Chapter 16 – The Court of No Light
Final Match – Kaizen High vs. Black Fang AcademyWorld Youth Invitational Grand FinalTokyo Dome.
🏟️ The Arena
Packed to capacity.Global stream. 20 million viewers.
Chants of "Kaizen!" and "Black Fang!" collided in the air.
Every scout, every reporter, every player who lost to them—watching.
This wasn't a game anymore.
It was a war for basketball's soul.
🕶️ Jin's Final Message
In the locker room, Jin stood before his team—calm, composed, killer.
"Kaizen is fire.And what do we do to fire?""We smother it."
He looked at Noah.
"Break Renji's rhythm."He looked at Rui."Erase Riku's step.""I'll handle the heart."
🔥 Kaizen's Final Huddle
Riku stood, ankle wrapped tight, eyes clear.
"No speeches.We know who we are.Let's burn the crown they wear."
Renji tapped fists with him.
"Let's make 'em bleed pretty."
🏀 1st Quarter – Dismantled
Tip-off.
Black Fang struck immediately.
Noah full-court pressed Renji—stole the ball.
Slam.
Next play, Jin shadowed Riku.Zero Step? Blocked.
Keigo got doubled—couldn't breathe.Souta's passes were intercepted mid-air.
Score after 1st: 18–5, Black Fang.
🧠 Souta's POV
"It's not that they're better…It's that they know us too well."
Everything Kaizen built was being thrown back at them.Every play was anticipated.Every move—countered.
Rui wasn't just defending.He was studying Riku mid-play.
💢 Riku's Pain
By mid-second quarter, Riku's ankle was giving.He limped after every cut.Jin noticed.
"Still trying to dance on broken legs?""Let me put you down gently."
He drove past Riku with ease.Stepback jumper. Swish.
💥 Renji Fights Back
Renji turned up the tempo.
Pulse Step. Behind-the-back. Corner jumper—bang.
Fastbreak—windmill dunk.
He SCREAMED at the crowd.
Kaizen surged.Crowd roared.
But then—Noah slammed into Renji mid-air.Renji hit the ground hard.No foul.
Just a whisper:
"Sit down, Rhythm Boy."
🕒 Halftime Score: Black Fang 42 – Kaizen 24
Locker room silent.
Riku's ankle is swelling visibly.Renji's ribs are bruised.Keigo's eyes are bloodshot.
Coach Tanaka clenched his fists.
"I won't lie to you. They're better."
He looked at them, one by one.
"But better doesn't matter…When you play with soul."
Riku stood.
"Let's burn. Even if we go down in flames."