesugi's relentless assault. No matter how they adjusted—double-teaming, switching defenders, or closing out aggressively—Uesugi found a way to score. His ability to create space and drain shots from anywhere on the court was unlike anything they had ever faced.

Uesugi's dominance, however, wasn't just about scoring. His presence on the court forced Daiei to overcommit defensively, creating opportunities for his teammates. As Daiei scrambled to contain Uesugi, Sendoh seized the moment, breaking free from his defender and scoring consecutive baskets. Yuzumi, too, began to dominate the paint, using his size and agility to outmuscle Nakai Hiromasa for rebounds and easy putbacks.

By halftime, Ryonan had built a commanding 48-32 lead,

leaving the crowd stunned. "I thought Daiei would dominate, but Ryonan's running away with this!" one fan exclaimed.

"Uesugi's the real deal. Daiei's defense has no answer for him!"

In the Daiei Academy locker room, the atmosphere was tense. The players sat in silence, their heads bowed as they processed the first-half collapse. Coach Takuichi Hirata, however, remained composed. He knew panic would only make things worse.

"Listen up," he said, his voice steady. "The game's not over. We've faced adversity before, and we've always found a way to fight back. This is no different."

He outlined his adjustments for the second half. The double-teams on Uesugi had backfired, leaving Ryonan's other players wide open. Instead, Hirata assigned Tsuchiya Jun, Daiei's ace player and defensive anchor, to guard Uesugi one-on-one.

"Tsuchiya, this is your moment," Hirata said, locking eyes with his star player. "Shut him down. We need you to set the tone."

Tsuchiya nodded, his expression resolute. He was known for his versatility—offense, defense, and leadership. If anyone could slow down Uesugi, it was him.

On the Ryonan side, the mood was decidedly more upbeat. Coach Taoka Moichi praised his team's performance but reminded them to stay focused. "Daiei's not going to roll over. They'll come out swinging in the second half. We need to be ready."

Uesugi, sitting quietly in the corner, knew the real battle was just beginning. He had carried the team in the first half, but now it was time to see if his teammates could step up and secure the win.

As the second half began, the tension in the arena was palpable. Yuzumi and Nakai faced off for the jump ball once again, and Yuzumi's height advantage gave Ryonan the first possession. Uekusa brought the ball up the court, his movements deliberate. This time, there was no rush to push the pace. Ryonan was in control, and they intended to keep it that way.

Uekusa passed the ball to Uesugi, who was now being guarded by Tsuchiya Jun. The crowd leaned forward, eager to see the clash between the two MVPs.

Uesugi dribbled slowly at the top of the key, his eyes locked on Tsuchiya. The Daiei ace crouched low, his stance wide, ready to react to any move. For a moment, the two players seemed frozen in time, the rest of the court fading into the background.

Then, Uesugi made his move. With a lightning-quick crossover, he shifted the ball between his legs and exploded past Tsuchiya, leaving the defender grasping at air. Tsuchiya recovered quickly, but Uesugi was already two steps ahead, driving toward the basket.

Nakai Hiromasa stepped up to contest the shot, but Uesugi elevated effortlessly, his body twisting in mid-air to avoid the block. With a thunderous dunk, he slammed the ball through the hoop, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

"What a move! Uesugi just schooled Tsuchiya!"

"He's unstoppable! Daiei's defense is in shambles!"

Tsuchiya, visibly frustrated, clenched his fists. He had been outplayed, and he knew it. But he wasn't about to give up. As Daiei inbounded the ball, Tsuchiya took control, determined to answer Uesugi's brilliance with some of his own.

The battle between the two aces was just heating up, and the outcome of the game hung in the balance.

The crowd erupted as Kenichi Uesugi effortlessly broke through Tsuchiya Jun's defense, leaving the Daiei Academy ace stumbling in his wake. "He did it again! Uesugi's unstoppable!" someone shouted. "Tsuchiya's defense is supposed to be elite, but Uesugi's making him look like a rookie!"

"This guy's on another level! Daiei's defense is crumbling!"

On the court, Tsuchiya Jun stared at Uesugi's retreating figure, his expression a mix of shock and frustration. He had prided himself on his defensive prowess, shutting down some of the best players in the nation. But Uesugi had dismantled his defense with a single, devastating move. It was as if Uesugi

could read his every thought, anticipate his every action.

Daiei Academy's next possession saw Tsuchiya bring the ball up the court, his movements sharp but tinged with hesitation. Uesugi switched onto him, the two MVPs now face-to-face. The crowd leaned forward, sensing the gravity of the moment.

Tsuchiya dribbled slowly, his eyes locked on Uesugi. He feinted left, then exploded to the right, trying to create separation. But Uesugi was there, his reflexes razor-sharp, cutting off Tsuchiya's path. Desperate, Tsuchiya stepped back and attempted a three-pointer, but Uesugi's hand was already there, swatting the ball away.

"What?! He stole it!" the crowd roared.

Uesugi didn't hesitate. He pushed the ball up the court, his speed leaving Tsuchiya in the dust. As he approached the basket, Nakai Hiromasa and Ryu Kenjima converged, forming a wall of defenders. But Uesugi, undeterred, leaped into the air, his body twisting as he soared past the outstretched arms of the defenders.

With a flick of his wrist, he released the ball, sending it arcing over the backboard and into the net.

"ABU!"

The crowd exploded. "Did he just score from behind the backboard?!"

"That's impossible! How does he even do that?!"

On the Daiei bench, Coach Takuichi Hirata sat in stunned silence. He had seen Uesugi's highlights, heard the rumors of his dominance, but witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely. Uesugi wasn't just good—he was transcendent.

Tsuchiya, meanwhile, stood frozen, his confidence shattered. He had given everything, but it wasn't enough. Uesugi was simply on another level.

Ryonan's bench erupted in cheers, their energy infectious. Even Coach Taoka Moichi, usually stoic, couldn't hide his admiration. "That's our ace," he muttered, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

The scoreboard now read 53-32, and the game felt all but over. Daiei Academy, once a defensive juggernaut, looked lost. Their players moved with a sense of resignation, their earlier fire extinguished.

But the game wasn't over yet. Daiei Academy, to their credit, refused to quit. Tsuchiya, despite his struggles, continued to fight. He orchestrated a quick pass to Nakano Tokuyama, who drained a three-pointer, cutting the deficit to 53-35.

The crowd cheered, but the energy was subdued. Everyone knew the truth: Daiei Academy was fighting a losing battle. Uesugi's brilliance had tilted the scales irreversibly in Ryonan's favor.

As the final minutes ticked away, Uesugi continued to dominate. Whether it was a no-look pass to Sendoh for an easy layup or a contested three-pointer over Tsuchiya, he was everywhere, doing everything. The crowd, initially divided, now united in their awe of Uesugi's performance.

When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 78-52, a decisive victory for Ryonan. The players mobbed Uesugi, their cheers echoing through the arena.

In the stands, Aida Yayoi watched with a mix of pride and disbelief. She had known Uesugi was special, but this… this was something else. As the crowd began to disperse, she made a mental note to interview him after the game. This was a story that needed to be told.

For Daiei Academy, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Tsuchiya Jun sat on the bench, his head in his hands, while Coach Hirata offered quiet words of encouragement. They had fought hard, but sometimes, greatness was simply insurmountable.

As the Ryonan players celebrated their victory, one thing was clear: Kenichi Uesugi wasn't just a player. He was a phenomenon. And the nation was taking notice.