#260q

The chapter starts with a flashback to the evening of the first day of the Winter Cup. Inside one of Rakuzan's gyms, Akashi stands on the court with a forbidding look on his face as he thinks about Aomine. Interesting, he muses, even I didn't think of it. (WOW Akashi just admitted that Aomine thought of something he hadn't.) I have experienced ZONE before, but I am honestly surprised that Daiki managed to enter the ZONE under his own power.

There is a panel of Akashi deliberately saying nothing, then he closes his eyes. After an isolating side then back view, Akashi re-opens them. ...No problem, he asserts, as long as one has the strength to open the door and the concentration to keep this state going, and be able to find the key to the door - my own requirement for entrance.

Akashi smirks, but to think that, in front of that immense door, Daiki not only thought of wanting to open it under his own power but actually found a way to do it. You really can't underestimate him. (Akashi's favourite Miragen: actually Aomine??? He's so...admiring...)

Before we get to hear any more of Akashi's thoughts on Aomine, the three Uncrowned enters the gym. Sei-chan, you're here? Mibuchi asks even though so are the three of them.

Yeah...what is it? Akashi asks as he watches the three enter dressed in the same kind of practice gear he is.

We're thinking of doing some warm-up for tomorrow's match, Nebuya tells him, already starting to stretch.

...that's perfect, have a match with me, Akashi tells them to Hayama's obvious excitement. Yeah, let's go. How'll we do this? One-on-one?

No... Akashi says, then drops the bombshell. Three-on-one.

All three Uncrowned look seriously pissed off with Mibuchi noting that, even if it's you, you might not win? And Hayama adding, ...I take no responsibility for the aftermath.

Unfortunately for them, it ends with the three on the ground breathing heavily while Akashi stands unbowed and, adding insult to injury, not even breaking into sweat. ...good, he says coolly, like this even a real match should be no problem.

Of the three, only Hayama manages to spit out a proper sentence. You're too much of a monster...Akashi.

...But this should be considered a trump card, Akashi tells them apropos of nothing, using this card signifies that the situation on the court has reached the point of real danger towards Rakuzan. One more thing, he says with the top half of his face cut off by the panel. ...some advice for you,

But the flashback ends before we find out what he says and the scene comes back to the match with only a 12 point difference between Seirin and Rakuzan. The 3pointer got in!! The crowd points out excitedly, this is the first time in the second half...no, in this entire match, isn't it!? Scoring three times in a row!! It's Seirin's ferocious counter-attack!!!

The Seirin first years are cheering wildly while both Hayama and Mibuchi are looking pained in contrast. There is an entire panel of Akashi with his eyes cut off again to build the tension, before we go on to Nebuya with the ball. Izuki gives a start in surprise, thinking, are we using that now! While Hyuuga thinks, we have no reason to refuse. Alright!! he says.

Are you satisfied with just scoring three times in a row!! Kiyoshi bellows with a fierce look on his face. This is no where near enough if you want to win!!

There is a panel of Nebuya's surprise as he realises that Seirin is enacting the S.A.M. defence. And also one of Kuroko looking strained.

The panel moves on to Hayama looking just as strained as he thinks, this defence is too much trouble...!! Even though it's probably not as clear as it would to Akashi...but if you consider the defence area of Kagami in the ZONE, isn't there no pass course on this court that Kuroko can't intercept?

Just as he thinks that, we get a panel of Kagami's pained face and then Mibuchi's consternation as his pass is intercepted by Kuroko. Over by the Rakuzan bench, Shirogane actually stands up in dismay, while on the court Kiyoshi calls out for and receives the ball from Kuroko.

Kiyoshi and Nebuya pushes against each other with Nebuya realising, this power...!! Add on what he did before and all this will put his legs under a lot of burden. Kiyoshi you bastard...don't you even care if your legs become useless!? But...!!

He stopped...!! Wakamatsu notes in the stands. Even if Kiyoshi uses all his strength...he still can't win against Nebuya's power huh...!!

It doesn't matter if he can't win, Imayoshi smirks. It wouldn't even be a question of whether he can win or not if he really couldn't go up against him. The fact that they are confronting each other right now means that Kiyoshi can still contend with him. Demonstrating Imayoshi's words, Kiyoshi once again fakes around Nebuya down on the court and gets the ball in.

There is a shot of the clock with 8 minutes and 50 seconds left. The audience is in shock as they note that, can it be!? Scoring four times in a row!? They have finally reached...10 point difference!!!

The Seirin second years on the bench are shouting ecstatically, it worked...it worked! It worked!! While on the court we get a panel of Mayuzumi's disbelieving face, and then yet another panel of Akashi with his eyes cut off. Mibuchi... he says with his back to us, this is the last offensive for the four of you. (Yes, Akashi calls him Mibuchi in the Chinese scans, time will tell if this is just a translation error.)

Eh...? Mibuchi says, wait...Sei-chan, what are you saying... Only to trail off at literally one of the creepiest panels of Akashi's face in the entire manga as he stares down at Mibuchi while being 15 centimetres shorter than him. Akashi turns back having scorned Mibuchi into submission and passes the ball in a way that results in a remarkably similar sfx as Kuroko's passes.

The audience is appreciative, remarking on Akashi's amazing ability to thread his pass through the S.A.M. defence with pinpoint accuracy!! On the court, the is a panel of Hyuuga and Izuki looking back, and then comprehension dawning on Kagami's face as everyone realises that Akashi is standing unmoving under the basket. (And now Murasakibara parallels!)

Kuroko stares in voiceless shock while Kiyoshi tries to get everyone back on task. Think about that later!! Defence!! Concentrate!!

Up in audience, Aomine frowns in concentration. That bastard...can it be.

Meanwhile, Akashi is in the same position as the flashback in the beginning of the chapter. Mibuchi looks on thinking, Sei-chan...those eyes just now were just like that time... He flashbacks to Akashi's words that had gotten cut off before.

The requirements to go into this state is different for everyone, Akashi tells the three Uncrowned in the flashback. And mine is when I decide to stop winning through directing others, and grasp certain victory with my own two hands. In other words, Akashi says with one of his patented disdainful looks, when I decide to fight with my own strength, is when I lose hope in you and have completely given up you guys. (In other words, get ready for the metaphorical 'You have failed me' because what we really needed is more Evil Overlord parallels with Akashi)

Back in the game, Kagami manages to intercept the ball and goes straight for Rakuzan's goal. I can do it!! Kagami thinks, in this situation, there should be no way they can stop Meteor Jam like in the first half!!

Let's go, Akashi!! Kagami shouts, only to have the ball intercepted while Kagami is still getting into position. Wha- is all he manages to get out. So quick...!! When did he...!? This...is it...

We get a panel of Izuki and Kiyoshi looking dazed as he says, you're...joking... While Mibuchi closes his eyes in despair. Kuroko says, devastated, Akashi-kun...