The gym fell silent as the players took their positions. The second-string team stood on one side, determination burning in their eyes, while the first-string players exuded an overwhelming presence.
Souta tightened his grip on his jersey. Facing off against Teikou's monsters was no small feat, but this was his chance—no, his only chance—to prove he belonged among them.
The referee raised the ball.
"This is it."
The whistle blew.
Tip-Off: The Power of Monsters
Murasakibara stood at the center, towering over everyone. At the jump ball, he barely needed to try. With a lazy swat, he sent the ball flying towards Aomine, who caught it effortlessly.
Before anyone could react, Aomine exploded forward, his speed inhuman.
"Shit, he's fast!"
Souta sprinted back on defense, but Aomine had already slipped past their forward.
He leaped—
Slam!
The basket rattled from the force of the dunk.
Aomine landed with a smirk. "This is gonna be boring if that's all you got."
Souta clenched his fists. This is what I signed up for. I have to keep up.
Testing the Waters
The second-string team brought the ball up. Their point guard, Yuto, called for a play, but Kise was already reading the passing lanes, moving instinctively to cut them off.
"I can't just watch—I have to move."
Souta ran to the wing, receiving a pass. Kuroko signaled him subtly—he'd create an opening.
With a quick Phantom Step, Souta dashed forward.
Kise reacted instantly, moving to cut him off, but Souta executed a fake step, causing Kise to hesitate for just a second.
It was all he needed.
Souta pulled up—a clean mid-range jumper.
Swish!
Kise raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."
2-2.
The game continued.
Pushed to the Limit
The first string quickly showcased their dominance.
Midorima pulled up from beyond the arc—nothing but net.
Murasakibara shut down the paint, blocking every weak attempt near the basket.
Kise copied moves after seeing them once, countering their attacks instantly.
And Aomine… was a nightmare.
Every time he got the ball, he broke past their defense effortlessly, scoring from impossible angles.
Souta felt sweat drip down his face. This isn't a normal high school-level game…
But he refused to back down.
He had to adapt.
Unleashing Phantom Step
The score was 15-6 in favor of the first string.
Souta's team needed a turning point.
On offense, Souta received a pass near the top of the key. Aomine guarded him this time, his sharp eyes locked onto him like a predator.
"If I can't get past him, I don't deserve to be here."
Souta activated Phantom Step. His body flickered—vanishing for a split second.
Aomine's eyes widened slightly. "Oh?"
Souta reappeared behind him. He had a clean lane to the basket—
Or so he thought.
A blur of blue suddenly closed the distance. Aomine was already in front of him again.
"What—!? How did he—!?"
Before Souta could react, Aomine stole the ball with ease.
"Nice try," he muttered before blowing past everyone for another dunk.
Boom!
Souta gritted his teeth. He saw through it… and countered immediately?
Aomine turned to him with a lazy grin. "That move's not bad. But it won't work against me."
Souta exhaled sharply. I need to evolve Phantom Step—right now.
Evolving on the Spot
If he wanted to survive on this court, he needed something more.
Souta analyzed what went wrong—Aomine reacted as soon as he reappeared. That meant—
"What if I delay my reappearance?"
He decided to test it.
On the next play, Kuroko passed him the ball. This time, Midorima was guarding him.
Souta activated Phantom Step, but instead of instantly appearing, he made a subtle delay, keeping himself in Midorima's blind spot for an extra split-second.
Midorima hesitated—just long enough.
Souta reappeared past him, heading straight for the rim.
Murasakibara stepped up to block—
Souta didn't hesitate. He went for a floater over the giant—
Swish!
The second-string team erupted in cheers.
Pushing Back
Souta's adjustment started shifting the game.
Using his new Phantom Step variant, he slipped past defenders more effectively.
Kuroko disrupted passes, creating fast-break chances.
The second-string team started closing the gap.
24-20.
The first-string players weren't amused anymore.
Aomine grinned. "Alright, now I'm interested."
Kise smirked. "Time to get serious, huh?"
Souta's stomach twisted. Now they were going all out.
The Final Clash
The intensity exploded.
Aomine upped his speed, weaving through defenders like a ghost.
Midorima sniped from half-court, his perfect shots unstoppable.
Kise mimicked Phantom Step, adapting to Souta's technique in real time.
The game reached its climax.
Score: 43-41—first string still leading.
Only one minute left.
Souta's body ached, but he refused to stop.
Kuroko found him open at the three-point line.
"This is it—my moment."
He took the shot—
Buzzer sounds.
Ball in the air.
The entire gym held its breath.