Replies for reviews

Alekhine's Battery – Probably too much coincidence considering they are both blondes.

A random fan – No, he's height stays the same at 5'10" if I'm not mistaken. As you said, the average height of an NBA point guard is 6'2". But there are players six feet and below who had excelled as well like Allen Iverson, Chris Paul, Nate Robinson, and Mugsy Bogues. Hikigaya would be fine, for sure.

"Seriously…do I even need to wear this?"

Hikigaya groaned early in the morning after he went to the teachers' lounge where Hiratsuka and Atsugi were staying. In his hands were two sets of basketball jerseys of Sobu High School's basketball team. The away type of jersey is a pure light green shirt to and shorts with the words SOBU HIGH highlighted in dark green on the chest. The home type jersey was almost the same except that it is white with green linings in the side.

Representing a school where majority of the students hates you either for your brutal honesty or your willingness to go and live alone is paradox at its finest. Hikigaya can't help but sigh as he enters the Service Clubroom. One thing's for sure. Akashi's behind all of this.

Today is the 90th anniversary of the Japanese Basketball Association and despite basketball originally not being as widespread as baseball in an island country of 120 million, it's becoming a powerhouse in the recent years and has produce some quality players in the National Basketball Association in the past like Tabuse Yuta, Okayama Yasutaka and Misaka Wataru and more recent guys like Hachimura Rui, Watanabe Yuta, and Togashi Yuki. Interestingly enough, it also has one of Asia's longest basketball traditions despite the decline of the sport in Japan in the early 70s and 80s before having a major rebirth in form of a famous basketball manga which inspired the next generation of Japanese players.

Besides, what kind of announcement will Akashi make? Hikigaya thought as he pushes off the sliding door of the Service Club room.

It looks like he'll be getting answers mush earlier than he expected.

"Yo, Hikigaya…"

"Good morning…Hikigayacchi!"

"Hikigaya is here…"

"Eh…Hiki-chin is present now…"

"Hikigaya-kun is here now, Akashi-kun…"

"Sup…"

"Ah…we've been waiting for you, Hikigaya…"

The boy with dead eyes can only stare as much as he can as he didn't expect his former Teiko teammates, save for Kagami who isn't a Teiko alumni, to be here Not only that; they had already hung their extra clothes, sneakers, and jerseys in the walls with the use of hangers. Just so you all know, this isn't a laundry room or a locker room. Besides…

"Yo. I'm surprised that you're all here right now." Hikigaya then turned to Akashi, who is busy tying up the laces of his shoes. "Akashi, where's Yukinoshita? She's normally here always in the morning."

"Ah…I ask her and that airhead to vacate the area for the meantime." Akashi casually spoke as if what he did was perfectly fine. "It would be great if we're all gathered here at your club room."

What? Akashi, you sly fox. Hikigaya was irritated that he would do something like that so early in the morning. But although he wanted to ask more questions, he still values his life no matter how rotten it is as he just quietly sits beside Kuroko and began to change his clothes while wearing his Fly Wades. But as he began to put the sneakers in his foot, Akashi then began to speak.

"Thanks for your presence here in Sobu High School." Akashi solemnly talked. "As we all know, the Tokyo Olympics is nearing and we had to train right now even if it's still May."

"Yeah, we all know that." Aomine drawled, getting impatient. "Can we all go down right now? I wanted to fight those American professionals already."

"About that…" Akashi sighed as if he was preparing himself to say something disappointing. "The event was cancelled."

"What?!" As expected, Kise, Kagami, and Aomine shrieked unmanly as they all up in their feet. "What the hell—"

"It's not like I wanted to cancel it." Akashi explains grimly. "Unfortunately, USA Basketball didn't allow it and the NBA was forced to withdraw after one of their players suffered a gruesome leg injury in an overseas training with Greece. I heard he collided with someone and he ended up breaking his leg like what happened to Kevin Ware…"

To those who were familiar with the mentioned name, they almost vomited when they realized the injury was worse than they thought.

"W-Well…then what's the plan, Akashi?" Midorima asked as he pushes up his glasses.

