So yeah, I didn't realize I had gotten this far. Well, that means a few more chapters and this story would officially end (which I wanted for so long now). But of course, I had to thank everyone who patiently read it as well as to those who gave a review. You're all my inspiration.

Well, here's the new chapter.

"So how's Index?"

The deep voice of Stiyl Magnus echoed in the nearly-empty cafeteria of Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium as he and Kamijou quietly sat down in one of the tables in the venue. The latter didn't know how to feel upon seeing the fire sorcerer once again—this time, in Japan outside of Academy City. The last time they had met, Aleister Crowley had returned to England and the two were facing off against one another. Very unpleasant memories, if one asks the spiky haired boy.

"Index, you say? She's fine right now." Kamijou curtly replied as he sips a bottle of Gatorade that Kuroko has given to him back at the locker room. "What about you, Stiyl? What brings you here?"

He wasn't going around the bush.

"I wanted to see how Index is doing under your care, Kamijou Touma." Stiyl took out another butt of cigarette and lit it up before he smokes. "As I see, it looks like you have made some drastic improvements in your life. You choose to make Index's life here in Japan better by becoming a basketball player here in mainland Japan. How lovely." There was a hint of sarcasm dripping from his voice though the spiky haired boy didn't mind it.

"By the way, Kamijou Touma, I have a request for you…" Stiyl Magnus asked before leaning in and whispering something to the boy.

An hour later, the shrill of the Imagine Breaker ringing like a glass shattering in the air was heard as Stiyl and Kamijou has apprehended a familiar man whom the boy swore he could have seen him somewhere. That mason-like coat and the British accent. I think I encountered those back at…the Shutoku game, I think.

"Good job in helping to bring down this cult follower, Kamijou." Stiyl huffed as he had the immobilized man disposed by his rune cards. "He belongs to a secret society that used potions to sow terror."

"Is that so?" Kamijou got alarmed as he eyes the red-head priest for more information.

Stiyl looked at him and raised his eyebrows. "In any case, you better leave the scene right now. Your right hand is all I need to dispose the potion that he is carrying in that wooden box." He had the carved box in his hands. "I won't anymore tell you what the potion specifically does because it's a hassle but basically, it can cause a severe damage to the people who inhales or makes a contact with it."

"Wait…what group does this bastard come from—"

"As I said, you better leave now. Taking care of Index and your business with your team is your bigger priority now." There was a pained expression in Stiyl's voice. "Leave now."

"O-Oh…okay…" Kamijou didn't know what to say before he eventually relented and rejoined his team up in the bleachers, just in time for the match between Argentina and Slovenia to start.

In the following days of the Olympics tournament, Japan won all of their remaining four matches in their group. First, they faced Slovenia which they defeated 92-89 without even Kamijou and the rest since the Generation of Miracles made sure to win this one. Then, the third one, they went up against Argentina. They barely managed to win, 100-98, with Midorima beating the buzzer with his last-gasp three point shot. Again, Kamijou didn't play in this game. Then, they went on to stun Germany, 98 – 94. This time, Kamijou was subbed in at the last quarter and scored three straight three-pointers to bail them out in clutch time. Then, their fifth and last game for their group, Aomine took charge in their offense as Japan holds off a pesky Greek team at 110 – 106.

In the Group A, America defeated Russia, 96 – 90, but surprisingly, Shpagin didn't play in this game, causing murmurings and even rumors about the Russian team throwing away their game or allegations of game-fixing. Thus, America took the top spot with five wins, followed by Russia, with 4 wins and a single loss. Placing third in Group A is surprisingly South Korea, who is a dark horse nation besides Japan. Placing fourth is France, who featured a three-point shooting big man.

In the semi-finals, Japan had a tough time overcoming France's Bernard de Gaulle, whose three pointers forced the guys in black to spread their defense. Only the timely interception of Murasakibara and the fast steals of Kuroko managed to shut down the 2.10 m big man and win the game, 92 – 90, at the expense of France.

And thus, Japan secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Summer Olympics Basketball tournament.

