KNB: I'm Actually Not the Boss?!

Kota made a simple triple-threat move. Akashi scoffed — such a basic fake wouldn't fool him in this lifetime.

Seeing the mockery on Akashi's face, Kota didn't get upset.

He put the ball on the floor and slowly advanced. Then, without warning, he accelerated straight toward Akashi's right side.

Akashi's pupils narrowed slightly — Emperor Eye: activated!

Kota's movements played frame-by-frame in Akashi's mind until a final image froze in place.

Akashi crouched and swiped with his right hand decisively. Kota hesitated for a brief second. As expected, the time Kise got his ball stolen wasn't a fluke — Akashi had perfectly read his movement. If this were before, the ball would've already been taken.

Talent Activated: Big Man Bully Playbook.

Talent Activated: Danger Sense.

In an instant, Kota felt everything around him slow down — including Akashi!

Kota gave a slight flick of the wrist and avoided Akashi's steal. With Rakuzan's paint wide open, he really wanted to go in like Kise and throw down a monster dunk to hype up the crowd.

…But in the end, he settled for a regular layup.

2 points

"BEEP—End of the third quarter"

The entire stadium went silent for a moment, and then erupted in cheers.

Kota soaked in the energy of the crowd, his blood pumping. He cupped his right hand over his ear, motioning as if to hear better, while flashing a big grin at Akashi.

"Your doubts were too quiet—I can only hear applause."

Talent Activated: Celebration Boost

Not just the fans — the Kaijō bench got in on the celebration too. If there's any high school bench squad in the nation that can turn a celebration into a full-blown variety show, it's Kaijō.

They all mimicked Kota's gesture, jumping around and letting out weird, ape-like howls. It got so loud the referee shot them a glare, finally forcing them to quiet down. After all, they still remembered the last game when they all got warned.

Takeuchi quietly slipped to the side and covered his face with a hand.

"Seriously? In the Interhigh? In front of Araki, too? I swear these guys have no shame."

Just as Takeuchi was thinking about how to punish them later, he noticed something odd — Kaijō's starting lineup looked even more fired up after that ridiculous display.

"Sigh... whatever, let them be."

Rakuzan's mood, on the other hand, was much heavier.

Nebuya clenched his teeth. He couldn't believe Akashi actually got passed like that. He hadn't even considered stepping in to help—that's how confident he was Akashi would shut it down. That gave Kota an easy bucket.

Mibuchi noticed what Nebuya was thinking and gave him a pat on the back. But honestly, he was annoyed too. As one of the Uncrowned Kings and the top shooting guard below Midorima, he'd barely even touched the ball.

Hayama felt the same, maybe even worse. He'd spent the entire first quarter getting isolated by Kise while Akashi refused to pass to him. Getting beat up and not being allowed to fight back — it was driving him crazy.

Akashi, of course, had picked up on his teammates' frustration. But he didn't care. Right now, his mind was filled with one image: Kota.

"How? I predicted his move exactly. His reaction time shouldn't allow for that!"

Akashi's expression twisted. He couldn't accept it. Was Emperor Eye... wrong? Could Kota really have that much hidden potential? In just a few days, had he grown that much stronger since facing Aomine? But according to the Emperor Eye, he should've hit his ceiling.

What Akashi didn't know was that every time Kota beat a member of the Generation of Miracles, he unlocked a new ability and kept evolving. If not for the system backing him up, Akashi's predictions would've been spot on. He would still be the same Akashi — the infallible "God" of the court.

But it looks like our "God" decided to take the day off.

The halftime break ended. Rakuzan was on offense. Still stuck in his thoughts about Kota, Akashi missed a pass. The ball sailed right past him and out of bounds.

Hayama finally snapped.

"Akashi! What are you doing? One basket and you're already giving up? Is this 'King's Army' you built a joke?!"

At this point in the story, Akashi hadn't yet reached that level of absolute authority in Rakuzan. As fellow Uncrowned Kings, the team was full of prideful players. None of them could stand seeing their leader look this weak.

Snapped back to reality, Akashi saw Kota once again calling him out, motioning to take him one-on-one. Akashi clenched his teeth,

"This time, I'm stopping you!"

Kota glanced at Akashi's expression and muttered,

"Huh? Why does it feel like he's a completely different guy now?"

But it didn't matter. With Big Man Bully Playbook and Danger Sense active, Kota wasn't too worried. As long as he dodged the steal, Akashi's defense wouldn't pose much threat.

He started with another simple triple-threat move, then broke out a plain but effective jab-step drive. Akashi's pupils narrowed again. Got it! But… should he go for the steal?

After getting beat twice in a row, Akashi suddenly doubted his own judgment. In the end, he didn't go for it—he just shadowed Kota tightly, trying to pressure him into picking up his dribble.

"Huh?"

Kota noticed the change.

"You've got the body for a steal and you're just tailing me? You're basically begging for a post-up!"

Kota spun, shielding the ball with his body, and powered backward. Akashi didn't react in time and got knocked flat onto the floor.

Feeling no more resistance behind him, Kota pivoted and attacked the rim. Nebuya stepped in fast, ready this time — but when he moved up, that left a hole in the paint where Kobori had been.

Kota's eyes flicked toward Kobori. His right hand twisted as if to pass. Mibuchi read it and slid into position to intercept, grinning to himself.

"I knew it!"

Talent Activated: Master of Fakes

Nebuya steps up. Kobori's now open. But if you come up… who gets left open next?

Kota smiled wide and forcefully bounced the ball downward, then whipped it toward the corner — where Kasamatsu was waiting!

"Man, no matter how many times I watch him pass, it never gets old."

Kasamatsu admired the feed — but didn't waste a second. He nailed the three, nothing but net.

Kaijō – another three points!

The stadium went wild once more.

"He just scored twice in a row on Akashi?!"

"Who is that guy? Is he stronger than the Generation of Miracles?!"

"Rakuzan might actually lose today… Kaijō could win the whole thing!"

All the chatter filled Akashi's ears. People say things so easily, not realizing the weight their words can have on those involved.

69–62, Kaijō leads

The third quarter had just started. A 7-point lead wasn't enough for Kota himself to believe Kaijō was going to win, but the crowd could believe it.

Kota had scored just five points on Akashi. Meanwhile, Akashi had easily dropped six or seven times that on him. Kota was shameless, sure, but even he wouldn't claim he'd "dominated" Akashi — but the crowd could say it.

Kota might be as good—or better—than the Generation of Miracles!

Yeah, okay, that kind of nonsense? Don't take it seriously. Lower your IQ a bit just hearing it. In terms of leadership, maybe Kota could keep up with the Miracles. But pure skill? Talk to me in ten or twenty years. By then, guys like Murasakibara or Akashi might've retired — Murasakibara out of laziness, Akashi to take over the family business.

Under normal circumstances, Akashi wouldn't react to this kind of talk. Not even a twitch.

But now?

His Emperor Eye had failed. He'd just been flattened by a "normal" player.

Even "God" looked a little lost.

"Am I... really going to lose?"