Chapter 140 - What Lies Deep Within (2/2)

Shun: ”So, what is the harm in that?”

Leonal sighed and continued to explain.

Leonal: ”The problem with that is this approach is what I consider a brute force approach. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a direct approach. There are times when you need to be direct and the fastest.

But, this is just one way to use your reflexes, but not all problems can be solved by such an approach, sometimes you have to be clever.”

Shun frowned and asked.

Shun: ”What do you mean by that?”

Leonal crossed his arms and said.

Leonal: ”You don't need to move as fast as possible, sometimes take your time and think of a future move before going in for the ball. Your approach is to get the ball first and then think about what to do next.

If you take just enough time to think of a plan before reaching for the ball, then when you do get the ball, you can move immediately.

For offense, when you have the ball, you have to think one step forward and make the transition between moves as smooth as possible.

For people with normal reflexes, thinking forward midst of playing is tough, but for people like us, we who can react faster have more time to think and plan.”

Leonal paused and brought up the previous exchange.

Leonal: ”When I backed away and released the ball, I first made you move forward so that you would be a step late to chase the ball.

I planned that move when I made you freeze for a moment.”

Shun's eyes widened at that revelation, but Leonal continued without stopping.

Leonal: ”Next, when we both chased the ball, I reached the ball first, but you were able to arrive just a moment later, and that was because I was waiting to bait you with a turnaround jump shot.

Think one step forward, and you will be ahead of the curve of the competition.”

Leonal sighed and revealed.

Leonal: ”My reflexes are fast, but my body is slower than others, so I have to make use of my reflexes much more skillfully.

I can already tell that your body would up becoming faster than mine, and I thought that if you continued as it is, then it would be a long while before you discovered this way of using your reflexes.”

Shun's eyes were wide open as he felt a completely new path open up to him.

Shun: ”Planning ahead and smooth transitions.”

Shun felt goosebumps rise on his skin as he clearly understood the implications of what could happen if he followed Leonal's advice.

He looked at the redhead and bowed deeply to show his appreciation and respect.

Shun: ”Thank you for helping me; this seriously opened a new outlook for me.”

Leonal nodded and then walked away after putting the ball back in the cage, but before he left, he left behind some words.

Shun followed shortly after, seriously thinking over the experience that he just had.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

The next day, Shun was playing, and he decided to check something that Leonal had said to him before he left.

He looked in front of him, and there stood Leonal. Yesterday, he was able to beat Shun with ease because Shun was looking for what Leonal did differently, and his attention was divided.

Today, thought Shun was fully concentrated on him, and he was going not going to let Leonal beat him that easily.

Shun had the ball, he looked at Leonal and recalled the words that Leonal spoke just before leaving.

-*-*-*-

Leonal: ”Listen to me, Kageyama Shun, breathe. Breathe, feel the air in the gym.

Feel the sweat that slides down your skin, feel the ground beneath your feet, it is always there, lifting you up, pushing you forward.

Feel the bio-electricity that runs rampant in your body. Feel its power, its speed, cruising through your nervous system.

Crackling through you. Traveling to every nerve in your body like a SHOCK.

It is not separate from you. You are a part of it, and it is a part of you.

Feel the impulse.

It's yours.”

-*-*-*-

As Shun recalled those words, he felt the bio-electricity cruising in his nerves, and he felt in control.

Shun watched Leonal. He knew that he should try to follow Leonals advice, but for some reason, he felt that he should just let loose and go for his usual direct approach.

Shun: 'Let's go with something simple.'

Leonal and Shun stared at each, and then suddenly Shun moved.

He moved to the left. Leonal, who had solid reflexes of his own, moved to the left.

But, it was a fake as Shun extended his ball hand completely to the left, but then moved to the right and switched the ball to his right hand.

Leonal's eyes widened as he found himself falling to the ground, and Shun speeding past him.

He turned his head to watch Shun, and there was just one single thought in his mind.

Leonal: 'That was the fasted he reacted ever since he came to this camp.'

-*-*-*-

Shun's job wasn't finished, he dribbled towards the basket, and from the corner of his eyes, he saw Ming running towards him to block his path.

Shun felt a jolt, and he immediately stopped and from mid-range got into shooting position.

Ming was surprised at the sudden stop.

Ming: ”Shit, he stopped. I am not going to reach on time.”

Shun, on the other hand, trained his eyes on the basket as he raised his hands to shoot.

But, then he stopped, he felt Gilbert coming from behind.

Shun: 'Pump-Fake.'

Shun brought the ball down, and Gilbert, who had jumped for a contest, flew past above him.

Gilbert: ”Shit!”

Shun raised his arms and jumped for a jump shot that he felt was not going to miss.

He and everybody on the court followed the ball with their eyes. Rebounders got into position, but Shun just stood there, without a doubt that the shot would miss.

Shun: 'Midorima would approve.'

The ball swished into the net and Shun smiled, as he felt that a brand new path had opened for him.

Shun: ”I am so glad that I came here.”