INVINCIBLE
TEIKO
We are now starting the final match of the main tournament...
Teiko Middle School versus Kamata Nishi Middle School! Everyone, bow!
Let's have a good game!
This is it. If we win, we're national champions... Back-to-back champs, even.
Do you have anything to say?
I'll make as many threes as possible. In fact, that is all.
Not really. I don't have anything.
I want to end this quick and eat snacks.
Isn't everyone like totally off on their own right now?
That doesn't matter.
We're strong when the separate individuals engage with each other. There's only one thing we need to share!
We're gonna win!
Yeah!
You don't have to do anything to Aomine.
Just behave like you always have.
Trying to cheer him up or comfort him will do the opposite. If need be, I'll talk to him.
65Q. WE NO LONGER
TEIKO - KAMATA NISHI
Aomine.
Stay here for a bit.
There is something I have to apologize to you about.
I had immediately realized you had a tremendous amount of potential talent.
I also knew you loved basketball more than anyone else...
...and that if your talent was to come to fruition, you would end up like how you are now.
Despite realizing this, I didn't say anything... I couldn't say anything.
How I wished to see the future with your fully talented self having won over how you would feel.
That is why I apologize. And I beg you... Don't waste away that talent.
Your distress isn't something that can be solved immediately.
However, there is a chance it will be solved someday. Don't abandon it.
I won't say that if you don't give up you'll definitely make it. But, if you do give up, there's nothing left.
Wait... That line...
Yup. Stole it.
That means you were listening?
All right. We can't go back to what we were before after all this. But still...
The feeling that I want to win is still with me.
TEIKO - KAMATA NISHI
We did it!
Now I can eat my snacks, right? Hey, you want some?
- Yeah, I'll have some. - Eh? Seriously?
Why are you spacing out? You can be a bit happier.
Kuroko-cchi's passes...
Go ahead. At the least, you can be honest with yourself just for now.
It looks like things have settled down for now.
Yes, it has...
Nijimura and the others have now retired, but I'm sure there's nothing to worry about.
As long as those boys, the Generation of Miracles, are with us...
We'll see about that.
On the contrary, I'm worried. Their powers are too great.
In order to keep the team working together, we have to follow up with them even more...
Well, that will be all right. As long as you are around, I'm sure...
It's not a life-threatening condition.
However... Unfortunately, he will not be able to return as the head coach.
Therefore, I will take over as the head coach starting today.
From tomorrow, we'll resume the practice menu that we've been using until now. Got that?
It's fine because you made it, but there were two guys on you.
It would've been wiser to return it to me to ensure scoring.
Oh, really? It's fine. I landed the shot.
Mukkun... He's strong as if he was someone else.
Just like Aomine-kun...
But that's all the more reason for me to be scared of his sudden growth.
Murasakibara-cchi, wasn't that shot just now amazing?
Hm? You think so?
But, somehow...
I can't help it. Power just wells out.
If I went full strength, I think I'd crush everyone. Even my teammates.
If I can... From this distance...
Those five students dubbed the Generation of Miracles...
REGENT CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE No matter what happens, those five must play in every game from here on.
But...
When a hero flourishes, it's great advertising.
Moreover, I hear they have not lost once since joining.
However, they are still children!
- Sometimes it's not good to give them special... - I'm telling you to give them special treatment.
Murasakibara-kun was amazing today.
Yeah... You're right.
At the same time, it scares me.
Seeing how he is evolving... It reminds me of when Aomine-kun had changed.
Tetsu-kun, have you talked with Aomine-kun lately?
Not since the Nationals ended...
I do feel like I need to do something, but honestly, I don't know what to do right now.
Momoi-san?
Everyone...
We'll still all be together forever, right?
We can continue to be friends and play together forever, right?
Yes. We're together... forever.
Seijuro... I hear your team won the national championships.
Yes.
How is your schoolwork looking?
No issues.
That's fine. Keep doing both how you have been.
Being versed in letters and arms... A man from the Akashi family must excel in all fields.
Yes, Father.
Don't mess around... You're always letting people go so easily every time!
Even if you can't stop them, do something or I can't even bother to help!
I am trying.
You're just too good, Aomine-kun.
There can't possibly be anyone that can stop you.
You bastard! I don't have time for this!
Aomine-kun!
Wait, Aomine!
Aomine.
Coa... Head coach?
As the head coach, I can't just overlook what Aomine has done...
But if I forced Aomine to practice now, and he ends up saying he's going to quit the team...
If you don't want to, you don't have to come to practice anymore.
However, you still need to play in the games.
If you play, and we win, I won't have complaints.
Aomine-kun, let's go back to practice.
Why should I?
For what purpose do I need to practice?
You realize I already win even if I don't want to?
You want me to crush down my opponents that have lost the will to fight even further?
I understand how you feel, but...
Understand? Hah!
What part of it do you understand? Tell me!
How could someone who can't do anything by himself understand this?
There are times even I get jealous of everyone, including you, Aomine-kun.
It's useless to feel grief over the impossible!
- That's why, so that I can pass with all my strength... - And who is that pass for?
You realize I can win against anyone by myself now, even without your passes?
The only one that can win against me... is myself.
From that day, I haven't gotten a pass from you.
It was so recent, but it feels like the distant past already.
I've... already forgotten even how to receive your passes.
Honestly, what's with them, making Aomine-cchi play in games regardless of him coming to practice.
