Afternoon.
With anticipation, Riko Aida arrived at the basketball club.
The first thing for freshmen joining the club—she made all members take off their clothes.
Of course, only the shirts.
A group of freshmen were shocked; they didn't know their head coach played so wild.
There are over ten of us, can you handle it?
Then they heard team captain Junpei Hyuga explain.
How their coach developed a pair of "Data Eyes" through working in a gym since childhood.
For a moment, the Seirin newcomers were astounded.
Riko Aida looked through everyone one by one, finally resting her gaze on Taiga Kagami.
It's not my eyes playing tricks; this newcomer actually possesses physical talent on that Yuuto's level.
Then she started looking for the next target.
"Is Kuroko-kun here?"
Come on, let me see you, Lion of Okukozome!
"Kuroko? The one from Homi Academy?" Junpei Hyuga naturally also knew how amazing Homi Academy's Lions were.
Nowadays, almost no one playing basketball didn't know Yuuto and Homi Academy.
But honestly, they found it hard to imagine that kind of genius coming to their basketball club.
Riko Aida also scratched her head; she felt that kind of genius should be easy to recognize.
Just like Kagami, standing in the crowd, a crane among chickens.
"Sorry, I am Kuroko." Kuroko walked out from the line.
Instantly, the people present were half-scared to death.
"Wh... Since when were you there?!"
Junpei Hyuga and the others looked as if they had seen a ghost.
Right in front of their eyes yet constantly unnoticed—was this presence a human should have?
"He is Kuroko? From Homi Academy? Is he really a regular?"
"Impossible, right?"
People looked at Kuroko; there was nothing particularly outstanding about him.
No matter how they looked, he didn't seem like a genius capable of assisting Lion King Yuuto to pull Teiko off the throne.
"I am a regular." Kuroko said somewhat stubbornly.
"Ehhh!!!!!"
"You are actually a Homi Academy regular?!"
They couldn't believe it. No matter how they looked, Kuroko felt very weak.
Lion of Okukozome?
Generation of Miracles?
What on earth were these guys talking about?
Taiga Kagami fell into thought listening to these unfamiliar terms.
Riko Aida asked Kuroko to take off his shirt. Kuroko complied, revealing his frail body.
"How can it be like this!" She found it hard to accept. How could a Homi Academy starter be such a weak player?
Unwilling to give up, she impatiently arranged a practice match.
This was supposed to be a segment for later, but she moved it up.
Then...
As soon as Taiga Kagami stepped on the court, he displayed powerful individual ability, scoring like chopping melons and vegetables.
But immediately after, the second-years began to double-team him.
Triple-team!
This completely froze Kagami. The first-year freshmen instantly forgot how to play, and Junpei Hyuga and the others took the opportunity to catch up and quickly overtake the score.
Anger surged in Taiga Kagami instantly.
He originally held no expectations for Japanese basketball.
Having played in the US since childhood, he naturally looked down on players here, thinking playing anywhere in Japan made no difference.
But looking at the teammates around him, each one was so weak it made him want to vomit.
Seeing the gap opened to double digits by the second-year seniors...
He had no good expression for the surrounding teammates.
It was then that Kuroko acted.
He roamed the court like a ghost, using his misdirection and passing to shatter the second-year defense time and again.
The first-year group began to chase points.
Riko Aida on the sidelines finally sensed something unusual.
"What is this sense of incongruity?"
"What exactly happened?"
She stared blankly at Kuroko, seeing his gaze terrifyingly calm.
Even toward Kagami, this super rookie, and the second-year Junpei Hyuga... he treated everyone equally.
What kind of look was that?
Completely treating us as ordinary players.
Beep~
The match ended. The first-years unexpectedly defeated the second-years.
...
After activities ended.
Taiga Kagami went to a burger shop, still immersed in the practice match from the afternoon.
It was certain.
Basketball here wasn't as weak as he imagined.
That annoying Tetsuya Kuroko—seemed to be the name—the aura radiating from him wasn't a bluff.
But what he cared about more...
Were the Generation of Miracles and that Lion King Yuuto mentioned by the coach and others.
"Lion King... Generation of Miracles... Really want to try playing them, see how strong they are." Kagami became expectant.
"If it's Kagami-kun, you would be instant-killed."
"Eh?"
Taiga Kagami paused, looked at Kuroko who suddenly appeared in front of him, and spat out his drink.
"You... When did you appear here!!!"
Is this person really a ghost?
Bastard, low presence is one thing, but how come he makes no sound even when walking?
"I've been here the whole time. I arrived first." Kuroko held his vanilla milkshake with both hands, taking a satisfying sip.
The more he looked, the more annoyed Kagami got.
Clearly very strong, yet pretending to be harmless to humans and animals.
"You came just in time." Kagami's expression became serious. "What did you mean by 'instant-killed' just now?"
"Just the literal meaning."
This guy is annoying even when he speaks!
Kuroko said lightly, "Those six geniuses all went to different basketball powerhouses this year. The only thing I can confirm is that they will definitely fight to reach the top of the nation."
So certain...
Kagami restrained his expression.
There were so many participating teams in the National Tournament, yet Kuroko was certain the champion would only be born among 6 teams.
Including the expressions of the basketball club seniors when mentioning those geniuses, all this forced Kagami to believe.
Those six geniuses were really strong.
Inexplicably, Taiga Kagami suddenly felt six pitch-black figures staring at him from behind, immense pressure instantly sweeping over his entire body.
Fighting spirit soared instantly.
"I've decided. I will defeat them all and become the strongest in Japan!"
"That is impossible."
Kuroko casually poured a bucket of cold water on him.
"I know you have potential, but the current Kagami-kun can't even touch their heels."
"For the past two years, their duels were called the 'First and Second Impacts.' Does Kagami-kun understand the meaning here?"
Couldn't understand at all; he was living in the US back then.
...
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