"As an alternative plan, we'll just hold a public practice where everyone else can watch, including the Sobu students which, by the way, had their classes cancelled so that we can have the whole gymnasium by ourselves." Akashi smirked.

Oh. So that's why there were fewer students here for this day. Hikigaya thought.

"Aside from that, are there other things that you'll have to say?" Aomine asked, now fully ready to practice.

"Thank you for reminding me, Aomine." Their captain nodded. "Frankly speaking, FIBA had decided that for this year, they'll allow three more players to be added in the line-up so that means it will become a fifteen-man roster in the coming tournament. Why they did that, I don't really understand but I can say it's a huge advantage for us. They also decided to use the 48-minute time slot so it means that for this year, we'll be using the same time-format that the NBA uses—a 12-minute quarter."

"Eh? That doesn't sound too big." Murasakibara drawled.

"Idiot. It's actually a big effect if you think about it." Hikigaya replied. "In the NBA, there are shooters who usually take time before they manage to find their rhythm and sometimes, it even takes a whole quarter to find your momentum. As such, it would be much harder in the FIBA time format since those who got used with wasting their time finding a good flow in their offense will be pressured in trying to gain it in a ten-minute quarter."

"Exactly." Akashi confirmed Hikigaya's explanation. "With a special exception of the United States, a lot of professional players who got used in a longer time frame can either flunk or be forced to get into their comfortable spot early in the game. In a reverse situation, those who got used to a shorter time frame would find themselves catching for their breaths in a 12-minute quarter."

"Then why go for the change?" Aomine asked.

"Advertising, perhaps. FIBA isn't really regarded as high as FIFA so this must be part of their overhaul to make FIBA-sanctioned events as exciting as international football." Akashi said. "Besides, the change to the 48-minute format is the reason why they also allowed national teams to have a 15-man roster."

"Okay but where is Haizaki-kun?" Kuroko blinked.

"I decided to relegate him to a reserve player rather than to be a part of the fifteen-man team that I have formed." Akashi smugly replied. "I have convinced Coach Shirogane that he won't even be helpful to our cause."

Thank goodness that bastard isn't here. By some miracle, all of them, perhaps except for Kuroko, had the same thoughts.

"Then who would be in the line-up?" Hikigaya was curious. If that Haizaki isn't here, then who would be present?

Akashi then presented a small smile, which only sent shivers into the spines of everyone who is present. "That's—a little surprise. Everyone, let's go down now!"

For some reason, I don't like that smile. Hikigaya thought with a hint of fear.

But so far, everything is normal for the moment.

For those who had played together as a team in middle school, it looks like this was their first time to practice together for the long time since the Jabbwerwocks match didn't even feature Hikigaya. As they all enter the gymnasium, Hikigaya spots Yukinoshita and Yuigahama in the sidelines together with Hiratsuka and Atsugi, who seemed to be pretty interested to watch this. It would have been fine for him although…

"Hey look! Hikitani-kun's there!"

"So it's real, huh? I never thought Hikio can be a member of something such as this…"

"Wah! Hikitani-kun with lots of hot male characters! A must-have for a fandom!" With that, a fountain of nose bleed followed.

What is Hayama's clique even doing here?! They don't understand the true meaning of basketball so they should get out and leave. Hikigaya can't help but frown upon seeing the blonde and his gang hanging out with Yukinoshita and company. And Ebina, don't just start making weird imaginations out of us here!

His momentary deep though was shattered by the arrival of Coach Shirogane, who is flanked by six other people who looked to be middle-aged, save for a woman in the group who looked to be in her thirties. "Good morning, lads! So you're really here for real. Hohoho!" His Santa Claus-like laugh only creeped out Aomine as he instinctively his behind Kise, who only laughed at his antics. "But it seemed that the others aren't here yet. Akashi, take charge for the moment while we're waiting for the others to arrive."

"Fine, coach." Akashi watched the their coach and the six others go to the sidelines to meet Hiratsuka and the others. Must be formalities, then. He thought as he watched Hikigaya's teacher bow before their coach as a sign of greeting. "How would you guys like to train today?" He asked in a smooth manner. If anything, Hikigaya was surprised that the once stubborn captain was actually letting them decide their own training regiment. The others looked equally surprised, especially Midorima.

