Kuroko no Basket : Before the Generation of Miracles Formed

[Ultimate Move: Freeze Frame Moment – A quick forward dash, followed by an instant pause and a large step back. Any opponent within range who can be shaken will definitely lose their footing.] 

Shigure Akito's ball-handling suddenly sped up, and his movements flashed with an orange glow. Seeing this, Nijimura Shuzo quickly took a step back, readying himself to counter the attack. 

*Tap!* 

*Tap!* 

*Tap!* 

Akito advanced step by step toward Nijimura, trying to draw him into the range of his "Freeze Frame Moment" and forcing a direct clash with the same move. 

Staring directly at Nijimura's defensive stance, Shigure's eyes suddenly sharpened! 

The next second— 

*Screech!* 

The sound of shoes fiercely scraping against the court rang out! 

At the same time— 

Nijimura's pupils contracted like those of a hunting beast, finally seizing the moment to strike after lying in wait! 

Facing Akito's sudden burst of speed, Nijimura's reaction—or perhaps his anticipation—was unbelievably quick. Before the ball even touched the ground during Shigure's move, Nijimura was already mirroring him step for step! 

However— 

It was somewhat of a false alarm. 

Nijimura's rapid defensive reaction turned out to be a gamble, leaving his center wide open as he shifted to block only one side! 

Akito: "!?!" 

This guy... 

Isn't he leaving himself completely exposed? 

Was this aimed at countering my step-back move? 

Not just that... 

He must have also taken into account the existence of "Freeze Frame Moment," this devastating shake-off skill. 

Otherwise, if he were only targeting the step-back, he wouldn't have dodged to one side as if avoiding something. He could've simply predicted the move and closed the gap aggressively. 

Indeed. 

This way, stepping back avoids the range of "Freeze Frame Moment" more effectively. 

But... 

Leaving himself this exposed—does he think so little of me? That I can't stop mid-move and will charge ahead blindly?! 

Since you left this side open— 

Then as you wish, I'll attack this side! 

Though this "Freeze Frame Moment" was interrupted and wasted some energy, it successfully forced Nijimura into such a compromised defensive position! 

So, it wasn't a total waste. 

But could this be Nijimura's trap? 

Side-by-side positioning. 

The attacker holds the initiative. 

The right side is wide open. 

In such a situation, the signal is clear—Nijimura's defense is blatantly inviting Shigure to make a direct confrontation in the paint, even if it means leaving a gap while balancing against his outside attack. 

It's as if to say: "Come on, let's settle this head-on in the paint!" 

Is that what you're going for? 

Off the court— 

Shirogane Kozo couldn't suppress the smirk curling at his lips. 

As for Sanada Naoto's belief that Shigure Akito was stronger, Shirogane inwardly and decisively disagreed. 

Shigure Akito was undeniably talented, visibly so—perhaps even surpassing Nijimura Shuzo. Yet, even so, Shirogane firmly believed that at this stage, Nijimura Shuzo was the superior player! 

Shirogane Kozo knew well the importance of talent. 

One day in the future, Nijimura Shuzo might lose to the rapidly evolving Shigure Akito, but it certainly wouldn't be at this stage. 

Besides— 

Shirogane Kozo squinted with a slight smile. 

In his hand, he clenched a tight fist. 

Talent can be cultivated to blossom, and inspiration can be polished and refined. 

Firmly believing that his strength is far more than this, Nijimura, chasing victory with all his heart, was determined to make his talents bloom sooner and stronger! 

However... 

Just as Shirogane Kozo was convinced of this, the situation on the court suddenly took a dramatic turn! 

What Shirogane Kozo had predicted—Nijimura using his incredible information processing and judgment to outwit Shigure Akito in the upcoming direct confrontation—did not happen. 

Instead, Shigure Akito delivered a shocking blow that no one saw coming! 

On the court. 

Akito abruptly abandoned the "Freeze Frame Moment" retreat and instead broke through Nijimura's exposed weak side, a strange smile appearing on his face. 

Although his baseball skills and experience from his previous life couldn't compare to Nijimura in this futuristic world... 

"But I've got persistence over time. Don't underestimate the value of that experience!" 

A direct confrontation? 

Ha~ 

What a joke! 

Of course, it's about using my strengths to exploit their weaknesses! 

I'll squeeze every advantage out of my strengths! 

And in this situation, where am I stronger than Nijimura? 

Dunking? 

Of course not. 

Nijimura's confident defensive trap, almost openly baiting, was something Akito wouldn't fall for, even if he didn't know exactly what Nijimura had planned. 

*Whoosh~!* 

To everyone's astonishment, Akito suddenly threw the ball toward the rebound! 

[Godai Tomokazu Full-Speed Acceleration: The determination to win allows him to accelerate even faster (without the ball).] 

*Swoosh~!* 

As soon as the ball was released, Akito surged forward, creating a gap between himself and Nijimura Shuzo! 

*Nobunaga Kiyota Monkey Step!* 

The gap widened further! 

*Smack~!* 

He caught the ball! 

[Nobunaga Kiyota Smooth Layup: Upon catching the ball, it is immediately and seamlessly thrown up for a quick layup.] 

Leaping to block Shigure Akito's dunk, Nijimura Shuzo froze upon seeing his opponent's layup move. The action was so fast—it was as if he barely touched the ball! 

The next second, the basketball arced gracefully into the hoop! 

*Swoosh~!* 

A perfect score! 

Shirogane Kozo: "...!?"