That's right.
Even though Shigure Akihito wasn't on the court, he was firmly within Kagami's field of vision.
His presence—though he hadn't shown anything particularly special since arriving—was undeniable. Because Haizaki had so easily crushed Kagami, because Haizaki, who crushed Kagami, acted so obediently in front of Nijimura, and because within Teiko's group it was Shigure Akihito standing at the forefront, as the senior who once ruled junior high for three years
Naturally, this highlighted his overwhelming presence as the strongest man here.
What Haizaki said…
Shone like a beacon.
That's no exaggeration.
Even without Kuroko Tetsuya's misdirection, before the one-on-one between Kuroko and Kagami began, everyone's eyes instinctively drifted back and forth to Shigure.
Even Kagami, dense as he was, couldn't escape it.
Off to the side
Aside from Teiko's own players
Both Kiyoshi Teppei and Hyūga Junpei were dumbstruck listening to talk of misdirection and vanishing drive. Whether they fully understood or not didn't matter
Their first thought was:
What kind of basketball are these Teiko guys even playing?!
And the one who could invent such bizarre abilities, Shigure Akihito—just what kind of monster was he?
"Seriously…"
"This is on another level…"
Aida Kagetora's eyes burned as he watched Shigure Akihito. To be honest, back in his own era as a national team player, their generation never managed to break past Asia.
On the court, he had completely crushed Aida Kagetora.
And then there was that other player, the one who always sank the clutch shot…
That move, Platinum Theater
Even now, the memory stung faintly.
But what level was that compared to this? And what about this blue-haired boy before him? And the one who could create such abilities—Shigure Akihito—what level did he belong to?
Reiko had called them monsters, and she was absolutely right.
While Aida Kagetora was stunned by Shigure and momentarily reminisced about his national team days, Haizaki Shōgo spoke up again:
"So basically, if you break the link between Tetsuya and the target whose vision he's shifting, this trick falls apart, right?"
The next moment
Nijimura Shuzo shot him a look like a fed-up older brother dealing with a hopeless brat, instantly making Haizaki bristle.
"Violent freak!"
"What's with that look?!"
"I"
"I'm not wrong, am I?!"
Nijimura snorted coldly. "No, you're not wrong. But that's all you amount to. The physical gifts you were bragging about against Kagami? Wasted on you. Same goes for your wild instinct."
"Your wild instinct, wasted on you as well."
Deflated before Nijimura as always, Haizaki could only grit his teeth and mutter, "Violent freak… what the hell do you mean by that…?"
But Nijimura just rolled his eyes, as if Haizaki's stupidity had left him speechless.
In the end, it was Shigure Akihito who, watching Kuroko's success rate rise, decided the timing was right and clarified things for Haizaki:
"What he means is"
"You've got wild instinct, right?"
"Then why bother with all that nonsense?"
As he spoke, Kiyoshi and the others, who had been following the exchange, suddenly noticed Shigure step onto the court. Their faces shifted into shock.
Was this…?
The strongest in junior high, Shigure Akihito
Was he about to play?
For what?
To take on Kagami?
And yet
When Shigure finally stood before Kuroko Tetsuya, everyone watching froze for a moment.
Then
From every perspective, Shigure stood there calmly.
But his presence radiated like an abyss veiled in mist, bottomless and devouring. And from within that abyss
A colossal black mammoth came crashing forth!
Aida Kagetora's eyes widened. "Full-throttle wild instinct… is this the level?! No way—that's far beyond anything a high schooler should have!"
On the court
Kagami Taiga, who had been guarding Kuroko, suddenly felt himself overwhelmed. The wild aura Shigure unleashed rolled across the entire gym, forcing Kagami's expression taut.
The words that had been on his lips were shoved back down his throat by the sheer oppressive force bearing down from a distance.
"Alright."
"Your little duel ends here. From now, it's time for Teiko's seniors to guide. And after that, I still have another opponent I want to challenge today~"
As he said this,
Shigure's gaze swept toward Aida Kagetora outside the court.
Meanwhile, standing before him, Kuroko Tetsuya—faced with the 196 cm tall Shigure-senpai—felt nerves he hadn't known since joining the First String. His entire body tensed up, leaving him momentarily frozen.
"It's fine…"
"Come at me with everything you've got."
"Besides, you already know it, don't you? There's no chance of success. So what are you nervous about?"
Kuroko: "…"
…Exhale.
"I understand, senpai."
"Good."
"Then feel it properly. Don't be like that idiot Haizaki, thinking vanishing drive is some invincible move. Start from failure, and learn."
"Yes!"
Kuroko took the ball. With Shigure's aura dominating the atmosphere and the senior's authority clear, Kagami Taiga could do nothing but step aside for now.
Then
Pa~
Pa~
Pa~
The ball drummed steadily against the court as Kuroko's expression grew more serious than ever. This was his first time, one-on-one, standing before this Teiko legend—his strongest senpai in all of junior high.
Normally, the ones standing before Shigure were Captain Nijimura, Aomine, Haizaki… at the very least, one of the Five Generals.
Pa~
Pa~
Pa~
The ball echoed at Kuroko's side.
Then
He read his senpai's gaze!
The next instant!
Hip rotation!
Diagonal, downward drive!
Acceleration!
Kuroko: "!?"
Senpai didn't react?
Did I…
Actually succeed?!
But just as Kuroko broke past Shigure's side, in the corner of his eye, he saw it
A massive shadow moved with him, turning at the exact same speed!
Shifting his weight back
He reached!
"No way! Are you kidding me?!"
"!?"
"His eyes—closed?!"
"That guy… he's playing with his eyes shut!!"
Smack!
That mammoth, eyes closed, tusks swinging
Pierced straight through…
The ball in Kuroko's hands!
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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