"Maybe we could do one-on-ones after the warm up?" Hikigaya suggested. "I haven't had some training in three years. This can help me whip my body back to shape."

Akashi looked thoughtful as he seemed to consider his idea. "We could do that later in the afternoon. Shall we ask for a practice match with any of the teams? It may be a little unfair so how about two teams against us?"

What? All of them looked dumbfounded, except for Midorima who seemed to understand what Akashi is thinking as he points a certain group of audience who were watching them.

"Idiots. Can't you see them? It's your teams!" The Shutoku ace twitched as he can see his teammate Takao waving to him. Then it hit them.

All of their teams in Kaijou, Shutoku, Touou, Seirin, and Yosen. Rakuzan isn't present for some reasons and Sobu…well, Akashi doesn't seem interested in those guys.

"Oh look! It's Kasamatsu-senpai!" Kise smiled as he saw Kasamatsu sitting beside Izuki in the audience sits.

"Why don't I see Chin-kun and Muro-chin?" Murasakibara drawled.

"I'm surprised Hyuuga-senpai, Izuki-senpai, and Mitobe-senpai is here." Kuroko blinked as he saw their former Seirin point guard and now Tokyo University starting guard waving at him.

"Hah? Why is Wakamatsu here? I don't mind Ryo though." Aomine said as he rolls a ball in his fingertips.

Wow, no team from Sobu? Not that I want it though. Hikigaya rolls his eyes as he dribbles a basketball.

"Now, do you understand? I want to have some tune-up games with them later on." Akashi smiles warmly.

"I agree, Akashi-kun." Kuroko answered. The rest nodded, then they followed their captain out to the courts.

"Everyone is to run fifty rounds around the court! Kuroko, you run twenty-five although if you can make it thirty, it would be better. Then each to do fifty sit-ups!" Akashi ordered his teammates. Their captain had always treated Kuroko differently, often splitting the number of exercises he had to do if Red Emperor of Rakuzan thought that it would be too strenuous for him to do the same number of exercises. "After that, suicides for thirty minutes."

Kise grumbled loudly but a dark aura immediately surrounded Akashi-kun so he stopped from furthering his complaints. Everyone then started jogging. Even though one round around a court seemed to be easy, going for so many rounds was just plain tiring. On the spectator stands, everyone seemed to be whispering, particularly Hiratsuka and Yukinoshita, as it seemed that this training regimen was too much even for Sobu's standards. Yuigahama seemed pretty amazed to see her Hikki holding up despite sweating too much.

However, when it comes to inspiration, it was no surprise that Akashi knew best how to push people to their limits and make them improve them tremendously. After the fifteenth round, Kuroko he started to pant and slow down. "Kuroko, I'll jog with you. Come on! You've been through worse in Teiko, haven't you?" Akashi's voice startled the teal-headed boy and when he turned his head over, he could see Akashi catching up. Kuroko just nodded in silence, unable to talk due to his panting.

"Hiratsuka-san, I'm pleased to hear that you're looking over Hikigaya-kun here in Sobu." On the bench, Shirogane suddenly began to speak to the unsuspecting Hiratsuka who was astonished at what she heard.

"W-Well, I'm honoured to hear that from you." The Modern Japanese teacher was flustered. "I just had to really save that boy from his rotten personality."

"Well, that's what's good about him." Shirogane replied, earning a look from Yukinoshita. "The first time I had a look at him in their first year at Teiko, I knew he can survive the training regimen in Teiko."

Meanwhile, Aomine and Kagami began to have an argument as they are running side-by-side. "Oi, Bakagami, let's have a competition! Whoever gets to finishes first will treat the other!"

"Don't look down on me, Ahomine! I'll make sure to beat you!" Kagami accepted his challenge.

