That just now...
Misdirection?
He has the same traits as Tetsuya, but the basic specs are all one notch higher.
In other words, Tetsuya is the previous model.
Chihiro Mayuzumi is the new model for the phantom sixth man.
69Q. A MIRACLE WILL NOT HAPPEN
RAKUZAN HIGH SCHOOL
Mayuzumi-san, correct?
Hello there.
You seem awfully chummy. Isn't it "Nice to meet you," not "hello there"?
We were on the same basketball team until a few days ago.
That's unusual. Hardly anyone immediately remembers who I am.
Oh, that's because... I know someone that resembles you very much.
By the way, what are you reading there?
A li-nove.
A li-nove?
Short for "light novel." You don't know that?
Are they good reads?
The material isn't as heavy, so they're easy to pick up.
CLOCKWORK APPLE, HONEY, AND LITTLE SISTER It's pretty much love or hate, but if you love it, it's worth reading.
You making fun of the cover?
No, I was just thinking how you are so similar...
...to the "phantom sixth man."
From Teiko Middle School... So it wasn't just a rumor?
Yes. And here's the main part of the conversation.
Chihiro Mayuzumi. I'd like you to become the new phantom sixth man.
I decline.
I love myself. It would be boring to become a player specializing in passing the ball.
I don't want to play in a game that badly.
If I don't feel good, there's no meaning to playing basketball.
What's with him... He suddenly feels different.
Interesting. I like you even more.
You can become a phantom player that surpasses Tetsuya...
All right!
And it's in! Rakuzan scores back-to-back!
To think they had such an ambush ready... A new type of phantom sixth man.
Nice pass!
It's not like I'm doing it for you guys. If the pass goes through, it makes me feel good.
If you're in a good spot, I'll pass to you.
- It's just one shot! Let's get one back! - Yeah!
How will we deal with Mayuzumi? We have to do something...
I know! How about we match Kuroko up against him?
He's versed in misdirection, so he might not lose sight of him!
No, that's impossible. Because...
Mitobe-senpai!
He read the trajectory from the target and the course of the pass!
Then, I'm not gonna pass. I'll just shoot.
He can shoot like any normal guy too?
If Kuroko-kun guards him, we might be able to stop the misdirection.
But, if it becomes a one-on-one, there's no way he can win!
See that? This is my play-style. I'm of a totally different caliber than you!
He's looking at me...
No, he's observing me?
RAKUZAN - SEIRIN A seven-point lead...
We have to do something about this!
All right!
Substitution, black team.
Substitution?
Who in the world?
Aomine-san, this is...
There's nothing about it. I only see a chihuahua standing in front of a lion...
What is she thinking?
B-B-Bring it!
Come on, he's looking lost now because the guy in front of him is way too weak...
- Sei-chan, throw the ball in! - Yeah.
This is so scary I can't bear to watch.
I won't trash-talk, but sub him for someone decent!
You actually have a kind heart!
Are you an idiot?
But, it's okay.
We're dead serious.
Go for it!
Furi!
I don't know what's the intent...
...but it's no contest, as expected.
He passed!
Of course he'd pass.
This is what they were after! The quick help!
Oh, I get it.
Aka-chin, in his current location, probably can't ankle-break.
So that's what they were after!
A quick follow-up coming to me...
So they presumed he'd get passed... No, they made him pass on purpose?
I see... The main point is to face Akashi inside the line.
The ankle-break always uses a dribble cutback to shift the opponent's center of gravity.
In other words, he can't use it unless he has a bit of space around him.
But, in an area that people are clumped up in, he no longer has that space.
First, they shut Mayuzumi down. Then, they have Kagami face Akashi where he can't ankle-break.
That's what Seirin is after.
Akashi!
Hmph.
Even without space, he just used hesistation.
Not yet!
Rebound!
So close!
Dammit!
It's surprisingly turning out pretty well.
But that first-year is basically nothing but a bait for the trap, isn't he?
Yeah. Even if it is to win, she's a pretty horrible girl!
Seeing him in the Kaijo game, the only thing he can do is support his teammates.
I can go a bit easy on him.
Mayuzumi!
Drats!
I-It went in...
It's in!
Good going! Keep clawing at them!
All right!
Nice shot, Akashi!
