章 18: The Lightning Beast of Fukuyama

"Hurry! Faster! Push it even more!" The booming voice of Coach Shirogane roared across the court.

Everyone on the court pushed themselves to the limit, gritting their teeth and sprinting forward with heavy steps. There was no room for slacking—they knew that only by giving everything they had could they complete this grueling training session.

"Man, I'm dead!" Aomine finally crossed the finish line and collapsed onto the court like a puddle of mud. He panted heavily, as if trying to expel every last bit of air from his lungs. Exhausted, he lay motionless, not even bothering to lift a finger.

The other players fared no better—faces pale, drenched in sweat. Some sprawled on the floor, others leaned against the wall, while a few sat down, too tired to stand. Their expressions were etched with fatigue and pain, as if they had just survived a life-or-death battle.

Coach Shirogane clapped his hands to gather their attention. "Well done! You've all shown great improvement compared to three months ago. Let's wrap up here for today"

The players groaned in relief, but Shirogane continued, "One last thing. Tomorrow's opponent has been confirmed—it's Fukuyama Junior School. And there's someone on their team you need to watch closely"

Hearing this, Aomine sprang to life as if injected with pure adrenaline. "Who is it? Who?!" He jumped up, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

Shirogane's voice grew more serious "Their ace is a player called Kotaro Hayama, also known as the 'The Lightning Beast'

He paused for effect, then continued. "Hayama's a second-year, playing small forward. He's famous for his extraordinary athleticism and a signature move—'Lightning Dribble.' With just three fingers, he can channel all his power into his dribble, creating explosive sounds and blistering speed. His skill level is no joke."

Aomine's lips curled into a faint grin, his eyes sparking with competitive fire. "He sounds strong... I can't wait to face him!"

But Midorima, ever the realist, poured cold water on his excitement. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Hayama's a small forward, and you're a power forward. You're not even going to match up with him"

Aomine's grin vanished, but he quickly turned to Shiro "Hey, Shiro, let's switch positions tomorrow. Just for this game, okay?" His tone was half-joking, half-pleading.

Shiro thought for a moment before agreeing. "Alright. I'll take him on at the start, and we'll switch later" In fact, Shiro also knew in his heart that as one of the five Uncrowned Kings, Hayama's true strength should not be underestimated, so he also wanted to meet this strong enemy.

Aomine beamed. "Thanks, Shiro! I knew I could count on you"

Shirogane clapped his hands again, signaling the end of practice. "Good. Now go home, rest up, and prepare to bring your A game tomorrow. Our goal goes beyond just winning this one match!"

The next day, excitement filled the gym as the teams arrived for the game.

"Look! Fukuyama's players are here!" someone in the audience exclaimed.

"This matchup is going to be epic!" another fan shouted, buzzing with anticipation.

"Whoa! That's Kotaro Hayama!" The crowd stirred as the Fukuyama ace made his entrance, walking confidently at the front of his team. His signature toothy grin, complete with a small fang, radiated confidence and mischief.

The noise level spiked again as the opposing team made their way into the gym.

"It's Teiko Junior School!"

"Their presence is overwhelming! They've dominated the previous games with pure strength!"

"Ahhh! It's Shiro! He's so handsome and charming!"

Fans screamed as Shiro, always calm and composed, waved to the crowd with a radiant smile. Meanwhile, Aomine locked eyes with Hayama across the court, his gaze burning with unrestrained eagerness. His body trembled slightly, not from fear but from sheer excitement at the thought of the upcoming battle.

Midorima stood quietly nearby, clutching a green lucky charm in the form of a teacup. Unlike his earlier tournament jitters, he now exuded calm, fully confident in his preparations.

Akashi, the team captain, wore his usual gentle expression, though his eyes reflected unwavering focus. Even Murasakibara, lazily munching on a bag of chips, appeared unfazed by the high stakes.

"Let's give it our best!" the players called out as they finished their warm-ups.

The atmosphere in the gym grew tense as the referee stepped to the center circle, basketball in hand. The crowd held its breath, waiting for the game to begin. With a powerful throw, the ball soared into the air, marking the start of the match.

Murasakibara effortlessly leaped higher than anyone, using his towering height and impressive athleticism to tap the ball towards Akashi. Without missing a beat, Akashi caught it and sped towards the basket, his eyes scanning the court for opportunities.

Aomine sprinted into position, eagerly motioning for the ball. Akashi obliged, sending a precise pass his way.

Receiving the ball at the left wing beyond the three-point line, Aomine exploded into motion. Like an arrow shot from a bow, he zipped past Fukuyama's power forward with a swift crossover.

"Too easy" Aomine muttered as he dashed through the defense with lightning speed.

The Fukuyama players scrambled to stop him, but Aomine was unstoppable. With a confident smirk, he leaped into the air and slammed the ball into the hoop with a resounding dunk.

Hayama's eyes gleamed with recognition. 'This guy's no ordinary player...' he thought, watching Aomine retreat to defense.

Determined not to be outdone, Fukuyama's point guard dashed forward, dribbling with lightning-fast precision. Hayama raised his hand, signaling for the ball. Trusting their ace, the point guard passed it without hesitation.

Now it was Hayama's turn. Facing Shiro, his grin widened. "Let's see what you've got" he seemed to say without words, challenging Shiro to a duel of skill.

The entire gym fell silent, every eye glued to the two players as they prepared to clash. The tension was electric, and everyone knew they were about to witness something extraordinary.

The first showdown between Teiko's rising stars and Fukuyama's ace was about to unfold, and no one dared to look away.