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Kazama Kouki went to the United States at a young age and was introduced to basketball there.
From that day on, Kazama Kouki began his journey to legendary status.
Kazama Kouki's basketball talent was terrifying. In just one year of training, he led his team to the championship of the youth basketball tournament.
After winning three consecutive junior high school championships, he was admitted to the most prestigious basketball university in the United States, and his path to legendary status officially began.
Kazama Kouki seemed divinely inspired, winning every battle and leaving other schools helpless.
His name spread throughout the American basketball world, and many became his fans.
Although his talent was astonishing, the world is fair; there can't be only one genius like him.
Thus, in the high school league, he encountered the "strongest" opponent of his life.
His opponent, like himself, was from Japan.
His name was Shirogane Shinmei.
This was the first time Kazama Kouki faced a truly grueling battle.
The two fought fiercely, the game going into overtime until both were exhausted.
Ultimately, Kazama Kouki won.
This was because Kazama Kouki's school was a renowned basketball powerhouse with many talented players.
Shirogane Shinmei's school, on the other hand, was significantly weaker.
This battle made everyone remember Shirogane Shinmei and Kazama Kouki.
The two became inseparable best friends.
From then on, they frequently sparred or had practice matches between their schools.
They were evenly matched, each with their own victories and defeats.
In their first year of high school, Kazama Kouki won the championship.
In their second year, Shirogane Shinmei won the championship.
However, things don't always go as planned.
In the finals of their third year of high school...
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, during a fierce duel, Kazama Kouki accidentally injured Shirogane Shinmei, rendering him unable to continue and forcing him to be carried off the court.
Without Shirogane Shinmei, Kazama Kouki secured the final victory.
However, Kazama Kouki felt no joy; his heart was filled with worry.
If only he had been more careful, if only he hadn't pushed himself so hard, if only…
But there are no ifs.
After a doctor's diagnosis, Shirogane Shinmei's injury was severe; it was estimated he could never engage in strenuous exercise again.
This meant Shirogane Shinmei would have to say goodbye to basketball.
Later, Shirogane Shinmei chose to leave the United States and return to Japan.
Upon learning this news, Kazama Kouki was filled with remorse.
But Shirogane Shinmei encouraged him not to worry, asking him to fulfill his lifelong dream and stand at the pinnacle of the world.
Kazama Kouki naturally agreed.
After graduating from university, he joined the NBA.
He shone brightly in the NBA, earning the nickname "Yakuza Madman."
Along the way, Kazama Kouki fought his way through, defeating every opponent he faced.
When he finally won the championship, Kazama Kouki was overjoyed. He thought of Shirogane Shinmei and prepared to share the good news with his best friend.
However, when he called Shirogane Shinmei, who had returned to Japan, the news he received plunged his joy into an abyss of despair.
Shirogane Shinmei was killed in an accident, struck by a speeding truck.
When he learned of this, his mind went completely blank.
Kouki, filled with grief, flew back to Japan from the United States.
Shirogane Shinmei's family lived in Hokkaido.
He went to the funeral to offer his condolences to Shirogane Shinmei's family.
Shirogane Shinmei's mother wailed in anguish, and upon seeing Kouki, she completely lost control.
In front of everyone, she attacked Kouki.
While hitting him, Shirogane Shinmei's mother shouted angrily, "It's all your fault! You killed my son! If you hadn't injured him, he wouldn't have been unable to avoid the truck!"
He learned the truth from Shirogane Shinmei's family.
Kouki was plunged into endless regret and pain.
From that moment on, Kouki announced his retirement and disappeared from everyone's sight.
After listening to Kouki's story, Ryu was completely stunned.
He never expected this disheveled old man to be such an extraordinary figure!
"Uncle, I didn't know you had such a past! Shirogane Shinmei, his Surname like mine!"
Hearing Ryu's words, Kouki turned to look at him.
"Yes, you two are really similar! You possess the same talent as him, no, perhaps even more talent. You both share the surname Shirogane, and you both stand before me."
Uh…
Ryu didn't know how to respond.
'Uncle, what do you mean? Are you trying to drag me down with you?'
He chuckled and then said, "A coincidence, isn't it? There are many people with the surname Shirogane!"
"My coach at Teiko has the same title."
"Many, but those with such basketball talent and the surname Shirogane are rare."
With that, Kouki picked up his gourd again and began to drink.
This time, however, no wine seemed to flow from the gourd.
He hung the gourd on his waist with a hint of helplessness, then stood up.
"Kid, since you've graduated early, have you decided where to go for high school?"
Hearing this, Ryu blinked.
He really hadn't decided.
There are so many high schools in Japan, how was he supposed to know which one to go to?
"Not yet. There are so many prestigious basketball schools, it's really a bit of a headache."
"With the title of 'Generation of Miracles,' you'll probably be taken seriously at any school, especially since you graduated early," Kazama Kouki reminded him.
Ryu sighed.
"'Generation of Miracles,' heh… I don't care about that title, especially since I've already left the basketball club, so that title has nothing to do with me anymore."
Kazama Kouki glanced at Ryu sideways.
"It seems you have quite a few grievances about your former team!"
He didn't know what had happened to the Teiko basketball team.
But judging from Ryu's expression when he said that, something must have disappointed him.
Ryu replied, echoing Kazama Kouki's words, "Grievances? Not really, it was more like expected. Everyone has their own choices."
"Your own choices?"
Kazama Kouki pondered Ryu's words.
He had chosen to run away before, so what would he choose next?
He sighed inwardly, then turned to look at Ryu and said, "Kid, you…"
Before he could finish, Kazama Kouki shut his mouth.
He actually wanted to tell Ryu that he could choose to go to his high school.
But the image of Shirogane Shinmei suddenly flashed into his mind.
The surname Shirogane had almost become his inner demon.
He worried that Ryu would repeat the mistakes of Shirogane Shinmei, and the words he wanted to say remained unspoken.
Gurgle… gurgle…
Just then, Ryu's stomach suddenly growled.
He then remembered that he hadn't even eaten dinner yesterday!
"Uncle, it's getting late, let's leave here!"
Kazama Kouki simply nodded, and then the two of them and the cat headed towards the road.
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