Kuroko no Basket : Before the Generation of Miracles Formed

While the Teiko logistics team was setting up the testing area, Shigure Akito, who had gained new abilities and skills through the "Slam Dunk Mobile Game Player," was eager to show off his new strength. 

Kurobe Shinji, who noticed this, was surprised by how relaxed his friend seemed today compared to his usual slightly tense self. 

This guy... 

He's unusually confident today. 

After a quick glance, Shinji suddenly said, 

"Akito, how about a challenge? Let's see who can make it to the first team?" 

Akito raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. 

"Sure~" 

He was more than willing. 

Although he didn't know how his current strength compared to the first team of Teiko... 

What he was sure of, however, was that he was definitely a new person compared to the old "Shigure Akito." 

"Wait till you see my power now~" 

"Hmph, do you think I don't know what you're capable of, Akito?" 

"Don't underestimate the power burst during puberty, Shinji~" 

"Haha, I guess that's true." 

Shinji thought about it, remembering how his height had shot up to 185 cm, making him stand out among the group of boys. In just a short vacation, he had grown a lot. 

Puberty bursts really can come out of nowhere. 

To be honest... 

Even Shinji wasn't ready to play as a center yet. 

But in return, his current strength was on a completely different level compared to before. Thinking about that, Shinji quietly shook off the last bit of tension and felt his adrenaline surge. 

He raised his hand and extended his fist toward Shigure Akito. 

Shigure Akito understood and bumped fists with him. 

The two locked eyes, both of them smiling with mutual understanding. 

---

Behind them, Fukaya Reiji quietly looked up, and from under his bangs, a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. 

... 

Before long, under the guidance of the first-team coach, Sanada Naoto, the new recruits were divided into small groups and sent to different areas for physical ability tests. 

From static to dynamic talent, there were many tests, making everyone realize that this wasn't a typical club activity, but rather more like a professional team. 

Afterward... 

Once everyone had finished their physical tests, a group of Teiko players who clearly had signs of training entered, and everyone immediately realized that the real challenge was about to begin. 

Sure enough... 

As the new recruits looked at each other, coach Sanada Naoto announced the next test. 

The so-called skill test was a 1v1 match against second-team members. This test was meant to evaluate ball skills beyond physical abilities. 

For these first-year middle school students, the 1v1 match was a much clearer way to judge their abilities compared to using a formal competition format. 

"Is this for real?!" 

"These guys are the veterans of Teiko's second team..." 

"We have to face them in 1v1?" 

"We don't have to win, do we? It's probably just a test to showcase skills."

"Hmph!" 

"It's just the second team, what's there to be afraid of!" 

Among the crowd, some were excited, while others looked worried. 

Teiko's basketball team was well-known. Although they hadn't won the championship in the past two years, they had always remained in the top three nationwide. 

In regular practice matches, Teiko's tradition was for one or two first-team players to lead the second team, and sometimes even sending the entire second team to play. 

Even so, Teiko still won more than they lost. 

This showed just how strong the second team was. 

"Next, the players called will go to the designated half-court for testing." With Sanada Naoto's words, the 1v1 test for Teiko's basketball team officially began. 

The first to be called... 

"Nijimura Shuzo!" 

"Court 1!" 

With a fierce look in his eyes, Nijimura Shuzo, who had sharp phoenix eyes, glared at coach Shirogane with a cold expression. Akito couldn't imagine that this was the same person who had been so calm, approachable, and even caring for his juniors when he first became captain in the second year. 

Thinking about this, Akito couldn't help but look at coach Shirogane. 

He wondered... 

What kind of transformation had this old man done to the first-year Nijimura? 

"Hmph!" 

"Damn old man!" 

Nijimura, who had clearly been caught by some weakness by coach Shirogane, muttered to himself while walking toward court 1. As he passed by Shigure Akito, he noticed Akito was staring at him, and his half-closed eyes suddenly shot a glare at him! 

Akito clearly read "What are you looking at?" in his eyes! 

"..." 

The illusion shattered. This guy was practically just like a bratty guy now! 

It wasn't just Shigure Akito who felt this way. Kurobe Shinji also frowned when he saw Nijimura Shuzo's glare. 

It felt so familiar. 

That glare was even more intense than his own. 

"What an annoying guy." 

On the other side, Sanada Naoto continued calling out names. It wasn't long before it was Shigure Akito's turn. He was third in line, and his testing court was court 3. 

Since the 1v1 match only used half of the court, the layout was such that the entire court was divided into two halves. Nijimura Shuzo's court, court 1, was one half, and the other half was court 2. 

Shigure Akito's court, court 3, was next to Nijimura Shuzo's court. With just a turn of his head, he could see his opponent. 

"So..." 

"All I need to do is beat this second-team guy, right?" 

"Old man?" 

Nijimura Shuzo turned to look at Shirogane Kozo, who had somehow appeared at the sidelines, completely ignoring his opponent. He arrogantly spoke. 

Shirogane gave a slight smile and then shook his head. 

"That would just get you into the second team." 

"If it were you..." 

"Why not try for the first team?" 

Nijimura Shuzo kicked the ball at his feet, and with a quick tap, the ball landed easily in his hands. 

"Who cares about first or second team? I've already shown up as agreed." 

"I'm busy." 

"Old man." 

---