After the fifty (and 25) rounds in the court, all of them lined up in the court and threw themselves down before doing the sit-ups. During the process, Aomine and Kagami once again went for a contest as the last one ended up as a tie. Due to the benefits the winner will get, they both raced against time while the others took their time. Kuroko had to be helped once again by Akashi as Hikigaya seemed to be fine, although he began to feel his arms strain like jelly. It's been three years, huh? Those three years I have wasted. I had to catch up against time.

After the sit-ups, everyone then went to the sidelines and at Akashi's whistle as a signal, they began to run back-and-forth in the whole court as Shirogane was timing them. This time, Akashi had to personally intervene between an arguing Kagami and Aomine as they are now both fighting about who actually won the sit-ups contest. Murasakibara began to yearn for his snacks as time went on while Kise's hair was in a sweaty mess.

Nevertheless, Hikigaya had finished his rounds and went back to sit on the benches, watching the others finish up their last few rounds. The moment everyone has finished, they are all strained and sweating although not exactly tired as they still had the stamina for a game. As Hikigaya sat alone on the opposite end of the bench, a Powerade Drink suddenly appeared in front of his face.

"What the—"

"Hikigaya-kun, I just happened to have an extra so I'll just give it to you." The voice of Yukinoshita Yukino immediately zipped up Hikigaya. "Be glad I'm doing this for a despicable loner like you."

"I'm too tired to argue with you right now." Hikigaya took the drink and popped it open before taking a sip. In the midst of their rest, no one noticed a group of seven guys all clad in basketball gear, and suddenly enter the gym. By the time Hikigaya had noticed them, he had already emptied his Gatorade bottle and was about to stand up and go to the court when he saw the familiar face of Kiyoshi Teppei suddenly appear before his sight.

"Heh, Kiyoshi-senpai? What are you doing here?" Hikigaya asked as he eyed the Iron Heart standing in front of him.

"Ahahaha, Hikigaya, you're so funny!" Kiyoshi laughed. "Well, we'll be part of the national team so treat this as a way of making up for that game that we had back in middle school. Not only that, there are a few other guys here." He then glanced to the other six, who were already putting down their duffel bags on the bench.

"Hello rascals!" A voice sounded off and at once, those who were familiar with it dropped their bottles as their mouths were gaping.

"Ni-Nijimura-senpai?!" Kise shrieked as he saw the raven-haired guy smile at them while dropping his bag in the bench. "You're back?! But I thought you were in America for good!"

"Hoh? Don't want to see me, Kise?" The deep voice of Nijimura Shuzo was enough to send all of the former Teiko players to a complete silence. "Then that's more good reason to be back here. I actually missed terrorizing you brats, especially Haizaki." Somewhere in Tokyo, a certain Fukuda Sogo ace sneezed.

As Nijmura began to wear his signature black armband, he spots another familiar person—which happened to be none other than Sobu's resident loner. "Oh, Hikigaya?" His eyes widens in shock as he saw Hikigaya, who doesn't enjoy the fact that one of the few people he dreaded is back. "So you're back, huh?" He then walks closed to the frozen loner and slung his arm around him. "It's been three years, huh? But judging from what I heard from Coach Shirogane said to me yesterday, it looks like your skills haven't left you. Personally, I would want to see that double-clutch move again."

"Ri-Right….senpai…" Hikigaya is too nervous to even speak a longer sentence.

"Besides, you still look like the loner guy that I always encounter in the past aside from the physical change, which includes your hair." Nijimura continued. "But don't worry. You get along just fine with them and you understand the fact that being friends with everyone doesn't make a good basketball team."

"Hi-Hikki, who is that guy?"

"Hikigaya-kun, it would be in our best interests if you introduce him to us. Otherwise, we might be actually looking at an illusion."

Oi, that hurts! Hikigaya's heart chipped a little before he got away from Nijimura's hold and promptly introduced him to his clubmates. "By the way, Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, he's Nijimura Shuzo-senpai. He was the captain before Akashi took over. Actually, he was the one who encouraged our coach to accept me in the Teiko lineup."

The tinted-hair girl and the Ice Queen can only daze at Nijimura, who overshadowing them while Hayama's clique began to whisper among themselves.

"Nice to meet you girls." Nijimura extended his hand to Yukinoshita, who grabs it to shake his hands.

