Chapter 3
The gymnasium echoed with the squeak of basketball shoes against polished hardwood as the seniors gathered at center court. Their presence commanded attention—not just from the freshmen recruits, but from everyone in the vast space. Even the volleyball players paused their practice to steal glances at the basketball team's elite.
Five third-year students stood in formation, each radiating a distinct aura that spoke of experience, skill, and countless hours of dedicated practice. These weren't just seniors—they were the First String, the pride of Shirosaka High School's basketball program.
Renji Fukuhara stood at the center of the group, his posture perfect and movements deliberate. Everything about him exuded refinement and elegance, from his precisely styled hair to the way he adjusted his wristbands with surgical precision. As captain, he carried himself with quiet authority that demanded respect without asking for it.
To his right, Toma Izuki bounced on the balls of his feet, unable to contain the energy that seemed to pulse through his body. His eyes darted around the court, taking in every detail with an enthusiastic intensity. While Renji embodied calm control, Toma was pure kinetic potential—a coiled spring ready to explode into action.
Shunpei Gonda stood slightly apart, arms crossed over his chest, his expression cool and collected. He observed the freshmen with analytical eyes, already assessing strengths and weaknesses. There was something intimidating about his stillness—like a predator conserving energy before the hunt.
Keisuke Narita offered a friendly smile that contrasted with his imposing frame. At 189 centimeters, his powerful build spoke of strength, but the gentle nod he gave the newcomers revealed a calming presence. He was the balance point—the one who could be fierce on the court but approachable off it.
Completing the lineup was Haruto Saejima, whose towering 206-centimeter frame cast a long shadow across the floor. His positive demeanor lightened the intimidating effect of his height, but there was no mistaking the competitive fire in his eyes. As the team's center, he was the defensive anchor—the last line that opponents had to overcome.
"Line up, freshmen," Renji called, his voice carrying the natural authority of leadership.
Rando took his place in the line alongside the other five first-years. From left to right stood Daigo Hoshikawa, Riku Sendou, Yuto Kanzaki, Masaki Kirigaya, Hinata Kurobane, and himself. Six freshmen facing five seniors—already at a numerical advantage, but Rando knew better than to consider that meaningful.
The gymnasium doors swung open with a heavy creak, drawing all eyes to the entrance. A middle-aged man ambled in, one hand covering his mouth as he yawned expansively. Standing at approximately 210 centimeters, his muscular frame filled the doorway despite his slouched posture.
He wore simple casual clothes—track pants and a faded t-shirt that had seen better days—but there was something about him that commanded attention despite his apparent disinterest.
"Coach Yamashiro," Miyu whispered to the freshmen, her tone a mixture of respect and exasperation.
Rando watched as the man—Shirosaka's head basketball coach—shuffled toward them, yawning again as if the very act of walking was exhausting him. There was something comical about the contrast between his imposing physique and his lazy demeanor.
He reminded Rando of those stereotypical mentor characters in anime—the seemingly useless masters who turned out to be legendary.
The system activated without prompting:
[Coach Analysis Activated]
[Subject: Hideo Yamashiro]
[Name: Hideo Yamashiro]
[Role: Head Coach, Shirosaka High School Basketball Club]
[Former Position: Center]
[Height: 210 cm]
[Background: Former Professional Superstar – "The Aerial Defender"]
[Talent: Aerial Defender]
[Current Status: Retired player, renowned coach specializing in defense and player development]
[Core Attributes:]
[Strength: A+]
[Stamina: A+++]
[Defense (Paint): S]
[Defense (Perimeter): A++]
[Rebounding: S]
[Shot Blocking: S]
[Speed: B+++]
[Mobility: B+++]
[Shooting (Mid-Range): B++]
[Shooting (Free Throw): A+++]
[Basketball IQ: S]
[Presence/Aura: S]
Rando nearly choked on his own breath. The lazy, disheveled man before him was a basketball monster. The system continued:
[Ability: Aerial Defender]
[A specialized skill that made Yamashiro legendary in the professional scene. It revolved around his perfect timing, incredible jumping ability, and defensive reading. He was able to contest or shut down almost any shot above the rim.]
[Aerial Defender Key Effects:]
[Airborne Shot Blocker: Could challenge and block dunks and alley-oops mid-air.]
[Vertical Zone Control: Dominated the vertical space around the rim like a fortress.]
[Pressure Field: His sheer reach and timing forced opponents to change their shooting arcs or avoid the paint entirely.]
S-rank attributes? Rando thought, stunned. Even with Aomine's abilities, he didn't possess that many S-ranked skills. This slouching, yawning man was a defensive legend hiding in plain sight.
"Coach!" Miyu greeted enthusiastically, rushing forward with a clipboard. "The new recruits are here! Six freshmen this year!"
Coach Yamashiro scratched his stubbled chin, giving the line of freshmen a disinterested once-over before his gaze lingered momentarily on Hinata and Rando. Something flickered in his eyes—a brief spark of interest quickly buried beneath his affected boredom.
