One-on-One with Daiki Aomine (1)

The players on the court gathered around, forming a large circle around the showdown between Shiro and Aomine.

Everyone was curious to see the skills of these two first-years with extraordinary talent. Standing across from each other, Shiro and Aomine radiated an aura as if they were two brilliant stars. The air between them crackled with invisible tension, making it hard for anyone to breathe.

Aomine's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, locked onto his opponent—Shiro. His tall, athletic frame leaned forward, every muscle primed, ready to strike. Each subtle movement revealed his strength and unwavering confidence.

On the other side, Shiro stood calm and composed, exuding elegance like a graceful crane. Yet beneath that serene exterior lay immense power. His steady gaze met Aomine's without a hint of fear, and the intensity in their eyes clashed, creating ripples that seemed to distort the very space around them.

The spectators held their breath, captivated by the electric atmosphere.

"This is insane… These two are something else!"

"Who do you think will win?"

"My money's on Aomine. He's got crazy athleticism—he can dunk whenever he wants!"

"Don't count out Shiro just yet. He's no pushover either."

As speculation buzzed among the crowd, everyone knew they were about to witness an incredible duel.

"Five points. Winner keeps possession," Aomine proposed, spinning the basketball on his finger as he locked eyes with Shiro.

Shiro smiled slightly. "Works for me. You start."

Surprised by how easily Shiro agreed, Aomine gripped the ball tighter. 'He let me have the first possession? I'll make him regret that', he thought, determined to set the tone early.

Aomine moved to the top of the arc, his posture relaxed yet poised. Shiro stayed just inside the three-point line, a half step away. After the exchange of the ball to check possession, Aomine dropped into a triple-threat position—one fluid motion that hinted at his lethal options.

He shifted his weight to his left foot, knees bent slightly, and raised the ball to eye level, signaling both a threat to shoot and the potential to drive. Every muscle in his body was coiled, ready to explode into movement.

Shiro, however, didn't flinch. He lowered his stance, grounding himself like an immovable mountain. His long arms extended fully—his right hand hovering near Aomine's face, effectively cutting off his view of the hoop in a defensive tactic reminiscent of NBA star Shane Battier's "hand in the face" method. His left arm stretched out to the side, broadening his defensive coverage and making it nearly impossible for Aomine to find an easy path to the basket.

The sheer range of Shiro's defense gave Aomine a surge of excitement. 'If there's no room to shoot, then I'll blow past him' Aomine thought, his competitive spirit ignited.

With a flick of his wrist, Aomine faked a shot, his body following through just enough to seem convincing. Then, in an instant, he pushed off with his right foot, aiming to drive past Shiro.

But Shiro remained unfazed, his large hand still obstructing Aomine's vision. He had anticipated the fake and stayed grounded. 'Gotcha' Shiro thought, recognizing the tactic.

Aomine's burst of speed was impressive—faster than anything Shiro had expected. 'His speed is no joke' Shiro admitted to himself as he slid his feet quickly to keep pace. Since Aomine was the one dribbling, Shiro knew he had a slight edge to close the gap.

Then, without warning, Aomine abruptly decelerated to a complete stop, forcing Shiro to brake hard. Just as Shiro adjusted, Aomine executed a sharp crossover, shifting to his left and gaining a slight lead.

Shiro smirked. "You think you can leave me behind that easily?" he muttered under his breath. Thanks to his incredible defensive instincts—similar to NBA legend Kawhi Leonard's lockdown defense—Shiro was already anticipating Aomine's next move.

As Aomine drove left, Shiro predicted the shift perfectly and swiped at the ball, his massive hand inches away from making a steal. But Aomine sensed the danger just in time, twisting his body mid-drive to protect the ball and slipping past Shiro by the narrowest of margins.

The crowd gasped at the display of skill. "This is insane!" one spectator whispered. "The defense and offense are on another level!"

Even Midorima, who usually kept his emotions in check, narrowed his eyes. "What will you do now, Aomine?" he mused, watching the duel unfold with interest.

Akashi, observing from the sidelines, nodded approvingly. "Impressive, Shiro" he murmured.

Even the usually indifferent Murasakibara paused mid-snack, captivated by the high-level confrontation on display.

Realizing that every traditional move had been countered so far, Aomine felt a hint of frustration but quickly refocused. Gritting his teeth, he crossed the ball between his legs again, leaning left to suggest another explosive drive.

Shiro squinted slightly, analyzing Aomine's footwork. 'Is this a Tim Hardaway-style crossover?' he wondered. Shiro subtly shifted his weight back, preparing to counter the inevitable follow-up.

Sure enough, Aomine executed a lightning-quick front crossover, driving to his right. But Shiro, having taken a small step back earlier, was already in position.

Aomine's eyes widened in disbelief as Shiro perfectly blocked his path. Desperate to break free, Aomine chained another crossover into a double move, barely shifting Shiro's balance. That tiny advantage gave Aomine a sliver of space—just enough to get past.

But Shiro wasn't done. Using his exceptional wingspan, he kept his right hand close to Aomine's dribble while his left hand shot upward, casting a looming shadow over the play. The defensive pressure Shiro applied was suffocating, much like Kawhi Leonard's Lockdown Defense.

'It's not just his physical talent' Aomine realized 'It's his insane defensive instincts too. What a monster!'

Determined not to give up, Aomine made a split-second decision. Pivoting sharply on his left foot, he executed a flawless spin move. Shiro, seeing the shift, immediately retreated—but Aomine wasn't finished. As he spun, he transitioned into a perfect EuroStep, planting his right foot, then his left, weaving past Shiro.

Shiro's eyes widened in shock. 'A EuroStep? At this speed?' he thought. Aomine was almost at the rim, ready to lay it in.

But Shiro refused to let the play end there. With every ounce of strength, he leapt into the air, his athleticism on full display.

Aomine's heart raced as he saw Shiro rising, his outstretched hand rapidly closing in.

'He's… catching up!?'