Kuroko no Basket : Before the Generation of Miracles Formed

"Huh?!" 

Off the court, 

Many of the newcomers were wide-eyed in shock, especially Kurobe Shinji and Fukaya Reiji. 

Kurobe Shinji was stunned by how much his friend's skills had improved over just one vacation. 

Fukaya Reiji, the guy with bangs, knew very well how difficult it was to execute such a smooth step-back during a technically complex crossover move. 

The speed of the step-back didn't drop at all; instead, it increased sharply. 

And the distance he covered while stepping back…

As another player who was good at shooting, just watching it made his body tremble! 

"This guy, just like Nijimura earlier, is so strong…" 

"They're both first-years?" 

"Hey…" 

"By the way, you're not as strong as them, are you?" 

"Impossible!" 

"People like this must be rare… exceptions… maybe just one or two of them?" 

---

In the midst of the hushed discussion, Shirogane, the coach who had been watching Nijimura on court 1, slowly walked to the middle between court 1 and court 3.

It was obvious.

After watching these two attack and defend, Akito's ranking in his mind had gone up.

At the same time, 

In the atmosphere where Akito had 'intimidated' everyone…

The sharp sound of basketballs from court 1 became more noticeable.

Akito turned his head instinctively to look.

On court 1, it was the second-team player's turn to attack.

From the way he moved, his dribbling was very skilled, and in terms of ability, he was definitely worthy of being a second-team player. After several quick changes in his center of gravity, he suddenly spun and passed Nijimura, who looked impatient.

However, the speed with which Nijimura reacted easily allowed him to keep up, showing no change in his expression and smoothly chasing after him.

Nijimura, who had just been easily beaten, clearly had a problem.

And indeed, it was true.

With his eyes half-closed, Nijimura was already back on defense under the basket.

In Shigure Akito's view, Nijimura Shuzo looked completely uninterested. When he saw the opponent move to attack the basket, Nijimura Shuzo clearly showed a look of disbelief and even contempt. 

Meanwhile, on the other side...

The second-team player, after entering the restricted area, saw the hoop unguarded and couldn't help but smile. He sped up, charging toward the basket and leaping high into the air!

After being dunked on by the new kid earlier, he had to get back at him!

Using the physical abilities he had trained for a year, he was ready to show them what a real dunk looked like!

Boom~!

He jumped off his left foot, stomping down hard on the court, and with a single arm, he pulled back for a "small hook dunk" that was ready to go!

However, just as he leaped…

The next second!

He was suddenly pushed back down!

A shadow appeared from behind him in an instant!

A hand reached out from behind and slapped the ball away. The second-team player felt as if his fate had been gripped by a vice!

His whole body froze in mid-air, unable to move!

Then, both he and the ball…

Plummeted down.

Whoosh~!

The basketball was slapped away by Nijimura, flying far out of reach. By sheer coincidence, it landed in the hands of Akito, who had been watching from court 3. Shigure Akito paused for a moment, slightly stunned.

"…"

That was a long way…

 Is this the strength of a first-year?

This feels almost like science fiction…

And not just strength; the defense just now was terrifying in terms of speed and height as well.

If a first-year like Nijimura is performing at this level, what will the 'Generation of Miracles' feel like next year if they face off directly against them?

Meanwhile…

Akito, still shocked by Nijimura's ability, couldn't stop thinking about it.

One minute later…

Nijimura also stared wide-eyed at Akito on court 3.

On court 3, 

Ijichi from the second team had barely escaped Akito's steal on his previous possession, but on his next attack, he missed the shot due to Akito's high '80' in 'Contest.'

Ijichi silently walked to the top of the three-point arc to prepare for defense. This time, he stayed a bit closer to Shigure Akito.

Knowing that Akito's main scoring weapon was shooting, he focused more on defending against the shot, hoping to stop Akito from scoring!

He had to defend against him!

Otherwise…

Although this was a rookie entrance test, if he didn't perform well, this 1v1 could easily turn into a test for himself.

At that moment, 

Shigure Akito, holding the ball at the top of the three-point arc, found himself distracted.

His 'Ultimate Move' had somehow filled up with 'energy'!

[Ultimate Move·Freeze Frame Moment: A quick forward drive, followed by an instant freeze and a large step-back, guaranteed to make any opponent within range lose their balance.]

The next second,

Without hesitation, Akito used the 'Freeze Frame Moment' against Ijichi!

Ijichi's defense was tight, but in front of Shigure Akito using his 'ultimate move,' it felt like the defense was as fragile as a flickering candle flame, easily snuffed out with a blow!

---

Off the court, 

Even Nijimura, who had just made a shot and was watching the game during a break, couldn't help but notice.

Everyone saw Akito break past Ijichi with a series of incredibly smooth moves, quickly getting to his side!

And then, the next second!

Akito's movements seemed to be paused, as his dribbling came to an abrupt halt!

Whoosh~!

With the sound of wind cutting through the air, 

After the freeze-frame movement, Akito's figure began to pull away, while Ijichi Hiroshi's vision slowly dropped, until it was level with Shigure Akito's knee!

Ijichi: "!?!" 

Not good!

Boom~!

He landed hard on his butt!

In the stunned gazes of everyone around, Ijichi…

Had been tricked!