03x19 - A Miracle will not Hpapen

[bunniefuu]

Was that...

Misdirection!

He is like Tetsuya,

but his fundamentals are all stronger.

Tetsuya is the old model.

Mayuzumi Chihiro
is the new Phantom Sixth Man.

EPISODE 69
MIRACLES DON'T HAPPEN

RAKUZAN HIGH SCHOOL

You're Mayuzumi, right?

Hey.

You're acting awfully familiar.

Don't you mean "Nice to meet you"?

We were teammates
until just the other day.

How unusual.

Most people have a hard time
remembering me.

It's probably because
I know someone just like you.

-By the way, what are you reading?
-A light novel.

A light novel?

Yeah. You don't know what they are?

Are they interesting?

They're easier to read
compared to normal novels.

Some people don't like them,
but if you do, they're interesting.

You think it's stupid
because of the cover, don't you?

No.
I just thought you're very much like...

the Phantom Sixth Man.

Teiko's...

So it's not just a rumor?

No. That's what I wanted to discuss.

Mayuzumi Chihiro,

I want you to become
the new Phantom Sixth Man.

No.

I love myself.

Specializing in passing sounds boring.

I'm not that desperate to play.

There's no point in playing
if I don't feel good about it.

Who is this guy? He suddenly changed.

Interesting. I like you even more now.

You could become
a greater phantom player than Tetsuya.

Yeah!

He made it!

Rakuzan's on a roll!

I wasn't expecting a player like him.

A new Phantom Sixth Man, huh?

Nice pass!

I'm not doing it for you.

I feel good when my passes succeed.

So long as you're open,
I'll send the ball your way.

-One basket! Let's get them back!
-Yeah!

But what about Mayuzumi?
We have to do something about him!

I know! Why not put Kuroko on him?

He's familiar with Misdirection,
so he won't lose track of him!

No, that's impossible because...

Mitobe!

He predicted its trajectory
based on its target and path!

Then I won't pass. I'll sh**t instead.

He can sh**t too?

Kuroko may be able
to prevent his Misdirection.

But in a one-on-one,
he doesn't stand a chance.

See that? That's my style.

I'm nothing like you.

He's looking at me...

No, he's studying me!

They're seven points ahead.

We need to do something.

Okay.

Black team player substitution.

A sub?

But who?

What?

Aomine, what are they...

It doesn't matter.

He's like a Chihuahua
standing before a lion.

What are they thinking?

Bring it on!

Come on.

He's so weak, he doesn't know what to do.

Sei, inbound the ball!

Okay.

He's so scared, he can't even look at us.

We wouldn't blame you
for sending someone better instead.

You're so kind.

Are you stupid?

Sure, but it's okay.

We're totally serious.

-You can do it!
-Furi!

I don't know what you're thinking...

but there's nothing you can do!

-He passed him!
-Of course he did.

This is what they wanted!

They're quick to help!

Oh, right.

Akashi might not be able to use
his ankle breaker from there.

That's it.

They were quick on me too.

They assumed he would pass him.

No, they let him pass on purpose!

I get it.

They want to get Akashi on the inside.

You can't ankle break someone
without crossing over

to throw them off-balance.

In other words,
it requires a certain amount of space.

Once he enters the crowded key,
there's no room to do that.

First they cut off Mayuzumi.

Then they send Kagami against Akashi

in a place where he can't use
his ankle breaker.

That's Seirin's plan.

Akashi!

He can still step back and pass him!

It's not over yet!

Rebound!

Close!

Damn it!

That worked out surprisingly well.

But that means the first-year
was just bait, right?

Yeah. She may be trying to win,
but it's still a terrible thing to do!

As far as I saw in the Kaijo game,
all he can do is support his teammates.

I don't need to guard him closely.

-Mayuzumi!
-Crap!

I... I made it!

He made it!

That's it! Get them!

-Yeah!
-Nice shot, Akashi!

No matter how hard he tries,
he's still a Chihuahua.

He can't beat a lion.

But...

White team, time-out.

Perhaps we didn't need to call one
when we had a lead.

It was unnecessary.

No. We're switching between defense
and offense more quickly.

It's getting harder to issue
detailed instructions.

That was well timed.

They've given up on trying to stop Akashi.

It doesn't affect us much,

but we should narrow down our choices
as well.

We'll focus our attacks.

First, around you.

Furi?

Are you hurt?

No, but...

You're kidding.

You're out, Furihata.

What? I'm okay! I can still play!

You can't.

You've got no strength left.

What? You mean he's just exhausted?

I don't believe it.

Furi may have been playing hard,
but he's not that weak.

Is that how brutally hard it is
to face Seijuro Akashi?

What are we going to do, Coach?

Let me play!

Fukuda...

I just need to stay on Akashi
like Furi did, right?

Kawahara and I can do that!

Fukuda...

We're counting on you!

-Captain...
-Hyuga!

The time-out is now over.

Oh, come on!

We're counting on you, Fukuda.

-Do the same thing on defense.
-Okay.

One more thing!

Close the gap on offense!

Yeah! Let's go!

Yeah!

What did she mean by "close the gap"?

Didn't you hear, Hyuga?

We'll score three points.

Kuroko, I couldn't do anything.

It's so frustrating.

I want to be stronger
so I can fight alongside the guys.

Yeah. Me too.

They're pumped up.

Hyuga should start making threes
once they're on offense.

Rakuzan's going for threes too,

which means both teams' attacks
will be focused around the same position.

It's a sh**ting guard showdown!

It's a sh**ting guard showdown!

The end of the first quarter
made me angry.

I'll crush you this time.

He's a complicated character.

You shouldn't do that.

A fadeaway three?

Damn!

His form is incredibly efficient.