On their way home, the boys chatted endlessly as everyone is in high spirits. Shirogane and the rest of the assistant coaches noticed this and couldn't help but smile as compared to their performance last four years ago, the new generation of the team had the chance of eventually reaching the championship match. As the whole team had their moments of their manly conversation, Kamijou suddenly took out his phone and began texting. When he was finished, he flipped it closed and after a minute, it vibrated within his duffel bag.

Congratulations. We'll see you in the tomorrow again, then. With the two idiots, of course -_-
~ Fukiyose Seiri

Congratulations, you idiot.
~ Misaka Mikoto

His face lit up with a soft smile as Midorima began to speak aloud. "For some reasons, all of our games are too tight. Not that I'm complaining but this is the first time that I experienced winning all the way with such slight margins."

"Don't be stupid, Midorima." Aomine drawled as he slung his arms around Kuroko. "In fact, this is what I was exactly looking for. I can't wait for our next game."

"Aomine, who are you calling stupid?!" The green-haired shooter angrily retorted. "And for your information, today's lucky item is

"Seriously, do you really have to bring up your lucky item every time?" Kise asked, looking a bit distressed.

"Whatever but in the next game, we may see a lot happen." Kiyoshi added, quite looking concerned. "Currently, South Korea and Senegal is fighting for the semi-final slot. Whoever wins will be our next opponent.

"Neh, do you know someone in those two clubs?" Hayama asked.

"Not that I know them personally but I did heard two guys from the South Korean team that might give us trouble if they win." The Iron Heart replied. "Shin Dong-il and their naturalized player."

"Naturalized?" Kuroko asked in confusion.

"Ah, that means that South Korea got a player from other countries who are willing to be naturalized in order to be a citizen in their place." Kiyoshi explains on their way. "For example, you can get the services of an American and have him play for Japan. In order for that to happen, they'll have to get naturalized to be a citizen."

"Ah, I see." Kuroko nodded.

"But of course, you can't anymore be naturalized if you play for your mother country already." Kagami added as he rolls a ball in his hand. "Besides, there's more pride in having full-blooded players play in the national team."

Everyone smiled at that heart-touching comment of their dear Bakagami. Wow, I never thought that idiot can have his moments of deep thought. Aomine mentally cringed as they kept walking on.

The next day was the day their fate would be decided by a single game that would determine if they would go home crying or move on to the finals with smiles in their faces. Of course, everyone went to the gymnasium earlier than expected as they wanted to have their bodies warmed up. Aomine and Kagami were sweating from obviously having a one-on-one outside the gymnasium while the others were doing light exercises. Kuroko was helping Kamijou stretch his legs when suddenly, Shirogane came in, his voice clear as the sun in the day.

"Gather around, everyone!" Shirogane's deep voice echoed throughout the gym. The boys quickly assembled before him, awaiting his announcement. "Good job making it through to the semi-finals, boys." He said as he looked at everyone with determination. "Our days as the whipping boys of the basketball world are now over. Our opponents from here on out are extremely tough and we'll have to be ready to take them down."

Everyone nodded. No one needed to tell them that though.

"I have the semi-final match-ups here with me." He waved a bunch of papers in his hands. He then gave each player one, and the moment Kamijou's eyes landed on the paper, they widen with shock upon seeing the names of the two teams whose players are identified as a direct threat.

Semi-final 1: Japan vs. South Korea 4:00, Monday

Semi-final 2: USA vs. Russian Federation 6:00, Monday

Nash Gold Jr. Kamijou remembered the blonde guard who wished him luck before they separated back in America.

To be honest, he didn't care much about who they were about to face as they were already briefed a day earlier. This paper is just some kind of a confirmation. But looking at the paper once again, Kamijou's hands started trembling. The paper fell to the floor and the moment he bent to take it up, his knees gave way as well.

"What?" He asked himself. "I'm nervous? Shit, maybe I am. Such misfortune."

Akashi and Kuroko didn't miss this. Wordlessly, the two helped the boy onto his feet and patted his back.

"Don't worry, Kamijou. We all get nervous." Akashi smiled.

"Just shake it off, Kamijou-kun. We're a team." Kuroko added.

"Thanks, Akashi, Kuroko."

"Kamijou, are you feeling alright?" Sekiguchi, who just came in carrying a basket of fruits, then asked when Kamijou stood on his own.

