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'That's... the captain of the Generation of Miracles...'
Furihata Kouki was completely stunned.
The invisible pressure, like that of a king, was making him almost unable to stand.
Akashi glanced around at everyone, then spoke again.
'Aomine, Kise, Midorima, Murasakibara, Ryu, and... Kuroko...'
He smiled and remarked.
'It's truly a joy to see everyone gathered together again.'
Unlike the original story.
Because of Ryu.
Akashi's dual personality had been corrected.
Therefore, he didn't pay attention to Furihata Kouki's presence.
'What's going on! Akashi, everyone's been waiting for you for ages.'
Aomine said impatiently.
Akashi simply smiled and replied.
'Sorry, something came up.'
Ryu sized Akashi up and down.
On the surface, he seemed unchanged.
However, that was only on the surface.
He didn't believe Akashi would stagnate without making any progress.
Similarly, Akashi also subtly observed Ryu.
He was similar to Ryu.
He couldn't detect any change in Ryu either.
"Ryu, I heard you beat a professional player, congratulations!"
Hearing Akashi's words, Ryu glanced at Satsuki, who was teasing Karupin, and replied.
"its not a professional! Just an ordinary member of the club."
Murasakibara asked curiously.
"Yu-chin has beaten a professional player? That's really impressive."
Ryu sighed, reminding him.
"I already said, not a professional!"
Midorima looked at Ryu seriously and said.
"Whether professional or not, anyone who makes it into a basketball club is no ordinary player."
Kise chimed in.
"I've heard about this too. Ryucchi's skill is truly terrifying!"
Ryu was speechless at these guys.
He looked at Akashi, his eyes filled with suspicion.
"Akashi, you're not doing this on purpose, are you?!"
He was genuinely wondering if Akashi had deliberately set a trap.
To plant a seed in everyone's minds before the game.
That way, he could better observe his own game.
But Akashi just smiled and replied.
"How could I... It's just a friendly greeting between friends. You're overthinking it."
Nobody believes you.
Ryu thought to himself.
He'd been Akashi's teammate for over two years.
When it comes to cunning and scheming, this guy is no less than Imayoshi Shoichi of Too.
Even more so.
The group chatted like this, one sentence after another.
Furihata Kouki was left standing there awkwardly.
'Who am I...where am I...what am I doing?'
He was in agony.
He felt like he was invisible.
Just then.
His shoulder suddenly felt heavy.
A voice rang in his ear.
'So you're here! Kuroko…'
Hearing that familiar voice,
Furihata Kouki's swaying body regained its balance.
Kuroko turned around.
'Kagami…'
Kagami first scanned the Generation of Miracles before fixing his gaze on Kuroko.
"The opening ceremony is about to start, the coach is already urging us."
"I see!"
Kuroko turned to Akashi.
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back."
Akashi didn't seem to mind Kagami's sudden intrusion.
He sized up Kagami, then maintained his smile.
"You are... Kagami, Kuroko's new light!"
As he spoke, Akashi's crimson eyes flashed.
"Your strength is still far from sufficient, but even so, I'm still looking forward to your performance."
Hearing this, Kagami's eyes narrowed, and he said somewhat angrily.
"What did you say... I will definitely defeat you all."
Akashi simply smiled slightly.
No sarcasm, no disdain.
This complete disregard ignited Kagami's anger.
'These guys, one by one, they're all so infuriating!'
"Kagami..."
Kuroko, seeing Kagami about to explode, interrupted him in time.
Akashi waved to the Generation of Miracles and said,
"Now that I've met everyone, I'll be going. We'll meet again at the National Tournament."
Aomine couldn't help but stand up and shout.
"Hey! Akashi, you were the last one to arrive! You're just leaving like that? Did you call us all here just for this?"
Akashi, who was about to leave, stopped and turned back.
"No! I just wanted to get together with everyone before the tournament and confirm one more thing. Even though that vow had some unpleasant unexpected elements, we all still share the same goal!"
Akashi looked at Ryu.
"And Ryu, even though you weren't there, we all believed you would join us. Even though we lost to you in the Summer League, but..."
Akashi's eyes flashed with determination.
"The Winter Selection Tournament is where we truly clash."
They understood the meaning behind Akashi's words.
Ryu grinned.
"I see! But the outcome might not change at all!"
Upon hearing this, everyone from the Generation of Miracles' gaze sharpened.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
A powerful, resolute aura filled the air.
Furihata Kouki, who had been acting like a nobody, suddenly swallowed hard.
'What's going on? How did the atmosphere suddenly become so tense?'
Kagami, who had just been stopped by Kuroko, now suppressed his anger.
Seeing the tense atmosphere among the Generation of Miracles, he became more solemn and refrained from speaking.
"Oh dear! So everyone's here!"
Suddenly, an untimely voice rang out.
The heavy atmosphere among the Generation of Miracles vanished instantly.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
Then a figure appeared in their field of vision.
The figure drew closer and closer, soon standing before them.
When they saw the newcomer's face clearly, everyone in the Generation of Miracles froze, their expressions a mixture of surprise and confusion.
Haizaki…
A grey-haired figure flashed through everyone's minds.
The newcomer scanned the group, then revealed a meaningful smile.
"This kind of scene really brings back memories! And Ryu... I heard you won the Summer League championship, that's truly remarkable."
As he spoke, he licked his lips, then grinned.
"I really want to take it from you!"
The expressions on the faces of the Generation of Miracles were not very pleasant.
They had already recognized the person who came.
This person is none other than Haizaki Shogo.
Instead, he was one of the official members of Teiko, just like them, during his junior high school years.
Haizaki Shogo.
The one who disliked this guy the most was Kise Ryota.
He said in an unfriendly tone.
"Haizaki... why are you here?"
"Huh?"
Haizaki feigned confusion.
"What are you talking about! This isn't private space, why can't I show up! Idiot."
His words left Kise speechless.
However, Haizaki continued.
"But... even if it were private space, it wouldn't matter, right?"
The Generation of Miracles all knew what he meant.
This guy has always been like this.
Crunch... Crunch...
Murasakibara, while eating snacks, looked at Haizaki with a puzzled expression and asked.
"Is this really Haizaki? He seems a little different."
Because Haizaki's appearance now was so different from when he was in middle school.
So, someone like Murasakibara, whose mind was always on snacks, couldn't immediately recognize him.
"This is Haizaki Shogo," Aomine explained.
"He has gray hair from middle school. He looks quite different now, but this guy probably didn't just happen to be here!"
As he spoke, Aomine's gaze locked onto Haizaki Shogo.
"Heh heh heh..."
Haizaki Shogo chuckled, looking at Aomine.
"Aomine Daiki... you're still the same! Still looking at me like that. I was your former teammate!"
Aomine didn't give Haizaki Shogo a friendly look.
He'd disliked the things Haizaki did since middle school.
So he didn't believe the nonsense about missing a teammate.
However, Kagami and Furihata Kouki, who were watching from the sidelines, were shocked.
Former teammate?
From the Generation of Miracles...
Kagami and Furihata Kouki were both incredulous.
If he was a teammate from the Generation of Miracles, why had they never heard of this guy before?
Both men involuntarily turned their gaze to Kuroko.
Kagami couldn't help but ask,
"Kuroko... what's going on? Who is that guy?"
Kuroko was silent for a moment before replying.
"He was indeed a full member of Teiko, but... due to some things, he left the basketball club midway."
He didn't elaborate.
Now wasn't the time to talk about that.
He was also very puzzled.
Why was Haizaki Shogo suddenly here?
After all, Akashi had arranged for them to meet here at the last minute.
Midorima adjusted his glasses and looked at Haizaki Shogo.
"You also participated in the Winter Selection Tournament, Haizaki..."
Midorima's position as vice-captain of the basketball team during middle school wasn't without reason.
He quickly deduced why Haizaki Shogo was there.
Haizaki Shogo glanced at Midorima.
"Huh! As expected of Midorima! You were right, we might just face off! But..."
As he spoke, Haizaki Shogo turned his gaze to Ryu, who had remained silent.
"I'd rather have you as my first opponent! Ryu..."
Feeling Haizaki Shogo's undisguised aggressive gaze, Ryu merely glanced at him before replying calmly.
