Chapter 101: A New Episode Is Online Again

Teikō had defended their championship, claiming a rare back-to-back National Tournament title, and stood on the brink of an unprecedented three-peat. Even Rikkaidai from that other franchise hadn't achieved such a feat. Of course, there were no victory parades or grand celebrations. While the school did issue a formal commendation, the actual rewards were practically nonexistent. They merely granted a few of Teikō's star players some special privileges. Put simply: even if they skipped class, it didn't matter—as long as they didn't assault teachers or commit heinous acts, the school would ensure their academic progression. Just show up for the games, and everything else would be fine. By now, Teikō's basketball club had become the school's crown jewel. Thanks to them, this year's student enrollment had far surpassed expectations. Many new students had chosen Teikō solely because they idolized the "Generation of Miracles." Coach Fujimura felt a growing sense of unease when he saw the special privileges handed to Tendou and the others. He tried to urge the school to reconsider. But the school administration—blinded by money—completely ignored him and even told him to go easy on the players and not to be too strict. He didn't have the authority or clout of Shirogane Kōzō. If it had been him, the situation might've been different. ... A few days later, at Teikō Basketball Club— As per tradition, they held a farewell ceremony for the graduating third-years after the national tournament. Tendou, now the new captain, stepped up to give a speech. He was clearly prepared, holding a printed sheet of paper he probably found online, and began reading in a theatrical tone: "With crisp autumn skies and blossoming spring..." The club members below nearly face-palmed. This was their captain, alright—utterly unfazed by how others saw him. But no one objected. That was just the style of Teikō's Demon Star. He lived freely, without shame. "Thank you for everything, Captain." "You're the captain now." Tendou presented a bouquet of flowers to the departing Nijimura Shūzō, thanking him for his three years of dedication. Nijimura accepted it with a smile and patted Tendou's shoulder. "I'm leaving the basketball club to you now." Soon, he and his family would be moving abroad to the U.S. His family member's illness couldn't be cured in the short term, and he was expected to complete his high school years there. "No problem. When you get there, be sure to give the local hotshots hell for me, alright?" "Not as easy as you make it sound." Nijimura chuckled bitterly. Basketball in the U.S. was still the strongest in the world. Even Nash, from the movie version—a former NCAA player—couldn't dominate there. He ended up joining the Evil Dragon Club and became a bandit-like captain, slapping people into unconsciousness whenever he got mad. So making a name for yourself as a five-star high school prospect over there... Not easy at all. ... "Keep an eye on Aomine," Nijimura added seriously. If there was one person in the basketball club he still worried about, it was definitely Aomine Daiki. The once pure-minded kid who only had basketball in his heart had now become a beast covered in spikes. "Just beat him up and he'll behave." "Fair enough." Nijimura nodded. He agreed that Aomine's mindset was still immature—like a child refusing to grow up. Eventually, he'd experience defeat and regain his passion. After all, his biggest complaint was that the games were too easy. What he lacked... were opponents. But the person standing before him now—Tendou—just might be that opponent. Throughout their middle school years, Tendou had always suppressed Aomine and never once lost to him. "What about you?" Nijimura asked. "Me?" Tendou shrugged. "My goal hasn't changed since the beginning." Looking into his eyes, Nijimura realized he wasn't joking, and finally relaxed. "Then make sure you beat some sense into Aomine." "No choice. I'll go all out." "Don't actually kill him though..." ... Back in the real world. FanGeGe started his livestream on time again. Although last episode had hit hard, life still had to go on. As an adult, he knew how to regulate his emotions. "Hello, everyone! It's your favorite streamer FanGeGe. Today we're watching more of Generation of Miracles." "Honestly, last episode really messed me up. I couldn't eat for two days. Riko was my favorite girl in the whole show, and they just... offed her like that. I even mailed out a box of razor blades yesterday, just in case the production team needs a hint." "Classic FanGeGe, doing what we all dream of but don't dare." His audience laughed and continued with their usual banter. FanGeGe didn't mind. He was used to it. "Last episode was all about Aomine. Now it looks like it's Tendou's turn." "Remember the title of the last episode?" "Curse." "Riko asked Tendou to become the strongest, and then the episode was titled Curse. It's not hard to guess—that wish might turn into a burden for him." Last episode focused entirely on Tendou and Riko, so this theory wasn't far-fetched. FanGeGe's only real comment was: "The production team is absolutely ruthless." After the OP, this episode's title appeared: "Eye of the Heavens." "Now that's more like it," FanGeGe said, relieved. "This must be referring to Tendou's eye from last episode." Previously, some viewers had speculated that Tendou had some kind of hidden visual ability. Looks like they were right. The episode opened with Kuroko walking through the school on his way to basketball practice. After everything that happened with Aomine, his mood clearly wasn't what it used to be. The cicadas buzzed in the trees above. He walked alone down the path. As his narration played, the screen flashed back to memories. "Tendou-kun became the strongest again, after Riko's passing." "Already the ace of Teikō, his skills and physique evolved once more." Boom! We cut to a game scene showing Tendou in action— Blocking a shot before Aomine could even react, then breaking through a double-team with ghostlike speed to score. And finally—the iconic scene where Tendou steals the ball from Aomine and the two go head-to-head in a one-on-one. It all happened in a span of just a few seconds, but FanGeGe could already feel the animation budget burning on screen. If the previous episodes were animated like Rukawa Kaede or Sendoh Akira-level plays— Now it was Generation of Miracles-level hype in every frame. The fast-paced offense, rapid-fire cuts, and high-speed counters had fans screaming. The flashback ended with Tendou and Aomine locked in a fierce standoff— Two monsters, clashing midcourt. "Aomine-kun was right," Kuroko said, voice heavy. "Even without my passes, they could tear through any defense." The screen flashed back again to when Akashi had suggested going for barbecue after the game. And Aomine's cold reply: "What's there to celebrate after beating guys like that?" FanGeGe shook his head helplessly. "Oh, Aomine..." But just as he was about to say something positive— Cut to a sunset conversation between Tendou and Shirogane Kōzō. Tendou stared at the horizon and said quietly: "I promised Riko... I'd become the strongest." FanGeGe froze. "...Never mind. Looks like last episode's 'curse'... really wasn't just symbolic after all."