No matter how much he tries, he's only a chihuahua. There's no way he can win against a lion.
That said...
Time-out, white team.
It might have been too extravagant to use that in the lead.
It wasn't unnecessary?
No, the offense-defense switching was speeding up, so it was getting hard to give out detailed commands.
I was thankful for that timing.
Indeed.
Right now, they are defending by tossing out all attempts at stopping Akashi.
The way we're going shouldn't affect the overall flow. But let's narrow our choices down as well.
Let's choose the offensive focal point.
We'll start with you. Got that?
Furi?
H-Huh?
Are you injured somewhere?
I don't think I did at all, but... huh?
Wait... you've got to be kidding me!
I have to sub you out.
No way! I'm fine! I can still go out there!
I'm afraid not... You have no stamina left, do you?
That means... he's fatigued?
What?
I can't believe it... Even going at full strength, Furi isn't someone who lacks stamina.
In other words, the pressure to face Seijuro Akashi is that taxing?
What should we do, coach?
Let me go in!
Fukuda...
I just need to go against Akashi like Furi was doing, right? Then Kawahara and I can do that too!
Fukuda-kun...
All right... We're counting on you!
Captain...
Wait, Hyuga-kun...
Time-out is now over.
Oh, fine!
Then I'll leave it in your hands. Defend just like before.
Sure!
One more thing!
Cut the lead with our offense!
All right! Let's go!
Yeah!
Um... What did she mean by that?
You saw Hyuga answer, right?
He answered, "I'll sink some threes."
Kuroko... I could hardly do anything at all.
All things considered, it's really regretful.
I want to become stronger... so that I can keep fighting with everyone else!
Right. The same goes for me.
Oh, look at that spirit.
Hyuga-san will probably start landing threes. He'll probably be on a roll on offense.
Rakuzan is aiming for threes as well. That means, you know...
By some strange coincidence, both teams will focus their offense on the same position.
A battle of the shooting guards!
That end of the first quarter really got to me.
I'll make sure to crush you!
His personality gives me such mixed feelings...
Oh, you shouldn't do that!
What? A fadeaway three-pointer?
Dammit! That was incredibly efficient form!
Once again, I'm enchanted by his shot!
In middle school, I felt his form was the most beautiful of all peers.
Flowing, yet snappy... I seriously thought he was awesome.
Wait, this isn't the time to think about that!
Iduki!
He's no longer a player who shows me how to shoot.
He's an enemy that I have to defeat!
O-One notch faster...
The Barrier Jumper!
All right! Nice shot, Captain!
Good one!
That's right! Of course!
His form looks similar to yours.
You think so too?
But it just looks similar.
He's already customized it and made it his own. It's completely different.
Not bad...
- They're exchanging threes... - Told ya!
Crap!
Don't think so!
I see you in a better light now. You're a lot better shooter than I thought.
As thanks, I'll show you something nice!
You serious? He's gonna use that shot?
Mibuchi often uses two types of shots.
The shot he makes while dodging his opponent... Heaven.
The shot he makes while pressing into his opponent... Earth.
But he actually has one more type...
Just a normal shot? Not like I'd ever let you shoot that...
I can't jump? Why?
The shot he lands without letting the opponent do anything... Void.
Hyuga decided to stop moving?
What?
He is a shooter with three types of shots... The Demon Guardian, Reo Mibuchi.
A shot that makes me immobile... How in the world did he do that?
Not only was I immobile, I was fascinated as I watched!
That's not it! What am I thinking? I need to think about what I need to do to win!
Can I win?
No good.
He's already fully adjusted to the timing of the Barrier Jumper!
Oh, dear!
Kiyoshi!
Nice!
Nice, Hyuga! It was the right call to pass that inside just now!
That was faster than I expected.
Sei-chan. You can stop passing to me after one more.
Yeah, it looks that way.
The ranking match is done. Looks like the winner of this match was me.
He went into the shooting motion with no fakes! Is it Void?
A fake?
This is...
The Earth shot! Drats!
Defense, black team #4! Basket counts, one shot!
He landed it and got the foul!
And it was a three. A four-point play!
That was bad, Hyuga... You pulled back.
Well, that wasn't a mistake.
You passed, which led to a score. It was actually the right thing for the team.
