After unlocking Phantom Step, Souta felt a subtle shift in his body. His balance, his footwork, even his sense of positioning had subtly improved. But he knew this was just the first step.
Teikou Middle School's basketball team wasn't just any team—it was the breeding ground for legends. If he wanted to make his mark in this world, he had to push himself harder than ever before.
As the team continued their practice drills, Souta observed the other players carefully. Though the legendary Generation of Miracles hadn't fully awakened yet, their presence was already intimidating. Kise's natural talent, Midorima's deadly accuracy, and Aomine's overwhelming athleticism were starting to show.
Still, Souta wasn't afraid. He had one advantage they didn't—his knowledge of the future. He knew their strengths, their weaknesses, and the challenges ahead.
The System's voice echoed in his mind again:
[New Quest: Defeat a starting player in a one-on-one match.]
[Reward: Skill Enhancement – Phantom Step (Lv. 2)]
Souta smirked. Now we're talking.
"Alright, break into pairs for one-on-one drills!" The coach's voice boomed across the gym.
Souta's gaze shifted across the court. He needed a strong opponent to complete his quest. His eyes locked onto a familiar figure—Ryota Kise.
Kise, still in his early development stage, was already showing signs of his future greatness. Though he hadn't mastered Perfect Copy yet, his ability to learn moves instantly made him a dangerous opponent.
"Kise, let's go one-on-one," Souta said with a confident grin.
Kise blinked before grinning back. "Oh? You sure about that, Souta? I've been improving, you know."
Souta chuckled. "Guess we'll see, won't we?"
They moved to an open court as some of the other players started watching. Even Kuroko, usually indifferent to competition, seemed interested.
The match began.
Kise had the first possession. The moment he moved, Souta realized just how quick and adaptable Kise was. The blond executed a textbook crossover, slipping past Souta in an instant.
Damn, he's fast.
But Souta wasn't the same as before. Activating Phantom Step, he shifted his weight slightly, vanishing from Kise's vision for a split second. It was just enough to recover his defensive stance.
Kise's eyes widened. "What the—?"
Souta smirked. "Not bad, right?"
Kise attempted a mid-range jumper, but Souta leaped higher than expected, blocking the shot cleanly. Gasps echoed across the gym.
"Whoa, Souta blocked Kise?!"
Even Momoi was furiously scribbling notes. "That wasn't just a normal reaction… it was almost like misdirection. But different."
With possession now his, Souta dribbled, testing Phantom Step further. The ability allowed him to shift his presence unpredictably, creating a natural blind spot in his opponent's vision.
As Kise tried to anticipate his move, Souta suddenly disappeared from his direct sight and drove toward the basket. With a clean layup, the ball dropped through the hoop.
"Nice move!" Kuroko commented quietly from the sidelines.
Souta grinned. He had just taken his first step toward competing with the Generation of Miracles.
But this was only the beginning.
[Quest Complete! Phantom Step Upgraded to Lv. 2]
A new rush of energy surged through him.
Souta Fujimura's journey was only getting started.