Kuroko’s Basketball: Before Generation Miracles, I Already Crowned Chapter 207: I Just Want to Follow My Body’s Instincts

At that mont, Akashi finally ca back to his senses. After taking in the situation, he thought for a mont, then suddenly spoke:

"There won't be any substitutions. The one acting as guide will be Kuroko Tetsuya."

"As for Kise's situation, I'll make the arrangents myself later."

Midorima froze for a mont.

'I'll make the arrangents'?

What exactly did that an?

With that thought, he imdiately asked, testing the waters:

"Shouldn't sothing like this be discussed with Nijimura and Shigure-senpai first? Speaking of which… where are the two of them?"

Akashi lowered his gaze.

A mont later

The dark, oppressive aura Midorima had glimpsed in Akashi's eyes earlier, like a violent storm restrained beneath the surface, vanished as though it had never existed. In its place was the calm, radiant warmth he rembered best from Akashi's first year.

"It seems the seniors went to discuss sothing with Coach."

Midorima nodded thoughtfully.

On the other side, Haizaki—who had been the first to notice Akashi's change back during Nationals—was quick to pick up on this subtle shift again.

He let out a small, disappointed laugh.

"I was actually looking forward to seeing what his face would look like when it completely collapsed… What a pity."

anwhile, Kuroko, watching the dispute that had sparked because of him, thought for a mont before speaking up:

"Perhaps it would be better if Kise-kun's chosen person beca his guide instead."

"Hah?"

"What do you think this place is?"

"I didn't have any such privilege when I ca in, so why should this rookie get it?"

Haizaki shot back instantly, and Aomine—who had recently been enjoying playing alongside Kuroko—just shook his head.

"Tetsu, you're enough. If it were , I wouldn't be interested anyway… After all"

"Too weak."

Akashi stepped forward, his gaze falling on Kise Ryōta. Though he was smiling, though he was just as short in stature, Kise felt an imnse weight press down on him.

"When it cos to Kise, none of us are suitable. Everyone's playstyle is too peculiar—it might even distort his own growth. If we must choose…"

"Then…"

"Captain Nijimura and Shigure-senpai would be the most suitable. But clearly, neither of them has ever acted as anyone's guide. So aside from them, that leaves Tetsuya. His abilities can directly support Kise at this stage."

Hearing Akashi's words, Kuroko realized Akashi truly ant it. He genuinely believed Kuroko was the best suited to guide Kise—and the others seed to feel the sa.

But

Kise didn't believe it for a second.

He walked up and compared his own height to Kuroko's.

"What do you an everyone's style is too peculiar? If they aren't suitable to guide , then he's even less so. Look"

"Just in height, we're this far apart!"

Seijūrō Akashi, all 170 centiters of him, gave Kise a single smile and replied,

"You'll co to understand Tetsuya's abilities later. For now, he's the one best suited to you."

Under that gaze, Kise mumbled under his breath:

"Lies."

Kuroko's physical ability, his infamous airballs, even his ti in the Second String—he had never seed strong. To Kise, this was nothing more than an excuse by the First String regulars, who couldn't be bothered to guide him themselves.

But Akashi wasn't making excuses. In his eyes, a player like Kise—with extraordinary capacity to learn and imitate—should be nurtured to develop his own, unique style.

That was why no one else was suitable. Kuroko's singular ability would allow Kise countless opportunities to receive and attack.

"Enough," Akashi said at last.

"You get to be selfish just this once, Kise."

"Rember…"

"This is Teiko."

anwhile.

In Coach Naoto Sanada's office.

Knock, knock.

A deep rapping echoed against the door.

"It's Nijimura."

"Co in."

Nijimura Shuzo pushed the door open.

"Sorry to intrude."

Sanada, who had been sorting player files on his desk, looked up.

"…"

Seeing the easy smile suddenly appear on Nijimura's face, Sanada froze for a mont.

"Nijimura, you… what is it?"

"…It's sothing important."

"I've thought about it for a long ti, and in the end, I believe this is best…"

"For the basketball club—and for myself."

"Please appoint Akashi Seijūrō as captain."

Sanada's hands froze over the papers, his brows knitting.

"…Nijimura, do you understand what you're saying?"

"No." He shook his head. "Impossible."

Feeling his tone too harsh, Sanada softened it slightly:

"I don't understand. Yes, this year's lineup does lean toward the second-years… But that was entirely your and Shigure's proposal. The only reason I agreed was because you both would be there in the second half to steady the team. That alone was enough to convince ."

"And now you suddenly say you want to step down as captain…"

He paused.

"Nijimura… to be honest…"

"As Teiko's captain, no one is more qualified than you."

"Even if it's selfish of —I never once imagined your final year's captaincy being in anyone else's hands."

At those words, Nijimura lowered his eyes briefly.

And in that instant, countless mories flooded back

Back to his first year, standing in this very place, outside the door, overhearing seniors Nanaki and Izawa deciding to yield their starting spots for him.

And now—he was Teiko's captain.

A captain recognized by the coach.

Ti had flown so quickly. The realization struck him with unexpected weight.

Sanada, watching the change in his expression, thought his words had swayed him.

But the next mont, he was struck by the sheer force radiating from Nijimura Shuzo's presence. It surged upward, burning in his eyes with the primal ferocity of a lion—wild, unrestrained, savage.

More than ever before.

Feral.

Predatory.

The image burned into Sanada's mind: the phantom of a lion baring its fangs, ravenous, ready to devour.

"Coach Sanada."

"I believe this year's Teiko will not lose, even without as captain."

"And from here on… I want to follow nothing but instinct. To abandon all the rationality I've clung to. To be selfish one more ti. In my final year of junior high…"

"I want to face my last opponent with everything I have."

"That is my reason."

END OF CHAPTER

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