Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo.
In their third year, Teiko's legendary "Shirogane Devil Training" began with Kise Ryōta throwing down a challenge against Haizaki Shōgo.
The two third-years stood at the sideline, one with arms crossed, the other spinning a ball lazily in one hand, watching as if enjoying a show.
"I'm saying—put your regular spot on the line, and fight me one-on-one!"
"Tch. You just got here, and you're already daydreaming~"
"Forget the other second-years—if it's Haizaki-kun, that should be about fair, right?"
"Hah! You're underestimating me?" Haizaki licked his lips, shrugging with feigned indifference. "Well, fine. If that's the case, I'll take you seriously for once. Let's play."
He tossed the ball to Kise with casual disdain, his whole demeanor slack, not even treating Kise as an opponent.
"You first."
Realizing he was being looked down on, Kise's eyes hardened. He swore he would seize the starting spot here, before Nationals began.
Ball in hand, Kise exploded forward. His footwork snapped sharply into a vicious crossover, his speed blinding.
But
"Heh~ mine now!"
Haizaki Shōgo moved. Using his superior physicality, he reached out and ripped the ball clean away.
Driving straight into the paint, he hammered down a one-handed dunk!
That single play set the tone.
From then on, the match turned into nothing less than Haizaki's private lesson.
On offense…
His game was filled with countless tricks, seemingly stolen from who-knows-where. Just like when he imitated Kotarō Hayama and Reo Mibuchi, Haizaki had fused borrowed skills seamlessly into his arsenal, turning them into something sharp, versatile, and unpredictable.
On defense…
Backed by superior athleticism, even Kise's most difficult shot—his leaning fadeaway—was still chased down. Haizaki's speed and leap caught up, smothering it with a merciless block.
"Haizaki… he's incredible!"
"He's got both offense and defense, and while his moves aren't as flashy as Shigure-senpai's, the sheer number of techniques he has is insane!"
"So the gap between Kise and the Generation of Miracles is still this big? I thought he was catching up…"
"Don't kid yourself. Kise's growth rate is monstrous, yeah. But the Miracles, entering their second year, already improved their physical abilities so much you can't compare them to before."
"Not to mention the polish in their skills—after Nationals, after training under two captains, the difference is night and day."
"Hah~ you're no match, Kise-boy~"
Aomine shook his head, answering Murasakibara: "Nah, Haizaki's just ruthless toward newbies. He's simply stronger, that's all. Annoying as hell, yeah…"
"But when it comes to ability, that's another story."
On court, Kise was panting heavily, but he still refused to give in.
"Again! I'm not done yet!"
"Heh~"
"No matter how many times, the result's the same. And besides"
"It's already over!"
Before Kise could react, Haizaki swept past like a gray wolf.
"You were never in my league to begin with~!"
Bang!
The final shot ended the same way—a ferocious Haizaki dunk.
Kise hadn't scored a single point.
A complete and utter defeat.
"Damn it!"
Slamming the backboard in frustration, Kise glared up, but Haizaki only looked down at him from above, exuding the absolute aura of a victor.
Aomine scratched his head. "Thinking about it… yeah, it's still too soon."
"I'm gonna grab snacks~"
"It's still practice time, Murasakibara-kun," Kuroko reminded him quietly.
"Shut up, or I'll squish you~"
Shigure Akihito rolled his eyes. "Always with the 'squish' this, 'squish' that. Yet you've never actually done anything to him. Honestly, the way you stop the moment Kuroko talks—you're more obedient than you realize."
And Nijimura? This guy—stepping down as captain, he really wasn't going to step in?
…Well.
Fair enough.
Seijūrō Akashi was reliable enough. He was the one who stepped forward and stopped things in time.
"Gather up!"
At that moment, Sanada Naoto's sharp voice rang out, pulling everyone's focus back.
"Nationals are coming. From now on, training will be even harsher. Everyone must prepare yourselves mentally and give it your all." Sanada's gaze swept across every first-string player before landing on one point. His tone grew weighty. "And because of that, from here on, command will be handed over to Coach Shirogane."
The players had expected this, yet still sighed when they heard it. Shirogane's fearsome reputation remained unshaken.
"…You've got to be kidding me." Aomine's face turned pale.
"Ehh…" Murasakibara grimaced.
Watching the uneasy reactions around him, Kuroko turned curiously to Haizaki.
"Haizaki-kun, what kind of person is Coach Shirogane?"
"Devil, of course~" Haizaki answered without hesitation.
"…" Kuroko blinked.
"Spreading nonsense isn't a good habit, Haizaki-kun."
The voice came from right behind him. Haizaki froze—he'd been caught red-handed.
"You must be Kuroko Tetsuya, correct?"
An elderly voice, tinged with kindness, sounded at Kuroko's back. He turned, and saw an elderly man with neatly combed white hair, a gentle smile, and a perfectly tailored dark suit.
"I am the team's coach, Shirogane Kōzō."
"Pleased to meet you, Kuroko-kun."
"Ah…?" Accustomed to being invisible, Kuroko was shocked that the coach knew his name. "Why… why would you know me?"
"Of course. I remember every player's name—I've always been watching your practices."
At his appearance, everyone straightened at once, their demeanor turning sharp and disciplined.
"Good afternoon, Coach!"
In the chorus of greetings, Shirogane waved a hand and smiled kindly.
"Ah, ah. Haven't I told you before? No need to be so stiff."
But Kuroko, still puzzled, drew a quiet explanation from Akashi at his side.
"He attends practices often."
"Eh?"
"He prefers to observe players in their natural state, so he usually watches silently from the second floor."
"…"
"…Coach seems a lot more amiable than I imagined."
At that, Kuroko noticed that Akashi and the others all wore the same strained expressions.
Aomine waved a hand. "Don't even think it!"
"Huh?"
A bead of sweat slid down Aomine's cheek. "It's not for any amazing reason, honestly…"
Shirogane's voice cut across them.
"Until now, training has been fairly relaxed. But from today onward, it will be true practice. The intensity will increase greatly—but don't worry…"
His smile was warm, almost glowing, like a kindly grandfather—if one ignored his actual words.
"After all, no matter how harsh it is, young men won't die from a little training~"
Kuroko shivered involuntarily.
"Hahaha. Just being strict as a devil, that's all!" Aomine gave a dry laugh. "Compared to him, Coach Sanada's training is child's play."
"…." Kuroko fell silent.
"Now then, one more important announcement. Akashi." Shirogane called.
"Yes."
Akashi's gentle smile vanished into composure. He stepped forward from the lineup, standing at Shirogane's side.
"You may already have heard informally…"
"But this time, let it be official."
"Nijimura—thank you for your leadership until now."
Shirogane's voice carried firm weight.
"From today, the captain of Teiko will pass from Nijimura to Akashi Seijūrō!"
At those words
The entire gym fell into a momentary hush.
Every gaze turned toward Nijimura Shuzo.
"I understand your feelings. But Teiko has leaned on its 'Twin Stars' long enough. It is time to pass the baton to the next generation…"
"The glory of Teiko's Twin Stars—from here, it belongs to the Generation of Miracles."
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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