But the one thing made certain is that, as a shooter, Mibuchi is of a higher caliber.
Don't worry! We can make it up!
I know that!
Iduki, pass me the ball too.
Kiyoshi...
I kinda want to go on the offensive for a bit now.
What's wrong? You're finally showing motivation!
Time for a duel, Nebuya!
How heavy is this guy? He won't budge at all!
My muscles are just about done warming up too! Now I'll get my revenge from way back when!
Out of bounds!
What?
What power!
Kiyoshi... That reaction you just had...
It can't be you've forgotten you faced me in the past, have you?
I do remember facing you.
It's what you said afterwards! That nonsense!
At the end of the first year in middle school, we matched up... and for the first time ever, I lost.
It was frustrating, and after the game, you told me...
Basketball isn't just about power. If you hone your skills, I think you'll be even stronger.
And I thought at that moment... If that's the case, I'll gain more muscle!
You took it that way?
As long as you have muscle, everything goes well... I'm the Brute Force, Eikichi Nebuya!
I'm sorry I had forgotten about such a thing.
Then, I'll challenge you anew.
I don't dislike a test of strength.
The Iron Heart, Teppei Kiyoshi!
Come on! Muscle Screen-Out!
What is it about centers... Is there some rule that the noisy ones take the spots?
We still have the air battle left!
Vice Claw!
Muscle Rebound!
Dammit, so heavy... He's like a rock!
You know, can he stop yelling Muscle-whatever each and every time?
Yeah, it's so stuffy. I've had enough of it.
Muscle Dunk!
Iduki! Gimme!
I'm not gonna lose!
He's going!
The power matchup!
Wait, hold on! You're going to use the Right of Postponement here?
Good going, Kiyoshi!
No, that was bad.
Passing and being forced to pass are different.
That was clearly the latter.
But after all, that was...
Right. It wasn't the wrong choice.
RAKUZAN But still, the lead grows slowly but surely.
In other words, this is the difference in strength.
Four fingers... I will stop it!
Cross-over?
- He dodged Kagami to make it! - The roaring drive!
The Thunder Beast, Kotaro Hayama!
Wait... Is that all I get?
Get what?
Well, I thought I'd get something glorious like you guys! This makes me look like some rare beast!
Crap!
I got so caught up that I let him enter Eagle Eye's blind spot!
All right!
It's my job to disappear from sight, but I'm troubled if you forget about me.
I won't let you shoot, you know?
Dammit!
Come on, what's wrong with you?
Kagami and Kuroko are powerful rookies, but they didn't win all the way up here with just them.
Everything is thanks to the second-years being around.
Especially Hyuga and Kiyoshi as the keys to the outside and inside...
The two of them breaking is like breaking both legs for the team.
I don't think I can pass him!
I can't even leave a dent in him. Is that how big the difference between us is?
Fukuda!
Out of bounds. White ball!
Just like Furihata, Fukuda is done for...
Substitution, black team.
Another first-year? Do they have a plan?
They just swapped one in for the fatigued one.
They're just extending the plan they've been using.
Why isn't Seirin doing anything about this!
- Now really needs something... - Don't yell at me.
And it's not they aren't taking any measures... it's that they can't.
Coach?
Just how powerless am I?
Please, go in...
It went in! The middle jumper!
Well, I'm sure that happens too. Even against Rakuzan, it's not like you can't score at all.
But, that's all that means.
Even if a small soldier gave his best at the edge of the sumo ring, a stronger power will push him out...
...and end it.
Oh no!
Oh, this is unusual. Is he all worked up?
No... This is pageantry...
- What? - Impossible...
What? An alley-oop?
So much spring... He can reach that high?
Did you think it was something only for you large-framed players?
I can do something like this whenever I feel like doing so.
It's way too late now.
First off, it's impossible for Kuro-chin to make a comeback now that he's lost his lack of presence.
RAKUZAN - SEIRIN Even if he was able to, the gap is too wide... Both in score, and in strength...
A miracle will not happen, and even if it did, they can't win.
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
Seems you're at the end of your rope.
That may be the case... for now.
You guys are in a hopeless situation. Why don't you give up already, Mr. Old Model?
70Q. WEIGHT OF RESOLVE Even then... I can't let everything end here!