NBA Skills: Dominating Kuroko no Basket

At that moment, Kuroko came running over, panting heavily, his face filled with worry and urgency. "Aomine, come back to practice! Everyone's really worried about you."

Hearing this, Aomine turned his head to look at Kuroko, a hint of emotion flickering in his eyes. However, he still hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

Then, Shiro stood up, patted Aomine on the shoulder, and said gently, "Aomine, let's go back" Aomine raised his head and looked at Shiro, his eyes shining with renewed determination. He nodded, signaling his agreement.

Aomine stood up and said to Shiro, "Alright, let's head back to the gym." With that, he turned and started walking toward the gym. Shiro followed closely behind, and the two of them made their way back together. Seeing this, Kuroko let out a relieved sigh and trailed after them toward the gym.

Meanwhile, back at the gym, the team was buzzing with discussions about Aomine's earlier departure.

"Ugh, I don't feel like training either. As long as we win games, it's fine, right?" Murasakibara said lazily, his tone dripping with indifference. His eyes carried a haughty expression, as though nothing around him really mattered.

Akashi's expression grew stern and cold as he walked straight toward Murasakibara. "Don't joke around. I won't allow that kind of attitude!" His sharp gaze cut through Murasakibara, as if dissecting him on the spot.

But Murasakibara wasn't intimidated by Akashi's intensity. Instead, he smirked and replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, "The truth is, I don't think anyone can beat me right now. Honestly, the only reason I've listened to you until now is because I thought I couldn't beat you."

He shrugged nonchalantly, continuing in a calm, almost taunting tone. "But lately, I'm starting to think otherwise. Why should I listen to someone weaker than me?"

The tension in the gym skyrocketed instantly. The atmosphere was thick with hostility as the two locked eyes, neither willing to back down. The confrontation exuded a palpable sense of rivalry that froze everyone in their tracks.

"What did you just say?!" Akashi's face darkened with fury, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light, as if he were ready to unleash hell.

He glared at Murasakibara, the latter's words a direct challenge to his authority as captain—a challenge Akashi could not ignore.

The rest of the team stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide with shock at what they were witnessing. It was almost unthinkable that Murasakibara would say such things. Disbelief and astonishment were written all over their faces.

"Come on now, Murasakibara, you must be joking!" Momoi interjected, trying to ease the tension but unable to hide the worry in her voice.

However, Akashi cut her off before she could say more. "Momoi, step aside" he commanded, pushing her gently out of the way.

Akashi's face was dark and menacing as he stared down Murasakibara. "If you want to settle this with strength, I'm game. But don't get too full of yourself!"

He bent slightly, his long fingers effortlessly flicking a basketball into his hands. "One-on-one. First to five points wins!"

Murasakibara remained unfazed, giving a slight nod of agreement. His cold, composed demeanor made it clear he was ready for the challenge.

The air in the gym grew heavier with anticipation. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the clash between these two titans of the Generation of Miracles.

...

Smack! Akashi's layup was swatted out of bounds by Murasakibara once again.

"What?! How is this happening?" The spectators were stunned by the match, gasping in disbelief. They had expected a fierce, balanced contest, but it was turning into a one-sided affair.

"Unbelievable… so this is how it ends" someone murmured as they stared at the scoreboard, which displayed a glaring 4-0 in Murasakibara's favor.

"To be honest, this isn't just disappointing—it's outright pathetic" Murasakibara said condescendingly, looking down at Akashi with disdain. "You've really let me down today. You're not even close to your usual level."

"Whatever" Murasakibara continued. "It doesn't matter. Once I score this last point, I'll finally be able to play however I want" Murasakibara dribbled the ball, speaking dismissively to Akashi.

In his mind, he was already imagining the freedom he'd enjoy once he crushed Akashi. No one would be able to control him anymore.

"I… Seijuro Akashi… lose?!" Akashi muttered to himself, lowering his head as a mix of emotions churned in his mind.

"No… This can't happen!" A dark determination began to well up inside him as memories of his father's expectations echoed in his mind: "No matter the opponent, no matter the circumstance, you must never lose."

Unaware of Akashi's inner turmoil, Murasakibara continued his attack, still holding the ball confidently.

A faint smile curved Akashi's lips as he spoke, his voice calm yet brimming with unshakable confidence: "I am absolute, and all my decisions are correct."

He raised his head suddenly, his eyes widening unnaturally, his pupils dilating until an eerie red glow encircled them. His gaze was chilling, almost demonic.

As Murasakibara drove toward the basket, Akashi calmly raised a hand, as if predicting his every move. With a swift and precise motion, he deflected the ball out of bounds.

Murasakibara froze mid-step, his eyes widening in disbelief. "What just happened?!"

The crowd in the gym erupted in gasps, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed.

Only moments ago, Akashi had been completely outmatched, unable to stop a single point. Yet now, he had turned the tide with a single, effortless steal.

Even Momoi, watching from the sidelines, couldn't hide her unease. Her voice trembled as she muttered, "Something's changed… This isn't the Akashi I know."

Cradling the basketball, Akashi's voice cut through the tense silence, cold and merciless, carrying an undeniable authority: "You've grown far too arrogant, Atsushi. Don't make me angry." His glowing red eyes glinted ominously, his demeanor icy, as though detached from the world around him.