The intensity of Teikou's practices had reached a new level. The National Qualifiers were fast approaching, and the first-string players were sharpening their skills like warriors preparing for battle.
For Souta, every second on the court was a chance to improve.
His instincts were developing. His misdirection was getting sharper. His body was adapting to the relentless pressure of playing against monsters like Aomine, Akashi, and Murasakibara.
But he knew—it still wasn't enough.
If he wanted to stand out in the world of Teikou, he had to push even further.
Midnight Training: Misdirection Refinement
It was past midnight, and Souta was alone in the Teikou gym once again.
He dribbled the ball slowly, focusing on the rhythm of his movements. Kuroko had taught him the fundamentals of misdirection, but Souta wanted to take it one step further.
Kuroko's misdirection works by diverting attention away from himself.
But Souta wanted to combine it with his natural instincts—so that not only would people lose sight of him, but he could move without hesitation into openings before his opponents even realized it.
He set up a row of cones, imagining them as defenders, and began weaving through them at full speed. Every move had to be fluid.
Sudden stops. Explosive starts. Subtle changes in rhythm.
He practiced shifting his body weight at the last possible second, making his movements unpredictable.
Sweat dripped down his forehead as he repeated the drills over and over again.
Then—something clicked.
Souta suddenly felt lighter.
His movements were smoother.
He tried an experiment—standing still for a moment, then dashing into space without a single wasted movement.
It felt... natural.
Like he had become a ghost on the court.
The System chimed in his head.
[New Skill Unlocked: Phantom Drift]
The Next Challenge
The next day at practice, Souta was itching to test his new ability.
As soon as the scrimmage began, he moved carefully, keeping his presence low while searching for openings.
When Akashi's team attacked, Souta vanished.
He slipped past defenders unnoticed, then suddenly reappeared in the perfect spot to intercept a pass.
Steal!
Even Akashi raised an eyebrow at that.
Then, when Souta's team went on offense, he waited.
Just as Midorima tried to block his path—he shifted.
A smooth, almost imperceptible sidestep broke Midorima's focus for just a second—but that second was all he needed.
He drove past, leaving the sharpshooter frozen.
The moment he went for the layup, Murasakibara loomed over him, his hand ready to swat the ball away.
But Souta didn't panic.
He stopped mid-air, twisted his body, and flicked the ball into the net with an underhand scoop shot.
The gym went silent.
Even Murasakibara seemed slightly confused.
Kuroko, watching from the sidelines, muttered, "That's... not bad."
Facing Aomine Again
The moment Souta locked eyes with Aomine, he knew what was coming.
Aomine's expression screamed one thing: Rematch.
"Oi, Souta," Aomine smirked, bouncing the ball lazily. "Think you can stop me this time?"
Souta grinned.
"Only one way to find out."
The entire gym paused as the two players squared off.
Aomine made the first move—a lightning-quick crossover.
Souta's eyes widened. Fast.
But his instincts kicked in. He shifted his stance, ready to cut Aomine off.
Aomine grinned and switched directions mid-step, but this time—Souta reacted.
He didn't think.
He didn't hesitate.
He just moved.
Souta's Phantom Drift activated, and for a split second—Aomine lost track of him.
That was all the time Souta needed.
His hand shot out—stealing the ball cleanly.
The gym exploded with shock.
Even Aomine stopped.
Souta smirked, holding the ball.
"Looks like I'm catching up."
Aomine's surprise lasted only a moment before he grinned.
"Tch... not bad. But don't think it'll happen again."
The Emperor's Evaluation
After practice, Akashi called Souta over.
"You've improved significantly," Akashi stated, arms crossed. "Your movements are no longer as predictable."
Souta smiled. "That almost sounds like a compliment."
Akashi's golden-red eyes narrowed. "Don't misunderstand. I acknowledge your growth, but you are still not at the level of the Generation of Miracles."
Souta expected that.
"But..." Akashi continued, "if you continue at this rate, you may force us to take you seriously."
Souta's breath caught.
Coming from Akashi, that was a huge statement.
Before he could respond, Akashi turned away.
"Keep training," he said. "The Nationals are coming. Show me something truly remarkable by then."
Souta's fists clenched with determination.
Because he would.
By the time the Nationals arrived—
He would be unstoppable.