The game continued in silence, but the rhythm on the court was anything but calm.
Without another word, Haizaki Shogo swayed slightly to the left, using a subtle feint before lofting the basketball toward the paint.
BOOM!
Suzuran leapt into the air and finished the play with a clean alley-oop dunk, shaking the rim as the ball slammed home. His teammates immediately lit up with energy after Haizaki Shogo's arrival, their movements sharper and their confidence visibly rising.
He landed, slapped hands with his teammates in celebration, then jogged over to Haizaki Shogo and gave a playful military salute, like a soldier greeting his commander. Haizaki Shogo chuckled lightly, hooked an arm around his neck, and the two walked toward Fukuda Sogo's half court while chatting casually.
On the sidelines, Satsuki Momoi watched the scene in a daze. In her memory, even with how close Haizaki Shogo was to Aomine Daiki, he had never acted this naturally affectionate with anyone else. Now, he looked completely integrated with his teammates.
He really has changed…
Momoi's gaze softened as she looked at Haizaki Shogo on the court before shifting toward Aomine Daiki, who was now holding the ball. Her eyes brightened slightly because she could see it.
Aomine's eyes were lit up.
There was anticipation there… and hunger.
Aomine Daiki dribbled forward, and Haizaki Shogo stepped up to meet him, settling into a relaxed defensive stance. Despite his ease, his defense felt unbreakable.
"Hey, Aomine," Haizaki Shogo asked casually, "whose idea was this training camp anyway?"
"Huh? How would I know?" Aomine replied immediately.
"Really?" Haizaki Shogo smiled faintly. "You don't know?"
"Why would I?" Aomine shot back.
Haizaki Shogo was clearly provoking him, but he wasn't seriously exposing anything. He simply watched Aomine's awkward acting with amusement.
Aomine frowned slightly.
Why does this guy feel… different?
He looks ordinary… but why does it feel like I'm facing a mountain?
Before Aomine could think any further, Haizaki Shogo moved. A sudden burst of speed—clean and precise.
He stole the ball directly from Aomine's hands.
Aomine froze for a split second.
That brief hesitation was enough.
Haizaki Shogo had already passed the ball to Kimura Tosho beyond the three-point line.
SWISH!
A perfect catch-and-shoot three-pointer.
"Nice shot, Tosho!"
"Keep shooting!"
"Captain's pass is on point as always!"
Kimura scratched his head proudly, though he looked slightly embarrassed by the teasing nickname "Tosho."
Aomine clicked his tongue and immediately pushed forward again. Meanwhile, Imayoshi Shoichi narrowed his eyes as he watched Haizaki Shogo.
A strange chill crawled up his spine.
What is this feeling…?
Like something dangerous is standing right in front of me.
He quickly passed the ball to Sakurai Ryo.
SWISH!
Another three-pointer.
Kimura was a step too late to contest it, clicking his tongue in frustration.
Haizaki Shogo glanced at Sakurai and nodded slightly.
"Your teammate's decent. He'll probably help you carry the load in the future."
"Carry the load?" Aomine frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"I mean exactly that," Haizaki replied calmly.
Aomine looked annoyed. "And how would you know that?"
"Because once you reach second year…" Haizaki paused. "That black-bellied guy will have graduated. If there's anyone left worth relying on in Kirisaki Daiichi… it'll be him."
"…You think too far ahead," Aomine muttered. "We'll deal with it when it comes."
Haizaki shrugged.
"A man without foresight invites trouble."
Their exchange was oddly calm, almost like a casual conversation rather than a match. There was no intense trash talk and no explosive rivalry—just two players testing each other while quietly supporting their teams.
Half an hour passed quickly, and the game ended. It was time for the next rotation.
Haizaki Shogo stepped off the court as though he had only finished a light warm-up. He walked over to Coach Ichiro Kudo.
"Coach," Haizaki said quietly, "this format isn't efficient. I have a better suggestion."
"Oh?" the coach replied. "Let's hear it."
"Ten-minute quarters. No fixed matchups. The losing team rotates out immediately, and the winner stays on."
"A king-of-the-court system?" the coach asked.
"Something like that," Haizaki nodded. "But because the pace is constant, stamina will drop fast. The 'king' won't stay king for long."
Coach Kudo fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Good idea. Let's propose it to the others."
Soon afterward, discussions began between the four coaching staffs: Fukuda Sogo's Coach Ichiro Kudo, Kirisaki Daiichi's Coach Imayoshi's supervisor, Shutoku's coach, and Seirin's Coach Aida Riko. After a brief debate, they all agreed.
It was efficient.
It was intense.
And it would push every team to its limit.
Shortly afterward, the whistle blew again, signaling a change in the training format.
The real grind was about to begin.
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