"Mmm," he grunted, then turned to Renji. "First String versus the newbies. Five on six."
"Coach!" Miyu protested immediately. "That's not fair! They've never played together, and the gap between them and the First String is—"
"Life ain't fair, girlie," Yamashiro interrupted, already shuffling toward the bench. He collapsed onto it with the dramatic flair of someone who hadn't rested in days, then proceeded to stretch out fully, one arm behind his head as a makeshift pillow.
"Besides," he added, casually scratching his backside, "how else am I supposed to see what they're made of?"
The freshmen exchanged uncertain glances, while the seniors maintained their composed expressions—though Toma couldn't quite hide his eager smile at the prospect of competition.
"What are you all staring at?" Yamashiro barked suddenly, his lazy demeanor momentarily replaced by sharp authority. "Didn't I tell you to start the game? Warm up and get to it!"
Renji clapped his hands once. "You heard Coach. Everyone, five minutes of warm-up, then we play. Two quarters, ten minutes each."
As the players dispersed to begin their preparations, Rando took the opportunity to analyze his opponents more thoroughly. The system obliged:
[Player Profile: Renji Fukuhara]
[Name: Renji Fukuhara]
[Age: 18]
[Height: 182 cm]
[Position: Point Guard]
[Role: Captain]
[Ability: Cold Command – Master of tempo and court control. His icy calm dominates the flow of the game, disrupting chaos and bringing total order.]
[Stats:]
[Strength: C]
[Speed: B]
[Dribbling: A]
[Passing: A]
[Basketball IQ: A]
[Shooting (3pt): B]
[Shooting (Mid): B]
[Defense (Perimeter): A]
[Stamina: B]
[Free Throws: A]
[Leadership/Presence: A]
Cold Command, Rando noted. Similar to Akashi's Emperor Eye in concept, but focused on team control rather than individual domination. A true point guard's ability.
The system continued, cycling through each senior:
[Player Profile: Toma Izuki]
[Name: Toma Izuki]
[Age: 18]
[Height: 180 cm]
[Position: Shooting Guard]
[Ability: Trigger Rhythm – A streak-based shooter whose accuracy and rhythm increase with each successful basket. Once he's hot, he's nearly unstoppable.]
[Stats:]
[Strength: C]
[Speed: A]
[Dribbling: B]
[Passing: B]
[Basketball IQ: B]
[Shooting (3pt): A]
[Shooting (Mid): A]
[Defense (Perimeter): B]
[Stamina: B]
[Finishing: C]
[Free Throws: B]
[Presence: B]
[Player Profile: Shunpei Gonda]
[Name: Shunpei Gonda]
[Age: 18]
[Height: 187 cm]
[Position: Small Forward]
[Ability: Iron Pulse – Steady and unshakable, he thrives under pressure and elevates his play when the game is on the line.]
[Stats:]
[Strength: B]
[Speed: B]
[Dribbling: B]
[Finishing (Layups/Dunks): A]
[Shooting (Mid): A]
[Shooting (3pt): B]
[Defense (Perimeter): B]
[Stamina: A]
[Basketball IQ: B]
[Free Throws: C]
[Presence: B]
[Player Profile: Keisuke Narita]
[Name: Keisuke Narita]
[Age: 18]
[Height: 189 cm]
[Position: Power Forward]
[Ability: Steel Zone – He dominates the post with a presence that bends space. Offensively and defensively, the area around him becomes his territory.]
[Stats:]
[Strength: A]
[Speed: C]
[Rebounding: A]
[Defense (Paint): A]
[Shot Blocking: B]
[Finishing (Post): B]
[Passing: C]
[Basketball IQ: B]
[Free Throws: C]
[Stamina: A]
[Presence: B]
[Player Profile: Haruto Saejima]
[Name: Haruto Saejima]
[Age: 18]
[Height: 206 cm]
[Position: Center]
[Ability: Wall Core – A defensive juggernaut. Once anchored in the paint, he transforms into an immovable wall that shuts down attacks before they begin.]
[Stats:]
[Strength: A]
[Speed: C]
[Mobility: C]
[Rebounding: A]
[Shot Blocking: A]
[Defense (Paint): A]
[Finishing (Close Range): B]
[Passing: C]
[Basketball IQ: B]
[Free Throws: C]
[Presence: A]
[Stamina: A]
A formidable lineup. Balanced, experienced, and with specialized abilities that complemented each other perfectly. In contrast, Rando's quick analysis of his own team was far less encouraging:
[Daigo Hoshikawa]
[Position: Point Guard]
[Ability: Freestyle Handles – His dribbling is flashy and unpredictable, but lacks proper pacing and often overdribbles himself into traps.]
[Height: 175 cm]
[Year: 1st]
[Strength: E]
[Speed: C]
[Dribbling: C]
[Passing: D]
[Shooting (3pt): E]
[Stamina: D]
[Defense (Perimeter): D]
[Basketball IQ: D]
[Presence: E]
[Riku Sendou]
[Position: Shooting Guard]
[Ability: Explosive First Step – Possesses great initial burst speed but can't maintain momentum or balance when driving.]
