Kuroko no Basket: Honored One

Boom!

Kise struck back, swatting away Tendou's would-be unstoppable dunk.

He had done it—matching Tendou head-on, on both ends of the court.

The golden light around him grew even more dazzling.

Without hesitation, Kise ignited again, unleashing his full explosiveness à la Aomine.

The arena erupted for what felt like the hundredth time.

Cheering roared from every direction, deafening the ears.

"Finally! Kise has finally caught up to Tendou!"

To stop Tendou's offense—that said everything.

Right now, Kise Ryota had truly reached Tendou's level.

The two tore toward the other half of the court, their figures blazing past like twin comets.

This showdown between two teenage basketball prodigies was breathtaking.

So intense, it made people forget to breathe.

"…But has he really caught up?" Kagami couldn't help but ask.

"Isn't it obvious? What do you mean?"

"Because... Tendou can freely enter the Zone, right?"

That brought the others at Seirin to their senses.

Right.

Tendou was a monster who could come and go from the Zone at will.

He could release all of his hidden power, just like he did against Aomine.

"Maybe he's saving it for the deciding moment?"

That seemed like a plausible guess.

Otherwise, why hadn't Tendou stepped up his game again?

"Because it's meaningless."

Just as both the in-story and real-world audiences were starting to wonder—

just as people were joking about the production cutting corners to save animation budget—

a narration cut in.

The camera shifted to Tendou's point of view.

In his vision, he was already standing before the gates of the Zone.

"Just one step forward, and Tendou Kageyoshi would be able to step into a world of pure instinct."

"If he wanted to, the door would always open for him. His talent had already earned the Zone's complete recognition."

But... he didn't step forward.

Instead, Tendou took a step back, choosing not to enter the Zone that had fully welcomed him.

"Because it's meaningless."

The narrator repeated the line again.

"What Tendou Kageyoshi was thinking was this—someday, Kise would also step into the Zone. Beating him now using the Zone would mean nothing."

"The proudest high school player in Japan wanted to beat Kise Ryota at his ordinary level."

"And also—"

Tendou turned around, stepping away from the Zone.

And the viewers watching from their screens?

They were left stunned, mouths agape.

Even the diehard Kise fans had nothing to say.

『Seriously? That's the reason?』

『Tendou is so arrogant! He could've won easily, and he chooses the hardest path?』

『Didn't you hear the narrator? Tendou believes Kise will one day enter the Zone too. Using it to beat him now wouldn't count as a real victory.』 

『He's so extra… but damn, that's badass.』 

『Cat with sunglasses.jpg』

『Wait, wait—what's with the 'and also—' line?! Finish your sentence!』 

『Where's Batman when you need him? Can someone throw the Riddler back into Arkham?』

The crowd marveled at Tendou's pride.

And Kise… was quietly in awe as well.

"You're still just as cool as ever, Little Tendou…"

He didn't even need to guess Tendou's thoughts.

It was obvious—and that made Kise want to win even more.

"Lately, I think I'm starting to understand what Kurokocchi meant."

"What he said about what it means to be a team."

He charged forward.

His teammates beside him—Kasamatsu and the rest—had long since evolved into comrades worthy of standing beside the Generation of Miracles.

Now, it was his turn to do something—for them.

For this team.

Tendou heard his words and paused slightly, then sighed.

"You've got it wrong, Kise."

"Kuroko always talks about teamwork—how it's the soul of basketball."

"But you're different. You're the team's ace. And an ace has only one job: bring victory home."

"Bang!"

Smack!

Kise hadn't even made it to the free-throw line when Tendou's defense shut him down.

Like a hurricane, he shredded Kise's attack with relentless pressure.

"Listen up, Kise." Tendou's tone was as calm as always.

"But tell me—why does every team only have one ace?"

Why?

Kise didn't understand—but Tendou didn't need him to answer. He gave it himself.

"Because while the ace basks in the glory, he also carries all the pressure."

"You keep talking about the team… trying to split the blame evenly when you lose. But what about your teammates who are waiting for you to bring them the win?"

His voice wasn't loud.

But to Kise, it felt like a dagger straight into his chest.

All of a sudden, he realized—

Ever since Nationals began, the media and fans only talked about "before the Generation of Miracles" and "after."

They rarely acknowledged the teammates who played alongside them.

Even during their victories, the loudest cheers were always for the Miracles.

Even someone like Kasamatsu Yukio—a nationally renowned point guard—was constantly overshadowed by his light.

Was he really in the wrong?

"What are you zoning out for, idiot?! GET BACK ON DEFENSE!"

Kasamatsu's shout snapped him back.

Kise lifted his head—

Just in time to see Tendou slicing through three defenders and finishing at the rim.

"If you can't even handle that level of pressure, that's proof you're not strong enough."

Tendou glanced at him coolly.

Still too green.

Trash talk, on the court, was its own art form.

It didn't have to be crass or full of F-bombs.

If it could shake your opponent's focus—that was good trash talk.

Takeuchi Genta quickly called a timeout.

But before the coach could even ask, Kise took the initiative.

"Sorry, senpai. Coach…"

He understood now what had caused his earlier hesitation.

On one hand, he admired Tendou's dominance—drawn to his overwhelming charisma.

But on the other hand, he also loved the vision of team basketball Kuroko had shown him.

That contradiction had pulled him into confusion.

Not anymore.

Now that he had calmed down—he knew what he wanted.

He would give up nothing.

He would become a player like Tendou—

But also someone who embraced his teammates, like Kuroko.

"I don't care if people call me fake or contradictory."

"Doing what I want—that's why I admire Little Tendou in the first place."

With that, Kise's mind cleared.

His teammates couldn't explain it—

But for some reason, they felt like he had just… grown a little.

...

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