"I'm Yukinoshita Yukino and this is Yuigahama Yui." The Ice Queen said formally. "I'm Hikigaya-kun's President in the Service Club. Nice to meet you too, Nijimura-san."

"Service Club? So that's where that brat ended up, heh?" Nijimura chuckled as he looks at Hikigaya. "But I tell you, your personality's already far better than that Haizaki. Just thinking of him makes my blood boil in anger…"

"Nijimura-san, please don't do anything violent here in Sobu." Kuroko reminded their former captain (before Akashi) as he shivered at his own moments with him back at Teiko Middle School.

"Eh, Hikigaya?!"

"Eh…"

Hikigaya was stunned when he heard his name being called. Not because it was from a random person.

It was from someone he knew personally from the past.

"Ogiwara?!"

Some things just really work in mysterious ways.

Or so I thought. Hikigaya said as his rotten eyes caught the glimpse of Ogiwara Shigehiro's brown orbs as the former Meiko small forward and ace dropped his duffel bag in haste and quickly ran towards Sobu's most hated man as he quickly shook the shoulders of Hikigaya, who was too stunned to even speak.

"O-Ogiwara—" Normally, he would have told a person holding him like this to get off and die but right now, he had no strength to do just that as the chestnut-haired boy continued to shake him in excitement.

"Yo, Hiikigaya! Long time, no see!" The Ogiwara said as he didn't seem to notice a gaping Yuigahama and a stunned Yukinoshita in his side as his attention was to his former close acquaintance. "You have changed your hairstyle huh? But I don't know if you had a lot of friends as of this moment."

"Idiot. Still as friendless as ever since our first year in middle school…" Finally, Hikigaya managed to say something. "And seriously, you still had rice in your face…"

"Oh…sorry. Some habits are just hard to break." Ogiwara sheepishly apologized as he wipes of his face. "But even if you don't have friends, you still had me and Kuroko, right?"

"Not really sure about that." Hikigaya answered. "Besides, you don't need to be friendly just to play basketball. That's the truth in professional sports."

"Still holding into that philosophy if yours? I can't do anything about it, then." Ogiwara chuckled as he rolls a ball into his hand. "But let's face off again someday. Let's fulfil that promise that we made with Kuroko."

A smirk formed in Hikigaya's lips. "Then even I had no intention to lose."

As everyone began to change their shirts, Ogiwara was already in his playing clothes as he just needed to tie up his laces. But as he does, he then noticed Hikigaya closely speaking with two girls he just noticed today and doesn't look familiar to him. "Neh, Hikigaya. Who are those people? I thought you don't have any friends."

"Oh…" Ogiwara swore he heard the fish-eyed boy groan as he then faces him. "They're just some club mates of mine in the Service Club which I was forced to join for a reason that you don't need to know." He then introduces them. "This one's—"

"We have mouths, Hikigaya-kun…" Yukinoshita shut him up as she walks forwards and began to introduce herself. "I'm Yukinoshita Yukino and this one's Yuigahama Yui-san. I'm very much surprised to meet someone who actually knows this thing in our Service Club."

"You think so? I'm Ogiwara Shigehiro and you look interesting, judging by the fact that Hikigaya actually joined your club." The brunette shrugged. "But I guess that's because Hikigaya's got some unique taste." For some reason, Yukinoshita's icy blue orbs widen at realization that she just met one of the people

"Ogiwara-san, how did you meet this Hikigaya-kun?" Her way of questioning actually scared Kagami who was nearby as her terse accent implied something like 'I wanted answers and I wanted it now!'

"Hikigaya? Kuroko introduced him to me." Shigehiro proudly explained, not even feeling the cold aura that is beginning to surround Sobu's resident Ice Queen. "When I found out that he also plays street basketball, I knew from that day on that we'll somehow get along. And it worked. By the way, Hikigaya, you seemed to have joined an interesting club with an interesting girl at the top of all of it."

"Idiot. Stop talking non-sense. It's not like I wanted to join at first." Hikigaya retorted. "But somehow, I ended up staying permanently in that club."

