Ryonan High School · Basketball Gymnasium.
"Faster… even faster! At this speed, there's no way you'll beat Shohoku!"
Taoka Moichi stood on the sidelines, brows tightly furrowed.
His voice thundered through the empty gym like a whip.
His sharp gaze and unrelenting tone pushed the players to their limits, like every word carried weight.
Ryonan's players sprinted back and forth across the court.
Their uniforms were soaked in sweat, but not one of them dared to ease up even a little.
"This training's getting crazier by the day. I'm dying out here…"
Uekusa Tomoyuki muttered while wiping sweat from his brow, exhausted and frustrated.
Koshino Hiroaki was panting hard but still clenched his teeth.
"There's no helping it. Shohoku is too strong. Especially that Aoi Kunisaku. He's not even human."
Then Uekusa suddenly looked around, frowning as if he'd just realized something.
"Hey, where's Sendoh? Why are only we here training? He's one of our aces. How can he not be here?"
At that, everyone exchanged glances.
Koshino rolled his eyes and said with clear helplessness,
"That guy's probably off fishing again. It's not the first time."
…
Achoo—
A loud sneeze exploded on a quiet seaside platform.
Sendoh Akira, wrapped in a slightly thin jacket, sat comfortably on a bench, fishing with a relaxed air.
The sea breeze brushed gently against him, rippling the water.
But his fishing rod remained still.
From the way he hunched his shoulders and shivered now and then, it was obvious he'd been there a while.
"The weather's getting cold. Even the fish don't wanna come out,"
Sendoh murmured while rubbing his nose, a bit helpless, but mostly content in his usual laid-back way.
The next moment, a glint of mischief flickered in his eyes like he'd remembered something.
Then, the corners of his mouth lifted into a smug smile.
"Wonder what coach's deal is lately. He's been way more intense than usual.
Good thing I saw it coming and bailed early."
As he spoke, he nodded in self-approval, clearly proud of dodging the hellish training back in the gym.
The scene of Taoka Moichi roaring while players ran like mad surfaced in his mind.
Sendoh's face lit up with pure ease.
Sitting by the sea in this cool breeze, far from the sweat, shouting, and grind…
He felt like he'd never been more at peace.
…
Shoyo High School · Basketball Gymnasium.
Fujima Kenji and Hanagata Toru stood shoulder to shoulder before a group of younger players.
Their expressions were gentle but tinged with a trace of sadness.
The air was thick with something heavy.
With his usual calm smile, Fujima spoke warmly but firmly.
"Starting today, Hanagata and I are officially retiring."
He paused, glancing across the many young faces.
His voice carried a bit more weight.
"From now on, the future of Shoyo's basketball team is in your hands."
As his words fell, the gym went quiet.
Everyone stared at the two players who had led Shoyo to its heights.
Their eyes were filled with emotion.
Respect.
Gratitude.
Reluctance.
And a bit of uncertainty.
Hasegawa Kazushi couldn't hold back anymore.
His voice trembled slightly as he blurted out,
"Captain… you and Hanagata-san really won't be joining the Winter Cup?"
The question was like a match striking dry wood.
All eyes immediately locked onto Fujima and Hanagata.
Hope.
Longing.
Even pleading shone through their stares.
Fujima still wore that gentle smile.
But deep in his gaze, a flash of helplessness and struggle appeared.
Of course he'd thought about continuing.
He wanted one more shot at the national tournament for Shoyo.
But reality stood in the way.
Shohoku was too strong now.
Especially Aoi Kunisaku.
He was like a wall no one could climb.
Sending everyone into battle knowing they had no chance…
Was that really the right thing to do?
Fujima let out a soft sigh and said calmly but firmly,
"Hanagata and I are both third-years now.
We need to start focusing on studies.
So this Winter Cup… it's all up to you."
As his words faded, every Shoyo player looked crushed with disappointment.
Some clenched their jaws.
Some had red eyes.
Some curled their fists, clearly having made some silent vow.
They understood now.
The era of Fujima and Hanagata… was truly over.
…
Kainan High School · Basketball Gymnasium.
"One… two… one… two… one… two…"
Heavy footsteps echoed through the court.
The sound of panting mixed in between.
Kainan's players gritted their teeth, running endless laps around the court.
Their shirts soaked.
Their pace slowing with every step.
On the sideline, Takato Riki stood like a beast watching prey.
His eyes sharp, his tone ice-cold.
"Keep the pace. No falling behind.
Anyone who does, your training triples."
His voice crashed like thunder.
All the players instantly tensed up.
Huff… hah… huff… hah… huff… hah…
Kiyota Nobunaga was already at his limit.
His face flushed, breathing like an overheated engine, like he was down to his last drop of energy.
He gasped as he ran, grinding his teeth.
"I'm dying here… my legs feel like jelly.
What the hell's wrong with coach today? Trying to kill us or what?!"
Beside him, Muto Tadashi looked just as dead inside.
Still, he mustered enough strength to mutter,
"It's obvious, isn't it?
Maki-san and Jin-san have already retired.
Our team's gotten way weaker."
