At that very moment, Haizaki Shogo had stacked three abilities, Zone, Man-and-ball unity, and Immovable King Form. The speed and power behind his strike were beyond imagination. Across from him, Head Coach Yamamoto of the fencing hall held a slender rapier, but it simply couldn't withstand Haizaki's full-force blow.
CLANG! The blade was knocked clean out of his hand. In the next instant, Haizaki's sword was already pressed against Yamamoto's throat.
For a split second, the veteran coach truly felt it. I could be killed right here. Looking at the boy before him, one word surfaced in his mind: Swordsman.
Haizaki withdrew his blade and lifted his mask, wearing a smug, slightly cocky grin as he looked at Yamamoto. "So, Coach, what do you think of my self-created 'Unrivaled Free Style'?"
"Unrivaled Free Style? What the hell is that?"
"It's exactly what it sounds like! What you just saw was the first form, Invincible Form."
"And the second form?"
"Not decided yet."
"The hell?!" Snapping back to his senses, Coach Yamamoto immediately switched into full-on disbelief mode. He had been momentarily overwhelmed by that terrifying strike, but now that his mind was clear again, he had plenty to say about Haizaki's so-called "style."
After a while, the two stepped down from the platform. Seeing that Haizaki was about to leave, Coach Yamamoto hesitated, still shaken by that strike. "Think about it again. I can recommend you for the national team, you could compete directly."
"No thanks."
"You, just think about it a bit more!"
"I said no. Not interested."
Yamamoto could only sigh helplessly as he watched Haizaki walk toward another platform, where two graceful figures were sparring. "Ah, since ancient times, beauty and talent rarely come in perfect pairs."
Haizaki strolled away, carefree and relaxed, looking effortlessly cool. But as the saying goes, only the one who drinks the water knows if it's warm or cold. Stacking three abilities at once had left his right hand slightly numb.
The problem was obvious. His current physical condition simply couldn't handle multiple abilities layered together. Push it too far, and it would damage his body. This was the limitation of a growing body. Haizaki faced it, and so would the other members of the Generation of Miracles. He might be stronger than them, but not enough to ignore the consequences.
He casually flexed his fingers, loosening his arm until the numbness faded, before slowly approaching the adjacent platform. Arms crossed, chin resting on his hand, Haizaki watched the two figures exchanging strikes. For a moment, he was completely absorbed.
Soon, the two beauties stopped, leaving behind graceful silhouettes as they returned to the locker room. Haizaki shrugged and followed, heading in to change.
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Outside the fencing hall, Haizaki slung his basketball bag over his shoulder, whistling as he gazed at the glowing hues of the evening sky. Two elegant figures emerged and walked alongside him, and before long, they arrived at a familiar café.
After finishing a cup of steaming coffee, Haizaki finally spoke. "Shimizu-chan, got any plans for summer vacation?"
"Hm? I do. Shogo-kun, I'll be going to Australia with my mother."
"I see, guess that's that."
"And you, Shogo-kun?"
"Yeah. I'm heading to the U.S. for a basketball game. Not sure where yet. I was gonna invite you, but looks like that won't work."
"Sorry, Shogo-kun."
"No worries. Just thought I'd ask."
In just a few sentences, Haizaki had both shared his own plans and learned hers. Mission accomplished.
Beside them, the black-haired Coach Miyazaki spoke, her voice oddly captivating. "You pervert, what kind of game are you going to play in the U.S.?"
"Uh, a friend invited me. It's supposed to be an exhibition match, but I doubt it's that simple."
"An exhibition match?"
"Yeah. I'll know more when I get there."
Since both Haizaki and Shimizu had school the next day, the three didn't stay long before leaving the café. Haizaki walked Shimizu home, then strolled down the sidewalk under the glow of streetlights.
Halfway there, his phone rang. "Shogo-kun, it's Satsuki!"
He paused, slightly surprised. Satsuki Momoi calling at this hour? "Hey, Satsuki. What's up?"
"Shogo-kun, are you free this weekend?"
"This weekend? It's only Monday, I can't say yet."
"Ah."
"What is it? Tell me first."
"This Saturday and Sunday, we're going to Taketomi Island in Okinawa. The sun and beach are perfect this time of year."
"We?"
"Yeah! Me, Aomine, Midorima, and Kuroko. Wanna come?"
Haizaki fell silent for a moment. A group trip like that, he didn't dislike it, and the people going were all familiar faces. "Yeah, I'm in. I'll bring Shimizu-chan along too."
"Haha, yes! Definitely bring her!"
After setting the time and place, Haizaki hung up. The national tournament just ended, and now everyone's going to relax? Or is there something more to it? He walked on, head lowered, watching the shifting shadows of trees beneath the streetlights.
=======
By the time he got home, it was already 9:30 PM. His older brother was in the living room chatting with their mother.
"I'm home."
"Shogo, have you eaten?"
"Yeah, but I'm still hungry."
"I'll make you some fried rice."
"Thanks, Mom."
She headed into the kitchen. Only then did his brother speak. "You said you're going to the U.S. this summer. What's that about?"
"A friend invited me to an exhibition match, but it's actually some kind of wager match. Know anything like that?"
"A black-market game?"
"No. Different. Not that blatant."
"Explain."
Haizaki went through the details. His brother listened carefully, then replied, "There's still time. I'll look into it and get back to you."
"Thanks, bro."
Ryogo smiled faintly, saying nothing more. At that moment, their mother returned, placing a plate of fried rice on the table. As Haizaki devoured it hungrily, his mother and brother watched, both smiling warmly.
The scene froze. The camera pulled back. Under the soft glow of lights, two figures quietly watching another eat. So peaceful.