Chapter 28 - 28 – Group Stage Begins

Words : 1062 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Discover the story in "Kuroko no Basket: Honored One" Chapter 27: With the groups officially announced, it was now time to focus on intense preparation. Kuroko hadn't... Continue exploring!

With the groups officially announced, it was now time to focus on intense preparation. Kuroko hadn't been slacking off either. He was diligently working to develop his unique abilities. Tendou Kageyoshi, on the other hand, had stopped chasing screen time. He'd already earned a significant bump in popularity, and there wasn't much to be gained from forcing it now. Instead, he shifted his focus to the upcoming matches—intent on making a real impact on the court. Tendou took physical development seriously. In high-intensity games, if your body can't keep up, even the best technique can fall short. Why is it that CBA superstars often underperform on the international stage? Is it because they lack skill? Not really. The truth is, they can't handle the physicality. They can't perform to their full potential under that level of pressure. Yao Ming was the perfect example. After entering the NBA, Yao went through a rigorous muscle-building regimen. When he returned to play in Asia, he was unstoppable. Only then did people truly grasp the level of competition in the NBA. It became the dream for every rising player. Tendou had solid physical gifts to begin with. The "Iron Body" ability didn't just give him a 99% injury resistance—it seemed to have passively enhanced his physique too. As a result, something surprising began happening at Teikō. Despite being the most cocky and flamboyant member of the team, Tendou was also the one who trained the hardest. This discovery only made fans love his character even more. There's an old saying: Success isn't guaranteed by effort—but without effort, success is impossible. The average anime watcher might not always feel motivated to work hard themselves—some prefer to coast, thinking, "Even if I hustle like crazy, I'll still be average." But just because fans enjoy taking it easy doesn't mean they don't like seeing others strive. Sometimes Tendou even reviewed game footage to learn new tactics. The gap between amateur and professional players isn't just physical or technical—it's about awareness. Shaquille O'Neal once said that, back in college, he had no idea what his coach was shouting about from the sidelines. But the proud young Shaq didn't want to ask, so he just ran around dunking everything in sight. ...And it worked. His talent was so absurd that he could bypass tactics with raw physicality. A true chosen one. But when he entered the NBA, Shaq eventually realized he had to learn. That's how he became the most dominant center of his generation. He had come in thinking he was untouchable—dismissing David Robinson, Ewing, and Olajuwon as soft, overrated nobodies. But after each of them took turns teaching him a lesson, the Big Aristotle humbled himself and accepted that he still had a long way to go. That's the truth—talent only gets your foot in the door. To go the distance, you have to grind. After regular practice, Tendou would stay behind to get in extra shooting drills. Nijimura Shuzō noticed and tried to stop him. "Tendou, you need to rest." "No worries, Captain. I've got work after this anyway. I'll just squeeze in a bit more." With 99% injury resistance, Tendou wasn't scared of overtraining. He could push his body with zero fear. "That's exactly why you should rest," Nijimura replied. "It's fine. My part-time job is super chill." Just standing around looking pretty, really. What's not to like? "...Huh?" "Anyway, don't worry about me." That was Tendou's life now. It might seem dry and repetitive, but it was fulfilling. So fulfilling, in fact, that even watching dramas with Tennae Riko at night counted as downtime. And damn it—those Japanese dramas were actually kind of good... "Coach, shouldn't we stop him?" the assistant asked, concerned about Tendou's workload. "Let him be," Shirogane replied calmly. "Talent only sets your starting point. Where you end up depends on your effort." And besides, they were watching closely—he wasn't pushing himself recklessly. ... Time flew, and before they knew it, the Inter-High Tokyo preliminaries had begun. On this day... Tendou Kageyoshi arrived with his team at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Today marked their very first match in this year's Inter-High tournament. As one of Tokyo's premier basketball powerhouses, Teikō had a massive fanbase—more than any other team. Over ten thousand spectators had shown up just to watch them play. As Teikō's players emerged from the tunnel under Shirogane's lead, the crowd erupted in deafening cheers. Just like in soccer, a city can have many teams—but the one that wins will always draw the most fans. Once upon a time, Manchester bled red. Now? It's been painted blue. Behind Teikō's bench, their fans had hung a massive banner reading: "Victory After Victory!" Everything Teikō had, they'd earned on the court. Their opponent today: Kaisei Middle School. Their cheer squad, made up entirely of boys in uniform black attire, pounded on empty plastic bottles as they roared support for their team. There were fewer of them, but their voices were fierce and full of fire. For a moment, it was hard to say which side was louder. "This is your first official match since entering middle school," Shirogane addressed the team. "It will also be one of the most important." "Steady your breath. Focus your mind. Show the entire nation that you exist!" This message was mainly for the first-years—players like Tendou and Murasakibara who had never played on this stage before. Shirogane didn't tell them to be cautious or to play it safe. What players needed on the court wasn't restraint—it was confidence. Especially the prodigies. Players like Tendou and Murasakibara didn't need to be careful. They needed to unleash their talents without reservation. "Hai~" "Ossu!" Murasakibara responded lazily, as always. Tendou, by contrast, was all fire and swagger. Shirogane smiled. "Good. That's the spirit." "Now go, Tendou. Don't forget what you said—make people get used to Teikō's victories." "Bring home the win!" Tendou gave him an OK sign, then whipped off his warm-up jacket and stepped onto the court. --- Vote with some power stones in this story. By using them on this book, you guarantee bonus chapters weekly.

Chapter 28 - 28 – Group Stage Begins

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