"Miyamoto Tokima… just how strong are you…?"
Riko Aida murmured under her breath.
In her mind, Miyamoto Tokima was the one who truly intrigued her.
The Generation of Miracles were already overwhelmingly powerful.
So just how strong was Magic Cube Miyamoto Tokima—the one who made even the Generation of Miracles feel fear, the one they set as their ultimate goal?
The question lingered in Riko Aida's heart like a shadow.
But the answer… would only come later.
...
On the court.
Seirin quickly steadied themselves and prepared to organize their offense.
After crossing half-court with the ball, Shun Izuki began scanning the floor.
Rinnosuke Mitobe had solid position in the paint—but it wasn't a spot he was comfortable operating from.
And Kosuke Wakamatsu seemed to know that, deliberately conceding that space.
'What's going on? Do they have another strategist who knows us inside out?'
A subtle shift crossed Shun Izuki's expression.
He had sensed it since the first half.
Tōō seemed to understand Seirin's system far too well. Every time Seirin ran a set, Tōō responded with the exact counter.
It felt as though an invisible hand was guiding them from the shadows.
Shoichi Imayoshi caught the change in Izuki's demeanor and immediately understood.
'So you finally noticed? Should I call that quick… or slow?'
A faint, dangerous smile curved on Shoichi Imayoshi's lips, his narrowed eyes glinting.
'Still… I really have to thank Makoto Hanamiya.'
Before the match, Shoichi Imayoshi had gone to Kirisaki Daiichi to seek out Makoto Hanamiya.
He brought along Seirin's game footage and asked Hanamiya to analyze their style of play.
Back in middle school, Imayoshi had already seen how terrifying Hanamiya could be.
With his exceptional intellect, Makoto Hanamiya could break down an opponent's entire system after watching just once and formulate precise countermeasures.
However, unlike Satsuki Momoi, Hanamiya couldn't predict how a team would grow. If the opponent evolved or shifted the tempo, he would have to adjust mid-game rather than foresee it in advance.
After negotiating a small price, Makoto Hanamiya agreed and handed Imayoshi a complete tactical breakdown.
Originally, Tōō should have been able to overwhelm Seirin in the first half using those counters alone.
But Imayoshi hadn't expected this—
Junpei Hyuga had grown, unveiling moves he had never used before.
And the rest of Seirin had improved as well.
That caused slight discrepancies in Hanamiya's plan.
Shoichi Imayoshi had to keep adjusting on the fly to match Seirin's changes.
He didn't possess the near-abnormal analytical power of Makoto Hanamiya or Satsuki Momoi, so it took him time—nearly two full quarters—to recalibrate.
(Note: Shoichi Imayoshi's strength lies in psychology. He excels at reading expressions and movements, not pure IQ.)
'You guys really are troublesome. It took me two whole quarters to adapt to your growth.'
'But it doesn't matter anymore.'
'You've already fallen into the abyss.'
A wicked smile spread across Shoichi Imayoshi's face.
In his mind, Seirin no longer had any hope of winning.
Part of that confidence came from their now-refined tactics.
But most of it—
Came from Daiki Aomine.
Their true ace.
"Ball!"
Just as Shun Izuki hesitated, Taiga Kagami stepped forward and called for it.
With no clear offensive angle available, Izuki passed him the ball.
At the top of the arc, Taiga Kagami faced Daiki Aomine.
Holding the ball firmly in both hands, his eyes locked onto Aomine with unwavering intensity.
Daiki Aomine crouched slightly. His expression remained lazy, but something in his eyes shifted—subtle, sharp.
Kagami's gaze hardened.
He slammed the ball down and drove to the right.
Aomine reacted instantly, cutting off his path.
Kagami wasn't surprised. He had expected Aomine to recover.
He immediately shifted direction, attempting to shake him off.
But to Kagami's shock, Aomine didn't follow.
Instead, he suddenly burst forward.
'What?!'
Before Kagami could process it—
"Taiga Kagami! Watch out!"
Shun Izuki's warning rang out.
"Hey, isn't that a little late?"
Smack!
The instant Izuki finished shouting, another voice—one that didn't belong to Seirin—sounded by Kagami's ear.
At the same time, the ball was stripped cleanly from his hands.
Kagami froze.
His palm felt empty.
'How…?'
He turned in disbelief.
'Why are you here…?'
Shoichi Imayoshi stood there with a faint smile, his right hand still extended from the steal.
'Just like Hanamiya said. Once Aomine is on the court, Taiga Kagami won't be able to resist challenging him one-on-one.'
'All I had to do… was wait for the right moment.'
Though some of Makoto Hanamiya's analysis had required adjustments, his data on Taiga Kagami was perfectly accurate.
More than that—
Hanamiya had even predicted Kagami's likely follow-up actions.
That part had genuinely surprised Imayoshi.
Yoshinori Susa picked up the loose ball and immediately launched a long pass toward the frontcourt.
On the sidelines.
Riko Aida shot to her feet.
A cold sense of dread rose in her chest.
'This is bad!'
'Why does it feel like we've been completely seen through?!'
In the stands.
Shintaro Midorima's expression turned grave. His eyes never left the court.
"How… Could it be… Did she make a move?"
Ryota Kise blinked in confusion.
"What's wrong, Midorima? What happened?"
Shintaro Midorima pushed up his glasses, his voice low and serious.
"If I'm not mistaken… that familiar presence…"
"Satsuki Momoi…"
(Don't overthink it. Don't mix in reality.)
...