Chapter 184 - 185: Haizaki and Akashi

Words : 1121 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

On the TV, the quarterfinal match was being broadcast live. The teams on screen: Rakuzan High vs Fukuda Sōgō. Tendou set down the basketball in his hand, interest piqued. He made his way into the clubroom and joined the others in front of the TV. "Oh? You're interested in this match, Tendou?" "Well, it's Rakuzan. And their captain... is none other than Akashi Seijūrō." Rakuzan had serious weight in the high school basketball world. Their current roster boasted three Uncrowned Kings, which alone was enough to demand attention. But this year, they had also added the Generation of Miracles' greatest playmaker—Akashi himself. To many, this version of Rakuzan looked like a flawless team. They were at the top of the tournament power rankings. And rightly so. This year's Rakuzan had completely dominated the Kyoto region. Under Akashi's precise orchestration, Hayama Kotarō, Nebuya Eikichi, and Reo Mibuchi were each playing at peak performance. Compared to last year, their stats and efficiency had improved dramatically. The team ranked first nationwide in scoring, and their defensive efficiency was elite. Rakuzan's numbers were at the top of every major category—all thanks to the influence of a world-class point guard. Tendou had his eyes on the championship. So it made sense for him to keep an eye on Rakuzan. But that wasn't what he was watching for. "I'm not interested in Rakuzan," Tendou said plainly. "I'm watching for the other guy." The camera panned to a player with dark dreadlocks and a hostile aura. Haizaki Shōgo. He had dyed his hair black and changed his look. He looked like trouble. "Haizaki Shōgo? What's so special about him?" Yamasaki Hiroshi asked, confused. It was rare for Tendou to show interest in any player. Their proud captain was usually too self-assured to care about others. "What's special?" Tendou mused. "He's a former teammate. Does that count?" "Wait, he was your teammate?" Everyone froze. "Hold on—if he was on your team, that means he was at Teikō?" "But the Generation of Miracles only had six members. Even if you count Kuroko the Phantom, that's still just six..." "His case is special," Tendou explained calmly. "He quit the team during our second year." No one pressed further, but Tendou kept his eyes fixed on the screen. That was a surprise. He hadn't expected Haizaki to appear this early. In the original storyline, Haizaki didn't show up until the Winter Cup. Under normal circumstances, that probably would've been the case here too. But after Tendou reappeared in his life... something must have reignited Haizaki's will to play. He wanted to prove to the one who once dismissed him—that he didn't need Tendou to shine. ... "Yo, long time no see, Akashi." Haizaki stared across the court, smirking provocatively. To him, Akashi still looked as infuriating as ever. "Didn't expect to run into you again... especially not here." "It's been a while, Haizaki," Akashi replied with a polite smile. To the uninformed, they might've seemed like old friends. But anyone who knew Akashi well understood his language. With close comrades, Akashi always called them by their first names— Seijūrō called Tendou "Kageyoshi", Aomine "Daiki", Kise, Midorima, and Murasakibara all by their given names. Calling Haizaki by his surname? That was pure distance. "Still the same pretentious bastard, huh?" Haizaki growled. He hated how calm and composed Akashi always acted. "All the better. It'll make crushing you that much more satisfying." "Revenge?" Akashi's expression didn't change—only the chill in his voice deepened. "The future is absolute." "Just as I predicted long ago that Ryōta would surpass you." "I'm glad we've reunited on the court." "But if you're here to stand in my way, then prepare to fall into hell." He gave Haizaki a cold, slicing glance. His left eye glinted like a blade—sharp enough to cut skin with a look. ... "Wait... he was from Teikō too?" "Why didn't the newspapers mention anything about him?" "Because he quit the team in their second year," Black-haired Kuroko said grimly. This was someone who should not have returned. He remembered it clearly— Haizaki had thrown his shoes into the school's incinerator, swearing he'd never play again. "So why is he back now?" "Probably for revenge," Kuroko said, recalling the past. He told them about the troubles the Generation of Miracles faced in their second year: Like Riko's death, Aomine's disillusionment with weak opponents, Midorima's refusal to train... ... "Man, those Miracle guys are really a handful," the Seirin players muttered, their faces dark. ... Back on screen, the match had started. Nebuya easily won the jump ball, sending it Rakuzan's way. Akashi took possession, and with a simple feint and sharp pass, he tricked Fukuda's point guard and hit Mibuchi Reo in stride. "Swish!" Reo's shot landed clean. Rakuzan didn't bother with flashy plays. They simply gave the ball to Akashi—the strongest point guard in Japan— and let him maximize the potential of his Uncrowned Kings. This was Rakuzan's royal style—no tricks, no gimmicks. Just crushing you head-on. ... "Straightforward and brutal. This doesn't look good," Takao said, eyes flicking to Midorima beside him. He was fishing for info. "Just watch," Midorima replied, eyes locked on the court. ... Haizaki finally bared his fangs. Fukuda's next possession— He took the pass, rose against Hayama Kotarō's defense, and fired a mid-range jumper. The form? Identical to Reo Mibuchi. ... "Wait—did he just mimic Reo?" The crowd gasped. Was this another Kise? "No... that's not imitation," Aomine said coolly. "That's... Pillage." "Pillage? What's that supposed to mean?" "Exactly what it sounds like." "Haizaki doesn't copy skills. He steals them." ... Aomine was here too—his team, Tōō Academy, was in the same tournament bracket. He had seen Haizaki's dirty play before. "He steals other people's talents? How does that even work?" The players from Tōō were confused. But then it happened. Reo received the ball again—wide open. He pulled up for a three... Clang. A clean miss. Wide open. No contest. And yet... a brick. The audience stirred. "Did Reo just miss a wide-open three?" That shouldn't happen. With Reo's skill level, a shot like that was a guaranteed bucket. Only through contact or extreme pressure would a miss be excusable. Thankfully, Nebuya grabbed the rebound, bulldozed the defense, and slammed it home. "Muscle dunk?" "Sounds lame." "But hey—if it works, I'm not complaining." ... [Vote With Your Power Stones For Bonus Chapters] [Check My Patreon For Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!!] [patréon.com/RoseWhisky]

Chapter 184 - 185: Haizaki and Akashi

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