The last day of the Interhigh.
Even before the games began, the arena was packed, seats filled to capacity.
High schools with Generation of Miracles members, Kaijo, Shutoku, Tōō, and others, had representatives or even full teams present to watch the matches.
As for Yosen, they were currently fighting for third place on another court.
"Ahaha~~ Midorima-kun, Kise-kun, Murasakibara-kun, long time no see!"
Satsuki Momoi's face lit up when she spotted her former teammates.
"By the way, Murasakibara-kun, you're not playing today?"
"Ah~ Masako told me to take a few days off, to rest."
Off the court, Murasakibara had returned to his usual slow, almost absent-minded demeanor.
"I never thought that guy would make it this far…"
After greeting her old teammates, Momoi turned her gaze to Asuka Akashi, warming up.
Since Tōō had lost to Seiho, Momoi had spent considerable time collecting intel on Akashi, but even now, she hadn't fully unraveled him.
"By the way, who do you think will win today's match?" Momoi asked, curious.
"Sa~~ no idea."
"Who knows?"
Midorima, Aomine, and Murasakibara shook their heads in unison, leaving Kise momentarily speechless.
Midorima pushed up his glasses. "If Akashi's ability is limited to what's been displayed, the winner will probably be Rakuzan. Even if Akashi is strong, against Akashi's Eyes, no offensive effort matters. But…"
Aomine's eyes narrowed, taking over. "But so far, none of us have figured out how many hidden cards he's holding."
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In the Seiho team's bench area,
This was the first time since the Interhigh began that they reviewed their strategy before the official start.
Their opponents this time were unlike any team they had faced. Even teams with Generation of Miracles members usually required targeting only one player strategically.
This time, nearly every Rakuzan player posed a threat.
[Ladies and gentlemen watching live or on TV, you are now tuned in to the National Sports Meet, Basketball Finals.]
[Before the game begins, let's introduce both teams.]
[First, Seiho High, wearing black uniforms.]
[Head Coach: Takehiro Adachi]
[Manager: Kitayama Yuzuki]
[Seiho starting lineup: No.4, Captain, Tsutomu Iwamura]
[No.5, Kasuga Ryuhei]
[No.8, Omuro Yoshikasu]
[No.10, Tsugawa Tomoki]
[No.11, Akashi Asuka]
Every time a Seiho player was announced, the audience erupted in cheers and applause.
Especially when Akashi's name was called, the stadium roared like a tidal wave.
After all the Seiho players had stepped onto the court,
The announcers began introducing Rakuzan High.
[Next, Rakuzan High, wearing white uniforms.]
[Coach: Eiji Shirogane]
[Manager: Shouta Higuchi]
[Rakuzan starting lineup:]
[No.8, Nebuya Eikichi]
"Ooooh~~~"
"Those muscles… is that really a high schooler?"
[No.7, Hayama Kotaro]
[No.6, Mibuchi Reo]
As the announcer spoke, a dark-skinned, incredibly muscular young man; a blonde-haired youth with a tiger tooth and cat-like eyes; and a graceful, almost feminine-looking boy stepped onto the court.
"Here they come, the 'Uncrowned Kings,' on the same level as Kiyoshi and Hanamiya."
Seeing these three, Seiho's players stiffened.
In junior high, the Uncrowned Kings were only second to the Generation of Miracles in fame and skill.
And Rakuzan had three of them.
"Terrifying…"
"Just looking at them is enough to make your heart race."
Even on Seiho's bench, players felt goosebumps rise at the sight of these three.
Meanwhile, the announcer continued:
[No.5, Mayuzumi Chihiro]
A high schooler with silver-white hair and unremarkable features stepped onto the court.
He was so ordinary that the crowd barely reacted.
But Seiho paid close attention, Akashi had already briefed them on this player before the match.
"Just like that guy, huh!" Kasuga clicked his tongue.
"Yeah! But compared to the Tōō player, this one's aura isn't fully refined yet. Probably because he hasn't reached full form," Iwamura added.
[No.4, Captain, Akashi Seijuro]
Finally, the announcer introduced Rakuzan's last, and most important, player.
173 cm tall, crimson short hair, heterochromatic eyes.
Compared to other Generation of Miracles members, Akashi's physical traits weren't striking, no massive build or towering height.
Yet when he appeared, the crowd instinctively hushed.
"Whoa… such an imposing presence."
"Feels like an emperor."
"No wonder he was once captain of the Generation of Miracles!"
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As the two teams lined up mid-court,
All eyes in the arena focused on them.
"I'm surprised," Akashi Seijuro said, his voice magnetic, as he faced Akashi Asuka.
"Surprised at what?" Akashi Asuka smiled slightly, his presence calm and abyss-like, giving no sense of raw power despite the tension.
"I didn't expect you to grow this far. In my calculations, the probability should have been virtually zero."
"But now, that doesn't matter. The winner of this game will be me, because with me, victory is absolute!"
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria