TEIKO MIDDLE SCHOOL
The Teiko Middle School basketball team.
In its brilliant history, there were five once-in-a-decade prodigies in one year...
...the "Generation of Miracles."
Ryota Kise. Shintaro Midorima. Daiki Aomine.
Atsushi Murasakibara. Seijuro Akashi.
And the menace standing against them was Seirin High School...
With its shadow... and light.
Who softened up, and when?
Not letting you!
And this change of pace is the same as Aomine!
Even Akashi's Emperor Eye!
The Vanishing Drive?
The invincible shot even Murasakibara couldn't stop...
...was blocked!
58Q. TRUE LIGHT
- Kise's unstoppable! - Unrivaled defense and offense!
They rushed to a 13-point lead!
It's like the Generation of Miracles all at once. This sucks. I can't get a handle on this!
And it's three minutes in?
Considering how long Perfect Copy lasts, I gotta deal with this for at least two more minutes?
Man, this is rough.
For now, I'll take a break.
Copying those guys is pretty rough after all...
I can't really collapse so soon into the game.
We still got most of the game to play, so I gotta save the fun part for later...
But well, that served its purpose plenty.
We have the initiative now.
This is the worst!
Oh man, they really got it handed to them from the start. But you know...
It's true Kise-chin's Perfect Copy is amazing.
But even if he uses it at the end, it's down to two minutes.
And honestly, it'll happen sooner or later, right?
No, it's not that simple.
Any given game has momentum.
Their surprise tactic worked, and its effects will linger.
That's what Kaijo was truly after, I believe.
Damn, just when every second counts in closing the gap...
- Don't mind it, Hyuga! - Yeah.
Kagami!
A full drive into a fadeaway? That move brings back memories! But...
Consecutive missed shots.
So this is what you were talking about.
Yeah. They've gotten totally restless.
I'm guessing Seirin wanted an early lead to run with. But they fell victim to a surprise attack.
Not only did they fail to get ahead, they're far behind.
They want to close the gap right away.
But being too eager makes their attacks too simple and causes mistakes...
At this rate, their attacks will continue to go nowhere.
Change members.
Furihata-kun. You're up.
Iduki-kun!
Calm down... Calm down... Calm down...
You've been wishing for this for a long time.
Kagami and Kuroko are fine since they always get to play. But we'd like to once in a while too...
That day's finally arrived.
I'll be okay!
Calm down...
It's something else on the court...
Kuroko and the senpai were playing in this atmosphere?
We're counting on you. You've got number 4.
Can this be a secret weapon they've hidden for this long?
No way.
Dunno what she's thinking, but let's do our best, Furi!
Do our best? Is that English? Something tasty?
Let's do our best, Furihata-kun. Huh?
He's not seeing Kuroko either...
Is he seriously gonna be okay?
What the... They sent a tensed-up first year?
This is impossible! He's scary!
So she sends out a point guard at this phase in the game... What kind of play will he bring?
Let's go!
Calm down!
- Get a grip, Furi! - Well, I guess...
Thanks!
Damn, the invisible boy!
Sorry, please hold on a moment. It seems he's still nervous.
Huh? Like I care!
Furihata-kun!
It's all right. During my debut game, I tripped and got a nosebleed.
Kuroko...
- Seriously? - I'm serious.
Coach, will it be all right? He's a bigger coward than just about anyone...
That's what's so good about him, isn't it?
Being cowardly isn't a fault. There are things you can do because you're a coward.
Yup. Just you watch.
He's still totally tense.
Even if he wasn't nervous, I don't think he'd be of much use anyway.
Hey!
- Kagami! - One-on-one?
I won't miss next time! Time for a duel, Kise!
I'll take you on!
Kagami, stop!
C-C-Colm dawn!
Huh? What? You're the one who needs to calm down!
What? Not coming?
Shut up. For now, we're resetting this.
This is...
Seirin's mood has changed.
It's the opposite of before... They're passing and being cautious. I see...
The goal was to slow the pace. And it's not like they're taking their time.
When Kagami was about to drive, Kobori and Hayakawa were ready.
Even if he were to have passed Kise, the backups would've gotten him. This kid...
Coach... This is...
Yup!
Cowards, in other words, are that much more cautious!
So they'll never be reckless at offense.
There isn't a player better suited than him to change the game's pace.
Um, when I'm out there, what should I do?
Nothing. Just be how you usually are.
Take plenty of time like you usually do and go at your own pace.
But you can't just be cautious. It's obvious, but take things to the finish line!
You say that, but how...
What are you talking about, silly!
You have teammates!
Don't hold back and rely on them fully!
KAIJO SEIRIN
All right!
Nice pass, Furi!
Looks like you've relaxed a bit.
We scored.
I goofed...
- I stopped dribbling at a half-assed spot! - Captain!
That number 12... He's not flashy, but he's got good moves.
His support's good and lets his team move easily.
I felt it on that last attack, but that first-year point guard...
He picks up on mistakes and avoids trouble. It feels like he's "very good at supporting his teammates."
Man, so tough!
I'm gonna die! Where're our senpai?
- They said they're gonna practice more. - Are they really human like us?
You know...
I'm thinking about quitting the basketball team...
What's all this now? If we do our best, I'm sure...
I love basketball, but...
Kagami and Kuroko, as well as all the senpai, are really amazing.
It takes my all just to keep up in practice.
I feel like no matter how hard I try, it's impossible to get in a game.
