Looking down at Kise, who was staring up at him with a solemn expression, Ueno smiled and raised a hand in greeting.
"Kise Ryōta. Long time no see."
Kise's expression remained serious. His gaze flicked to the Tōdai High School uniform Ueno was wearing, lingering on the bold characters printed across the chest.
"…Looks like we'll get another chance to play each other."
Ueno nodded, smiling faintly.
"Yeah. Soon."
After carefully sizing Ueno up once more, Kise spoke in a low, firm voice.
"Then I'll see you at the next game."
With that, he glanced once at Kurumatani Sora standing beside Ueno, then turned and walked away.
From this point on, there were two more opponents he couldn't ignore.
Seirin High School.
And Tōdai High School.
Meanwhile, the Seirin players stared at Ueno and Kurumatani Sora in a daze.
"Who are they?"
"When did those two get here?"
"Kuroko, do you know them?"
Kuroko's gaze lingered on Ueno's back, his expression unusually solemn.
"…Ueno Juri."
Kagami, still irritated from his loss, frowned.
"Ueno Juri? Is he strong? Stronger than Kise?"
Kuroko was silent for a moment before answering calmly.
"He's the only person who scored while all five regular members of the Generation of Miracles were on the court."
The words hit like a shockwave.
Kagami's eyes widened.
The rest of Seirin froze.
Scored… against all of them?
Even without fully understanding the Generation of Miracles, after seeing Kise's strength firsthand, one thing was clear.
They were monsters.
Glancing at Seirin, who were still staring at him, Ueno adjusted his bag and turned to leave. He motioned to Kurumatani Sora.
"Sora, let's go."
"Yeah."
Sora nodded, taking one last serious look at the Seirin team. If Ueno said they were future rivals, then he'd make sure to remember every face.
Just as Ueno turned away—
"Hey! You! Want to play a round?"
A shout rang out.
Ueno stopped.
Everyone turned in surprise.
Kagami Taiga.
Riko's expression darkened instantly.
Hyūga and the others looked ready to physically drag Kagami away, glaring at him like he'd just committed a crime.
Turning back, Ueno looked at Kagami for a moment—then smiled and nodded.
"Sure."
He led Kurumatani Sora down to the court, set his jacket and bag aside, and loosened up briefly.
Then he walked toward Kagami, who was already waiting.
Truthfully, Ueno didn't dislike Kagami.
Competitive, arrogant—but what young man wasn't?
More importantly, Kagami was the type who grew stronger after being crushed.
Ueno tossed the ball to him, immediately dropping into a defensive stance, eyes calm.
"Three points. You go first."
Kagami didn't refuse this time.
He started dribbling.
The exchange with Kise had made one thing painfully clear to him—
There was always someone stronger.
Always a higher mountain.
Dribbling carefully, Kagami watched Ueno closely. He didn't know how strong this man really was.
But the fact that Kise treated him seriously said enough.
And there was one sentence Kagami couldn't forget.
Ueno Juri was the only one who scored against the Generation of Miracles.
In Kagami's eyes—
That meant he had surpassed Kise.
Seeing Kagami's cautious movements, Ueno sighed lightly to himself.
Kise had left quite the psychological scar.
But that wasn't a problem.
With Kuroko around, Kagami's fighting spirit would recover soon enough.
And Kagami's heart wasn't that fragile.
At that moment—
Black lightning flickered faintly in Ueno's eyes.
Just as Kagami tried to close the distance—
Ueno moved.
Like a bolt of black lightning, he tore forward.
Smack!
The ball was slapped violently out of Kagami's control.
Kagami froze mid-dribble.
"Thump. Thump. Thump."
The basketball bounced across the court, the sound echoing clearly in the sudden silence.
No one spoke.
Kagami remained frozen, eyes wide, body still locked in his dribbling posture.
Ueno turned away.
Picking up his jacket and bag, he glanced at Kurumatani Sora, who was staring at him in shock.
"Let's go, Sora."
"Ah—right!"
Sora jolted back to his senses and hurried after him.
Just as Ueno reached the edge of the court—
"There are still two balls left!"
Kagami's voice rang out from behind, filled with frustration and complex emotion.
Ueno didn't turn around.
He simply raised one hand and waved lightly.
"You're too weak. I'll put those two on tab."
With that, Ueno and Kurumatani Sora left the Seirin basketball court.
Behind them—
Kagami stood motionless, Ueno's words echoing in his head.
You're too weak.
…Am I?
Riko watched him, worry written all over her face, but no words came.
She knew basketball.
Not comfort.
Hyūga and the others stood nearby, expressions complicated.
Kise had already pressured them enough.
And Ueno Juri was even worse.
They hadn't even seen him move.
Just a single sound—
And the ball was gone.
Kagami hadn't even reacted.
Off to the side, Kuroko quietly watched Kagami, his gaze steady.
Looking down at his trembling hands, Kagami gave a bitter smile.
"…I didn't even have time to react."
"…Am I really that weak?"
Against Kise, he'd believed in a fifty-fifty chance.
Against Ueno—
None.
The speed alone was terrifying.
Hyūga hesitated, then stepped forward.
"Kagami, we—"
"Captain."
Kagami interrupted, lifting his head. His eyes were calm.
"…Are there many players like Ueno Juri in Japan?"
Hyūga blinked, surprised by the sudden composure, but nodded.
"Probably."
Kagami smiled.
"Then coming back was the right choice."
His blood began to boil.
Excitement surged.
Then his gaze sharpened.
Next time—
Kise Ryōta.
And…
Ueno Juri.
"I'll beat you."