Haizaki Shogo cast a long, sharp glance at Midorima Shintaro before turning back to defense. This match… something about it feels strange!
"POP!" "POP!" "POP!"
Kise Ryouta dribbled the ball past midcourt, moving toward the perimeter, ready to challenge Shogo again.
"Ryouta!"
It was Midorima Shintaro, speaking up. He was warning Kise not to fall into the trap Shogo had set. Right now, there was no way Kise could resist Shogo's influence.
Haizaki Shogo looked genuinely terrifying. Even Midorima felt a shiver run down his spine.
Reluctantly, Kise passed the ball to Midorima. He caught it, lined up the shot, and…
"SWISH!"
The ball arced perfectly through the net. A clean three-pointer. The score was now 4–3.
Even Fukuda Sogo's team members, who often practiced with Shogo, were stunned. Midorima ignored their defense entirely, scoring effortlessly.
That feeling—powerless, terrifying, unbeatable—swept over them.
So this is the Generation of Miracles… really that strong, absolutely untouchable… except for Shogo-kun.
At that moment, a pair of hands clapped on the shoulders of a dazed teammate.
"Don't be afraid. Being born in this era, we may not match up to the Generation of Miracles, but we must still give our all, right?"
"And we still have Shogo-kun. Our job is defense. Protect Shogo's back, no matter what."
The voice was that of Fukuda Sogo's captain, Sasaki. He had faced failure before and knew his teammates' fear intimately.
Fear could only be dispelled by unyielding will and spirit. Last year, Sasaki had rebuilt himself step by step under such pressure.
"I understand, Captain!"
"Good. Keep it up!"
The ball came back into Shogo's hands. As he dribbled toward the approaching Kise, a sly, arrogant grin appeared in his eyes.
"Ryouta… your girlfriend's taste isn't bad at all. Soft, smooth, juicy, and elastic."
With that, Shogo accelerated, barreling past Kise. Before Midorima could catch up, he launched a jump shot.
The ball followed a perfect arc and landed in the net.
"Beep!"
Another three points for Fukuda Sogo. Applause erupted from the stands.
Ignoring the stunned expressions of Midorima and Murasakibara, Shogo ran past Kise again, calling out:
"Really… soft, smooth, juicy, and elastic. I'm not lying—you should try it yourself!"
"Tch! Tch! Tch… so soft…"
Kise's pupils shrank slightly. He took a deep breath, calmed down, and sighed, defeated but accepting.
Though it's frustrating… I truly can't stop him right now, Haizaki-kun.
Shogo watched him recover and felt a small pang of admiration. The lucky ones of the Generation of Miracles… their mental strength is impeccable. Nothing can shake them.
Trying to provoke them can backfire… a lesson learned.
No more hesitation. Kise dribbled past halfcourt and passed to Midorima, who again ignored his defender and shot effortlessly.
"SWISH!"
Another three-pointer. And Midorima had barely crossed halfcourt. The spectators gasped and then erupted into applause and cheers.
"Generation of Miracles!" "Generation of Miracles!" "Generation of Miracles!"
After releasing the ball, Midorima immediately turned to return to defense.
Feeling the roar of the crowd, Shogo sighed. Teiko Junior High's fame, skill, and influence were beyond Fukuda Sogo's reach.
And the Teiko players… aside from Kuroko Tetsuya, every one of them is ridiculously talented. Everyone rallies behind them.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Shogo accepted the pass from Sasaki and looked at Teiko.
There's a saying: "I laugh as I swing my sword to the sky, daring fate and fortune alike."
I, Haizaki Shogo, am coming. Are you ready?
He breezed past Kise Ryouta and moved inside. Feeling Murasakibara's pressure, he paused, then stepped back to the three-point line.
A perfect fadeaway shot… the ball sank in. Another three points.
This shot finally made Teiko's coach uneasy. If Shogo's first three-pointer could be chalked up to luck, this one was undeniable skill.
If both teams kept scoring like this, Teiko's win rate was no longer guaranteed. There was even the chance of losing.
Teiko's coach substituted a second-team player, sending a message to the bench's inconspicuous Kuroko Tetsuya.
"Tetsuya-kun, the coach says it's your turn to make an impact."
"I understand, Mumu (Teiko second team)."
Shogo, after scoring another three-pointer, returned to defense and approached the player guarding Midorima.
"We'll switch. I'll guard Midorima; you cover the blond-haired player."
"Understood, Shogo-kun!"
The player guarding Midorima finally breathed a sigh of relief. The pressure was immense. Midorima ignored defense and scored every time… always a three-pointer.
As a mere mortal, who could withstand that? Each basket struck like a slap to the face, shaking confidence and ability alike. Many had been pushed to the brink by the Generation of Miracles.
The choice: give up basketball… or suffer a lifelong basketball depression.
After switching defenders, Shogo faced Midorima seriously.
"Though Ryouta has improved greatly, he still isn't qualified to challenge me. But you… I'm interested in you, Shintaro."
"Is that so? I'm also intrigued by your changes, Shogo."
Meanwhile, Kise Ryouta, dribbling past midcourt, realized Shogo was no longer defending him. Shock gave way to disappointment, then anger.
So he looks down on me? Then I'll score relentlessly.
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