As everyone was walking to the center circle, Hiratsuka was also curious to see her student speak with two individuals that she didn't even knew personally. When Yuigahama and Yukinoshita finally rejoined them in the sidelines, she can't help but ask. "Yukinoshita, you look like you had a nice time meeting with Hikigaya's basketball circle."

"Nijimura-san and Ogiwara-san…those two struck an impression on me, Hiratsuka-sensei." Yukinoshita said. "From what I heard, Nijimura-san was Hikigaya-kun's former captain before Akashi took over. As for Ogiwara-san, he looks like he's someone I wanted to get rid of from the face of the Earth." She said the last sentence with a whisper.

"What?" Yuigahama and Hiratsuka asked simultaneously, not understanding her last sentence.

"Pardon me. What I mean is Ogiwara-san looked like he became close acquainted with Hikigaya-kun because like those we've met before, it was all the result of basketball." Yukinoshita cleared her throat.

"Hmmm…looks like I needed to befriend my brother-in-law's friends as well."

"Ne-Nee-san?!" Yukinoshita was surprised to hear the voice of her annoying sister in Haruno as the latter was found sitting behind their teacher. "What are you doing here?"

"Mou…can't I visit you, Yukino-chan?" Haruno made a sweet yet irritating voice that seemed to reach as far as Hikigaya's ears as he is lowkey trying to hide behind Ogiwara. "Besides, Shizuka-chan told me about this public event and I'm so excited to see my future brother-in-law play in person."

"Nee-san, stop making those ridiculous and outrageous statements." The raven beauty chastised her elder sister.

"Nijimura-san? Ogiwara-san? Hmmm…" Haruno seemed to be cooking another cunning plan in her mind as she watched the tall former Teiko forward telling Aomine and Kise that he had grown as tall as the latter and that he has learned American street ball. "It looks like I'll have a lot in my plate more than I expected."

She then saw Ogiwara slinging his arms into Hikigaya's and Kuroko's shoulders as they all walk off although the former looked uncomfortable with what the brunette is doing. And you're interesting as well, Ogiwara Shigehiro.

"Good morning, brats and gentlemen."

The voice of Seirin's Coach Aida Kagetora was raspy as Hikigaya realized that this team would be the perfect epitome of close-knit relationships in the world of coach-and-player relationships. "Seems this would be interesting." Akashi smirked as he was heard speaking with Midorima as they are all gathered in the center circle. "I somehow expected that Coach Shirogane would take over in our team but to see our high school mentors as the assistant coaches is simply not withing my expectations."

"Indeed." Midorima nodded as he saw his coach, Shutoku's Nakatani Masaaki, sipping some hot coffee behind Kaijo's Takeuchi Genta, whose big fat is not helping Kise contain his laughter. Aomine groaned as he saw his coach, Touou's Harasawa Katsunori, fixing his hair beside Murasakibara's mentor, the only female in the group in Yosen's Araki Masako who is holding a shinai (a type of sword). Meanwhile, Rakuzan's Shirogane Eiji had that air of authority that Hikigaya swore he had once seen in Hiratsuka. But he's not even in angry mode. I wonder if he's like one of those anime characters that are so badass normal?

"So this is the final line-up, huh." Kagetora scratched his head as he looks at Akashi, who seemed to understand what he meant and he walked into the front to speak. "Good morning, fellow teammates." He started off. "I'm pleased to have this rare opportunity to represent Japan with you guys in the upcoming tournament. So aside from us, the eight former Teiko regulars, we also had Seirin's Kagami Taiga and another former Seirin player and one of the Uncrowned Kings on Kiyoshi Teppei-san. We would also be reinforced by Jinsei Auxiliary's Ogiwara Shigehiro, my former senpais and also two Uncrowned Kings in Mibuchi Reo-san and Hayama Kotaro-san and lastly, Yosen's alumni and current Tokyo Metropolitan University players in Okamura Kenichi-san and Himuro Tatsuya-san. With this dream team, we'll compete against the best."

"Yosh!" Hayama Kotaro raised his fists as he was looking forward to play with his younger captain again.

