Kuroko’s Basketball: Before Generation Miracles, I Already Crowned

Chapter 381: My Basketball Isn’t for You — It’s Only for Rakuzan, and for Senpai Hagioka

Misdirection.

Visual misdirection.

Kuroko Tetsuya could say this with confidence: when it came to this technique, no one understood it better than he did.

Which was precisely why, the moment Mayuzumi Chihiro revealed the same ability, Kuroko immediately grasped the danger Rakuzan posed at this point—especially when they already held the overall advantage.

So…

It would be best to deal with him early.

As for how to deal with him—

No one knew better than Kuroko himself.

Kuroko lowered his gaze slightly, his eyes settling on Mayuzumi Chihiro in the distance, whose expression mirrored his own faint detachment.

He's taller… far superior in height. His basic physical abilities—aside from stamina—are likely better than mine too. But the feeling is different. He doesn't possess a naturally low presence like I do.

Which meant that a misdirection that hadn't crossed into free control yet only needed to be targeted at its sense of presence. Its effectiveness window was short—and it could be dismantled quickly.

"Haizaki."

During Seirin's offensive possession, Haizaki Shōgo immediately understood when he saw Kuroko push one hand forward in a rare, decisive signal.

"Isolation?"

Whoosh!

Haizaki passed the ball at once, then dragged Akashi with him toward the baseline.

At the same time, Hayama Kotarō switched over to a position closer to Kuroko.

Kuroko noticed Hayama's movement—but he had no intention of allowing him to become a defensive factor. He dribbled just once—

A vanishing dribble.

And immediately after

A Phantom Shot, vanishing just as suddenly.

The principle behind this shot was already well documented—just like during the Toō match in the preliminaries. Mayuzumi understood the illusion behind it.

But even at around 180 centimeters, compared to high-leapers like Aomine, Kise, or Wakamatsu—players pushing or nearing 190—his vertical reach was still lacking.

Trying to step back to widen his field of vision and contest the Phantom Shot was far more difficult than it sounded.

Swish!

Kuroko Tetsuya hit the mid-range jumper.

After the ball dropped, Mayuzumi glanced back at the hoop once—said nothing—and lowered his head as he ran back on offense.

Rakuzan's Possession

Akashi used his individual threat to force Haizaki into a deeper, harder-to-help position.

Then

A drive and kick.

The pass went toward Hayama Kotarō.

The crowd collectively gasped.

Because standing directly in that passing lane

Was Kagami Taiga, fully prepared.

Facing one of the Uncrowned Kings—the Thunder Beast, a player with feral instinct and terrifying explosiveness—Kagami had already been shaken off once. This time, he buried his wildness deep and defended with total focus.

From the moment Hayama was about to receive

Kagami locked on.

So Akashi's pass

Kagami reacted instantly.

But

Mayuzumi Chihiro suddenly appeared out of nowhere on the passing line.

With a single sideways flick of his hand

Snap!

The ball's trajectory shifted sharply, flying instead toward Mibuchi Reo.

At the same moment, Haizaki—who had just been forced even deeper by Akashi—was still recovering from the drive.

Whoosh!

Hyūga Junpei was half a beat late.

Mibuchi Reo—three points, good.

"Again?!"

"It's in!"

"Rakuzan scores effortlessly again!"

"One drive-and-kick from Akashi—and after a bend in the passing lane, it turns into a three!"

"That's Rakuzan's number five… where did he even come from?! And wait—if it's the same ability, why can't Kuroko keep up with him?"

"The Phantom Sixth Man is probably facing his own ability for the first time. He must've never imagined someone else could recreate something this absurd."

Back to Seirin

As soon as Kuroko crossed half-court, he moved into the open space on the right and immediately called for the ball from Haizaki.

And Akashi

Seeing this

Let a faint smile curve his lips.

Decisive.

Tetsuya.

Good.

A trap only counts as a plan if it's laid before the opponent realizes what future it's shaping.

Tetsuya… you've already stepped onto the stage of this puppet show, exactly on cue.

Akashi subtly relaxed his pressure on Haizaki and shifted toward Kuroko.

Kuroko noticed instantly.

Already prepared for this, he launched into a frame-skip drive, followed by a Phantom Shot—leaving Akashi no chance to help.

One clean, efficient sequence.

Gone in an instant.

But in reality

Kuroko's Phantom Shot only had about a 70% success rate in training.

Mayuzumi couldn't block it—but with such a simple setup, he could still apply basic interference.

Unfortunately

Even with that interference

The ball still went in.

Swish!

Pride flashing briefly in his eyes, Mayuzumi glanced at Kuroko—

Then turned away without a word, heading into Rakuzan's next offensive setup.

After everyone took their positions, Akashi surveyed the court

And this time, passed the ball into empty space.

A pattern similar to before.

Snap!

Mayuzumi appeared at that spot

Just before

Kuroko caught up to him.

But Mayuzumi's rhythm control was flawless. He moved half a beat ahead, redirecting the ball in a sharp diagonal across Seirin's half

Straight to Hayama Kotarō.

Boom!

Kagami's eyes widened.

Fast…

So fast!

With explosive thigh strength, Hayama's catch-and-shoot speed was terrifying. Combined with the ghost-like assist appearing in Kagami's blind spot

Swish!

The shot dropped.

Hayama turned

Stepped up beside Mayuzumi

And grinned brightly as he slapped his shoulder.

"Nice pass, Senpai Mayuzumi~!"

Mayuzumi remained cold, but at least acknowledged him.

As for Nebuyagawa Eikichi

Wham!

With his usual lack of restraint, he swung his thick arm down on Mayuzumi's back.

"Haha! That was a great pass! You gotta feed me more too!"

Mayuzumi's expression didn't soften.

Instead

A chill flashed through his eyes.

This guy…

Your attitude flipped way too fast.

You used to look down on everyone. Now you're doing a full 180.

At least learn to read the room like Mibuchi.

I'm your senpai.

Am I your friend or what?!

Tch.

Whatever.

Memory

"Yo~ Mayu~ you haven't been skipping practice to read novels on the rooftop again, right?"

"…Senpai, it's vacation."

"Hahaha~ sorry, sorry~!"

"But listen—I finally found the weapon that'll get you into the first string. There's this middle schooler named Kuroko Tetsuya. I saw him during training camp. His ability's called misdirection—it suits you perfectly."

"I'm telling you… this ability is about… vision—"

"…Passing? Like this?"

"Exactly. It's an amazing ability. Even as a shadow, you can still fully express yourself. It breaks the idea that you need overwhelming physical ability to play basketball. Isn't that great?"

Mayuzumi Chihiro: "..."

So

I don't need applause.

My basketball was never for you.

It's only for Rakuzan.

Only for Senpai Hagioka.

The only thing I can do

The only way I can answer his expectations

Is this.

Hmph.

END OF CHAPTER

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