NBA Skills: Dominating Kuroko no Basket

In the following days, Teiko surged forward like an unstoppable force, sweeping through their remaining games with ease.

With their momentum undeterred, they secured a spot in the semifinals.

At the Teiko basketball gym, the players were being drilled mercilessly by Coach Shirogane. Every player lay sprawled across the floor, exhausted, like a pack of dogs after a long chase.

"Coach, who's our opponent in the semifinals?" Akashi asked, his sharp gaze fixed on Coach Shirogane during their brief rest. His question reflected what everyone was wondering.

Sitting upright in his chair, Coach Shirogane replied, "Your next opponent is Kashima Junior School. And there are two players you need to watch closely."

Before the coach could finish, Aomine's eyes lit up with excitement, eagerly waiting for details. The recent game against Kotaro Hayama had left a strong impression on him. The rest of the team listened intently, knowing that anyone Coach Shirogane singled out had to be dangerous.

"The first is Makoto Hanamiya, known as 'The Bad Boy' one of the Uncrowned Kings" Shirogane explained. "And the other is their team captain, Shouichi Imayoshi."

A tense silence fell over the gym. Coach Shirogane continued, "You need to be especially careful with Hanamiya. He plays a littly dirty, injuring opponents in every game. He's not just aggressive—he's ruthless."

Listening to this, Shiro couldn't help but think, 'A little dirty? More like a walking injury machine! In the original series, he nearly ended Kiyoshi Teppei's career!'

Coach Shirogane added, "Imayoshi, on the other hand, is a smart player with exceptional game sense. His ability to read the court and make precise decisions makes him a difficult opponent. But with your talent and teamwork, you should be able to handle them."

"No one's beating us anyway" Aomine declared confidently, his eyes brimming with fierce determination. Ever since awakening his Animal instinct, he had felt unstoppable—invincible even.

The rest of the team nodded in agreement. They all knew the strength that Teiko's team possessed. Their lineup was considered one of the greatest in the school's history. Even the nation's top power forward, Shuzo Nijimura, had been relegated to the bench.

"Alright, instead of worrying about them, let's focus on our training. Break's over!" Coach Shirogane barked, pushing the team straight into the next round of drills.

"Ahhhh!" The gym echoed with groans and complaints, but no one quit. They knew that this grueling training was the only way to sharpen their skills and prepare for the tougher battles ahead.

The stadium was packed, and the crowd's deafening chants of "Teiko! Teiko!" reverberated through the arena. This year, Teiko's team was the center of attention, with all their starters being first-years—a roster brimming with potential and intrigue.

Meanwhile, Kashima played as dirty as ever, drawing the ire of the audience. His malicious tactics were in stark contrast to Teiko's polished skills and seamless teamwork, which won the crowd's admiration. Every precise pass, brilliant defense, and explosive dunk earned them thunderous applause.

As the clock ticked down to the start of the game, both teams emerged from the tunnel, wearing their school jerseys with confidence.

"Look, it's him! My dream boy!" a girl in the stands squealed in delight.

"Outta my way! That's my future husband!"

The stands erupted with fangirls screaming for Shiro, whose exceptional good looks were enough to win over anyone, basketball fan or not.

"Isn't he the new top small forward?"

"Yeah! I saw him play last time—he's incredible!"

While the girls obsessed over Shiro's looks, the boys were more focused on his graceful playing style and unmatched talent.

Teiko's players began warming up immediately, stretching and jogging with a natural fluidity that displayed their high-level athleticism.

Suddenly, a sharp voice interrupted their warm-up. "You're Shiro right?"

The speaker was none other than Hanamiya, grinning maliciously as he swaggered over.

"Something you need?" Shiro asked, his brow furrowing at Hanamiya's presence.

Teiko's players quickly gathered around, sensing trouble, while Kashima's players moved to back up Hanamiya.

Even Imayoshi, Kashima's captain, looked on with thinly veiled disdain. He clearly despised Hanamiya's unsportsmanlike behavior but tolerated it for the sake of the team.

"Oh, nothing much" Hanamiya sneered. "Just wanted to see what this 'offensive genius' looks like in person."

With that, Hanamiya turned and rejoined his teammates, but his gaze remained locked on Shiro, brimming with predatory intent. He clearly saw Shiro as prey waiting to be hunted.

Shiro smirked internally 'You think I'm your prey? Let's see who ends up the real prey'

The shrill sound of the referee's whistle echoed through the stadium, signaling the start of the match. Both teams exploded off the blocks like predators in pursuit of their goals, eyes burning with determination.

The atmosphere on the court was electric, the tension so thick it was almost tangible. Hanamiya's earlier provocation only intensified the competitive fire between the teams.

Every glance between the players was charged with hostility, every movement laced with the desire to dominate. The air was thick with the scent of competition, and it was clear—this game would be no ordinary match.