"Yes, Sekiguchi-san. I was just a bit shocked that's all."

"Alright. In a few minutes, we'll be heading out of the locker room now! Get changed! Have your nutrients replenished! Drink plenty of water!" At once, everyone was already in their jersey jackets as Kagami gave their spiky haired Seirin teammate a bottle of Gatorade. Kiyoshi kept telling everyone to have some fun while Mibuchi kept creeping the shit out of Okamura.

"Yabai! I'm so excited!" Hayama said in a gleeful tone as he plays with a ball up in his nose. "I'm fired up! I will go full-power!"

"Huh, what?" Mibuchi asked.

"Like I said, I'll go full power!" Sadly, the Lightning Beats ended up close to Mibuchi's face so the Rakuzan shooting guard punched him in his head.

"You're too close, Kotaro!" The gay shooter shouted. "You're crowding me and you're talking too fast to make any sense and I don't have any idea of what you're saying!"

Akashi can only sigh as he watched the whole scene unfold before him. Just like our Teiko days. He smiled sadly as he knew he can never go back to what it was before. But at least, we can start all over again. He then checked his clock and when he saw that it was time, he commanded. "It's time, comrades. In a few minutes, the game will commence already." Quickly, everyone took hold of their necessities and they already went out of the locker room.

A few minutes later, both of the teams were already warming up as the crowd in the gymnasium began to form. The Koreans, in their dark blue jersey, were all lining up for their lay-ups but what attracted the attention of the Japanese teens is the lone black guy who is currently stretching his legs in the sidelines.

"Woah, who's that tall guy?" Kise asked, quite amazed.

"That's Robert Grayson, their naturalized player." Akashi explained. "He's also a center like Murasakibara but I'm pretty sure he'll be able to shut that down. But even so, be careful Murasakibara. He's proficient in rebounds as well as shooting three-pointer."

"So basically, he can play like a forward? Someone I would like to play." Aomine grinned.

"Really, you're better as the challenger than the one being challenged." Midorima sighed.

After that, the whistle of the referee was blown as a signal that the game will commence in a few minutes so everyone stopped their warm-ups and quickly gathered around the Shirogane, who lays out their battle plans in his white board. "Okay, so here's how we'll go with it…"

Meanwhile…

Fukiyose, Kumokawa, Tsuchimikado and Aogami made their way to seats leisurely. The gymnasium was noisy and almost packed as more people kept pouring in. They were excited to see this match as it involved their former classmate and their idiot trio.

"Neh, what team they're fighting again?" Aogami asked dumbly as they took their seats. The bluenette looked like he had a fight with someone as he had a bruise in his eye.

"South Korea." Fukiyose replied to him. "And it looks like the game is going to start."

"Oh. This might be an interesting match, nya!" Tsuchimikado grinned as he fans himself with a paper fan. "By the way, I heard that Komoe-sensei and Yomikawa-sensei would also be watching here. That would be great!"

As the buzzer was sounded to officially signify the start of the game, the scoreboard high above the playing court was a large monitor and it displayed the scoreboard and the starting five for each team.

South Korea – Japan

Shin Dong-il (G) Kamijou Touma
Hong Chi-won (G) Midorima Shintaro
Robert Grayson (C) Murasakibara Atsushi
Kim Myung-jun (F) Aomine Daiki
Yeun Myung-bak (F) Okamura Kenichi

"What, another strange line-up?" Himegami didn't know much basketball at the start but her constant watching of the spiky haired boy's games made her at least a bit knowledgeable about the sport. "Seiri, do you know why they're doing this? Are they throwing the game away?"

"Only an idiot would do that." Fukiyose sighed. "Basically, they're doing it so that they'll throw off the South Korean team off-balance."

"Ohh…that's quite a smart strategy! I wonder how Kami-yan will fare against that Shin Dong-il dude." Tsuchimikado said as he saw their butt monkey friend shake hands with Shin, who is wearing the number eight jersey. Fukiyose can only say in her mind. No, he'll never lose. He has gotten this far without you two idiots. He won't lose now.

"Let the game between Japan and South Korea begin!" The female announcer in the official's table announced.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the Indian referee threw the ball into the air for the tip off with Grayson and Murasakibara facing off.