"So you harbor this much resentment towards me, White Devil?"
Boom...
Upon hearing this, everyone present gasped.
What the heck?
What did he just say?
The White Devil?
Could it be…?
Kise couldn't help but ask.
"Ryucchi...you're saying this guy is the infamous White Devil who's been all over the place?"
Haizaki Shogo's expression changed slightly, but quickly returned to normal.
Ryu didn't have concrete evidence, he simply stated...
"I'm just guessing, but based on some information about the White Devil, we can still filter out some characteristics: powerful, vicious, and possessing the ability to weaken opponents. In my memory, only this guy fits the bill best."
Hearing Ryu's explanation, the Generation of Miracles suddenly understood.
"I see, it's just as you said."
Now, the way the Generation of Miracles looked at Haizaki Shogo changed.
You see, the "White Devil" had been the subject of much speculation lately.
Ryu looked at Haizaki Shogo and spoke.
"Seeing that you didn't refute me, I think my guess was right!"
Hahahaha…
Haizaki Shogo clapped his hands, a look of admiration on his face.
"Ryu is indeed Ryu, truly remarkable! That's right, I am the White Devil, but that title isn't as impressive as the 'Generation of Miracles'!"
As he spoke, Haizaki Shogo's gaze swept over the members of the Generation of Miracles.
"So I was thinking, wouldn't a different title be better?"
This was clearly a provocation to the Generation of Miracles.
Akashi, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Are you provoking us, Haizaki?"
Haizaki Shogo was still somewhat wary of Akashi.
After all, his opponent's family background was far beyond what he could afford to offend.
Although Haizaki was wary, he showed no sign of backing down.
"Oh dear! Don't say that, Akashi. If any of you lose to me, I think it wouldn't be too much to ask for the title of 'Generation of Miracles'!"
No one objected to his words.
If it was a fair and square victory, they naturally wouldn't say anything.
Akashi didn't say anything either, not even glancing at Haizaki Shogo, and simply walked away.
Seeing Akashi ignore him, a glint flashed in Haizaki Shogo's eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
He grinned again and turned to look at Ryu.
"I've heard quite a bit about you this past year; everyone seems to have high expectations for you! What if we faced off, and you accidentally lost to me...? What would happen then?"
Hahahaha...
Hearing Haizaki Shogo's arrogant laughter,
everyone present frowned.
Kise spoke directly.
"Haizaki, you're too arrogant. Leaving aside Midorimacchi and Aominecchi, you're probably no match for me now, let alone Ryucchi."
"Oh...you..."
Haizaki Shogo glanced at Kise sideways.
"A defeated opponent dares to say such things? It seems the title of 'Generation of Miracles' has made you forget how terrifying I am!"
Finally, Haizaki Shogo scanned the crowd again.
Starting with Ryu, then Aomine, Midorima, Murasakibara, and so on, finally Kise.
He told Kuroko to ignore him.
"Then we'll wait and see! I really want to see you all trampled under my feet."
Hahahaha...
With that, Haizaki Shogo laughed arrogantly and left.
Watching Haizaki Shogo leave, the scene fell into silence.
"That guy is still so annoying,"
Aomine murmured.
Satsuki breathed a sigh of relief.
She was worried that they would start fighting.
But thankfully, they didn't.
Kuroko then said to the others.
"I'll head back now."
With that, Kuroko, Kagami, and Furihata Kouki left.
Midorima spoke up, reminding them.
"Haizaki didn't seem to be just putting on a brave face. If you encounter him again, be careful."
Kise said angrily.
"That arrogant bastard, if I meet him, I will definitely defeat him."
Ryu took Karupin from Satsuki's hands.
"Then see you at the National Tournament!"
He added, as if suddenly remembering something.
"Oh…right, that Haizaki guy, if nothing unexpected happens, should be at Fukuda Sogo Academy."
With that, he left.
The remaining members exchanged glances, then said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
Haizaki Shogo's appearance had no effect on the Generation of Miracles.
In fact, the Generation of Miracles didn't take Haizaki Shogo seriously at all.
After a long while.
The opening ceremony was successfully held.
This officially kicked off the Winter Selection Tournament.
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