I'm falling in love again.

In middle school, I thought Mibuchi's form
was the best of our generation.

So smooth and sharp. It's seriously cool.

Wait! I shouldn't be thinking
about that right now!

Izuki!

He's not my role model anymore.

He's the enemy I must defeat!

He's faster!

Barrier Jumper!

Yes! Nice shot, Captain!

-Nice!
-Yeah, of course!

His form looks like yours.

You think so too?

But they just look similar.

He's made it his own.

It's different.

Not bad.

-They're answering threes with threes!
-See?

Crap!

No, you don't!

I've changed my mind about you.

You're a far better sh**ter
than I thought.

So to thank you,
I'll show you something special.

He's seriously going for it?

Mibuchi has two common shots.

Evading his opponent while
making the shot, or "Heaven."

Then there's making the shot
while striking his opponent, or "Earth."

But there's actually one more.

It's just an ordinary shot?
There's no way I'll let him...

I can't jump? Why not?

A shot his opponents can't respond to.

"Void."

Hyuga stopped moving!

Mibuchi "The Demon" Leo
has three kinds of shots.

How can he stop someone from moving?

It's not just that. I was hypnotized.

No, what am I thinking?

I should be thinking about
what we should do to win!

Can we win?

It's no use!

He's completely adjusted
to the Barrier Jumper's timing!

Oh, my.

Kiyoshi!

Nice!

Nice, Hyuga!

You were right to pass the ball inside!

He was faster than I thought.

Sei, I'm good for just one more.

Yes, it looks that way.

I'm finished sizing him up.

I've won this battle.

He went right into the shot
without faking! It's Void!

Fake?

This is...

Earth! Damn it!

Defensive foul, number 4!

Basket counts! One free throw!

He made the shot and drew a foul!

And it was a three!
That's a four-point play!

Hyuga messed up. He backed off.

It wasn't wrong though.

He passed, and they scored.

For the team, it was the right choice.

But it's now clear...

Mibuchi is the better sh**ter.

No worries, Hyuga!

-We'll get them back!
-I know!

-Izuki, pass me the ball.
-Kiyoshi...

I'm in an attacking mood too.

What's wrong?
You suddenly feel like playing?

Let's go, Nebuya!

He's so heavy! He won't budge!

My muscles have finally warmed up!

Time for me to get my revenge!

Out of bounds!

He's so strong!

Kiyoshi...

The way you reacted...

Don't tell me you've forgotten our battle!

I remember playing you.

It's what you said after!

Don't mess with me.

At the end of my first year
of middle school,

I was matched up against you
and experienced my first loss.

It was frustrating.

After the game, you told me...

Basketball isn't just about power.

You'll get stronger
if you hone your skills too.

I had a thought then.

I'll just pack on more muscle!

That's his answer?

With enough muscle, I can do anything!

Nebuya "Herculean Strength" Eikichi!

Sorry, I forgot about that.

But I'm still ready to throw down.

I don't mind contests of strength.

Kiyoshi "Iron Heart" Teppei!

Muscle Screen Out!

What's up with centers?
Do they all have to be loud?

What?

There's still the aerial battle!

Vice Claw!

Muscle Rebound!

He's as heavy as a boulder!

Could you stop saying
"Muscle Whatever" every time?

Yeah, it's annoying.

Muscle Dunk!

Izuki! The ball!

You won't beat me!

He's going for it!

It's a power contest!

Hey! You're using
your Right of Postponement now?

Nice, Kiyoshi!

No, that was bad.

Passing and being forced to pass
mean different things.

That was definitely the latter.

But wasn't that...

Yes, you're not wrong.

But the gap will slowly widen.

In other words,
this is the difference in their strength.

Four fingers. I'll stop him this time!

A crossover!

He evaded Kagami and made the shot!

The Roaring Drive!

Hayama "Thunder Beast" Kotaro!

Wait. Is that all?

What?

I thought I'd have more impact
like you guys!

I feel like some rare beast
that's been spotted!

Damn!

While I was distracted,
he got into my blind spot!

Yeah!

Disappearing is my job.
But don't forget I exist.

I won't let you sh**t.

Damn!

Come on! What's wrong?

Kagami and Kuroko are strong rookies.

But they're not the only reason
they made it this far.

It's because they had the second-years.

Hyuga and Kiyoshi are pillars
of the outside and inside game.

Breaking them
is like breaking the team's legs.

I can't get past him!

There's nothing I can do.

Is this how much better they are?

Fukuda!

Out of bounds! White ball!

It's just like Furihata.

Fukuda's exhausted.

Black team player substitution.

Another first-year?

Do they have a plan?

They just switched him out
because he was exhausted.

They're prolonging their strategy.

What? Why isn't Seirin doing anything?

They should be doing something!

Don't yell at me.

It's not that they're not.

-It's that they can't.
-Coach...

I'm so powerless!

Make it!

He made the Middle Jumper!

Well, it's bound to happen.

Even against Rakuzan,
they're sure to score a few points.

But that's all.

The weaklings can make
a last-ditch effort.

But ultimately they'll be pushed out
by a stronger power.

It's over.

Crap!

That's unusual.

Is he excited?

No, he's showing off.

What?

What? An alley-oop?

What a jump! He can reach the hoop?

Did you think that was exclusively
a taller player's skill?

I can do that anytime I feel like it.

It's too late.

Kuroko can't recover from the loss
of his lack of presence.

Even if he does, they're too far behind.

Both in points and strength.

Miracles don't happen.

And they couldn't even win with one.

PREVIEW

You're out of resources, huh?

We may be for now.

There's nothing you can do.

Why not give up, old model?

Even so, I can't let it end here!

EPISODE 70
THE WEIGHT OF RESOLVE