Seeing Shidou's state, Nash Gold Jr. decided it was time to get serious.
Nash caught the ball beyond the three-point line. His hands dribbled so fast they looked like butterflies in motion. Shidou's Demon King's Eye tried to track every possibility.
Sweat formed on Shidou's forehead. Copying the eye was heavier than he expected, and pain throbbed behind his vision.
In that instant, Nash moved.
A sharp fake, a spin, then a sudden stop—Shidou's balance broke.
Nash flew past and slammed the ball down.
BAM!!!
The rim shook like a declaration of victory.
After landing, Nash raised a finger.
"Kid, you still need more practice."
Shidou wiped his chin, eyes blazing.
"Interesting… this is the basketball I've been looking for."
---
Next possession, Shidou pulled up from deep.
Swish!!!
A three-pointer.
Nash smiled. "I want to see your limit."
The duel intensified. Crossovers, spins, impossible angles—Shidou finally felt real pressure.
His chest heaved—not from exhaustion, but excitement. It had been a long time since someone pushed him this hard.
---
Then Jason Silver stepped in.
Jason's power was brutal. He shoved through Shidou and scored.
"1-0," he said.
Shidou rubbed his chest, grin widening.
"Again."
He switched styles, imitating Aomine Daiki—ultra-low dribbles, ghost-like crossovers, twisted mid-air layups.
The court exploded with cheers.
Nash's eyes shone.
"Looks like we found a real genius."
But Jason got serious. Back-downs, dunks, blocks—the battle turned savage.
Shidou's breathing grew heavy. He closed his eyes… then opened them again, activating the Demon King's Eye once more.
A fake stop, sudden acceleration, leap—
Jason chased him down for a block.
But in mid-air, Shidou twisted, muscles screaming, and forced the dunk through.
BOOM!!!
Jason got posterized.
The gym fell silent… then exploded.
Nash laughed loudly.
"Alright. I think everyone understands now."
He stepped forward.
"Welcome to the team, Shidou Ryusei."
---
That night, Shidou couldn't sleep.
He sneaked to an outdoor court and kept shooting, again and again, replaying the dunk in his mind. His whole body burned with excitement.
He knew it now—he had awakened something new.
Wild Nature… a Komodo Dragon-like instinct.
And deep inside, another presence stirred—
Barou Shoei.
Shidou smiled in the dark, gripping the ball tighter.
The real battle was just beginning.