On the basketball court, the players lined up in two rows and bowed.
Facing Midorima Shintaro across from him, Haizaki Shogo restrained the excitement surging in his chest and greeted him.
"Long time no see, Shintaro!"
"Long time no see, Shogo!"
At this moment… how to describe it?
People who haven't experienced this would never understand. The team in front of him had once been his own. Those familiar faces, former teammates, now opponents.
Even Kise Ryouta had been his teammate for a time, despite the tensions between them.
Shaking away those thoughts, Shogo looked seriously at Midorima.
"No need to hold back. I've been wanting to go all-out against you guys for a long time."
"I wouldn't hold back either!"
"That's what I like to hear."
Shifting his gaze to the rest of Teiko, Shogo spotted Murasakibara Atsushi, lazy and listless as always; Kise Ryouta, staring intently at him; a familiar second-team player; and lastly, the small, unassuming Kuroko Tetsuya.
So it's you guys… are you ready?
The teams spread out. Shogo grabbed team captain Sasaki and spoke seriously.
"Do you remember what I said in the locker room?"
"Of course, Shogo-kun. I'll carry out the mission you gave me."
"Good."
Standing in the center of the court, facing Murasakibara who was ready to tip off, Shogo let out a sigh and muttered, half amused, half resigned.
"Atsushi… never thought I'd face you in a tip-off someday."
"Better watch out, Shogo. Don't let me crush you!"
"…Very well."
Alright, big guy. Today, consider this your warning.
Future airborne plays won't always go your way. Consider this a reminder: never give up lightly, especially to the redhead.
Ready… go!
"Beep!"
The whistle blew, and Haizaki Shogo and Murasakibara leapt high into the air.
The instant Murasakibara's lazy gaze turned to shock, "POP!" A sudden force shot the ball from his hands, landing in captain Sasaki's.
Shogo landed steadily, leapt past the still-shocked Murasakibara, grabbed Sasaki's pass, and drove forward.
But before he could make a real move, a figure blocked his path.
"Haizaki-kun, let's have a little match."
Facing the tall, golden-haired beauty of Kise Ryouta, Shogo's simmering excitement erupted. With Akashi and Aomine absent, today he would crush Teiko Junior High himself.
"Wahaha! Excellent! Ryouta, your confidence grows by the day. Who gave you the courage to challenge me?"
With that, Shogo activated his terrifying acceleration—no fake moves, no hesitation—breaking past Kise and leaving him behind.
Ryouta stood there, disbelief written all over his face. He felt as if the familiar Shogo had been replaced by the team's ace… Aomine Daiki.
Shogo, now unconcerned with Ryouta's thoughts, soared above the free-throw line, preparing for a dunk.
At that moment, a towering hand shot out, swatting at the ball.
It was Murasakibara, who had recovered in time. Shogo's eyes gleamed with frenzy as the massive hand approached.
Mouth slightly open, right hand arched like a bow, his face twisted with intensity.
"Atsushi… let me give you the first lesson."
"CLANG!"
Shogo slammed the ball through the hoop with one hand over Murasakibara's, both landing without a word.
Murasakibara raised his right hand, staring in disbelief—he had just failed to block Shogo's dunk.
What just happened?
And he wasn't alone in his shock. Midorima's eyes narrowed behind his glasses. Kise Ryouta looked like he'd seen a ghost. Kuroko's expression clearly said, "What just happened?"
Even Teiko's coach gaped, speechless, staring at the departing number 6—his former player, Haizaki Shogo.
Impossible…
Satsuki Momoi, standing nearby, was equally stunned, though recalling Shogo entering [Zone] with Dai, it seemed more reasonable.
A small pang of guilt rose in her heart: Should I have told the coach and Akashi about Shogo's condition? But Dai hadn't allowed it.
"Beep!"
The whistle blew again. The basket counted. Fukuda Sogo took the lead, 2–0, opening the game.
Back on his side, facing Kise Ryouta at point guard, Shogo leaned in.
"Ryouta! Want to try again?"
"Bring it!"
The two—one yellow, one gray—dodged and weaved, dribbling with lightning speed.
As Ryouta considered his next move, Shogo's terrifying acceleration struck again. Giant hands snatched the ball and sped toward the hoop.
Midorima, who had returned early to defend, blocked Shogo just inside the three-point line. Shogo's eyes narrowed.
Honestly… the player I can't read right now is Midorima.
I don't believe he's just a one-dimensional three-point shooter.
"Shintaro… I have the highest expectations of you!"
"Is that so?"
Against Midorima, Shogo didn't unleash his terrifying acceleration. Instead, he moved sideways, pressing his body against Midorima's, forcing a jump for a dunk.
A bandaged hand shot up to block him.
Too simple, huh?
Shogo's face twisted in a feral grin, feeling the strength in the ball—second only to Murasakibara. He smiled inside.
Then, a roar, and with sheer force, he slammed the ball through Midorima's defense.
"CLANG!"
Interesting! Strength second only to Murasakibara… What is Midorima hiding?
Seeing him fall to the floor, half-sitting, Shogo extended a hand to lift him up.
"I've discovered something interesting, Shintaro."
"Is that so?"
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