"How can this be?!"
Aida Riko's once-resolute expression suddenly crumbled into confusion.
The expected outcome hadn't happened.
Instead of breaking through Haizaki's defense, Izuki had the ball stripped away—easily.
That was the vanishing drive!
Ever since Kuroko developed the move, it had never failed.
Unless the time limit of his misdirection had expired, no one could stop it— except for Tendou and Akashi.
Because they had eyes that could see through everything.
But Haizaki?
What did he have?
He was strong, sure— but strong enough to break through Kuroko's "Misdirection: Transcendence?"
Even Aomine had to close his eyes to defend against Kuroko's vanishing drive.
"Can't you see it yet?" Tendou's eyes swept over Seirin as he spoke.
"I told you this long ago, didn't I, Kuroko? Your greatest advantage… is your lack of presence."
Kuroko flinched. His face tensed with unease.
Tendou continued, ignoring his reaction:
"Honestly, I never thought you'd be this foolish. No—actually, it's not just you. It's all of you."
"You thought burning through all your misdirection and then switching to some upgraded version would still help your team win?"
"You thought sacrificing everything for victory would somehow guarantee a result?"
"You naively believed everything would go according to your plan."
His tone was calm, his face indifferent— but the weight of his words crushed them.
"Did it never occur to you why, back when your playing style was set, I never developed you any further?"
"I'll tell you now—Even Mayuzumi Chihiro, even if Akashi only had him use basic shots, was still exposed.
Just a little time, and even the simplest approach can be countered."
"If you can't even grasp that basic cause and effect, and still talk about playing for the team and playing to win—
Then all you are is someone who's been consumed by your own self-righteousness."
"The vanishing drive, the phantom shot… Those flashy techniques you clung to…
They may have been effective at first— but it was your own self-importance that ultimately destroyed your potential."
With that, Tendou took off, sprinting away.
Behind him, Kuroko stood frozen, eyes wide with disbelief.
He hadn't forgotten what Tendou had told him long ago— that his greatest strength was his lack of presence.
But what he hadn't realized— was that by creating the phantom shot and the vanishing drive, he had unknowingly stripped away his invisibility.
This wasn't like Mayuzumi during Nationals, who was temporarily nullified.
This time…
Even if Seirin won this match, Kuroko's misdirection would be useless in future games.
He would need to disappear completely for a long time before he could restore his lack of presence.
But now…
Fans noticed him.
Defenders noticed him.
All that was left was a player with sub-par athleticism, ranking dead last among all Winter Cup participants— someone who wasn't even fit to be a benchwarmer.
"…Sigh."
From the audience, Akashi also let out a soft sigh.
He, too, had made the same mistake as Kuroko.
He had believed he'd created a sixth man even greater than Tendou.
Only now did he realize— he had merely given opponents the tools to destroy that sixth man's greatest advantage.
The best sixth man… is one who doesn't score.
Who doesn't drive.
Who has no flash.
"Compared to you… I still fall short in discovering a player's true potential," Akashi muttered under his breath.
Tendou had seen through it all—long ago.
He understood the limits of the sixth man better than anyone.
What could be done, and what couldn't—he knew it all.
Perhaps even back in middle school, Tendou had already seen every possibility that existed in Kuroko.
"Get back on defense!!"
Aida Riko's shout snapped through the court.
But the players, stunned by Tendou's words, couldn't calm their minds.
It wasn't until they heard Riko's command that they remembered to retreat— but by then, Kirisaki Daiichi was already down the court.
Boom!
Tendou caught the ball and threw down a powerful dunk, finishing the fast break.
The lead stretched to nine points—on the verge of becoming double digits.
At that moment, everyone watching in front of their screens had their jaws drop.
They had just been touched by Kuroko's determination.
They wanted to root for Seirin.
And then—
Tendou rained thunder on Seirin like a storm.
Kuroko's bold declarations now seemed like a cruel joke.
『Damn… Tendou knew the whole time?』
『Akashi probably knew too. He even hinted at it during Seirin vs. Yōsen.』
『Don't tell me you forgot?』
『Of course I didn't! I just didn't think this is what he meant…』
『Same here! I thought it'd be like Mayuzumi's case… But this? Even Misdirection: Transcendence failed?』
『Freaking unreal. Tendou's not just strong—he's smart. How the hell is Seirin supposed to win now?!』
『They need a damn cheat code at this point!』
『…Cheat code?』
One viewer actually burst out laughing from frustration.
『Tendou's so busted, Seirin's gonna need a national-grade hack just to stand a chance!』
...
Back on the court.
The referee blew his whistle.
During the dead ball, Seirin immediately called for a substitution.
Their entire plan had fallen apart.
The technique they thought would be their secret weapon—Misdirection: Transcendence— had been completely neutralized.
Tendou Kageyoshi.
This man… was simply terrifying.
Aida Riko could feel it— an overwhelming pressure looming in her chest.
Tendou's presence was etching itself into her soul.
He was about to become her living nightmare.
With no misdirection, Kuroko wasn't even on par with a bench player.
Left with no choice, she called for a substitution.
"…Kuroko, you'll rest for now."
"Coach?!"
Kagami's face was filled with disbelief.
He instinctively wanted to protest, but swallowed his words.
He knew— the coach had no other option.
This was for the team.
Kuroko quietly walked toward the bench.
But just before he sat down—Tendou's voice rang in his ears again.
"This is what you call a team, Kuroko?"
"The moment you lose your usefulness, they cast you aside without hesitation. This is the basketball you believe in?"
That bastard…!
The Seirin bench glared at Tendou with fury.
What a twisted perspective.
They all knew Tendou was trying to mess with them— but they couldn't find the words to deny it.
Yes, they had subbed Kuroko out.
But it wasn't because they viewed him as disposable!
"Don't ever say that nonsense about 'proving it to me' again."
Tendou strolled casually back to his side of the court— completely unfazed by the storm of hatred behind him— and by the shattered confidence of Kuroko, left alone on the bench.
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