“Mamba No Basuke: Rebirth of the Phantom”

The buzzer signaling the start of the second half echoed through the packed gym, pulling the crowd back into the electric atmosphere of the game. The scoreboard glared like a challenge:

Kaijo High 34 - Seirin High 33

Both teams huddled for the final adjustments before returning to the court. Sweat dripped from the players, breaths ragged from the relentless pace. But amidst Seirin's exhausted faces, Tetsuya Kuroko stood tall, his breathing steady, his turquoise eyes sharp and focused.

No fear. No hesitation.

Just an unshakable will to win.

[System Update: Mamba Mentality Core - Active]

Focus Level: 90%

Opponent Adaptation Rate Increased

Across the court, Ryota Kise adjusted his jersey, his golden eyes gleaming with determination. The playful grin he usually wore was gone, replaced by something colder—pure competitive fire.

I've copied every move you've made, Kurokocchi, he thought, flexing his fingers. But there's still something I can't grasp. Something I can't replicate.

And he hated that.

Third Quarter Begins

The referee's whistle cut through the tension like a blade, and the ball was in play.

Kaijo took possession, with Kise leading the charge. His movements were flawless—fluid dribbles, sharp pivots, and explosive drives, mimicking not just Kagami's power but even flashes of Kuroko's new offensive style.

Kise was a mirror, reflecting the best of every player he'd encountered.

But even mirrors have limits.

Seirin's defense struggled as Kise weaved through them with ease, scoring with a smooth pull-up jumper.

Kaijo 36 - Seirin 33

Kagami gritted his teeth. "Damn it! We can't stop him!"

Kuroko's expression remained unreadable as he took the inbound pass. He dribbled up the court, eyes locked on Kise.

It's time.

[Skill Activated: Killer Instinct - Level 1]

Enhanced Decision-Making Under Pressure

Unpredictability Boost Activated

Kuroko advanced slowly, analyzing the court like a chessboard. Kise guarded him tightly, his stance low, anticipating another drive or pull-up jumper.

"You're predictable now, Kurokocchi," Kise said with a smirk. "I've seen all your moves."

Kuroko didn't respond. Instead, he performed a quick crossover—fast enough to shift Kise slightly off balance. But rather than driving forward, Kuroko did something unexpected.

He stopped completely.

Kise hesitated for a fraction of a second—just enough time.

With a sudden burst of speed, Kuroko executed a move that defied logic: a rapid pivot, followed by an off-balance fadeaway jumper from an impossible angle. His body twisted mid-air, the shot seemingly reckless.

But the ball flew with perfect arc.

Swish.

Silence.

Then the crowd erupted.

[New Skill Unlocked: The Uncopyable Move - "Mamba Fade"]

• A high-difficulty fadeaway shot executed with unnatural precision under pressure.

• Designed not just to score but to mentally destabilize the opponent.

Kise's eyes widened in disbelief.

I… I can't copy that.

He'd seen fadeaways before, but this wasn't just a physical move. It was the intention behind it—the rhythm, the timing, the mentality.

It wasn't just skill.

It was philosophy.

It was Kobe Bryant.

Seirin 35 - Kaijo 36

Kise clenched his fists, his pride as a prodigy stung. "Don't get cocky, Kurokocchi!"

The next few minutes turned into a battle not just of skills but of wills.

Kise pushed harder, unleashing his Perfect Copy ability to mimic even Kagami's wild dunks and sharp drives. His athleticism was dazzling, keeping Kaijo ahead by a slim margin.

But every time Kise scored, Kuroko answered back.

A three-pointer here.

A mid-range jumper there.

Another impossible fadeaway that made the crowd gasp.

Final Quarter – Last 2 Minutes

The scoreboard was a deadlock: Kaijo 56 - Seirin 56

Sweat dripped from every player. Hearts raced.

But Kuroko's breathing remained steady. His mind was clear, his focus absolute.

Riko called a timeout, her voice sharp. "Kuroko, what's your plan? We need something big."

Kuroko glanced at his teammates, then at Kagami. "Trust me. Just get me the ball."

[Final Play Begins]

Seirin had possession. The ball was inbounded to Kagami, who drove aggressively into Kaijo's defense. As defenders collapsed on him, he passed the ball—not to Hyuga, Seirin's usual clutch shooter.

But to Kuroko.

The gym held its breath as Kuroko caught the ball beyond the three-point line.

Kise sprinted toward him, eyes blazing. "You won't get past me!"

But Kuroko wasn't planning to.

Instead, he pivoted sharply, stepping back into a contested three-point fadeaway—his signature move now fully unleashed.

The form was perfect.

The release smooth.

The follow-through precise.

The ball sailed through the air in slow motion.

Swish.

Seirin 59 - Kaijo 56.

The buzzer sounded.

Game over.

[System Notification: Victory Achieved]

• Mission Progress: Defeat a Member of the Generation of Miracles - Completed

• New Skill Mastery: "Mamba Fade" Level Up

• Mental Synchronization with Kobe Bryant: 45% Complete

Post-Game

Kise approached Kuroko, panting heavily, his pride wounded but his respect undeniable.

"I can copy anyone… but not you."

Kuroko met his gaze, his voice calm. "That's because what you're trying to copy isn't just a move. It's a mindset."

Kise nodded slowly, a small smile returning to his face. "Guess I've still got a lot to learn."

Kuroko walked off the court, the cheers fading into the background.

This is just the beginning.

[End of Chapter 5]