"Is there really a team like this?"
Alexandra's eyes widened as she watched the entire Seiho team slowly walk out of the players' tunnel. Her tail flicked slightly, betraying her shock.
"This kind of presence… this isn't a level high school students should have!"
Since the end of the Interhigh, Seiho had been training relentlessly, except for a few practice games.
Especially the senior players, their dedication to training almost rivaled Akashi Asuka's. If it weren't for natural talent limits, the intensity of Tsutomu Iwamura and Kasuga Ryuhei's training could easily surpass even Akashi's.
Tsugawa Tomoki and many of the newcomers might not fully appreciate this.
But for Iwamura and the others, this was their last official tournament in high school.
Once the Winter Cup ended, their high school years would officially be over.
So, to extend their time in the tournament, they were willing to pour ten times, even more, effort into training.
And because of this, Seiho's senior starters had not only significantly improved their individual skills compared to the Summer Nationals, but also their mental fortitude and fighting spirit.
By a rare coincidence, united by the same goal, they had become a single, cohesive unit.
This transformation was subtle, almost invisible to most high school students.
They might feel a change in Seiho's aura compared to summer, but they couldn't grasp what it truly meant.
Alexandra, and other former national players observing, could tell immediately: this was not something high schoolers should possess. Not even college players. This was the "professional aura" that only professional teams radiate.
============
"They've evolved this far… Matsumoto really has built an extraordinary team!"
Masaaki Nakatani, Eiji Shirogane, Genta Takeuchi, Masako Araki, all coaches of "Generation of Miracles" teams and former national players, simultaneously turned their gaze toward Matsumoto Ikki in Seiho's resting area.
Creating such a team wasn't just about raw skill or attributes.
By skill alone, Rakuzan had that potential.
But Rakuzan, and all previous teams with "Generation of Miracles" members, had never reached this level, because their players' wills weren't fully united.
And Seiho's evolution wasn't just about the team, it was something deeper…
"And that guy… no way! Where did he even come from? Even abroad, I've only seen monsters like him in professional leagues!"
Alexandra was utterly stunned. Among strong players, one could sense each other's approximate strength through aura alone.
Seeing Shogo Haizaki on the court was already surprising.
Haizaki was a rare talent even by international standards.
But when Akashi Asuka stepped out, even Alexandra, a former professional, felt a suffocating aura wash over her, an overwhelming, almost physical presence.
============
"The Winter Cup, first round, first match: Seiho High versus Fukuda Sogo Academy. The game officially begins. Both teams, salute."
"Please take care of us!"
"Please take care of us!"
After a brief warm-up and ceremonial greetings, both teams positioned themselves at midcourt for the jump ball.
"Yo~ we're meeting for the first time, right? I've heard you crushed the so-called 'Generation of Miracles.' I guess I should thank you for that!"
Before the game began, Shogo Haizaki flashed a mischievous grin at Akashi. "Thanks for giving them a proper thrashing."
Akashi looked down at him, expressionless. "No need. It makes no difference to me."
"Hahaha~~~ so typical! All of you… so arrogant. I just want to… destroy every last one of you."
As he finished the last word, Haizaki's eyes darkened with ferocity. A chilling murderous intent radiated openly.
Yet faced with this aura, not only Akashi, but all Seiho players remained completely unshaken.
After all, they had fought their way to the summer championship, not by luck, but by winning match after match.
BEEP~~~
Accompanied by a long electronic whistle, the game officially started.
The referee tossed the ball high. Akashi caught it easily, claiming the first possession.
"Alright, first round, let's play it safe and score the first point."
Kasuga Ryuhei received the pass, slowly advancing toward the opponent's court.
But Akashi, who had just secured possession, didn't follow. Instead, he turned and casually strolled back toward his own basket.
·····
"Is… Akashi really not going to participate in the offense?"
Seiho's formation was familiar to Seirin, it had been used against them last semester.
Against other teams, this might not have been surprising.
But…
"Is this really okay? Their opponent is a former 'Generation of Miracles' member. Didn't Seiho scout him? Or… do they just have that much confidence?"
Seiho's intelligence network was well known from last semester. No one, including Seirin, Shutoku, or Yosen, would think they were unaware of Haizaki's identity.
So there was only one possibility left.
Kise Ryouta whispered from the stands, "Seiho must be brimming with confidence. But is this really safe? His skills… are lethal to ordinary players."
·····
"This bastard… so arrogant!"
Haizaki noticed what everyone else did. Setting personality aside, in both skill and basketball IQ, he had reached the level of the Generation of Miracles.
He stared at Akashi under Seiho's basket, then at the other four players advancing toward his basket.
His face contorted with rage. "Fine. Let me teach you mortals a proper lesson!"