For a brief moment, Aomine and Haizaki were caught off guard. But almost instantly, they calmed themselves.
After all, they were no longer the clueless freshmen who had just entered the club. They had grown, endured the baptism of the Nationals, and learned what it truly meant to face Shigure Akihito.
The words "Strongest" written in bold across Basketball Monthly were proof enough of his overwhelming strength.
Two-on-one?
So be it, two-on-one it is!
The Stands, Second Floor of the Third Gym
Coach Shirogane and Assistant Coach Sanada had just returned from a grueling meeting with the stubborn Kaijō coach, accompanied by Shigure and the other second-years. As they stepped onto the stands, they immediately caught sight of Shigure, who was casually removing his jacket, and on the opposite side, Aomine and Haizaki, bracing themselves as they stepped onto the court.
"…"
Sanada Naoto froze for a second.
No matter how long he'd been watching, Shigure's overwhelming, relentless dominance never failed to shock him. To Sanada, Aomine and even the slightly later-joining Haizaki were still leagues below.
What worried him even more was Shigure's strange, almost unnatural growth curve. After each major tournament, his growth would momentarily plateau, only to explode again in a terrifying leap forward.
Sanada frowned, unable to hold back his concern.
"Supervisor, is this really okay…?"
"Aomine and Haizaki are both geniuses with the potential to be future aces. But if they're crushed by Shigure at this stage, it could shatter their confidence…"
Shirogane Kozo merely shook his head.
"Don't underestimate these first-years. Under the influence of Shigure, Nijimura, and Fukaya, they've learned how to break free of their shackles and face themselves honestly as players."
"Otherwise," he added, "they wouldn't be standing there, calmly accepting a two-on-one."
On the Court
Yet, contrary to Shigure's expectations, no "Path of Glory" mission appeared before him.
Clearly, the system judged that the current Aomine and Haizaki—though tempered by Nationals, still weren't enough to trigger such a reward.
But Shigure wasn't disappointed in the slightest. With the dual rewards of Champion and Consecutive Champion from Nationals still fresh in his pocket, he had no complaints.
Instead, he stripped off his jacket with renewed excitement.
Meanwhile, Nijimura Shuzo, remembering how last year Shigure had developed an entire arsenal of passes and finishing moves after Nationals, couldn't help but murmur a warning:
"Shigure…"
"Summer break just ended."
Shigure glanced back with a puzzled look. "Hmm?"
"They're still just first-years."
"Oh?" Shigure's lips curved. "But they're already being called the 'Generation of Miracles,' aren't they?"
"Heh. Let's see just how much weight those words carry."
He picked up the ball from the floor as he spoke, while Nijimura could only sigh. Somehow, the expression on Shigure's face told him what was coming next, and it wouldn't end well for Aomine and Haizaki.
For a fleeting second, Nijimura even wondered if he should just forget caution and fight Shigure here and now, to finally settle it.
"…No," he thought bitterly.
Not yet.
"Senpai," Aomine growled, eyes narrowed. "This time, you're not gonna end it after just three possessions, right?"
Shigure arched an eyebrow. "If you want, we can keep going until you don't feel like playing anymore. Of course… if Haizaki doesn't mind."
"Tch!"
Haizaki snorted, but before he could spit out a retort, a suffocating pressure suddenly washed over him.
"Shigure Akihito…"
Images flashed across his mind—the Finals at Nationals, Shigure unleashing his full power, and the clash between Shigure and Fukaya here in this very gym.
Haizaki's blood roared. His entire body trembled with anticipation, just like the idiot beside him, Aomine Daiki.
Today, he too would stand where Fukaya once stood
And challenge the place he had always coveted.
Even if…
It meant fighting alongside someone he despised.
The ball suddenly flew toward him.
"Catch," Shigure said lightly, "though I don't know if one ball will be enough for you two to share. Weren't you two paired once before at Tenkyō Street Court? …Not that I expect much from that."
He smirked.
"Go ahead, Haizaki. I'm curious about that little 'Thunder Dribble' you just failed against Kuroko."
"!?"
Haizaki stiffened.
Damn it!
So he'd been there watching… from the very beginning?!
Haizaki began his dribble, while across the court, Aomine begrudgingly cleared space despite not starting with the ball.
Shigure's eyes didn't leave Haizaki's hands.
Unlike earlier, when he'd tried the half-finished Thunder Dribble, Haizaki kept his style steady, controlling the ball with more caution. Yet, he still leaned on the same inspiration—Hayama Kotarō's technique.
The prototype of Thunder Dribble
The Super-Speed Dribble.
Thud.
Thud.
The ball hammered the floor again and again as Haizaki ramped up his rhythm. His movements weren't as explosive as Thunder Dribble, but they were fast—dangerously fast.
Thud!
A sticky slide-step.
Left!
Reverse pull-back!
Right!
A fake crossover.
Each motion shifted Haizaki's center of gravity back and forth, hoping to confuse Shigure's defense. The sharp, rapid super-speed dribble echoed in the gym, his style merging seamlessly with his own.
"Well, well~"
Shigure's smile widened.
"Hayama Kotarō's 'Super-Speed Dribble,' is it?"
"Haizaki…"
"Even your Thunder Dribble failed. You don't seriously think this will get past me, do you?"
"…"
Haizaki's jaw clenched.
Of course he didn't. He'd never doubted that Shigure was a monster—one whose physical abilities and technical mastery far exceeded his own.
What he did know, however, was Shigure's defensive coverage.
His ability to steal.
To block.
To erase entire options with his sheer presence.
No, Haizaki wasn't aiming to beat him.
He was only searching, searching for just one opening.
An opening to pass.
The pass he couldn't complete back at Tenkyō Street Court.
The ball bounced back into his hand. In that instant, Shigure subtly leaned, shifting to cut off the passing lane between Haizaki and Aomine.
Haizaki's eyes sharpened.
Now!
He drove forward at full speed, super-speed dribbling with everything he had. Shigure instantly reacted, his movement blindingly fast.
So fast it was terrifying.
"!"
Haizaki's heart froze.
Damn it!
No matter how he moved, this guy...
Was always right there, sealing off every angle, every passing lane.
END OF CHAPTER
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