"By the way… Uncle, why did you agree to help Akashi with special training?"
"Huh? This is a gym, isn't it? When a member pays me to train them, isn't it only natural that I help? What kind of stupid question is that, kid?"
Aida Kagetora was patient with his daughter, Riko, but that didn't mean he had the same temper with others.
After all…
This was a full-fledged daughter-obsessed man.
Riko fell silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up. "Father… could you help me with something?"
============
Late December.
The Winter Cup tournament officially began.
In recent years, the Winter Cup has grown in scale, attracting more and more teams. This year, including the special-entry teams Seiho and Rakuzan, a total of 50 teams participated.
Among the country's major high school tournaments, the Winter Cup had quietly begun to establish itself as the premier competition.
Fifty teams gathered in Tokyo.
After attending the opening ceremony, Seiho's players headed straight to the locker room to change. By luck of the draw, Seiho was scheduled for the first match of the Winter Cup.
"Alright, everyone! Are you ready?"
Inside the locker room, the Seiho players formed a circle. Tsutomu Iwamura spoke: "It's time to take on a brand new challenge."
"Oh!!!"
Everyone bristled with energy.
At that moment, Akashi Asuka curved his lips into a small smile and slowly said, "No~~ to be precise, it's more like we're about to face a challenge from others."
·····
"Ooooh~~ so lively!"
In the stands, the Seirin team had arrived early to scout since they weren't competing in the first round.
Unlike usual, there was a new presence with them, a tall, blonde beauty.
Alexandra Garcia.
A professional female basketball player in the WNBA, and a continental college champion.
She had also been Kagami Taiga's mentor while he played abroad.
After the preliminary rounds, Kagami returned to the U.S. for special training. When he came back, Alexandra insisted on following him to Japan.
Reluctantly, Kagami had no choice but to bring his mentor along.
Alexandra had a playful personality. Despite her mature appearance, she acted like a child, looking around the stands with wide-eyed curiosity.
"Not bad at all! Honestly, I used to underestimate Japanese basketball… now I have to apologize!"
She propped her chin on her hand, scanning the four courts below. "Strength and physique are a bit lacking, but their speed and tactics are definitely worth watching."
"Hahaha~~ for players to perform at such a high level, your team really isn't bad!"
Suddenly, Alexandra got sidetracked. She pounded Hyuga Junpei's shoulder several times and laughed loudly.
The team froze.
Kagami Taiga: facepalm.jpg
After laughing, Alexandra returned to a serious expression. Her sharp eyes locked on the players below. "There are many strong players here! Especially the number 6 on Court A, that one is truly remarkable. His aura is… dangerous."
The player Alexandra pointed out had a sharp, sinister gaze and a head full of messy braids.
Even Alexandra's expression turned serious, her big eyes squinting.
Everyone else just stared in silence.
Despite being exasperated by Alexandra's eccentric personality, Seirin's players followed her gaze.
And then… they froze.
They didn't recognize the player Alexandra had indicated.
This was highly unusual. With Alexandra's eye for talent, the player couldn't be weak.
Yet if he were a national-level player, the Seirin team should have recognized him.
"Indeed… that guy is extremely dangerous," Tetsuya Kuroko finally said.
"Kuroko… you know him?" Riko asked, surprised.
"His name is Shogo Haizaki. He was my teammate back in junior high," Kuroko nodded.
"Wait… you were at Teiko? Does that mean… he was part of the 'Generation of Miracles' too?" Seirin's players were shocked.
"Generation of Miracles? What's that?"
Hearing the commotion, Alexandra looked over curiously.
*"I'll explain that later…" Kagami said vaguely, then looked at Kuroko, puzzled. "I thought there were only six members in the Generation of Miracles. Why haven't I seen this guy before?"
"To be precise, Haizaki was formerly part of the Generation of Miracles. But in junior high, Akashi expelled him from the club."
"So… is he strong?"
"Yes, although his personality isn't great, it's true that he was once a starter for Teiko's first team. Before leaving, he even once held back Kise."
"Hold back Kise… no way! Seriously?"
Hyuga Junpei broke into a cold sweat. "A guy like that is already appearing in the first match? Nationalss really are on another level!"
Riko's expression also turned serious. "If Kuroko is telling the truth, this guy is at least on par with the Generation of Miracles. Coupled with his nasty personality… Alexandra was right, this is a dangerous player."
Compared to Riko and Hyuga's tension, Kagami remained relaxed, even lazily exhaling before saying:
"No matter how strong he is, it doesn't concern us. He probably won't make it past the second round. Don't forget, his opponent today is that guy!"
"Indeed! In terms of skill, he surpasses even the Generation of Miracles. Personality-wise, no one can match him. He's a true supervillain!"
As Riko finished, the crowd suddenly erupted in deafening cheers.
From Court A, a group of players in black uniforms emerged, exuding a calm but overwhelming presence.
Seeing them, Alexandra's pupils dilated dramatically…
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria