A Fresh Start

"D-Did my shot… go in?"

As Shiro's consciousness slowly returned, the sharp smell of antiseptics filled the air, making him inhale deeply through his nose.

Cough, cough! He let out a few coughs instinctively, but instead of his usual voice, it came out as the wails of a… baby?!

Panic surged within him, and Shiro's big, expressive eyes shot open. Confused, he took in his surroundings—white ceilings and… a group of people dressed in green?

"Where am I? A hospital?"

But when he tried to speak, all that came out was more baby babble.

"It's a boy! Mrs. Kawakami, congratulations, you have a son!" a nearby nurse exclaimed joyfully.

A gentle yet exhausted smile spread across the face of the woman lying on the hospital bed. She nodded lovingly and gazed at Shiro.

"A boy… As we discussed, we'll name him Kawakami Shiro. Our little Shiro, okay?"

'What the heck?' Shiro's mind was spinning. 'Why am I a baby? And what is she saying? Japanese?'

He instinctively lifted his hands, and what appeared before him were tiny, soft baby hands.

In the nurse's and Mrs. Kawakami's eyes, however, it looked like the newborn was just squirming and crying.

"There, there, little Shiro, don't cry. Mommy's here."

"Mom? No way… Wasn't I playing in the championship just now? How did I end up here?" Shiro shut his eyes tightly, overwhelmed by disbelief. 'So that hit on the court… killed me? And now I've reincarnated? Just like that?'

Suddenly, a cold, robotic voice echoed in his mind:

"Ding! Binding process initiated. Host detected: Kawakami Shiro Progress: 1%, 34%, 78%, 96%… 100%! Binding complete. Congratulations, Host, you have been bound to the NBA Basketball System."

Shiro's heart skipped a beat. As a young man of the 21st century, he was no stranger to system cheat stories. Yet now that one had actually appeared in his mind, the reality of his reincarnation hit him.

╯﹏╰

'No way… I sank that game-winner! We were gonna take the CUBA championship! I would've been Finals MVP! With offers from CBA teams, I'd have been on my way to the top! But now… I'm here?! This is so messed up!' Shiro mentally cursed the system for ruining his dream life.

The mechanical voice resumed:

"The NBA Basketball System grants access to elite skills from top NBA players. Skills can be unlocked using Skill Points (SP), earned only by winning basketball games. Full-court 5v5 games reward 10 SP, while other formats earn 3 SP per win.

The system also includes a Training Space that can be accessed during sleep. There, the host may practice basketball skills. Access costs 10 SP per hour."

"...That's it? No starter gift?!" Shiro fumed. "All the protagonists in stories get those! Don't you dare rip me off, system! SYSTEM?!"

But his furious outbursts met only silence. The system was indifferent to his rage, a mechanical entity with no compassion or flair.

"Ugh… I guess I have no choice but to accept it." With a deep sigh, Shiro closed his eyes, resigning himself to this new reality.

——— Twelve Years Later ———

A soft breeze drifted through the early April air, carrying the fragrance of distant blossoms and stirring the petals of cherry blossoms from their branches. They danced like pink veils in the wind, creating a scene so beautiful it felt like a dream.

Amid this picturesque setting stood a striking young man at the entrance of Teiko Junior High.

His snow-white hair shimmered like strands of silver, framing a face both delicate and graceful. The gentle breeze brushed his long bangs across his forehead, completing the ethereal image. His serene gaze seemed to radiate an unshakable calm, as though nothing could disturb his inner peace.

The elegance of the white-haired boy standing amidst the swirling petals captured the attention of passing students, who couldn't help but steal glances.

Despite his privileged background, Shiro had declined the family chauffeur's offer and arrived at school on his own.

Staring at the grand "TTeiko Junior High" sign, a flicker of excitement flashed in his eyes.

"Teiko Basketball Club…" he whispered to himself.

A powerhouse team with over a hundred players.

Three consecutive national championships.

A legacy of greatness.

And among them—the "Generation of Miracles," five prodigies whose unmatched talent had secured an undefeated record. Yet, rumors spoke of an elusive "Phantom Sixth Man," a player without stats or records, but who was respected by all five geniuses.

Watching Kuroko no Basket as a child had fueled Shiro's passion for basketball. Now, standing here, in what felt like a dream come to life, he couldn't contain his excitement.

"System, show me my stats."

Player Profile

Name: Kawakami Shiro

- Age: 12

- Height: 176 cm

- Weight: 64 kg

- Strength: B

- Speed: B

- Stamina: B+

Skills:

- Stephen Curry – 3-Point Shooting

- Kawhi Leonard – Lockdown Defense

- Allen Iverson – Crossover Dribble

- Tracy McGrady – Pull-up Jumper

- Kobe Bryant – Fadeaway Jumper

- Magic Johnson – No-look passing

Skill Points (SP): 1965

Shiro smirked as he reviewed his progress. In twelve years, he had only unlocked six signature skills, and each had cost 2,000 SP. Earning points had been grueling, but he had carefully chosen the most valuable abilities.

"Kuroko no Basket… I can't believe I ended up in this world."

His heart raced as the realization sank in—he was about to play in the same world as the Generation of Miracles.

What's more, his family, the Kawakami family, was on par with the Akashi family—making it inevitable that he would cross paths with Akashi Seijuro, the captain of the Generation of Miracles.

For Shiro, who was obsessed with basketball, the chance to compete against the world's top talents was exhilarating. His ultimate goal was clear: to surpass them all and become the strongest player in this world.

With a wide grin spreading across his face, Shiro strode confidently into Teiko Junior High.

"Generation of Miracles, are you ready? Because here I come!"