At the moment Nash was still caught in surprise and calculation, Haizaki Shogo had already exploded forward with the ball. He drove straight into the open court. A gust of wind followed him as he blew past Nash and stepped inside the free-throw line in a single stride, almost as if he were gliding through the air.
BOOM! A perfect replication of Jason Silver's earlier free-throw line two-handed windmill slam. Except this time, it was Haizaki Shogo doing it flawlessly.
Nash, who had witnessed everything up close, slightly widened his pupils. "HAHAHA, my brother, is this what you wanted me to see?" "I didn't expect you to have this kind of overwhelming physical ability too."
Haizaki Shogo smirked. "Physical ability?" He laughed softly, almost eerily. Then he slowly raised his head. His silver eyes ignited. A rotating silver ring shimmered within his gaze, radiating something unnatural, almost divine. "My brother, this thing you're talking about, it already belongs to you."
Nash's body stiffened. "Hiss, hiss, Haizaki, you monster!!" A chill ran through him. He hadn't felt this kind of pressure in a very long time, this primal sense of threat. And yet, in the next moment, the empty court echoed with laughter. Nash and Haizaki Shogo, together, laughing like lunatics under the night lights.
======
New York, Night. Neon lights painted the city of excess. In a luxurious villa located in Queens, slightly away from the central district, Haizaki Shogo sat on the third floor with Nash. Both of them were dressed sharply: Haizaki in a beige suit, Nash in a brown one. Below them, the first-floor hall was alive with music, alcohol, and dancing bodies. Men and women twisted under flashing lights, lost in chaotic pleasure.
Haizaki Shogo glanced down and frowned slightly. This kind of party doesn't really suit me.
Nash laughed. "Relax. This is nothing. Real high-society parties are far more refined than this mess." "First time in America?"
"Yeah."
"Then get used to it. Don't stick to your country's rules here, this is America." Nash leaned back slightly, grinning. "Want me to arrange a girl for you? A very enthusiastic one?"
Haizaki Shogo shook his head.
Nash pointed toward the stage. "There. The blonde girl over there." "She's tonight's 'party princess.' Straight-A student from Lawrence Woodmere Academy, and also their basketball cheer captain." "Interested?" "She can spend the night with you if you want. I'll introduce you, but whether you can take her, that's on you."
Haizaki Shogo glanced over. A tall blonde girl stood under the lights, wearing a semi-transparent dress. The glow revealed faint pink lingerie beneath the fabric. She was undeniably attractive. But Haizaki Shogo wasn't here for this. "Not interested." He turned away.
Downstairs, a few couples were already engaged in reckless behavior, but it didn't stir anything in him.
Nash shrugged. "Alright then. Let's talk business."
Haizaki Shogo nodded, and took a sip of red wine. "Good. Tell me about the opponent."
Nash's expression sharpened. "I like that attitude." He crushed his glass lightly, then pulled out a remote control from his inner pocket. CLICK. A projection lit up the wall. Images flickered to life. "The opponent this time is Serbia's top basketball club." "Serbian Eagles."
Haizaki Shogo raised a brow. "Serbia?"
"Correct. But we're not facing their main roster." "We're facing their U-19 youth team."
Haizaki Shogo repeated slowly, "Youth team?"
Nash nodded. "Don't underestimate them. Even as a youth team, their level is already close to professional." "They're all between 17 and 19 years old."
Haizaki Shogo paused. "Seventeen to nineteen."
Nash continued as the roster appeared on screen. "Let me show you why this matters." "Their team has 11 registered players. We only know 5 of them." "But those five are their core starters." Nash's tone grew heavier. "Number 5, Jack. Center. Captain." "Nickname: The Serbian Giant, also called The Guardian of Serbia." "Height: 226 cm. Age: 19."
Haizaki Shogo's eyes narrowed slightly.
Nash continued. "Number 6, Velia. Small forward. 'White Mamba.' 194 cm, 18 years old." "Number 7, Levic. Point guard. 'Gladiator.' 192 cm, 18." "Number 12, Vale. Shooting guard. 'Deep Sea Bomb.' 196 cm, 19." "Number 11, David Russ. Power forward. 'Grizzly Bear.' 197 cm, 19."
Nash paused. "These are only basic profiles. Their real skills are unknown." "But the real threat is Jack." He tapped the screen. "The Serbian Giant." "If you have a player like that in the paint, it becomes a nightmare for anyone." Nash's voice lowered. "And according to what I know, he has special abilities beyond normal basketball."
Haizaki Shogo fell silent. 226 cm. The number alone was suffocating. It wasn't just skill, it was pure genetic dominance. Even if you jumped high, how do you contest someone that size? It was like asking a 150 cm player to defend someone 180 cm. The gap was absolute. Unfair. Unforgiving.
Firepower like Kagami Taiga wouldn't be enough. Even Haizaki Shogo himself couldn't confidently say he could overcome it. Only Jason Silver, at 210 cm with monstrous physical gifts, might be able to stand in that zone.
Haizaki Shogo stared at the projected screen. So this is a world-class youth team. And for the first time that night, he said nothing. Only silence remained in the room.