Kawahara...
I actually thought the same thing before.
Looking at someone like Kagami, anyone would think that. "He's on a different level."
But when I look at Kuroko, I think he really is an amazing guy...
...but maybe there's still something that even I can do.
Even if I'm a benchwarmer till the end, I want to keep playing basketball with them.
If I quit now, I'll probably regret it.
Dammit!
Whoa... So fast!
I can cut this! It's mine!
Kuroko...
Go!
Nice shot, Furi!
To think they had an ambush like that.
But (it's) about time (they) swap mem(bers), right?
And even when they do, the "hole" still exists. That's Seirin's weakest link.
We'll focus even more on Kasamatsu second quarter.
Got it.
It's on you.
- You don't have to tell me. I'm on it! - Ow...
I'm swapping Furihata-kun out. Good job!
Oh, thanks!
- It's all yours next, Iduki-kun. - With a pail (oke) in my hand, okay!
- Now that we've settled, we'll go with the original plan. - Ignored...
We'll use our main fortification that wasn't at the practice game before.
Build your plays around Teppei!
Leave it to me!
Here he comes after all...
Bring it!
Again, this pattern of passing under the hoop!
- Damn! - Don't worry, Kobori! Offense!
Competing with centers...
Seirin has the best chance to win. They're looking for the mismatch.
Looks it. But you know...
Isn't this a bit more blunt?
Isolation, huh...
They made space for Kasamatsu to penetrate... In other words, this is one-on-one!
That first year did his best, but he's still only a first year.
Since it was a bit lacking, I'll go full force now.
Look closely. You can't win with speed. You have to think ahead!
Left... No...
Right!
Impossible... My read was right, but still...
You're kidding. He still can't keep up?
Not letting you through!
Good going, good going, Ka-sa-ma-tsu!
Still got a ways to go.
Fast... Generation of Miracles aside, he's the fastest player I've faced!
Iduki.
I'm pretty sure they'll come full force using that same pattern.
They're planning everything thinking they'll pass you. In other words, they think the least of you.
Yeah... I know that.
Wait, Captain, ain't that too harsh to start with?
Huh? Don't go getting nice all of a sudden, moron!
Iduki started with mini basketball in second grade. His career's longer than any of ours.
Don't worry. He won't get all dejected from this.
He's got the greatest passion for basketball at Seirin. It's senseless to tell him to do his best.
- Crap! - Get back!
Sorry, you can't stop me.
One more! Just one more!
Wait, you're gonna keep going, Iduki?
Almost got it... That move that Kagetora-san taught me.
I'm not that adept, so to learn one move, I have to practice several times longer than others.
If that's the case, I have to keep going regardless of how many times longer it is!
Iduki!
There we go.
Eagle... Spear!
What?
He targeted the most defenseless moment, after a full drive...
...and used Eagle Eye for a backwards tip without turning?
He doesn't swing around, so the speed increases dramatically... But is such a thing possible?
All right!
- With a flash of anger (katto), a nice cut! - Shut up, Iduki.
I apologize. To be honest, I sold you short, Shun Iduki.
I'd be troubled if all you thought of me was a guy with great puns.
Huh? Puns? When did you make any?
He didn't get them...
What pressure! They've moved up, aware they could be passed!
Don't falter! Pass him!
If I put all of my senses in the drive, I can...
A speed that backwards tip can't catch. But...
Kasamatsu's weapons are his outside attacks and his speedy drive.
If they pressure the shot, then he drives.
If they step back for the drive, he shoots.
It's one of the most orthodox yet powerful styles out there.
Right now, the situation favors the drive, but he can't.
If he thoughtlessly plunges in, it's very likely number 11 will steal it.
If I put all of my senses into the drive, I can't avoid the invisible boy...
Goddammit...
It's intimidating, and not just him... A predatory bird's claws fits this!
- Senpai! - Here he comes after all.
I don't really want to pull back now, but I'm counting on you, ace!
This guy...
Looks like his engine's warm now.
Or rather, facing him like this... He's a completely different guy now.
So interesting...
Stop(ping) you!
Kagami!
Go!
- He stopped it? - Neither ace is yielding!
Senpai... Gimme the ball again next time... please!
I want you to leave him for me.
They're finally getting fired up.
Sure.
When the ace gives you a look like this, there's no reason to say no.
Got it.
- Next time, I'm busting through. - I'll stop him.
The air is so tense...
It's as if masters of sword drawing are poised to draw and facing one another...
Hey, Satsuki...
Do you believe in destiny?
What?
- What are you talking about? - I don't have a fever, idiot.
I know it's not like me to ask this though.
Lately, I can't help but wonder...
...whether us five Generation of Miracles and Tetsu all gathering in the same era was sheer coincidence.
I don't know if there's any meaning. But I've got this vague feeling too.
How we were on the same team, and how we became rivals.
How we all gathered for this tournament. And if there's something called destiny out there...
The fact that he showed up in front of us...
One who was the same type as the Generation of Miracles but didn't become part of it.
The last to awaken with the same talent as the Generation of Miracles.
A "miracle that isn't a Miracle," and...
...the true light that met the shadow of destiny.
I win!
Damn you...
I (can't) lo(se)! (Re)bounds and every(thing), I'll do my best!
Easy! I don't get what you said!
No matter what happens, I'll believe in Kaijo's ace, in Kise!
59Q. DON'T BELITTLE US!! - Right. We'll support him full force too! - Gotcha!