Chapter 12 – Welcome to the World Stage
Tokyo – World Youth Invitational Tournament
Group A Match 1
Kaizen vs. Islington Academy (England)
The stadium was huge—air-conditioned, cameras everywhere, live stream on ten platforms.
Commentators spoke in English and Japanese.
> "All eyes are on the Crownless Kings today. Can they hold their fire under global pressure?"
Kaizen stood in black and silver warm-ups.
Their emblem: a rising flame beneath a cracked crown.
Across the court stood Islington—sleek white jerseys, silent and sharp.
At the center: Leon Mercer.
Tall. Calm. Eyes dead. Movements smoother than water.
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🧊 Game Start – Leon's Statement
Tip-off.
First possession—Islington.
Leon caught the ball on the wing.
One step.
Blackout Drive.
Souta flinched.
Keigo lunged the wrong way.
Leon floated to the rim.
Layup. Easy.
Next play?
Same move.
Renji bit.
Leon passed behind-the-back—assist.
Score: 6–0, Islington.
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🧠 Kaizen's Shock
Renji slammed the bench during timeout.
> "He doesn't move fast. But I can't read him."
Souta's glasses were fogged up.
> "It's not speed… it's rhythm. He doesn't play by our tempo. He pulls us into his."
Coach Tanaka scribbled on the board.
> "Forget reacting. Force him to adjust. Press him. Trap. Get loud."
Riku looked up.
> "Let's burn their silence."
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🔥 Second Quarter – Kaizen Awakens
Kaizen switched to an aggressive switching press.
Renji began baiting Leon—showing early bites, then jumping late.
Keigo and Daiki sealed the paint.
Riku stole two passes in a row.
Then—Ghost Step into Ash Release—he scored.
The arena came alive.
Score: 22–21, Kaizen leads.
Leon didn't flinch.
He just smiled.
> "You figured out the move… but not the purpose."
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🧩 Flashback – Riku's Training Abroad (Unseen Until Now)
Three years ago, Riku spent two months in England after his injury—rehab and private training.
That's where he saw Leon.
But back then, he was just a quiet kid with broken form.
> "He reinvented himself," Riku muttered.
"And now he's returned the favor."
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🕶️ Halftime – Unexpected Visitor
As Kaizen left for the locker room, a man in a black coat stepped into Riku's path.
> "Been a while, Riku."
The man looked like a ghost.
Older. Broad-shouldered. The same eyes as Riku.
> "Who… are you?"
> "Your uncle. You didn't know because your father never told you anything."
> "Why now?"
> "Because you're finally playing on the court your father ran away from."
Riku froze.
> "You're not just here for basketball anymore, kid.
This court? It's blood. Family. History."
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🎯 Second Half Incoming
Kaizen returned to the court.
Leon stood waiting.
A small smirk.
> "Let's finish what we started—years ago."