Upon their return to Japan, Fukuda Sogo resumed their regular training routine with newfound determination.
Especially since the Winter Cup was just around the corner, and the preliminary rounds were set to commence today.
As reigning Interhigh champions, they had secured a reserved place in the Winter Cup alongside the other top four teams from the Interhigh.
Tsuna watched them, a contented smile on his face.
"They seem like entirely different people, don't they?"
Nijimura remarked as he passed Tsuna a fresh towel. Tsuna took the towel and replied with composure, "They should be. They're pretty hungry now..."
Nijimura nodded silently, understanding the sentiment.
He, too, felt the unpleasantness of losing. They had experienced it firsthand, repeatedly, during the week of relentless defeats against the Jabberwock.
Tsuna said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way. I'll leave them in your hands, Shuzo."
He had a prior commitment and needed to leave early. However, Nijimura had a strong hunch that Tsuna would continue training at home.
"Just a gut feeling, but after our special training..." Nijimura thought to himself.
A sense of foreboding crept over him as he added, "...It seems like Tsuna is the hungriest of all of us."
"No, he's always been like that," Nijimura reflected.
After their devastating loss, a harsh but much-needed reality check, they experienced an insatiable craving for victory. This deep-seated hunger sharpened their senses, creating a shared instinct to win.
And for the first time, as they watched Tsuna's unwavering calmness, it seemed as though no adversity could disturb his tranquility...
...they felt something.
A peculiar sensation washed over them—a feeling akin to their relentless hunger but even more potent, sending shivers down their spines.
It wasn't merely the desire to win but a burning passion that transcended the thirst for victory.
Nijimura muttered to himself, "...it seems like he's had this burning desire for a very long time."
What could Tsuna possibly desire when he already had everything as the youngest heir of a conglomerate?
Watching Tsuna walk away, Nijimura couldn't help but wonder, "What is it that you desired so strongly, Tsuna?"
In the bustling heart of Tokyo, an eager and boisterous crowd descended upon a sprawling gymnasium. This was the battleground for the preliminary rounds of the highly anticipated Winter Cup.
Too Academy was just a short walk away, so Imayoshi and Sakurai decided to attend the game.
Sakurai followed behind Imayoshi, inquiring, "Any predictions on who will win between Seirin and Josei?"
"It's a tough call..."
Imayoshi, wearing his typical relaxed smile with half-closed eyes, replied, "...Both teams are strong, so it's anyone's game."
Imayoshi and Sakurai entered the gymnasium and were taken aback to see Seirin taking the lead in the game.
"Seirin's up against Josei, which should be a tough matchup," Imayoshi remarked, his words slow as he closely watched the game unfold.
"But it looks like they've leveled up since we last saw them," he added, his attention drawn to Teppei Kiyoshi on the court.
Kiyoshi, one of the Uncrowned Kings, had returned to the fray. It wasn't just him; every player on Seirin's team had shown significant improvement.
Sakurai, equally astonished, commented, "It appears Josei's center didn't give them the upper hand against Seirin..."
Imayoshi nodded in agreement and watched Kiyoshi on the court.
"I'm glad we decided to come watch today," he said.
The team had shown remarkable progress in a relatively short time. Although it was hard to admit, they were no longer an easy opponent.
Imayoshi pondered silently, "Except for Too, of course."
While Seirin had shown considerable improvement, Imayoshi believed that if they faced Too again, it wouldn't make a significant difference.
His smile faded slightly as he squinted, reflecting on Aomine's remarkable progress over the past week. Imayoshi couldn't help but think, "Aomine has grown much stronger. Even the current Seirin would likely be no match for him."
Yet, Imayoshi couldn't fathom that Kagami had also undergone substantial improvements, especially with the special training he received from Alexandra.
"Arghh!!"
Suddenly, a frustrated yell broke the moment.
It was Kagami, and Hyuga smacked Kagami on the back of his head, prompting Kagami to shout, "Why!?"
Hyuga adjusted his glasses and grumbled, "You're way too excited, you idiot!"
He could see that Kagami was feeling both frustrated and excited, especially since Josei players constantly double-teamed him.
However, this pressure should create openings in Josei's defense for their team to capitalize on.
"Captain's right, Kagami. You need to relax," Kuroko said, agreeing with Hyuga's advice.
Hyuga grinned and said, "Absolutely! Time to get down to business, guys."
Seirin's players shouted in unison, reinvigorated by Hyuga's words, as they swiftly moved into their positions. Observing the determined backs of his teammates, Kagami inhaled deeply to regain his composure.
"Yeah, that's right. I've got my team with me," Kagami murmured to himself, his face regaining its usual determined look.
Kagami's renewed concentration allowed him to think more clearly as the game continued. Izuki, with a calm demeanor, dribbled the ball while scanning the court for opportunities.
As he prepared to pass the ball to Kiyoshi, who had been a scoring force for their team, Izuki suddenly sensed something and quickly turned his attention to Kagami. He could feel the intensity of Kagami's desire for the ball, which caused him to break a sweat.
Izuki hesitated momentarily, thinking, "Kagami has struggled to break through their defense a few times."
Despite this, he had an inexplicable feeling that Kagami was the best choice this time. Trusting his instincts, he made the pass to Kagami.
Kagami grabbed the ball, taking a deep breath as he assessed the situation with two opposing players in front of him. With a burst of speed, he effortlessly pierced through their defense.
Imayoshi and Sakurai watched in astonishment, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"He reminded me of Aomine..." Imayoshi couldn't help but draw a comparison to Aomine, feeling the same rush of excitement as he watched Kagami soar into the air for a dunk.
"Who said I'll let you do it easily!"
Narumi, the star player from Jose, wouldn't allow Kagami's move to go unchallenged.
He leaped into the air to block Kagami, but to his shock, he fell to the ground. Meanwhile, Kagami soared through the air, defying gravity and leaving Narumi in disbelief.
The crowd, initially cheering, fell into a hushed awe as they witnessed Kagami's spectacular play. Then, as Kagami slammed the ball through the hoop with great force, the crowd erupted into enthusiastic cheers, captivated by the wonder of his dunk.
Across Japan, the individuals known as the Generation of Miracles shifted their attention toward Tokyo.
They had an instinctive feeling that someone was making a forceful entrance, breaching the barrier that separated them from ordinary people.
In a traditional-style residence in Shizuoka, a black-haired teenager made a strategic move with his queen on a chessboard.
He declared, "Checkmate..."
Facing Tsuna was a middle-aged man with red hair, and he wore a displeased expression upon losing the chess match. He grumbled, "...Don't you think you should at least show some respect and lose on purpose to your elder, Tsunayoshi?"
Tsuna shook his head in response, and the middle-aged man let out a disdainful snort.
While the Generation of Miracles sensed an intrusion, Tsuna felt nothing, as he wasn't even there in the first place.
He looked at the middle-aged man and inquired, "What brings you here, Uncle?"
The middle-aged man shook his head, "Can't I come to visit you? Besides, I heard my son suffered his first loss, albeit indirectly, so I need to see just how skilled the one who bested my precious child is."
He was Jiro Akashi, Akashi's father, who sat before Tsuna.
"It wasn't a chess game, though, but whatever..."
Tsuna said with a squint in his eyes, "Now that I've defeated you, will your father be showing up tomorrow?"
"My father has passed away..."
His response left Tsuna momentarily speechless. Jiro was definitely being intentional with that one.
"..."
A moment of silence followed. Tsuna couldn't help but offer a wry smile at Jiro's unexpected and somewhat baffling personality.
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