The tension in the stadium was palpable as the two games drew to a close. The final buzzers rang out, sealing the victories for Shutoku and Seirin.
The crowd couldn't contain their excitement. They erupted into a chorus of cheers and applause.
"Wow! Midorima is incredible!"
"Seirin is on fire! Kagami's skills are insane!"
The energy in the arena was electric as the fans couldn't help but express their amazement at the level of play they had just witnessed.
The final scores were in, and the results were nothing short of astounding.
Shutoku had delivered a crushing defeat to Senshinkan, once considered one of the formidable three kings of Tokyo.
The scoreboard displayed 127-56 in favor of Shutoku.
The audience couldn't contain their thrill at witnessing such a dominant performance.
Seirin, on the other hand, who had been getting narrow victories up to this point, had a remarkable score of 110-82, thanks to Kagami's exceptional performance and the shadowy support of Kuroko.
The spectators were still excited, unable to stop talking about the incredible game they had just witnessed.
Aomine's eyes focused on Kagami, and a thought crossed his mind: "Looks like I wasn't mistaken. What I sensed yesterday was right..."
He had sensed long before that the door separating the Generation of Miracles from the rest of the world had been shattered, but the intruder hadn't yet been qualified to enter.
However, observing Kagami now, Aomine recognized the person who had breached that barrier.
What's more, Kagami had not just broken through the door; he had entered the room and stood before them, the Generation of Miracles.
Aomine couldn't help but muse, "Tetsu's found himself quite an exceptional teammate, hasn't he?"
A confident grin played on his lips as he pondered this.
In another part of the stadium, Kise fixed his eyes on Kagami as he pondered the same thoughts. A smile gradually spread across his face.
Kasamatsu noticed Kise's sudden smile and frowned, asking, "Why are you grinning like that out of the blue?"
"Oh, it's nothing really."
He chuckled and said, "I'm just more excited for the Winter Cup now..."
Kasamatsu shook his head in response as they walked out of the stadium.
After the final league to determine the teams advancing to the Winter Cup, there was a two-week break before the tournament began.
In the following two weeks, Fukuda Sogo underwent intense training in Tokyo, utilizing the private gymnasium provided by Tsuna. Alexandra occasionally joined them as their coach, focusing on specific aspects per Tsuna's requests.
As Alexandra reviewed the data on her hand, she remarked, "It was quite challenging for the rest of them actually to use that..."
"No, this should be sufficient."
Tsuna was also examining the data closely.
Alexandra shrugged and said, "Well, if it meets your standards, then I suppose I've done a good job."
Tsuna smiled, appreciating her dedication.
"Captain, I've progressed with this technique during the past two weeks!"
Mochizuki approached Tsuna, excitement in his voice.
Tsuna raised an eyebrow at Mochizuki's quick progress on that technique.
"Good job! Make sure you can apply it in the Winter Cup."
Mochizuki nodded seriously and went back to his training.
Observing Mochizuki's departing figure, Alexandra remarked, "He's made impressive strides in such a short time."
Tsuna nodded, pleased with Mochizuki's progress. He had suggested that Mochizuki learn a new technique, recognizing the young man's exceptional agility and how well it suited his quick feet and build. Tsuna was confident that Mochizuki could master it.
With a grin, Tsuna added, "Allen would be surprised when he sees this..."
Meanwhile, not just Fukuda Sogo but the other teams that had qualified for the Winter Cup were also stepping up their training. Schools like Shutoku High, Too Academy, Kaijo High, Yosen High, and even Rakuzan High were intensifying their preparations.
Seirin High had also organized a special training camp, enlisting Aida's father's help, Kagetora, a seasoned basketball trainer and a former player of the National Team.
With his expertise as a professional trainer, he was sure to help Seirin significantly improve their skills and teamwork.
Having joined the training camp, Kagami anticipated further improvement in his skills.
Meanwhile...
On the western side of Japan, within a modern gymnasium, the air was filled with the sound of heavy panting as three basketball players lay sprawled on the polished wooden floor, their faces etched with exhaustion.
Their gazes were fixed on a red-haired teenager who stood before them, frozen in disbelief.
Their training regimen had shifted significantly after their humbling defeat in the Interhigh, and their progress had been remarkable.
However...
"You're just a monster, Sei..."
Mibuchi finally found his breath and spoke, his voice trembling with exhaustion and a tinge of fear.
They had just engaged in a 1v3 match against Akashi. Their battle was not even fierce as the outcome was obvious...
They had been thoroughly defeated.
Nebuya lay on his back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as he reminisced about their recent showdown.
He slowly turned his head to meet Akashi's cold, piercing eyes, a shiver running down his spine.
Nebuya couldn't help but think, "We're the Uncrowned Kings, yet he defeated us as if it were child's play. He's a true monster."
Akashi stood above them, casting an intimidating shadow.
His voice was as frigid as his gaze as he addressed the Uncrowned Kings, his teammates, "I forgave your previous failure, considering you were up against Tsunayoshi's pawn."
The words sent chills down Kotaro's spine.
He was a player who relied on pure instinct, and his instincts were on high alert as he cowered in fear. Akashi's cold demeanor left them all feeling uneasy.
"I don't expect much from your performance after losing that game."
Akashi's voice cut through the air like a blade, slow and deliberate.
Now tinged with red sparks, his eyes bore into the Uncrowned Kings with a chilling intensity.
The room seemed to shrink in the shadow of his presence as an overwhelming pressure enveloped them, making them feel like mere insects before a giant.
Under this terrifying gaze, they felt a stifling pressure enveloping their whole being. Akashi spoke with unwavering authority, "I would rather not use this card, as if I really had to use them..."
They knew the weight of that 'card,' and the implication sent shivers down their spines.
"That means you are no longer useful to me."
Akashi took a step closer, and the air grew even heavier.
His voice echoed with self-assuredness, "I am more than enough to defeat anyone who dares to stand before me."
"Because I am absolute, and no one can challenge my authority."
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