The final play—Rakuzan versus Kaijō.
Outside the three-point line, Shigure Akihito crouched low, the ball shielded at his side, just out of Hagioka Kasayuki's reach.
Even though he stood at the three-point mark, for Shigure, this was practically mid-range—Hagioka knew that better than anyone.
On the other side, facing Hagioka's defense, Shigure didn't dare expose the ball within his opponent's wingspan. He was absolutely certain—even in this exhausted state—Hagioka could still force out "NanChiRuYin" (Unknowable as Shadow).
So
He suddenly turned his back and drove inside the arc!
The entire crowd froze.
No one could believe what they were seeing—Shigure Akihito, choosing a physical battle?
That was the last thing anyone expected.
"Heh~"
"Don't underestimate me, Shigure!"
Hagioka leaned in with his full weight.
Shigure guarded the ball with his right hand, forcing space between them with sheer strength.
The sound of impact echoed—muscles clashing, sweat scattering.
Like ink brushed across bamboo.
As expected—and yet beyond expectation—Hagioka's iron will squeezed out not only "NanChiRuYin," but something more—some kind of endless stamina and persistence.
That instant
Shigure's expression turned unnaturally calm.
Bang!
Their bodies collided violently.
Hagioka's footing slipped for just a second
Shigure seized that single heartbeat of space.
Still not enough…
He could feel it—he, too, could force out the burning will of the Man of Fire—but this time…
No.
This time would be different.
That moment, Shigure called upon his very first ability from the world of Kuroko no Basket
Goda Tomokazu's "Time Freeze" technique!
In the next instant, his movements stilled
A blur of high-speed dribbling suddenly froze, like the world itself stopped breathing.
Whoosh!
A slicing sound tore through the air.
The next moment, Shigure's figure shot backward—Hagioka's vision sinking lower, his balance thrown into chaos.
Hagioka: "!?"
"It's over, Hagioka Kasayuki,"
"I've won!"
Using the delay from their clash, Shigure stepped forward—then abruptly halted time again, his body springing back into a powerful retreat.
In front of him
Hagioka staggered, caught in the illusion of Frozen Time, his legs faltering, unable to steady himself.
But in that haze
Shigure heard a sound.
Thunder.
"Haaahhh—Shigure Akihito!!"
Hagioka roared, forcing every last drop of strength into motion, awakening "Move Like Lightning", his body trembling as he lunged with all he had left.
But Shigure was already prepared.
"I knew you'd stand up again. The moment I saw your eyes—I already knew."
"I want to show you—and all of Rakuzan—my respect."
"Until the very end, you never gave up."
"You played one hell of a game."
"But…"
After Time Freeze, what followed was his final skill
"Eye for an Eye."
The perfect imitation of Reo Mibuchi's "Void Shot."
"This time—you won't touch it."
All of Hagioka's lightning-quick movement, all his explosive bursts, were still too slow to pierce through the invisible trajectory of Shigure's Void.
The ball reflected in Hagioka's eyes
Then drifted farther, and farther away.
Hagioka: "..."
Even after all this
He was still dancing in Shigure Akihito's palm.
On the sidelines, Coach Eiji lowered his gaze and let out a long sigh.
"It's over."
Swish!
Three points.
Clean.
Bzzzt!
The final buzzer echoed through the arena.
A tidal wave of cheers erupted, drowning Kaijō's bench in celebration.
The score was no surprise by now
Rakuzan 116 : 151 Kaijō.
"The match is over!"
"At the end of this fierce, grueling battle"
"The ones who have defeated the reigning King of High School Basketball, the strongest team in Rakuzan history"
"Are the Blue Elite!"
"Kaijō High!"
"OOOOHHHHHHHH!!!"
"They did it!"
"They really did it!!!"
Kaijō's players rushed the court, surrounding Shigure and his teammates in a euphoric embrace.
Across the court, Rakuzan stood in silence—heavy-hearted, their faces clouded with loss.
Especially the Five Generals
Another defeat.
And unlike before
This one cut deeper than ever.
Even the crowd could feel it
The air trembled with emotion.
The cheering rolled like waves through the stands.
Among those watching—the Generation of Miracles sat still, watching as the former legends of Teiko once again crowned the court with brilliance…
Only this time, it wasn't a victory of joy, but a burden of weight and expectation.
Meanwhile
Hagioka Kasayuki gasped for breath, mind blank, as Kaijō's side erupted in cheers.
In that white haze, in the ringing echoes of triumph, he felt something
A strange sense of déjà vu.
"…So this is it," Hagioka murmured to himself.
His last year.
Wasn't this
Exactly the same as before?
He wanted to believe there was no regret—that he had done everything possible, used every weapon, fought with every fiber of his being.
But deep inside
A pain throbbed in his chest.
A silent, stubborn ache of unwillingness.
And yet
It was precisely that pain that made him think
Basketball really is incredible.
Meeting players like this—it's the best thing that ever happened.
Haa…
As Hagioka steadied his breath, he saw Shigure across the court
The boy who had just beaten him.
Shigure slowly walked over
And began to applaud.
Hagioka froze for a moment, then let out a faint, bittersweet laugh.
Junior high basketball…
The best and the worst ending he could ask for.
"Meeting you," Shigure said softly, "was my greatest honor, Hagioka-senpai."
The words stunned him.
That was his line.
"…Congratulations, Shigure."
"Next time…"
"Who knows when our paths will cross again."
Shigure blinked, then smiled.
"There'll always be a next time, senpai"
"As long as we keep playing."
"And…"
"Thank you for the match."
Hagioka's hand paused, then tightened its grip.
A small smile formed.
"I should be the one thanking you."
Yes.
Next time, let's fight again, Shigure.
You too, Nijimura.
All of you…
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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