I don't know the head coach's true intent, but I cannot agree with it.
About that...
If it's okay to not practice as long as we win the games, I don't wanna practice either.
Don't be stupid. I can't possibly allow that.
I mean, I don't feel like I'm going to lose at all.
Besides, I at least listened to you till now, Aka-chin...
... 'cause I felt like I'd never be able to win against you.
But lately, it feels like maybe that's no longer the case.
I don't wanna follow directions from people weaker than me.
What was that?
What is this! Mukkun, this is a joke, right?
Stand aside.
If I have to pin you down by force, then that is what I will do.
Don't be so conceited.
One-on-one. Five scores to win.
What in the world have I said?
Why couldn't I have had more faith in Aomine back then?
Why?
- Wha- - Impossible...
AKASHI, 0 MURASAKIBARA, 4 To think it would be this one-sided...
Honestly, this is a bit... No, quite... disappointing.
It's like impossible to listen to someone who can only go so far...
Oh well...
I make this shot, and I'll do whatever I want as promised, anyway.
I, Seijuro Akashi, am going to lose?
This cannot be. Such a thing must not happen.
I must win... No matter who it is against... No matter what happens...
Victory is everything in this world.
The victor is acknowledged, and the vanquished is disavowed.
Because I am victorious over all, I am always the just.
Hold it... What happened just now?
I have no idea, in fact...
Something's different... This isn't the Akashi-kun we've known until now...
You're getting a bit too carried away, Atsushi.
Don't get me too angry.
Anyone who acts against me is never forgiven... Even if they are my parents.
AKASHI, 5 MURASAKIBARA, 4
Well, I'm done for the day. Good work.
Wait, Mukkun!
I'm tellin' ya, it's fine if I show up to practice like usual tomorrow, right?
No, I am calling that off.
Do as you like. As long as we win our games.
In fact, what are you talking about? You just said...
The same goes for both Midorima and Kise.
All actions will be glossed over as long as we win our games.
At our level, it is more of a waste of time to force everyone to get in step.
It is more efficient to stop adjusting.
Impossible... that sounds like you don't want to have team play anymore...
That is correct. For the Generation of Miracles, team play is nothing but a hindrance.
That is what I said.
You're late.
Looks like it was no good.
Right.
Then, there's nothing we can do. You should give up on Aomine.
A plate can never be fully restored once it has a crack.
But if it is still usable, what we have now will suffice.
Akashi-kun?
What was with Akashi-cchi just now?
It was like he was a completely different person...
A different person... That is exactly what it is.
That aura was exactly that of the guy I've seen several times in the past.
What are you talking about?
No...
Who are you?
Of course, I'm Seijuro Akashi...
...Tetsuya.
Within Akashi, there is another person. A different Akashi.
It's something that I personally can't believe either...
But...
I heard you told Murasakibara and the others they didn't have to come.
Teiko's principle is to win.
I believe that your decision was the correct one, head coach.
By prioritizing victory, we do away with team play...
TEIKO And, it is true that they are strong like that...
However... can you actually call this a team?
Is Murasakibara out again?
Aomine-san too...
It really has changed a bit.
What has, in fact?
It feels a bit cutthroat...
Like, there's less of that feeling that we're all buddies.
It's like that since the coach and Akashi-cchi changed course.
I mean, you're a bit irritated yourself, Midorima-cchi.
No matter what the form, if it is the course set for the team, I follow it.
What I find disagreeable is with Aomine and Murasakibara as they stand now.
No matter the reason, not showing up just because you were told you didn't have to...
The nerve of them I find hard to comprehend, in fact.
I cannot behave amiably to those that refuse to do everything in their powers.
It's unusual for you to practice shooting.
Akashi-kun.
That is practice that you no longer have a need for, isn't it?
I guess so...
Akashi-kun, do you like basketball?
I fail to understand the meaning of that question. This emotion of "liking"... is it necessary in order to win?
I... really don't know anymore.
The current team is definitely different than before.
From around when you changed, Akashi-kun.
That again? I have not changed at all.
There were two of me to begin with. It was merely a swap between us.
I have no intent on hiding this. Whether or not you believe it is up to you, Tetsuya.
However, if you want to call it a "change," then that was because it was necessary.
The team did not change because I had changed.
I changed because the team had changed.
As everyone's prominent talents started to show, we no longer had any external enemies.
If there are enemies, they're all internal.
If I try to round up powers that are too strong...
...there is the possibility that everything will crumble from the inside.
We should no longer be combining our forces together.
Impossible... What are you talking about?
But realize, that is what happened to you and Daiki.
Even you two, the light and its shadow...
Because the light was too strong, it started to go out of balance.
And if it's between a light and another light... it is as clear as day.
So there isn't anything more important than to win?
There is not.
Obscure ideals are powerless, and nothing else.
Perhaps... That is exactly the case...
As people grow, they change... Yet I...
Perhaps I just desperately wanted to go back to those days before we won the national championship...
If you want to resign, I will not stop you. But if you want to continue, accept it.
If, from hereon, you want to continue being the sixth man for Teiko.
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
Hello, Kuroko?
It's been a while, Ogiwara-kun...
Something happened?
No, it's fine.
Then we're okay, I guess.
66Q. WHAT IS VICTORY? If there's something you want to talk about, feel free to call me anytime.
Okay...