He paused. A flicker of helplessness and worry passed through his eyes.
"Forget beating Shohoku… I doubt we could even take down Ryonan."
Kiyota Nobunaga panted, face full of confusion as he kept asking,
"Come to think of it, Muto-senpai and Takasago-senpai are third-years too, right? Why didn't they retire?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Takasago Kazuma chimed in with a self-deprecating laugh,
"We're not the same. Maki and Jin have great grades. They've got a real shot at getting into a top university."
Then he gave a wry smile and added,
"As for me and Muto… we're just average. We've gotta rely on basketball to score some bonus points. Maybe land a sports scholarship."
Kiyota's eyes lit up in sudden realization.
So that's how it works.
'Huh… learned something new today.'
"You're slowing down."
At that moment, Takato Riki's voice cut through the gym like a whisper from death itself.
The group instantly picked up speed.
…
Shohoku High School · Basketball Gym.
Shimizu Kanon and Ayako walked side by side toward the gym doors, chatting casually.
But the moment they pushed open the doors—
CLANG…
Before the hinges finished creaking, both of them froze.
The sight before them stunned them where they stood.
The gym was buzzing with energy.
Sakuragi's gang of four sat by the sideline.
Akagi Haruko was seated with her two friends, watching with focused eyes and eager anticipation.
Everyone's attention was locked on the standoff on the court.
It was truly a face-off.
On one side stood Aoi Kunisaku.
On the other, a group led by Rukawa Kaede—Sakuragi Hanamichi, Miyagi Ryota, and Mitsui Hisashi.
Shimizu Kanon and Ayako stepped softly into the gym, hesitant but curious.
Ayako scanned the area with a frown.
"What's going on here?"
From her seat, Akagi Haruko beamed with excitement.
"It's Rukawa-kun. He challenged Aoi-kun. But Aoi-kun didn't seem interested.
So Aoi-kun said he'd only accept if it was a 1V4. And now here we are."
Shimizu Kanon and Ayako exchanged looks.
Ayako sighed and rubbed her forehead, exasperated.
"Seriously, why is everyone in this team so full of themselves?
Ever since Akagi and Kogure left, this team feels like a different beast."
She turned toward Shimizu Kanon, her tone tinged with concern.
"Captain, you're not gonna stop this? Letting them fool around like this—is it really okay?"
As the new team captain, Shimizu Kanon's word carried weight.
But she simply smiled faintly and shook her head.
Her gaze fixed on the four players on the court. Her tone calm and confident.
"It's fine. This is the perfect chance for me to gather their data."
…
On the court.
Aoi Kunisaku stood calmly before the aggressive four.
His expression showed no reaction.
In his mind, a familiar status panel resurfaced.
[Name: Aoi Kunisaku]
[Age: 16]
[Height: 195cm]
[Weight: 86kg]
[Character Template: Aomine Daiki (100%)]
[Talent Skills: Super High-Speed Dribble (Awakened), Formless Shot (Awakened)]
[Wild Instinct: Black Panther (Awakened)]
[Zone (Awakened)]
The panel was still as simple and cold as always.
No extra text.
Just rows of chilling data hovering in his consciousness.
But he could feel it clearly—his power was still rising.
That subtle sense of body and mind evolving in sync, flowing through every nerve, every muscle, every drop of blood like a silent tide.
From now on, the panel was just a reference.
It reflected past effort and results, but couldn't predict the future.
How far would he go from here?
Would the system change?
Would it unlock even deeper powers?
Nobody knew.
THUMP…
THUMP…
THUMP…
The basketball pounded the floor steadily in Aoi Kunisaku's hand.
Each bounce felt like it echoed inside everyone's chest.
He stood at center court.
Tall, straight like a mountain.
Calm eyes.
A faint smile curling his lips.
He raised his eyes and slowly swept them over the four opponents.
Rukawa Kaede.
Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Miyagi Ryota.
Mitsui Hisashi.
They wore different expressions.
But their fighting spirit blazed the same.
Aoi Kunisaku chuckled softly.
His voice light but brimming with stifling confidence.
"Come on."
He added with a clear tone that reached every corner of the gym.
"Let's see if you've gotten any better."
As the words landed, it felt like the air ignited.
Sakuragi Hanamichi leapt forward.
Eyes sharp like blades. His aura surging.
"No-spirit ghost, this time I'll beat you for sure!"
Mitsui Hisashi gave a cold snort, full of disdain but also fired up.
"So damn arrogant. Time to teach you a lesson."
Miyagi Ryota sank low into his stance, his eyes sharp and wary.
"I'll admit, you're strong. But taking down all four of us at once won't be easy."
And in front, Rukawa Kaede simply said—
"Bring it."
Heh…
Aoi Kunisaku let out a low chuckle.
There was a trace of amusement in it.
But the next instant, his eyes sharpened.
And everything about him changed.
That lazy, laid-back air vanished.
In its place was a pressure so intense it made people's hearts clench.
He slowly lifted his head.
Eyes like blades locked onto the four.
His voice was firm and icy.
"The only one who can beat me… is me."
…