INVINCIBLE
TEIKO
Here, the uniform you ordered arrived, so I brought it over!
Thank you very much.
Oh, and one message to relay.
Someone's joining first string tomorrow...
- I heard earlier this afternoon. - That makes this quick!
He's only been on the team for about two weeks.
So they want you to show him the ropes.
His name is Ryota Kise.
Nijimura here.
I really thought it over, but I feel this is the best way.
Both for the team and for myself...
...please make Seijuro Akashi the team captain.
64Q. ...SORRY
I don't get it.
You also suggested Akashi be vice captain last year, when he was only a first year.
Both the coach and I sensed his potential, so we made an exception and allowed it...
Why are you in such a hurry to relinquish your spot to him?
My father's been in the hospital since last spring.
His condition's stable now, but they're unsure what'll happen by the nationals.
And if something happens, I'll throw everything aside, even midgame, and head to the hospital.
Even if it doesn't, if I heard his condition worsened, I probably couldn't play calmly.
I love b-ball, and accepting my father's condition was scary.
That's why I couldn't bring it up until now. I'm really sorry.
All right. I'll relay this to the coach.
Oh, it's you, Akashi.
Hello.
Wait, you overheard, didn't you?
- Just the last bit. - The part I wanted you to hear the least.
And so...
It's a bit early, but you're the captain from now on, Akashi.
- It hasn't been decided yet. - Sure it has.
You gonna force me to stay as captain after hearing all that?
Feeling uncertain?
No. I'm merely worried about you, Nijimura-san.
Figures.
That's why I'm not worried at all...
I have faith in you, Captain Akashi.
Sure.
Kuroko and Kise's results in that second-string game seem as expected.
Yeah.
- To think Kise accepted him so easily... - What?
You still haven't accepted Kuroko as one of us?
I accepted him long ago in fact. Same for Murasakibara.... And our senpai.
Then isn't it all right? Kise was just a bit quick at arriving there.
- Kise plays his position... - You mean Haizaki? And yet again...
Yeah. That idiot is in fact ditching again.
But unfortunately, he has skill.
- So he's the starter, and Kise's the sub... - No, that's not true.
Kise's potential and speed of growth outclass Haizaki's.
Further, Nijimura-san will be converted to backup player.
Haizaki's misbehavior can't be tolerated. From here on, it's only a demerit.
We're done with him. Let's suggest he resign.
Akashi is calm yet mild-mannered usually. He has skills and popularity.
Yet at times, his eyes are so cold he looks like someone else.
At least it looks like someone completely different to me.
If that's so, which of them is the true Akashi?
I see... So Haizaki quit after all.
- Guess it can't be helped. - Isn't that a bit cold-hearted?
You talking to him didn't help, right? Then all I can say is it can't be helped.
Haizaki is one full of pride.
If we or our senpai talked to him, we'd only in fact achieve the opposite effect.
- However... - Jeez...
Don't be so naive. We're teammates, but at the same time, we're rivals.
When'd you get so great that you can worry about others? If you have time to look back, go run!
Gather up!
It's less than two months till the qualifiers. The coach will oversee you now.
Wha...
- For real? - Um, what kind of person is he?
Oh, right. It's your first time.
That's true... Then I should at least say hello.
I'm Kozo Shirogane, the coach. Nice to meet you, Kuroko-kun.
- How do you know my name? - Naturally, I remember all our players' names.
- Hello! - Oh, don't tense up so much.
- He did drop by practice often. - Is that so?
He wants to see the players as they are...
...so he often just watches silently from the second floor.
He seems much kinder than I expected.
- That's so not true. - Huh?
It's been very peaceful till now.
But the real practice starts now. It'll be a lot harder, but don't worry.
Nothing kills the young.
He's simply as strict as the devil.
There's one more thing to say.
- Akashi. - Here.
As of today, Seijuro Akashi will replace Nijimura as the team captain.
Seriously?
I'm sure the third years probably have something to say, but this decision is for victory. Accept it.
