When Akashi Seijūrō returned to the First Team's gym, the first thing he saw were two towering figures standing on the empty court.
200 cm — Murasakibara Atsushi.
190 cm — Midorima Shintarō.
And on the sidelines: Aomine, Haizaki, Kise, Kuroko.
Akashi: "…"
A one–on–one?
Midorima… against Murasakibara?
Just like how Senior Shigure had to defeat Captain Nijimura before earning the right to pull him into the high school team, was Shintarō already beginning the same process? If so, it meant he believed he had the confidence to beat Murasakibara.
Even though… he had already seen Murasakibara's overwhelming power earlier today.
Akashi moved to the sideline and asked about the rules of their duel. It was simple — very much in Murasakibara's style. Just one offensive possession.
On court
"Heh! You're just an idiot who only thinks about snacks."
"What's that supposed to mean, Midorimacchi~?"
"Careful, I'll crush you, you know~!"
"Have you ever considered that your strength might end up breaking someone? Or has your growing size given you the arrogant illusion that you're invincible?"
"Before you lose to me, being looked down on by someone as clueless as you, Murasakibara, is more irritating than anything else!"
"Eh?"
"What're you talking about, Midorimacchi~?"
"Hmph!"
Clap!
Midorima, in his usual tsundere way, didn't explain further. After Murasakibara's terrifying display earlier, Midorima clearly wasn't even in the giant's mind as a worthy opponent to test himself against.
"You first."
"You attack, I'll defend."
"As long as you score…"
"Then you win."
With that, Midorima took two steps back, retreating deep into the paint to square up against Murasakibara.
"I don't get what you're saying, but I really do feel like testing myself today~"
"So… Midorimacchi~"
"Be careful, okay?"
Ball in hand, Murasakibara didn't bother with restraint. He stormed toward the paint on his long strides, excitement and savagery flashing across his face.
"Careful?"
"Better worry about yourself first."
Midorima even had the composure to push up his glasses.
"According to today's horoscope, Cancer ranks far above Libra in both fortune and luck. And I've fully charged my lucky item — a flashlight."
The Generation of Miracles: "…"
Mystery solved.
So it really wasn't some kind of ghost.
Midorima's obsession with horoscopes left them speechless, but once the duel began in earnest, the result stunned everyone.
Kise Ryōta's eyes widened. "You're kidding me, right? I always knew Midorimacchi's defense was solid… but to hold back Murasakibara like this…"
"Since the moment he stepped into the paint, he hasn't been able to advance at all."
Haizaki Shōgo: "During games, it wasn't this obvious, but I could already feel it faintly… his one–on–one defense is as sharp as his three–pointers."
Aomine Daiki: "Don't you feel it? That precise, rhythm–cutting defensive style is just like Captain Nijimura's. No, not the old Nijimura — it's like the one who faced off against Senior Shigure."
At that moment, Akashi spoke:
"Ever since last year, after confirming where our seniors would go, Shintarō has been preparing in earnest. He's studied all our game footage, and even asked Momoi to organize detailed data on every player."
"Shintarō doesn't have Captain Nijimura's information–grasping, instant analysis, or wild instinct… nor Zone. But Murasakibara, as his opponent, doesn't possess Senior Shigure's terrifying arsenal of techniques either. Compared to that monstrous volume of skills…"
"Murasakibara's is almost barren."
"So, with nearly three years of shared experience…"
"And meticulous preparation."
"Midorima can transform his knowledge of Murasakibara's movements, habits, and tendencies into a defensive instinct, albeit at a lower tier than Nijimura's."
"But the real question is…"
"Has he accounted for Murasakibara's evolution this new school year?"
On court
In terms of body.
In terms of sheer strength.
It might take two Midorimas to match him.
But
As a center, Murasakibara's skills around the edge of the paint, while far better than an average big man's, were still clumsy compared to Midorima, a shooting guard.
And with defense honed specifically to counter Murasakibara, Midorima's constant resistance disrupted his every motion, breaking his flow in subtle details.
For a time…
Murasakibara's advance toward the paint was painfully slow.
Even when he tried to bulldoze his way through with brute force, Midorima's sudden bursts of power targeted his weak points, forcing his post moves into awkward distortions until he had to retreat to protect the ball.
Murasakibara: "…"
Midorimacchi~ so strong~!
He didn't understand how, but the feeling was undeniable — it was as if Midorima could completely see through him.
If that was the case, Murasakibara's simple yet oddly clear logic reached a conclusion.
He just had to use something he'd never used before. If even he didn't know it, then his opponent couldn't possibly predict it.
What could he use…?
Thinking about it, Atsushi recalled: Haizaki was amazing, with so many techniques.
Huh? But that wasn't complicated at all.
Idiot.
Buy me ice cream and I'll tell you the trick.
C'mon, tell me.
It's simple. At Teiko, who was nicknamed the "Technician"? To us, is there anyone more like a basketball encyclopedia than that monster?
Copy him. Start with whatever you can. We've sat on the bench watching that monster flaunt his 2.7 skills long enough — you didn't forget them all, did you?
Didn't you already pick up his Dream Shake pretty well?
Hmm…
That's true.
But which of his moves suits me best?
It has to be one that doesn't need much dribbling, focusing more on footwork… right, there was one like that. The one where he leaps out like a monkey, so quick it's like whoosh!
Step!
Step!
Murasakibara leaned his body sideways.
A big lunge — blocked instantly by Midorima!
But the next second
Boom!
After twisting slightly to shield the ball, Murasakibara took another huge stride, this time grabbing the ball with both hands and leaping into the key from a forty–five–degree angle!
Then
Thud!
Both feet landed.
The Dream Shake, executed!
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
🔥 Rookie Recruit – Read 15 chapters ahead
🔥 Starting Five – Jump 35 chapters ahead + 6 bonus chapters!
Huge thanks to everyone already on Patreon—you're the real MVPs! 🙌Bonus chapters, early access, and all the good stuff are live. 👀✨
And for the rest—it's not too late to be part of the team. 🚀
👉 patreon.com/MrBehringer