"Taiga, this would be an interesting battle." Himuro Tatsuya spoke in English to his friend and brother-figure in Kagami, who nods. "Yeah, Tatsuya."

From afar, Ebina is seen crying in tears of joy as her nose is now a fountain of blood after her mind has been sent in a wild ride upon seeing a lot of boys in front of her.

"Now for the first practices before an actual scrimmage." Akashi cleared his throat. "Midorima, go against Murasakibara. Train your shooting, jumping and speed to their limits. Murasakibara, train your jumping height and your pressure defense. Try to block as many of Midorima's shots as possible."

He pointed to Aomine-kun and Kise-kun. "You two, have your personal training as well. Aomine, train your stamina in the zone if possible. Kise, try to copy Aomine's formless shots and street ball movements earlier like in a real game. Train your endurance as well during your Perfect Copy mode and Zone so you can last more than five minutes. As for you Kuroko, we'll train you personally."

Akashi then glanced at the rest. "Hikigaya, since you haven't played in almost four years, I'm pretty sure your movements have somewhat dulled although I believe that you can reacquire your animal instincts in no time. For now, seeped your bones into training basic streetball dribbles and some shooting, even the basic ones. Kagami, join Hikigaya on his training. As for the rest, 50 rounds around the gymnasium in the sidelines and 50 sit-ups

Midorima and Murasakibara occupied one court while the two remaining pairs in Aomine and Kise went in the other half-court. Hikigaya and Kagami arranged some cones before starting their dribbling sessions. The rest then scurried off immediately and began to sprint.

The training sounded easy enough for the spectators but truth be told, the level of intensity of their drills was just overwhelming and for a normal person, energy-draining. Every single one of them was seriously doing their best.

"Mido-chin, I don't want to be killed by Aka-chin so I won't go easy on you." Murasakibara drawled drowsily at the green-headed former shooting guard of the Generation of Miracles and current Shutoku ace. The giant's ace, however, indicated that he's up to the challenge.

"Neither do I, you idiot. Let's start already." Midorima dribbled the ball in his hands. He was positioned at the center-circle of the court. Without wasting a second thought, Midorima threw the basketball in a high arc. In reality, he really had no idea how much Murasakibara had improved and it this somewhat gave him some fear so he did not dare risk his chances by running to the other basket to defend.

As he had initially feared, Murasakibara had jumped up high enough so that his hands could cover the whole rim of the basketball hoop and whacked the ball down. Midorima was quick to grab the ball once again and since he was closer to his own basket, he shot it again in while Murasakibara had just landed on the floor.

"You are so mean Mido-chin!" Murasakibara grumbled angrily as he was close to stomping.

"What can I do? It's not my fault you jumped top early and too slow." Midorima pushed up his glasses. "Besides, Cancers is first place today in Oha-Asa and my lucky item is a Matryoshka Doll specifically imported from Moscow."

Murasakibara frowned and the two continued to practice. From their point of view, it was no big deal, but from their spectator's view, it was on a whole different level. "Yu-Yukinon, Midorin's shot is so high that it looks almost superhuman." It was the first time for Yuigahama to see one of the Generation of Miracles play and right now, she was simply amazed at the height of the arch of Midorima's shot.

"Kami-sama, can Sobu's regulars even do that?!" Atsugi was amazed while Hiratsuka was speechless at what she's witnessing.

I've never seen a shot like that in my whole life. Hayama Hayato was mentally frozen at the sight of the leather orange basketball literally reaching the ceilings of the gymnasium before landing in the ring unscathed and without any hint of even grazing the metal hoop.

To start off, Midorima's shots were practically impossible to swat because of its high arc unless, like Kagami, a player jumped high enough and blocked him right in front of his face. However, Murasakibara was still able to block the ball when it was about to fall straight into the basket.

Not wasting a moment, Murasakibara had scored his own basket, running at full speed to his basket and dunking it in since he was much taller than Midorima so he could not block him.

Secondly, Murasakibara was just so huge and not only that, he could shockingly even move fast despite his weight. Not only could he defend perfectly well but he was also capable of being on the offense as a very daunting and formidable player. If this small one-on-one match was chilling enough, the spectators were even more surprised at the players on the other court.