Nijimura has done well until now.
Thank you very much.
Well, that surprised me...
I knew he was amazing, but already making captain...
But he's still a second year... Will it be all right?
There's likely no need to worry. His family's a distinguished one in Japan.
Seriously?
And as heir, his family raised him strictly with all sorts of meritocratic education.
I'm not saying that's the reason why...
...but he has more skill at organizing teams than Nijimura.
Actually, you look like you're well-off yourself.
Not as much as Akashi, in fact.
And Murasakibara, stop eating while walking.
Huh? No way!
Come on!
Hold on... Those two didn't get along?
It's not that they don't get along.
Midorima's the type who needs things prim and proper.
Murasakibara tends to be careless, so they never really got along to begin with.
But it's been especially bad lately.
Then is it because, you know, how both of them seem to be playing basketball really well lately?
Why are you, in fact, standing there!
If you screened there, I would've been completely open!
Huh? Why would I do something so tiresome when all you need to do is pass to me, Mido-chin?
It's better for me to make the shot!
Stop fighting! Hey!
What in the world are they doing?
- Hey, what'll you do, Captain Akashi? - Let's observe a bit more.
- I've had it. - Me too in fact!
Please stop fighting. Even I could win against both of you as you are now.
I'll prove it to you if we play a match after practice.
First to ten with these teams wins.
I see...
So we're supposed to show our teamwork and win, right?
Yes.
Aka-chin, you slacking off on purpose?
Of course not. I'm playing as I usually do.
Jeez...
Ouch...
What was that, Kise? That was my return pass from Tetsu!
What was that? Any way you look at it, that was mine!
- That was for me! - For me!
Why are you in fact starting a fight as well?
Man... All of this has gotten way too dumb.
For now... I do in fact understand that we were acting disgracefully, Kuroko.
He's vomiting in fact!
It looks like they resolved it.
Oh...
- Aomine's scored 50 points! - What a guy! Unstoppable!
Excuse me.
Hey. Thanks for yesterday.
Huh? Where's Aomine-kun and Kise-kun?
And Midorima-kun...
You were totally puking. You okay?
They're with second string today. They're likely playing now.
TEIKO HARADA Aomine-kun?
Aomine-kun...
Aomine-kun.
What's wrong? You seem aloof.
No, it's nothing.
- You seem to be doing well lately. - Yeah, I guess.
You know...
No, it's nothing.
I see.
By the way, you stare at people now since changing your play style.
- Yes. I'm observing people. - Tetsu-kun!
I can apply it to my misdirection...
- You sure come on to Tetsu hard lately. - Well, I can't hold it back!
Sorry, could you get off now?
More like don't interrupt...
Huh? What?
Oh, right.
- What were you talking about? - Then, Momoi-san...
You're the type that stares back when stared at.
What's that about?
People have all sorts of quirks and different reactions.
I observe those and categorize them.
I need that to guide lines of sight.
Then you know my quirks and stuff?
You always avert your eyes when you lie to me.
Man... I'm done for.
That doesn't mean you need to tell me right now.
Someday, when you feel like telling me, please do.
Yeah. Got it.
Oh, there you are!
Let's all get ice cream!
Oh, sounds good.
And you, Momo-cchi?
I have to take this game data to Akashi-kun, so I can't...
Lately, Aka-chin's been relying on Sat-chin a lot for stuff like getting data...
In fact, thank you for the hard work.
Seems I was more suited for this stuff than I thought.
- Then we'll see you later. - Yeah, see ya!
Ouch!
Nijimura's third years are a given. Akashi's second years' degree of perfection is beyond middle schoolers'.
They're our strongest team ever, no doubt.
The degree of perfection... I believe it's actually the opposite in those terms.
NATIONALS REGIONAL QUALIFIERS SITE They're still developing. This isn't the extent of their talent.
They all have quite a future ahead of them.
I don't know who coined it, but "Generation of Miracles" fits well.
It's nothing short of winning the championship. This isn't resolve but conviction.