[Height: 181 cm]
[Year: 1st]
[Strength: D]
[Speed: D]
[Dribbling: D]
[Shooting (3pt): D]
[Shooting (Mid): C]
[Defense (Perimeter): E]
[Stamina: C]
[Basketball IQ: E]
[Presence: D]
[Yuto Kanzaki]
[Position: Small Forward]
[Ability: Instinct Rush – Relies on gut reactions and quick cuts to slip through defenders, but lacks proper form or basketball fundamentals.]
[Height: 178 cm]
[Year: 1st]
[Strength: D]
[Speed: C]
[Dribbling: D]
[Shooting (Mid): D]
[Finishing (Layups): C]
[Defense (Perimeter): D]
[Stamina: D]
[Basketball IQ: D]
[Presence: E]
[Masaki Kirigaya]
[Position: Power Forward]
[Ability: Silent Exploit – Has a knack for noticing gaps in defense and cutting into space quietly, but his actual shot or pass afterward is often off-target.]
[Height: 183 cm]
[Year: 1st]
[Strength: D]
[Speed: E]
[Shooting (Mid): D]
[Defense (Paint): D]
[Rebounding: D]
[Basketball IQ: C]
[Stamina: D]
[Passing: E]
[Presence: E]
Mediocre at best. The only saving graces were himself and Hinata—two monsters among amateurs. It would have to be enough.
As the warm-up period drew to a close, the freshmen huddled together at one end of the court.
"Okay, so what's the plan?" Daigo asked, his voice betraying a nervousness that contradicted his earlier confidence.
"We need to establish positions," Rando said, taking charge naturally. "Hoshikawa, you're our point guard. Sendou, shooting guard. Kanzaki, small forward. Kirigaya, power forward. Kurobane, you're center, obviously."
"What about you?" Riku asked, eyeing Rando's height.
"I'll play as a hybrid wing. I can shift between positions as needed." Rando turned to Hinata, who towered over them all. "Kurobane, I need you to focus on defense. Don't let them score easily. Your job is to protect the paint at all costs."
Hinata nodded slowly, his expression unchanging. "I protect. No score."
"Good." Rando looked at the others. "The rest of you, just do your best to keep up. Pass to open teammates, take shots if you have them, but don't force anything."
The freshmen nodded, though none looked particularly confident. As they broke their huddle and moved toward center court, Rando caught Coach Yamashiro watching them through half-lidded eyes. Despite his apparent disinterest, there was something calculating in that gaze.
Miyu took her position at center court, basketball in hand. "This game will be two quarters, ten minutes each," she announced. "Five-minute break between quarters. First String versus First-Years."
Hinata and Haruto stepped into the center circle, facing each other for the jump ball. The height difference was immediately apparent—Hinata's 220 centimeters dwarfing Haruto's already impressive 206. But Haruto didn't seem intimidated; if anything, he looked excited by the challenge.
"Ready?" Miyu asked, looking between them.
Both players nodded, bending their knees in preparation.
The gymnasium fell silent as Miyu tossed the ball high into the air. Both centers exploded upward, their powerful legs launching them toward the descending sphere.
Haruto's jump was impressive—a good 28 to 30 inches of vertical leap that would have won him most jump balls. His fingertips stretched toward the ball, nearly grazing its surface.
But Hinata's jump was something else entirely.
The 220-centimeter giant soared upward as if gravity had momentarily forgotten its hold on him. His massive frame rose a full 45 inches off the ground, easily surpassing Haruto's reach. The ball was his before the senior even had a chance.
A collective gasp rippled through the gymnasium. Even the volleyball players had stopped to watch, and now stood frozen in amazement. Haruto's eyes widened in disbelief as he descended, his feet touching the floor while Hinata remained suspended in the air.
Did he just...? The thought was written across every senior's face.
From his reclined position on the bench, Coach Yamashiro's eyes opened a fraction wider—the only indication that he too was impressed by the display.
Still airborne, Hinata twisted his massive body with surprising grace and tapped the ball behind him. The perfect tip-off pass sailed directly into Rando's waiting hands.
As Hinata finally returned to earth, landing with surprising lightness for someone his size, Rando felt a surge of excitement course through his veins. This was it—his first real opportunity to test Aomine's abilities in actual competition.
He took a deep breath, feeling something awaken within him. His vision sharpened, the court seeming to expand in his perception. Time slowed. His muscles hummed with potential energy.
A flash of black lightning seemed to crackle in his eyes—visible only to him, but he could feel its power coursing through his body.
The Zone had activated.
The seniors were still recovering from their shock at Hinata's jump, their defensive formation momentarily disrupted. It was the perfect opening.
Rando's lips curved into a predatory smile as he prepared to make his move.
The only one who can beat me is me.
The beast was about to be unleashed.