"Yare yare…"
The second–string player forced a bitter smile and wiped the sweat from his face.
"Are juniors these days really this terrifying?"
Hanyu Sota turned back and said with a light laugh,
"Senpai, looks like I just got lucky and scored first."
"Lucky?"
The second–string member shook his head, smiling wryly.
"So now you know how to spare a senior's pride. But if you think one basket is enough to beat me, you're being far too naive."
Hanyu shrugged.
"I never said that, senpai."
The duel continued.
This time, it was the second–string player's turn to attack.
Because of the shock from that first play, he cast aside all underestimation and treated Hanyu as an equal—no, as someone even more dangerous.
Bang!
The basketball slammed heavily against the floor again and again.
His expression turned grave as he cursed inwardly:
Just as I thought—his defensive positioning is flawless too. An all-round monster…
But
I'm no pushover either!
He suddenly stepped hard to the left, shifting his center of gravity forward with a convincing fake.
At the same time, his thigh muscles tensed and he exploded in the opposite direction.
But he didn't shake Hanyu off.
Not even
He couldn't even slip past Hanyu's side!
In the instant he lost focus in shock, Hanyu's hand shot out like lightning and cleanly slapped the ball away.
"Damn!"
Swish!
This time, Hanyu didn't go for a layup. He pulled up for a sudden stop jumper
the ball went straight through the net.
The match everyone thought would be one-sided was one-sided—
just in the completely opposite direction.
3–0!
(Because the gap in ability was far too great, the suspense ended early.)
What everyone expected to be a lesson from the second string became a one-sided slaughter by Hanyu Sota.
"..."
One of the watching second–string players finally came back to his senses and muttered,
"To think there was a monster of this level hidden among the new students…"
The evaluator's eyes narrowed as he stared at Hanyu, then wrote heavily beside his name:
Hanyu Sota — confirmed First String level.
The defeated second–string player could only stare at Hanyu, who was now the center of everyone's attention.
Only one question echoed in his mind:
Did this guy… even go all out?
He didn't know.
But his instincts told him—
it felt like Hanyu had only been playing, as casually as someone running through a game.
Hanyu returned to the original gathering point, looking completely relaxed.
Around him, some freshmen wore ashen expressions—clearly devastated by their own performances.
Aomine Daiki, however, still looked carefree and in high spirits.
"Yo, Hanyu! How'd your test go?" Aomine grinned, flashing his white teeth.
Hanyu replied lightly,
"Eh. It was okay. So-so."
Aomine rubbed his hands together excitedly.
"Hey, now that it's over, wanna go one-on-one? I barely touched the ball earlier and my hands are itching! I just wanna fight a strong opponent—you're strong, right?"
Hanyu froze for a moment, then made a face like he'd just stepped in dog poop.
How on earth had this basketball maniac locked onto him?
In the few short hours since they met, Aomine had already challenged him to a one-on-one at least five times—more persistent than a door-to-door salesman.
"They're about to announce the group results. Try to hold it in for a bit—stop acting like you've got ADHD."
Aomine instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
"Okaaay"
For Teiko Middle School's basketball club, freshman evaluation day was a turning point that decided countless futures.
The current captain, Nijimura Shuzo, moved between the courts like a lion patrolling his territory—and what he saw made his eyes shine.
"This year's talent is insane. Especially those few—they're monsters wearing human skin!"
"Oh?"
The man in the suit—the one who had been directing everything—raised an eyebrow.
He was the First String assistant coach, the highest authority while the Head Coach Shirogane was absent.
His name was Sanada Naoto.
Anyone who knew Nijimura understood—this captain was strict and proud.
For him to willingly call someone a "monster" was rarer than the sun rising in the west.
"To earn praise from you like that… now I'm really curious what kind of monsters you've found."
Nijimura smiled confidently.
"Trust me, Coach. This class will give you a huge surprise."
Soon, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
"Now announcing the results. First, the Third String. When your name is called, report to the Third String coach."
"Number 2, Saitō Nobuo."
"Here!"
"Number 6, Nakazawa Kazuto."
"Here!"
With each name, the uncalled students grew more tense, palms sweating.
Those sent to the Third String looked utterly crushed, as if the world had ended.
"Number 31, Kuroko Tetsuya."
The boy who had been praying with his eyes shut opened them in shock, froze—then forced out a weak:
"Here…"
Once Kuroko took his place, the coach flipped the page.
"Next, the Second String. Step forward proudly when your name is called."
"Yesss!"
"I made Second String! No more ball-boy duty!"
"I passed! Mom, I made it!"
Compared to the gloom of Third String, the Second String members were ecstatic.
As for the First String?
That was a legend—no one even dared dream about it.
"Number 14, Kuroki Dai!"
"Here!"
"Number 19, Nakamura Nobuhito!"
"Here!"
…
"Number 35, Minamoto Seitarō!"
"Here!"
When the Second String list ended, only a few students remained standing.
"These are all the Second String members."
Coach Sanada lifted his head, eyes blazing as he looked at the few still standing.
Just as Nijimura said—this was a miracle.
"These aren't freshmen… they're monsters."
"Now," Sanada said, voice trembling,
"the First String."
The entire hall erupted.
"Did he just say—First String?!"
"No way! Someone actually made it straight in?!"
"Is history being rewritten right now?!"
Nothing could stop him now.
"Number 8—Aomine Daiki!"
"Here!" Aomine strode forward, all earlier frustration gone.
"Number 11—Midorima Shintarō!"
"Here." Midorima adjusted his glasses coolly.
"Number 23—Murasakibara Atsushi!"
"Here—yawn—"
"Number 28—Hanyu Sota!"
"Here." Hanyu stepped forward calmly.
"Number 29—Akashi Seijūrō!"
"Here."
He smiled gently as he joined the line.
All eyes were on the five.
The freshmen who reached the summit on their first day.
One Second String member muttered,
"You guys' hair colors are… really rainbow-like."
Aomine turned to Hanyu, eyes blazing.
"See? I knew it—you're strong! Now you have to one-on-one me!"
"No."
"Come on! I'll give you a huge benefit!"
"What benefit?"
"I'll one-on-one you every day!"
"..."
Hanyu facepalmed.
Nijimura approached.
"Nice to meet you, rainbow-haired monsters. I'm Nijimura Shuzo—Teiko's captain."
"Please take care of us!" they answered together.
"Then show me," Nijimura smiled,
"Hell Training Mode—begin."