Kuroko no Basket : Before the Generation of Miracles Formed

Shigure Akito's breakthrough move from his triple-threat stance was, as expected, blocked by the space Nijimura left for defense. 

But... 

*Dribble.* 

*Dribble.* 

*Dribble.* 

After a quick control move and cross-dribble, Akito increased his speed! 

With a body feint, the ball kept bouncing, making a string of sharp sounds as it hit the floor, making the surrounding players' hearts tighten with each bounce. 

Meanwhile, Nijimura remained calm, observing the situation carefully. 

The initial triple-threat start...

The position of the breakthrough... 

Akito's signature step-back... 

The distance... 

Nijimura quickly made a judgment— Akito was about to make a move! 

*Slap~* 

Sure enough, 

A crossover dribble breakthrough! 

Nijimura Shuzo: "!" 

This was a feint! The next move would be that sudden, large, high-speed step-back! 

*Swish~!* 

As Akito quickly retreated towards the three-point line, Nijimura's movements followed closely! 

Compared to Akito's previous opponents, Nijimura's defensive speed, along with his subtle prediction, was far superior to Ijichi Hiroshi from the second-string team! 

The Moon Gaze Step-back was countered! 

On the sidelines, whether it was the newcomers or second-string players, everyone was focused on Nijimura's defense, quietly impressed by his performance. 

"Shigure Akito's signature move was immediately countered…" 

"Earlier, Ijichi Hiroshi couldn't solve it for the whole game." 

"There's nothing to be done. It's a difference in raw speed, but Nijimura's speed is nearly equal to Shigure Akito's quick step-back." 

"Can first-years really be this strong?" 

In the crowd, Fukaya Reiji furrowed his brow and muttered to himself, 

"No way. This shot can't be solved with a three-pointer. With Nijimura's defense, I'm afraid nothing will work after this..." 

Nijimura's speed and reaction, along with the blocking height he had shown earlier, 

would shut down Shigure Akito's most powerful weapon, his three-pointer. 

But... 

That's also the limitation of a pure shooter. 

Even though Shigure Akito wasn't just a shooter and had the ability to control the ball and create space, his fundamental scoring method still relied on shooting. 

At that moment, 

Seeing Nijimura closing in for defense, Akito couldn't help but smile. 

After the Moon Gaze Step-back, 

He powered up for... 

Step-back Instant Drive! 

The charge from the earlier step-back instantly exploded into overwhelming speed as he drove forward, with a breakthrough speed nearly identical to the Moon Gaze Step-back's speed! 

Nijimura Shuzo: "!" 

Here it comes! 

He knew it. 

This guy wasn't as foolish as the last one! 

*Whoosh~!* 

In the sound of the wind cutting through the air! 

In Nijimura Shuzo's vision, Shigure Akito, the moment his step-back ended, suddenly bent his knees and accelerated forward. His figure instantly disappeared from Shuzo's sight... 

No. 

He didn't completely lose track of him. 

At least in his peripheral vision, he could still catch glimpses of Akito's movement. 

On the sidelines, 

Shirogane Kozo saw a more animated Nijimura. 

At this moment, 

He couldn't help but marvel. 

Luck really is something incredible. 

Shigure Akito's arrival was truly a fortunate coincidence. 

On the court, 

Shigure Akito's sudden 'Step-back Instant Drive' gave him a lead in position, but Shigure Akito furrowed his brow in dissatisfaction. 

Because the lead he gained from this surprise attack wasn't as big as he had imagined. 

Earlier, Nijimura's defense almost seemed like he anticipated Akito's move, even starting his action before he did. 

In an instant. 

Both of their speeds were incredible. 

Sanada Naoto, the first-team coach, couldn't help but widen his eyes. His usually serious and stern face showed clear shock at this moment's attack and defense! 

Shigure Akito's friend, Kurobe Shinji, felt his understanding of Shigure Akito's abilities shift again today. 

Akito from before, though strong, was never at this level. 

With his 'step-back' as the core, and that unbelievable speed. 

And his impressive three-point shooting. 

Kurobe Shinji: "..." 

You're telling me this is just a growth spurt? 

What a joke. 

Akito… 

He must have been secretly training during the break, right? 

But still, what kind of training could make him so strong, like he's a completely different person? 

On the other side. 

Fukaya Reiji looked stunned. 

He thought Shigure Akito would be shut down by Nijimura Shuzo. 

But he didn't expect that after playing against the second-team players, Shigure Akito had still hidden his true strength. At least, he hadn't used that terrifying 'step-back drive' move, which was just as fast as his signature move. 

And… 

"That's so fast!" 

Even though his speed was already incredible, 

Akito hadn't shown this level of speed in his dribbling, which was centered around his 'step-back' move. 

Was it a deliberate strategy? 

Or maybe… 

Akito's 'step-back technique' has a unique way of increasing speed? 

But by now, Fukaya Reiji didn't have time to think about it. 

Because on the court, despite reaching such a level, Shigure Akito was still being guarded by Nijimura Shuzo. If he wasn't mistaken, 

Nijimura Shuzo had successfully predicted Shigure Akito's move, even though it was the first time he had used that technique. 

"Nijimura Shuzo..." 

It seemed that his style was to calmly observe and judge.