Grats on winning the first game of the qualifiers!
Right.
You're not excited?
I'd like to ask why you're in high spirits.
That's how it always is.
Kuroko-cchi seems to be in bliss since yesterday.
He never played in an official game before.
Well, it is a joyous occasion to win.
We shouldn't let our guard down. While I'd like that as my final words, I do have one proposal.
This team is strong.
Due to that, the lack of motivation is noticeable after victory's been secured.
So I'd like to create a quota.
Basically, each player must score 20 points a game.
Fine with me. That sounds fun. Right, Aomine-cchi?
Yeah... Somehow... That sounds like a drag.
Huh? You're not in the groove?
You usually get fired up about stuff like this...
I mean, it's fine if we're winning and all, right?
I'm not saying this because I want to.
But to put it bluntly, I see the clearest decrease in motivation from you.
If the scorer isn't tenaciously scoring points, it affects the team's morale.
Fine. In any case, I just have to score points, right?
So your ace is ditching practice...
You're like him, so I thought you might know...
What an unreasonable question!
I'm not really sure, but that sounds different from that Haizaki you mentioned before...
- He doesn't hate basketball, right? - Right.
Maybe he can't join practice because he loves basketball more than anyone?
All I can say for sure is that he helped you out many times before, right?
This time around, you'll help him. That's what teammates are for.
Yes.
We'll be in the nationals too after two more wins. Don't lose till we fulfill our promise!
Right, of course.
Later!
Thank you very much.
SHIGEHIRO OGIWARA END CALL
- Whoa! - How's that go in?
The more I try, the more basketball becomes boring to me.
Basketball's just a game after all. From now on, I'll stop playing seriously...
That's no good.
What! A popsicle?
It's all I can do to keep up with everyone else.
I honestly don't know what you're feeling.
But no matter our difference in skill...
...I'd never want you to go easy on me or slack off while you play.
Besides... I'm sure someone stronger than you will pop up soon anyway.
You're right.
And now we will start the National Middle School Basketball Tournament!
Man, I'm hungry... I want to eat a snack soon...
The opening ceremonies just ended.
- Can I interview you? - How's your team?
- A word on your consecutive victories? - Whoa, us too?
Akashi's amazing.
Every answer was the perfect one. He's so used to this.
Aomine!
Hey, been a while!
Who's that?
Oh, Inoue-san from Kamizaki Middle School.
He's a power forward like Aomine-kun. They played a great game last year.
- We'll win for sure this year. - We won't lose!
Kuroko!
- Been a while! - Ogiwara-kun!
It's been two years. Did something change?
And Ogiwara-kun... you have a grain of rice stuck there.
- You haven't changed. - Well, you know...
When we actually meet up like this, I'm at a loss...
- I agree... - But well...
I did look forward to this the whole time though.
- I'll be sure to move up the bracket! - So will I.
- Let's do our best. - Yeah.
We will now start Teiko Middle School vs. Kamizaki Middle School! Bow!
Let's have a good game!
What's up with that...
TEIKO KAMIZAKI You're saying you've already given up?
Why? I've been looking forward to this...
I thought I could have a good game against you...
You don't get it...
Just how much of a monster you are.
- Of course nobody can go against you... - Are you being sarcastic?
Tetsu.
It's no good after all...
The only one who can win against me... is myself.
- Aomine-kun! - Shut up. Leave me alone.
To think my ill premonition would come true in such a manner...
Sorry, Kuroko... we lost.
We were really close too...
I can't do this... I'm so frustrated I can't talk straight.
- You guys won, right? - Yes.
I see... Congrats...
I'd like to go cheer for you, but we gotta go home right away... Sorry.
It's no problem... Don't apologize so many times.
Yeah, you're right...
Sorry...
Murasakibara-cchi, you're on a roll.
Can't help it. Power keeps welling out.
- You're eating too many snacks! - I can't take it unless I'm eating.
65Q. WE NO LONGER For some reason I'm so irritated.