NBA Skills: Dominating Kuroko no Basket

Why didn't you say something this important earlier?!" Riko's anger flared, her previously gentle face twisting into a fierce expression. She grabbed Kuroko by the collar and shook him violently, as if trying to transmit her fury directly into him.

"I'm sorry... no one asked me" Kuroko replied weakly, his face turning red as he choked out the words, coughing under the pressure.

"So, if no one asks, you just don't say anything?!" Riko glared at him, her eyes practically shooting flames.

"Uh..." Kuroko could only remain silent, enduring Riko's anger.

"I guess I was too careless. A technique this impressive couldn't possibly be without risks" Riko took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Though she realized her outburst had been excessive, she still couldn't help but grumble. "But you really should've told us earlier!"

"Beep! Timeout is over!" The referee's whistle interrupted their conversation.

"Oh no! I spent the whole timeout scolding Kuroko and wasted the time!" Riko snapped out of it, realizing she hadn't used the timeout to strategize effectively.

She quickly gathered the team and instructed them, "Listen up! Focus the defense on Kise. If he drives into the paint, collapse on him immediately. Kuroko, manage the game's pace — slow it down. Let's keep the score gap from widening too much!"

She gave Kuroko a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "You can do it, Kuroko. I believe in you!"

Kuroko nodded firmly.

The players returned to the court.

Kaijo's offense began, with Kise taking possession near the three-point line.

Seirin's defense collapsed into the paint, helping Kagami guard against Kise, preventing an easy drive. But Kise passed the ball to a teammate, who scored effortlessly from an open position.

On Seirin's next possession, Kagami passed to Kuroko, but the opposing team had started to adapt to Kuroko's style and intercepted the ball mid-pass.

Kaijo regained possession and executed a fast break, scoring yet another basket.

The score gap widened further.

When Kagami drove the ball on offense, he used his impressive athleticism to bypass several defenders and prepared to dunk. However, Kise read his move effortlessly, blocking him with ease.

"You think you can challenge the Generation of Miracles at your current level? Come back in ten years!" Kise taunted arrogantly before continuing, "This game will only get worse for you. Basketball is a physical sport, and when it comes to raw athletic ability, Seirin is no match for us. Your team's only real contender is you, Kagami, and I've already figured you out."

Kagami's expression grew serious.

Kise smirked and added, "I'll admit you've got potential, but you're not on my level. Whatever tricks you pull, I can see through them in an instant and counter twice as hard. No matter how hard you fight, you can't win. Reality is harsh like that."

Kagami lowered his head, silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed out loud.

"Sorry, sorry, I got a little too excited there" Kagami said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Excited?" Kise thought Kagami had lost it. "Is this guy some kind of masochist?"

"It's been a while since someone said that to me. Back in America, though, it was pretty common" Kagami replied, his tone brimming with excitement.

"America?"

"Yeah" Kagami said, his eyes sharp with determination. "I got complacent after returning here, thought I could coast. But thanks to you, I'm fired up again. Life's only fun with challenges. If there's no strong opponent, what's the point of playing? Losing? Great, bring it on!"

Hearing this, Shiro chuckled. "He's got a personality like Aomine's, doesn't he?"

Momoi nodded, her eyes lighting up. "Exactly! Aomine is just like that —always looking for strong opponents."

"Aomine? The Generation of Miracles' Daiki Aomine?" Kawamura couldn't help but recall the infamous final match three years ago, where Teiko's strongest players, Aomine and Shiro, dominated the court.

Meanwhile, Kagami brushed past Kise and said lightly, "The real game is just starting. It's too early for lectures. Thanks to you, I've found your weakness."

"Weakness?" Everyone turned to Kagami, waiting for him to reveal what he had discovered about Kise.

"You understand why you can't say it out loud, right? You can copy anything you see, but what if you can't see it? With a low presence style, it's impossible to replicate. No matter how great your physical ability is, you can't mimic the ability to vanish."

Kagami gestured to Kuroko. "So yeah, he's your weakness."

Kise sneered. "Sure, I can't copy Kuroko's moves. But what difference does that make?"

"Beep! End of the first quarter. Two-minute break!" The referee's whistle sounded.

"Oh, it makes a difference" Kagami said with a confident grin as he and Kuroko walked off the court. "You'll see in the second quarter"

Kise was left on the court, puzzled.

"So that's the plan. It just might work" Riko said approvingly. "Kagami's finally calmed down"

"I've been calm the whole time!" Kagami protested, only for the rest of the team to cut him off. "You were furious!"

"But Kagami and Kuroko, this strategy hinges on the two of you. Can you do it?" Riko asked.

"I'll try" Kagami replied hesitantly.

Kuroko glanced at him, expressionless, and said flatly, "Don't you want to beat Kise?"

Kagami locked eyes with Kuroko, determination flashing. "Of course!"

"Then it's time for our counterattack" Kuroko declared.

Off the court, Nijimura asked Shiro curiously, "What did Kagami mean by all that?"

Shiro and Momoi exchanged knowing smiles.

"Simple, Nijimura" Shiro said cryptically. "Just watch the game and you'll understand."