The whistle blew, and the court began to clear.
Fukuda Sogo, the resting area.
Coach Ichiro Kudo's serious, commanding voice echoed:
"Go out there and crush them!"
"Yes!"
Without further words, captain Haizaki Shogo led the team out of the resting area, striding toward the center of the court.
Fukuda Sogo starting lineup: Haizaki Shogo, Suzuran Karasu, Fukuda Sasaki, Mochizuki Kazuhiro, Kimura Tosho.
Seirin High starting lineup: Hyuga Junpei (captain), Kuroko Tetsuya, Taiga Kagami, Shun Izuki, Mitobe Rinnosuke.
Standing at mid-court, facing Hyuga Junpei, Shogo politely said:
"You're strong. Good luck!"
"I've also heard from Kuroko… you're terrifying!"
Beep! The whistle signaled the start.
Ready, go!
Competing for the tip-off with Kagami Taiga was Suzuran Karasu. Both touched the ball, but it ultimately fell into Kimura Tosho's hands.
Kimura didn't keep possession. Instead, he passed it to the more composed Mochizuki Kazuhiro.
Then, Kimura, Shogo, and Suzuran Karasu dashed straight toward Seirin High's inside line.
The players moved swiftly, and Seirin reacted just as fast. Kagami Taiga reached Shogo's side, his sharp, tiger-like eyes under twin furrowed brows fixed on him.
Such a serious glare prompted Shogo to say something that made Kagami practically erupt:
"I'm not interested in you! I don't like men!"
In that split second of Kagami's shock, Shogo had already reached the inside line, leaped high, grabbed the ball, and slammed it into the basket.
This was an air-pass play often used by Mochizuki. On a team capable of executing it, only Shogo, Suzuran, and Kimura could pull it off.
Fukuda Sogo scored first—2 points on the board.
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause at the soaring slam dunk.
Four of Fukuda's players returned to their half of the court.
Yes, four. You read that correctly.
Fukuda Sasaki remained glued to Kuroko Tetsuya, completely ignoring everything else on the court, as if basketball didn't concern him.
Seirin's coach, Aida Riko, frowned, clenching her fists: Why does such a bizarre player exist in a tiny high school league, and why do we have to face him?
At the topmost row of the stands, Aomine Daiki leaned on the railing, eyeing the figure focused solely on Kuroko, letting out a long, resigned sigh.
"Satsuki, who is that?"
Satsuki Momoi, surprised, replied:
"Number 9, Fukuda Sasaki. He was the one who shut down Kuroko in middle school."
"Incredible… I like this guy!"
Meanwhile, Midorima Shintaro and Kise Ryouta also spotted the familiar figure, sharing a silent, exasperated look.
With him on the court, how could Seirin High function? Without Kuroko, Seirin against a miracle-era-level player like Haizaki Shogo was nothing more than a soft shrimp.
"Last time in the practice match, we didn't notice him. Now, seeing him guard Kuroko, I remember—he's a player like that."
"Indeed, a player like that."
Soon, substitution whistles blew. Kuroko and Sasaki were gradually taken out.
Seirin brought in Koganei Shinji; Fukuda Sogo substituted in Okawa Sawano.
The match continued. Seirin High had the ball.
Hyuga dribbled, preparing to organize a play and close the gap.
At that moment, a crimson figure flashed. Shogo intercepted the ball and drove straight to the basket.
He stepped on the free-throw line and leapt high. A tall figure from behind tried to block him.
Floating in the air, Shogo's lips curled into a smile—airborne skill isn't exclusive to you.
BOOM!
The ball swished through the net. Shogo landed steadily, didn't even glance at Kagami, leaving only a single remark:
"Compared to Daiki, your light's pathetic!"
In the stands, Aomine Daiki muttered to himself, almost as if speaking to both Momoi and himself:
"Speed doesn't match Shogo. Strength doesn't match Shogo. Skill doesn't match Shogo. Even my pride in jumping fails here… How can I compete?"
"Daiki's right… Kagami looks pitiful!"
On the court, Hyuga, Izuki, and Mitobe all showed expressions of shock.
Based on Kuroko's description, they had assumed Shogo was just a flawed substitute for Kise. Now, he was something far more terrifying.
And he hadn't even used his signature skills yet—already immobilizing the whole team. The Seirin players' true feelings were plain: This is insane.
======
Back on his half, Shogo watched Hyuga cautiously dribble toward him, smiling.
Acceleration kicked in. He shook off Kagami again, and executed another steal. The ball vanished from Hyuga's hands; his palm instinctively smacked the floor.
Shogo intercepted, facing the approaching Kagami again.
Beyond the three-point line, he dribbled, watching Kagami's fiery eyes. Truly, he had miracle-era potential, but bloomed too late.
Dribbling past Kagami, Shogo leapt, facing Mitobe and the leaping Kagami again. His eyes burned with ruthlessness.
The ball pressed between Mitobe's and Kagami's hands, then slammed forcefully into the basket.
BOOM!
Landing steadily, Shogo glanced at the two on the floor and turned away, saying nothing.
Fear—an atmosphere of dread—spread through Seirin's team.
At that moment, the young coach Aida Riko called a timeout.
Returning to the bench with her teammates, she accepted the pure water handed by Shimizu Rena, sipped lightly, and smiled faintly at the girl.
Honestly… Shogo hadn't even fully warmed up in those few minutes.
At that moment, Coach Kudo's voice rang out:
"Good. Shogo has already brewed an atmosphere of fear, drawing their attention. When they send two players to guard him, strike at the right moment and score heavily."
"Yes, Coach."
The timeout ended quickly. Players returned to the court.
Hyuga's passes were intercepted twice in a row. This time, he learned, and the ball went directly to Kagami.
Shogo smiled at the scene: You think Kagami Taiga can save you?
Don't be naive!
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