When Shigure Akihito arrived at the gym as scheduled, the first thing he saw was a strange but oddly well-matched duo, Kuroko Tetsuya and Fukaya Reiji.
At the same time...
He noticed something else, Fukaya had brushed back his bangs, exposing a pair of sharp, intense eyes, like a seal had been broken.
"Reiji, "
Smack.
Before Shigure could say anything more than his name, Fukaya suddenly threw the basketball to him. Shigure caught it reflexively.
"Shigure," Fukaya said calmly, "ever since I was promoted to the First String, I've never scored a single basket against you in a one-on-one, have I?"
Shigure Akihito: "…"
That was true.
Among everyone who had tried to score on him in a 1v1, only Nijimura Shuzo had ever succeeded.
Which was exactly why, after entering his second year, Shigure had gradually lost interest in one-on-ones. From the start of the school year till now, or rather, since the end-of-term break last year, he hadn't played even once against Fukaya Reiji.
What surprised him even more...
Was that Fukaya hadn't pushed for it either.
Last year, after being promoted to the First String, Fukaya had been fiercely persistent and tenacious in his challenges, yet for over two months now, he'd been unusually quiet, suppressing that fire.
And now...
Hearing Fukaya's words, Shigure couldn't help but recall what Nijimura had said: "That challenger who's endured setbacks... looks like he's finally ready."
So it's you, Reiji.
Suddenly intrigued, a smile slowly curved on Shigure's lips.
"Ready, huh? So you think you can beat me now?"
Fukaya slowly sank into a low stance, tugging up the hem of his shorts slightly.
"The Fukaya Reiji standing here now," he said, "will no longer hesitate after receiving the ball."
He lacked overwhelming physical gifts. He had no innate talent. But even so, the Fukaya Reiji who stood before him now, was no weakling.
Even if it's just for a single shot,
"Come at me with everything you've got, Shigure."
For the first time, Fukaya showed him everything, unfiltered, unreserved. Even without reading the fire burning in Fukaya's eyes, Shigure could clearly feel his determination.
Especially when,
Fukaya handed him the ball to start.
Giving the opening possession to him.
"...Got it, Reiji."
"Same rules."
"First to five."
Shigure gripped the ball in one hand, dropping into triple-threat position.
"Let's go."
"Bring it," Fukaya replied, face grim as he crouched low and surged toward him. At 180cm, he was only 4cm shorter than Shigure, hardly enough to matter.
Fukaya Reiji: "…"
The moment the game began...
Step back.
Side jab.
Spin behind.
Low-driving burst.
...
Quick release.
Pull-up jumper.
Fadeaway.
Even a step-back ultra-deep three-pointer beyond the arc.
As Fukaya's teammate, he knew Shigure's arsenal well. Just the skills Shigure could use beyond the three-point line alone made for an absurdly long list.
I have to stop him at the free-throw line or earlier!
Sendō's Shadow, Low-Flight Drive!
Smack!
Smack!
A sudden plunge!
Shigure's speed exploded.
That instantaneous burst had reached such an unbelievable level that even Kuroko, watching from the sidelines, could hardly believe his eyes.
And even with that violent acceleration, the ball remained completely under control, thanks to Shigure's unmatched handling.
"So fast!"
"Shigure-senpai's drive has no wasted motion!"
"No wind-up, no warning, he's just gone!"
"But, !"
"Blocked!?"
Kuroko heard the commotion behind him. Turning around, he saw a dazzling rainbow of hair colors: Akashi, Aomine, Murasakibara, Midorima...
And at the front, Captain Nijimura, holding a bruised and squirming Haizaki Shōgo by the scruff of his neck.
On court,
Just as the others were murmuring,
During Shigure's ultra-low drive, Fukaya's speed suddenly exploded as well. In an instant, his acceleration rivaled that of a sprinter off the blocks.
He kept up with Shigure's movement, and cut him off mid-drive.
Boom, !
Chest-to-chest collision!
Fukaya didn't back down, he stopped Shigure's advance!
Gritting his teeth, he stumbled slightly from the force, but his eyes blazed. Even as Shigure stared at him in surprise, Fukaya lowered his body and powered forward again!
Aomine Daiki's eyes widened.
This was the first time he'd seen Fukaya, whom he'd only known as a quiet shooting specialist, in full action.
The first time he realized just how strong Fukaya Reiji really was!
If it had been him out there just now… he would've been blown right past.
Among Teikō's starting five...
Kurokami Shinji anchored the center position with his towering 190+ cm frame and all-around skills.
The shooting guard and power forward were the captain and vice-captain.
The point guard, Akashi's.
And small forward...
That was the only position Aomine still thought he could take over, just like Akashi had done.
But now...
Teikō...
No wonder they were Teikō.
Besides Nijimura, this was the first time Aomine had seen anyone who could keep up with Shigure-senpai. And it was the most low-key, unassuming member of the starting five.
Yet,
"He's actually this fast? Has Fukaya-senpai been hiding his strength all along?"
Nearby...
Akashi Seijūrō shook his head. After exchanging a glance with Captain Nijimura, who remained silent, he spoke.
"Fukaya-senpai..."
"He's probably been recalibrating this whole time."
"From what I can tell, even before we joined the team, he was already shifting all his physical training toward maximizing instantaneous burst."
"But that shift disrupted his technical balance."
"So…"
"That speed isn't normal speed."
"It's explosive speed, pure burst. And from the looks of it, it sacrifices all flow and continuity in exchange for extreme acceleration."
Akashi frowned slightly and finally asked Nijimura:
"Is that really okay? In basketball, pouring everything into momentary burst, especially to such an extreme degree, seems… limiting, doesn't it?"
Nijimura didn't reply right away. He looked at Fukaya Reiji, who stood on the court, his fighting spirit burning brighter than ever.
Then he slowly shook his head.
"That's the path Fukaya chose."
"He gave up the versatility he might've achieved in the future."
"All to carve out a single weapon… powerful enough to challenge Shigure."
"That…"
"Isn't the wrong choice."
It was the path he'd chosen to bet everything, his pride, his resolve, on.
All for one thing:
A single moment,
When a mere mortal's talent… finally blossoms.
End of chapter...
🚨 Bonus Chapter Just Dropped on Patreon! 🚨
Yup, it's live! A fresh bonus chapter is waiting for you right now. 👀🔥
So what are you waiting for?
Unlock it early, dive deeper into the story, and stay ahead of the game!
🔥 Rookie Recruit – Read 15 chapters ahead
🔥 Starting Five – Jump 35 chapters ahead
👉 patreon.com/MrBehringer
The saga is far from its final chapter. There's still time to become part of the team, it's never too late to stand with us. Let's keep the hype rolling, see you on the other side! 🏀💥