Kuroko no Basket: Honored One

This victory didn't affect whether either team advanced—what it decided was who would be the number one seed in Tokyo.

And for the audience, it also answered another question:

Between Tendou and Aomine—who was stronger?

"In the end, the winner is exactly who you'd expect—the leader of the Generation of Miracles, Tendou Kageyoshi!"

"He's insanely strong. That was eye-opening."

"No kidding. The Generation of Miracles aren't just a legend—they're the real deal."

"Kakoii na!!"

Before a crowd of over ten thousand spectators, Tendou stepped onto the stage to receive the trophy for Tokyo's number one seed.

Although Kirisaki Daiichi had always had decent basketball performance, even at the national level…

This was their first championship trophy.

Even if it wasn't the Nationals title, it was still a huge milestone.

"Alright, let's go celebrate Kirisaki Daiichi's first title."

Tendou led the team of misfits off to celebrate.

"What should we eat?"

"Sushi? There's a great place nearby."

"Sashimi! I haven't had any in ages."

Everyone was talking over each other, excited and energetic.

They hadn't always cared about winning—but now, victory meant something.

This was a new feeling. A new experience.

Everyone tossed out their favorite foods.

But in the end, Tendou made the call.

"Let's get barbecue."

At that, the entire team—Hanamiya included—grimaced.

Every time they had high-calorie food, Tendou made them run like dogs the next morning.

"Noooo..."

...

The next day.

With all regional qualifiers across the country completed, the Youth Sports Weekly published its annual scouting report on the qualified teams.

Combining performance stats and on-court dominance, they ranked each school's strength.

And topping the list, naturally, were the teams featuring the Generation of Miracles.

Tokyo: Kirisaki Daiichi

Kanagawa: Kaijō High

Akita: Yōsen High

Kyoto: Rakuzan High

…and Tōō Academy, despite their loss.

These five teams were all placed in the S-Rank tier.

And that was extremely rare.

In previous years, barely one or two teams earned that honor.

S-Rank status meant one thing:

You were a legitimate contender for the national championship.

Think Sannō from Slam Dunk—the undisputed favorite.

Last year, the only team to receive an S-Rank was Rakuzan, with their powerhouse trio of Uncrowned Kings.

And true to the prediction, they went on to win Nationals without suspense.

In short:

S-Rank = Title Contender.

Normally, you'd see just one or two of these teams a year.

But this year?

The landscape had changed dramatically.

There were five S-Rank teams—and if not for Shūtoku's unexpected elimination, there would've been six.

Even before the tournament began, everyone had predicted:

"The team with a Generation of Miracles member will win it all."

And now, that prophecy seemed spot-on.

Aside from the battle between Kirisaki Daiichi and Tōō, the other Miracle-led teams had faced little real resistance in their regions.

So barring any surprises, this year's national champion would come from this very group.

...

"Kirisaki Daiichi—a prestigious academy known for its golf and basketball programs."

"Their basketball history dates back to the very beginning of the national tournament, rivaling even Rakuzan in terms of heritage and program depth."

"Though quiet for years, Kirisaki once basked in golden glory."

"In the 1980s, under coach XXXX, Kirisaki made three consecutive deep runs at Nationals, defeating giants like Shūtoku, Seihō, and Izumigamine. They broke the dominance of the 'Three Kings Era.'"

"That team was considered one of the strongest in Japan at the time. Their captain would go on to become a well-known pro."

"And now, after years of silence, Kirisaki Daiichi is ready to shine again."

...

Tendou Kageyoshi—leader of the Generation of Miracles.

Under his command, Teikō Middle School achieved an unprecedented three-peat at Nationals.

"His skill set is regarded as one of the strongest in history. Even in middle school, he was already a famous 'hexagonal warrior'—a player with no weaknesses."

"He could shoot threes, penetrate the paint, and distribute the ball with surgical precision."

"As long as Tendou is on the court, scoring is never a concern. Even more valuable is his defense—he was the best perimeter defender in all of middle school."

"No player he marked ever managed to score more than single digits in a game."

"Now, having joined Kirisaki Daiichi, he has brought that same dominant presence to high school."

"Despite only playing two games in the qualifiers, he led Kirisaki Daiichi to defeat Tokyo's biggest dark horse, Seirin, and the region's tyrant, Tōō Academy."

"His versatile playstyle has meshed perfectly with Kirisaki's iron-blooded philosophy. We have every reason to believe he could lead them to their first-ever Nationals title."

...

Hanamiya Makoto—one of the infamous Uncrowned Kings. The "bad boy" of the court.

"A player shrouded in controversy, feared for his ruthless tactics. But undeniable in his talent."

"As one of the Uncrowned Kings, Hanamiya excels at steals. No one passes the ball freely when he's on the court."

"His exceptional defensive ability complements Tendou's offensive genius perfectly."

"Last year, he even defeated fellow Uncrowned King Kiyoshi Teppei in a direct confrontation."

"It's said that Hanamiya's IQ is as high as 160. He's a true prodigy who can memorize and dismantle any play after seeing it once."

"His presence will be a vital weapon in Tendou's campaign to dominate the national stage."

...

The Youth Sports Weekly then went on to profile all of Kirisaki's players—detailing their styles, strengths, and roles.

The reason for Kirisaki Daiichi's S-Rank placement was clear:

First, they had a Generation of Miracles ace.

Second, they had an Uncrowned King.

Just those two factors made them impossible to ignore.

If the Generation of Miracles represented the absolute elite of this era…

Then the Uncrowned Kings were one step below—but still among the very best.

If you had to compare them…

Think superstars vs. all-stars.

In the S-Rank standings, Kirisaki Daiichi was placed second.

Ranked just above them: the reigning kings, Rakuzan High.

And for good reason:

Rakuzan didn't just have one Miracle—they had three Uncrowned Kings, too.

That lineup was nearly unmatched.