"...I'll win this one, Kagami!"
Aomine's loud proclamation echoed through the court.
"...As expected, If I was alone. I'll definitely lose!" Kagami thought while glancing at Aomine's solid defense.
He still kept his composure, with his mind racing for a way to get through. He slowed his pace as he took a deep breath before his eyes suddenly sharpened.
He suddenly changed his pace as he crossed over to the right, to which Aomine reacted, making Kagami break into a sweat.
However, he quickly shook off the doubt, stepping back, and suddenly changed his direction. Aomine who was still with his confident grin also responded swiftly, anticipating Kagami's every move.
In a surprising twist, Aomine realized that although Kagami's body had moved to the left, his hand seemed to push the ball to the right. A sense of disbelief crossed Aomine's face as a familiar figure, Kuroko, materialized in the ball's path.
"...It's you again!"
The exclamation escaped Aomine's lips as he realized Kuroko's involvement.
Kuroko looked determined and resolute as he assumed his passing stance, then launched the ball soaring towards the basket.
"No, Aomine. We will win this match!"
Kuroko's words cut through the air, with the court brimmed with anticipation as the ball soared up in the air.
Aomine's frustration was palpable as he clicked his tongue in response to Kagami's sudden burst of speed towards the basket. He wasted no time in giving a chase, determined to thwart Kagami's scoring attempt.
"Not on my watch! Kagami!"
Kagami soared up in the air as he grabbed the ball in mid-air and went for a forceful slam dunk.
Aomine was equally imposing as he extended his hand to block Kagami's attempt.
However, something seemed amiss. Aomine's realization dawned as he observed Kagami's overpowering strength and the peculiar dark red spark streaking across his pupils.
Kagami had, once again...
...entered the zone!
"...Am I losing?"
The thought couldn't help but flash through Aomine's mind, accompanied by a sense of disbelief.
"Not yet, you motherfucker!"
But just as Kagami's hand seemed destined to score, a sudden shout pierced the air, breaking the tension. Wakamatsu materialized beside Aomine, his hand intercepting Kagami's in a last-ditch effort to prevent the dunk.
"I'll fucking send you home, Seirin!"
Wakamatsu's vehement declaration echoed through the court, signaling a fierce determination to resist Kagami's offensive onslaught.
The members of Seirin watched with wide-eyed disbelief as Wakamatsu's swift intervention halted Kagami's dunk attempt.
"Dammit!"
Kiyoshi who was racing to the scene to offer support, couldn't suppress his frustration, realizing he wouldn't make it in time.
Aomine was initially astonished by Wakamatsu's sudden appearance but quickly adapted to the situation.
"...I don't care anymore! I don't want to lose!"
Together, their combined strength seemed sufficient to thwart Kagami's scoring effort. However, in this critical moment, they sensed Kagami's hand twitching fervently as if he were struggling to reclaim control.
"Shit! What the hell!"
Wakamatsu exclaimed, recognizing the familiar gesture.
Aida who was seated on the Seirin bench, shot up in surprise with a nervous expression. She couldn't believe what she saw as Kagami made a subtle move.
"Has he finally mastered it?"
"...Ah, he really nailed it at the last second, huh?" Aida observed the turn of events, breaking into a smile.
With their combined strength, Kagami realized he couldn't make it as his hand forcefully swatted the ball back into the court. And the one who was receiving the ball was a figure they least expected.
The unexpected recipient left everyone in shock.
"...Tetsu?"
Aomine's widened eyes reflected the surprise that rippled through the Too Academy players.
As Kuroko grabbed the ball, he subtly adjusted his form and straightened his back as he gripped the ball with both hands in a distinctive manner. His sharp gaze fixated on the basket as he confidently declared, "...I told you, Seirin will get this!"
"I knew you were up to something!? Unfortunately, I'm anticipating this as well. Kuroko!! This match is ours!"
A swift figure materialized in front of Kuroko, leaping to block whatever move Kuroko had planned.
Hyuga's eyes widened as he recognized the newcomer, "Imayoshi!?"
"...I don't know what the hell is up with that weird form of yours, but your ball won't get through!"
Imayoshi proclaimed, meeting Kuroko's determined gaze head-on.
Akashi who was observing the unfolding scene, wore a subtle smile as he commented, "...You can't stop that shot."
Mibuchi who heard Akashi's remark, was puzzled as he had opened his mouth and was about to voice his confusion. However, the entire stadium erupted in shock as Kuroko, who was resolute in his stance, propelled the ball toward the basket.
"...Too Academy won!"
Imayoshi smiled as the ball were coming right into his hand. However, to his horror and utter disbelief, the ball that just sailed out into the air from Kuroko's hands seemed to defy the laws of physics.
Just as Imayoshi's hands were about to make contact with the ball, it vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but a mystifying void in its wake.
"...What the hell was that?"
Wakamatsu couldn't help but blurt it out, his face expressionless as he tried to grasp what was happening right in front of him.
The gymnasium fell into a momentary silence as spectators and players alike struggled to comprehend what had happened.
Then, as if materializing out of nowhere, the ball reappeared midair as it continued its trajectory toward the basket. The sight was reminiscent of a phantom, elusive and unpredictable.
Imayoshi was totally caught off guard by the surreal turn of events and could only watch as the ball sailed away, evading his attempted block.
"...That was Kuroko's Phantom Shoot!"
Akashi spoke with his eyes flashing with excitement. His smirk lingered as he observed the ball gracefully swishing through the net. Simultaneously, the referee's whistle pierced the silence, signaling the end of the game.
He was thoroughly entertained by the game in front of him.
The stadium fell into a hushed awe as spectators struggled to comprehend the inexplicable events.
"What just happened?"
"Seirin won!"
A wave of exhilaration quickly replaced the confusion. A single enthusiastic voice broke the silence, setting off a chain reaction.
"Seirin actually won against Too Academy!"
"No way!!!"
In a matter of moments, the entire stadium erupted into cheers and shouts of excitement, filling the air with electrifying energy that mirrored the astonishment and elation of the spectators.
Title: Phantom Shoot!
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