Slam Dunk:Starting with perfect copy

The match between Shohoku and Ryonan was escalating into an unforgettable showdown. Kenichi Uesugi, with his unmatched skills, had completely stunned the audience and left the Shohoku team reeling. His incredible "shooting star dunk" had brought the crowd to their feet, while his defense had made every attempt to break through his guard seem like a futile exercise. Shohoku, despite their best efforts, seemed completely overwhelmed by Uesugi's strength, intelligence, and control over the game.

For Rukawa Kaede, the challenge was particularly personal. Having been defeated by Uesugi the last time they faced each other, Rukawa had been practicing relentlessly to surpass him. However, facing Uesugi's extraordinary defense and offensive versatility, Rukawa was forced to admit, at least for a moment, that his skills might not yet be enough to take down such an unstoppable force. His attempts at breaking through Uesugi's defense had only ended in failure, with Uesugi predicting his moves before he even made them. When Rukawa tried to break through with a quick fake shot turned into a real one, Uesugi not only blocked it but also stole the ball with such ease that it left Rukawa in disbelief. His failure to succeed was a crushing blow, but also a sign of the immense gap between him and Uesugi.

Mitsui and Miyagi were no better off. Despite their solid experience, they were no match for Uesugi's overwhelming skill. Miyagi attempted to set up a three-point shot for Mitsui, but Uesugi, anticipating the move, managed to block the attempt effortlessly, showing just how far ahead he was. Even when Mitsui attempted a distant shot, Uesugi's reach was such that he could cover any space, his defense seemingly extending across the entire court.

The game had barely begun, and Ryonan had already built up an 18:0 lead. Kenichi Uesugi's dominance seemed to know no bounds. His abilities, from his remarkable bounce to his advanced court vision, were beyond what anyone had expected. Even players like Maki from Kainan, who had seen Uesugi's talents firsthand, were left stunned by the power and versatility he displayed. They had thought they had faced the best of him the previous day, only to realize that Uesugi had barely begun to show his full potential.

For Rukawa, there was a spark of defiance despite the overwhelming odds. His competitive spirit burned brightly, and while his attempts at breaking through Uesugi's defense had failed, he refused to admit defeat. However, seeing Uesugi's effortless block of his shot, coupled with the devastating "pick" move, made Rukawa realize just how much more he needed to improve. The level of precision and foresight Uesugi displayed was beyond anything Rukawa had encountered.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Shohoku players, including Akagi and Mitsui, began to realize the immense challenge they were facing. Their frustration mounted as they saw Rukawa, who had previously been their most promising offensive player, struggle so desperately against Uesugi. Akagi, knowing how strong Rukawa was, couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt about whether they could overcome this unyielding wall of defense that Uesugi had created. He hoped that Rukawa's resolve would carry him through, but deep down, even Akagi knew that facing Uesugi in this form might be too much for anyone to handle.

Then, just when it seemed like the game was spiraling out of control, a new twist emerged. Sakuragi, whose presence on the court had always been unpredictable, took matters into his own hands. Known for his brash personality and unique defensive style, he suddenly jumped into the fray, attempting to mimic Uesugi's notorious "eye defense." The crowd gasped, and the Shohokubench watched in disbelief as Sakuragi took up a defensive stance similar to Uesugi's—eyes narrowed, hands wide. This moment of audacity caught Uesugi off guard, but it wasn't enough. Sakuragi, in his usual chaotic way, failed to make any impact. In fact, Uesugi breezed past him, leaving the red-haired player in the dust.

Despite his failure, Sakuragi's brief foray into the defense wasn't entirely pointless. It stirred the team, giving them a brief moment of inspiration, and for a split second, they thought they could find some way to challenge Uesugi. But that moment quickly passed. With a smirk, Uesugi used his uncanny foresight to read Sakuragi's every move, easily dribbling past him and scoring another impressive shot. It was yet another demonstration of Uesugi's dominance, and this time, there was no stopping him.

Ryonan, having secured an 18-point lead, showed no signs of slowing down. Kenichi Uesugi's perfect imitation of Kagami Taigo's famous move, "super bounce," had allowed him to snatch a high ball out of the air and block Rukawa's shots with ease. Every pass he made seemed calculated, every move intentional. Even when Mitsui had tried to score from behind the three-point line, Uesugi was right there to shut him down with his imposing defense.

In the stands, the audience could only watch in awe, while the players on both teams struggled to find a way to cope with Uesugi's overwhelming strength. Even Kainan's players, like Maki, who had once been Uesugi's opponents, were left speechless. They couldn't comprehend just how far Uesugi's abilities had gone beyond what they had experienced in the previous game. Rukawa, Mitsui, and even Sakuragi—all of them seemed to be playing in a different league from Uesugi.

As the game wore on, and Uesugi continued to rack up points, Coach Anzai of Shohoku remained calm. He knew that there was nothing his team could do to change the tide at this moment, but he also understood that the game wasn't over yet. Shohoku's strength wasn't just in individual talent but in their ability to come together as a team. And while Uesugi had put them at a severe disadvantage, he also knew that the heart of Shohoku's players was still very much alive. They were resilient, and no matter how overwhelming the challenge, they would never give up.

As the first quarter came to a close, and the score continued to widen in Ryonan's favor, one thing was clear: this game was far from over. Uesugi's impact was undeniable, but Shohoku had shown that they could still fight. Whether they would be able to catch up to the unstoppable force of Ryonan remained to be seen, but one thing was for sure—they would not go down without a fight. And the battle for supremacy on the court had only just begun.