Kise and Aomine were facing off each other. The tension between them radiated so much energy that Miura can feel goose bumps forming on her skin. Kise's eyes darted around as he studied his friend's movements. Despite having already perfected Aomine's form of street ball, he knew the tanned ace isn't someone to be lightly taken of and he knew this Aomine that is standing before him is the one that has trained himself seriously after his first loss that dates back to their first year in high school.

Aomine, on the other hand, was not paying any attention to Kise. Instead, he was actually concentrating hard to get into the zone. Only those who have entered the zone knew how difficult it was to enter it willingly. And for someone who can enter the state of concentration in his own will, Aomine knew that it takes skill and mental toughness to do it.

Kise had the ball first. Trying to remember the feeling he had when he copied Aomine, he tried to break through his screen. But Aomine was a step ahead as he quickly stretched out his arm, knocking Kise's ball away and grabbing it. Immediately, he threw it in a moment later, knowing it would enter the hoop.

Kise can only grimace Aomine gets a shot for the possession. Their fight continued on and as time went by, Kise getting better and better at using Aomine's street ball style. Their fight was so fast paced that Haruno began to get dizzy just by trying to keep up with her eyes. The yellow and blue blur flashed across the half-court like lightning racing against one another.

Meanwhile, Hikigaya was now finished in his dribbling session and began his shooting drills in the rings that is in the sidelines. Alternating some passes with Kagami, he began to first take a quick basic layup while Kagami does the same. He then does some perimeter shots and Kagami does the same. While Kagami and Hikigaya both have the same shooting percentage, the former's shots were rattling a bit while the latter's were smooth and not even grazing the metal hoop. Ray Allen's way. He remembered a shooting technique used by one of the NBA's best three point shooters in history and he is currently applying them.

"Ganbatte, Hikki!" Yuigahama encouraged him from the bench as she was waving her hands on the air like some kind of an idiot.

After almost two hours, Akashi and Kuroko emerged from their training as the former had a whistle. He blew it while shouting. "Stop! Time for a ten-minute break." Hearing their captain's orders, all the players stopped their own matches and came to sit on the bench to cool down. Ogiwara and company are now sweating as they came back.

"Aominecchi, it's not fair! You were in the zone!" Kise was heard grumbling.

"So? It isn't unfair. Akashi himself told me I could enter it." Aomine casually dismissed him as he drinks his Gatorade.

"Aka-chin, I'm hungry. I want snacks."

"Murasakibara-kun, we have a practice match next." Kuroko reminded the purple-head giant.

Choosing to ignore the ramblings of his teammates, Akashi now faced the schools on the spectator seats. Clearing his throat, he asked loudly with the use of a megaphone that he borrowed from Atsugi. "We would like a practice match between us and two random school teams. Would any schools like to volunteer?"

"Oi Akashi, are you serious with that?" Hikigaya didn't know if their captain is messing up with them.

Akashi ignored the comment and continued, "It may be unfair for one team to go against us so we are allowing two teams from two different schools against us as one team. Furthermore, we are even the ones at the disadvantages as our best scout and manager in Momoi isn't around as she is currently scouting some of our opponents."

Murmurs could be heard from the gathered schools. Comments like "But they are so powerful! We're only small fry compared to them!", "Should we try it out?" and "This is so unexpected from them!" were heard as all of the teams in the spectator stands are currently talking with one another.

After a while longer, Wakamatsu and Fukui Kensuke stood up hesitantly as they decided to give it a shot.

"Are you serious?!" Kise wailed. "Why those two of all schools?! Why the best in defense and the best in offencein the whole of Japan?!" He received a whack to the head by Aomine as a result of his whining.

"Shut up! Be happy you are able to face off two of the best schools in Japan!" Aomine growled.

The two schools were obviously Touou High School and Yosen High School.

This match was going to be tough.

Sneak Peak: Japan's fifteen versus Touou versus Yosen. Who'll emerge as the victor? And what kind of cunning plan does Yukinoshita Haruno planned to do after their scrimmage end? Certainly, Yukino won't like it.