Almost everyone on the Dragon Slayer Team had given everything they had.
And in the process, they had surpassed their own limits.
Taiga Kagami opened the second [Gate], only to exhaust himself and leave the court.
Ryota Kise entered the Zone and activated [Perfect Copy], unleashing everything he had before ultimately collapsing from exhaustion and leaving the court as well.
Seijuro Akashi and the others had also done everything within their power.
Tetsuya Kuroko was no exception.
He had even managed to transform from a shadow into light, fighting to give the Dragon Slayer Team one final glimmer of hope.
Every single one of them had pushed themselves to the limit in this game.
And yet, they still couldn't win.
The Black Dragon Team stood before them like an enormous mountain, one they simply couldn't overcome.
"Beep! The game is over!"
As the referee blew the final whistle, this battle for revenge finally came to an end.
The final score was 156 to 121.
Both teams gathered at center court and exchanged friendly handshakes.
"You played well." Nash Gold shook Seijuro Akashi's hand. "Seijuro Akashi, I'm looking forward to facing you again."
"Thank you." Seijuro Akashi gave a wry smile. "You're strong too. I'm looking forward to playing you again as well."
"Keep working hard!" Nash Gold laughed. "I'll be waiting for you in the NBA!"
"I will!" Seijuro Akashi nodded firmly.
Nash Gold grinned.
"And remember to drink more milk when you get home!"
On the other side, Jason Silver shook Atsushi Murasakibara's hand and patted him on the shoulder.
"Not bad, kid. You've gotten a lot stronger since the last time we met!"
Atsushi Murasakibara merely pouted and ignored him.
"Come with me when we leave. I'll treat you to a huge meal!" Jason Silver said generously.
"Really?!" Atsushi Murasakibara's eyes immediately lit up. "Thanks!"
Zack walked over to Daiki Aomine with a smile.
"Kid, what's your name?"
Daiki Aomine still looked somewhat irritated.
"Daiki Aomine."
"Daiki Aomine..." Zack repeated the name, then burst out laughing. "You played well, kid! You really showed me something today."
"That was the first time I've ever seen someone use the Zone and their Animal Instinct at the same time!"
Daiki Aomine still didn't look particularly happy.
Suddenly, Zack threw an arm around Daiki Aomine's neck and lowered his voice.
"Hey, kid. Do you know where Mai's meet-and-greet is being held? I bought a few tickets while I was here in Japan."
Daiki Aomine's expression changed instantly.
"You have tickets to Mai's meet-and-greet?!"
Zack's face immediately turned red. He hurriedly covered Daiki Aomine's mouth and whispered frantically,
"You little brat, keep your voice down!"
After saying that, Zack nervously looked around.
Only after confirming that no one had noticed did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hehe." Allen suddenly popped up beside them. "Zack, I heard that."
"Fuck!" Zack jumped in surprise before hurriedly saying, "I'll give you one! Just keep your mouth shut."
Allen immediately made an OK sign with his hand.
"You really have tickets to Mai's meet-and-greet?" Daiki Aomine asked again, still unable to believe it.
Zack nodded.
Daiki Aomine's attitude changed instantly.
"Can you give me one?! I've never been able to get a ticket before!"
...
Nick walked over to Shintaro Midorima as well.
"You're strong. You're the best shooter I've ever seen."
"Thank you," Shintaro Midorima replied calmly.
His voice remained as composed as ever, but there was still a faint trace of disappointment in his eyes.
"I mean it," Nick said seriously. "I can guarantee you'll make it to the NBA."
Shintaro Midorima's eyes trembled slightly, visibly moved by those words.
Nick smiled.
"Keep at it. I'll be waiting for you in the NBA."
Elsewhere, Miyamoto Tokima stood in front of Ryota Kise, Shogo Haizaki, and Tetsuya Kuroko, speaking with the three of them.
As for what they were discussing, only they knew...
Meanwhile, off the court, no one was suffering more than Kagetora Aida.
His face was completely pale. He sat blankly on the bench, looking as though he had aged ten years in the span of a single game.
He kept muttering under his breath,
"Five hundred thousand dollars... Five hundred thousand dollars..."
Riko Aida couldn't bear to see her father like this and immediately tried to comfort him.
"It's okay, Dad. You can always earn the money back."
Kagetora Aida sighed helplessly.
Then he angrily slammed his fist against the bench.
"This is all Miyamoto Tokima's fault!"
That's right.
It was all Miyamoto Tokima's fault!
If Miyamoto Tokima had told him from the start that the Black Dragon Team was his team, why the hell would Kagetora Aida have gone over there and run his mouth?!
Miyamoto Tokima had practically conned him out of five hundred thousand dollars!
Suddenly, Tetsuya Kuroko's voice came from beside him.
"Mr. Kagetora."
Kagetora Aida jumped.
"Whoa! Don't just appear out of nowhere like that!"
"Sorry," Tetsuya Kuroko said. "I came to pass along a message from Miyamoto. He said he'll cover the five hundred thousand dollars for you."
Kagetora Aida's eyes instantly lit up.
"Really?!"
Miyamoto Tokima!
I don't blame you anymore!
You're a true hero!
You're my god!
"But Miyamoto needs you to do him a favor," Tetsuya Kuroko continued.
Kagetora Aida froze.
Of course it wasn't going to be that simple.
But if it meant protecting his savings, he had no choice but to agree!
He could only hope the request wouldn't be anything too outrageous, like making him run naked through the streets.
"Miyamoto wants you to publicly clear up the misunderstanding surrounding the Black Dragon Team," Tetsuya Kuroko explained. "Specifically, the comments Nash made earlier."
"Those comments were based on a misunderstanding."
Tetsuya Kuroko then explained everything that had happened from beginning to end.
After hearing the full story, Kagetora Aida gave a helpless laugh.
"I never thought I'd end up caught in something straight out of a TV drama."
"All right." Kagetora Aida waved his hand decisively. "Tell that kid Miyamoto I'll handle it! I'll make sure everything gets cleared up properly!"
Kagetora Aida was speechless when he thought about it.
He had actually wagered five hundred thousand dollars over a misunderstanding.
And he had almost lost all of it!
So I was the clown all along!
I shouldn't have been born in Japan!
I should've been born in Gotham City in America!
"Thank you, Mr. Kagetora," Tetsuya Kuroko said. "Once Miyamoto finishes dealing with everything on his end, he'll appear with you to clear things up publicly."
"Fine." Kagetora Aida nodded. "Got it."
...
...
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