Feeling slightly better than before, Ryu was able to walk on his own to the bathroom, splashing water on his face.

Ryu: ... Tetsu, I know you're there. Just speak up.

Kuroko came into view, as he pointed to the door. Ryu followed, as they soon got outside.

Ryu: So he wants to stop fighting alongside you for now?

Kuroko: Yes.

Ryu: I can't really blame him on this. Even if was just Aomine I'd get it, but seeing that unbelievable monster Azure had to have made him realize. This can probably blow over though with time.

Kuroko: Kaito... He said something to me during the game. He said I was misled... That being a Shadow was too simple for someone with my potential. That I should be Darkness itself.

Ryu was slightly surprised hearing this.

Kuroko: I need your help to understand what that means. I'm more confused than ever.

Ryu: ... Well... When we met, I did notice something.

Ryu looked at Kuroko.

Ryu: You weren't as weak as people thought. Akashi might have given you the blueprints with your current style, but that's really all he did I think.

Now it was Kuroko's turn to be confused.

Ryu: You had a high potential, and I'm pretty sure that's still there. Back then, I thought I felt that you could stand alongside us.

Kuroko: Fo you mean the Generation of Miracles?

Ryu: Yeah. I'd say somewhere between Aomine, and me at the very least.

Kuroko: ... How?

Ryu: Pardon?

Kuroko looked up at Ryu with a determined look.

Kuroko: How can I bring it out as fast as I can?

Ryu: ... Listen Tetsu, I wish I could help, but that's something you need to figure out. For now, all I can say is you should start working on your physical capabilities like I told you in middle school. Your time limit is bigger than before, but still is a glaring weakness that you can overcome.

Ryu looked at him up and down.

Ryu: You're on the scrawny side, but that's not too bad of a place to start. It'll be easier for you to build muscle by lifting and consuming more calories, specifically protein since your muscle will have to recover.

Kuroko: ... I don't really know what to work out though.

Ryu: -_- You're hopeless sometimes, you know that?

Ryu looked up before sighing.

Ryu: ... I'll bring you to the gym with me from now on, and we'll see what we can do for your diet.

Kuroko slightly smiled hearing this.

Ryu: But just be warned, I am gonna make this THE MOST PAINFUL experience of your entire life.

Kuroko: ... *Gulp*

TIME SKIP!!

Azure: *Sigh* Man, what a fucking tease.

Azure was laying down on the stage in the Tooh gym.

Azure: When the guy finally starts ramping up, and I get ready to give a little push, he gets injured.

He palmed a basketball, not amused in the slightest,

Azure: -_- I feels like somebody just made that happen to mess with me.

???: Yo, Azure.

Azure turned, seeing Aomine and Satsuki.

Aomine: What exactly did you say to Tetsu during that game?

Satsuki: Yeah, a little while ago we saw him at a gym with Ryu of all guys. He's relentless in his workouts.

Azure: So he thinks increasing muscle mass is gonna work? I mean it's a start but-

Aomine: Getting off track here. My question?

Azure: *Sigh* Some guys just don't have the senses to tell stuff like me.

He sat up, looking at the pair.

Azure: Tell me: What do you think about the potential of Tetsuya Kuroko?

Aomine: His potential? Personally I don't see what he can do without a proper partner that can let him shine. Him getting better on his own isn't that likely.

Satsuki: Yeah, that's how Tetsu always has been.

Azure: Bzzt, incorrect.

Aomine: Huh? Is there something you know that we don't?

Azure: A lot of things actually.

He began to spin the ball on his finger.

Azure: Let me guess, that leader of yours Akashi didn't let him develop dribbling moves or shooting to let his lack of presence be prominent right?

Satsuki: Pretty much.

Azure: Well then he's a short sighted idiot. Do you really not realize how much and how fast Kuroko could have developed of you all let him find his own way of playing?

He stopped spinning the ball.

Azure: Seirin may have actually been able to come close to winning our game.

Aomine: Wait, you're serious?

Azure: The Generation of Miracles isn't just 6 Prodigies as you think. The Phantom 6th Man has the same level of talent, but had it sealed away.

Azure threw the ball at the hoop, making a shot.

Azure: What I did was just loosen that seal. It's up to him to break it. And if he can use the resources he has right, the next time we play he could be more than someone coming off the bench.

He smirked.

Azure: Tetsuya Kuroko could be the ultimate Joker. A game changer no one can predict.

AT THE GYM

Kuroko was panting hard, looking down at the ground, as sweat dripped from his face.

Kuroko: Can... You repeat that question again Ryu?

Ryu: Come on, we're not even half way through the workout and you're gassed! I asked what kind of basketball do you ideally want to play alone!

Kuroko looked up, taking a gulp of water.

Kuroko: ... It's not exactly easy for me to say. I've always relied on team play.

Ryu: Well then, what would you do if you didn't have a team? What kind of play style would the best version of you be able to pull off to win on their own?

Kuroko: ...

Kuroko began to think to himself.

Kuroko: 'Misdirection is the ability I use the most, but...'

He thought of another one of his strengths.

Kuroko: '... But that might not actually be my greatest strength.'

Ryu: Hey, earth to Tetsu.

Kuroko looked up at Ryu.

Kuroko: ... I think I know where to go from here.

Ryu: ... Well where do we start after the workout?

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu: O_O Uhhhhh... This is awkward...

Ryu had come back to practice along with Kagami, but this time an new, but familiar face had joined.

???: Do you... Actually remember me?

A male just about as tall as Ryu was at the door in a Seirin uniform.

Ryu: I'm pretty sure. Teppei Kiyoshi right?

Kiyoshi: So you do remember! It's been a long time since Middle School Ryu!

Riko: You two have met?

Ryu: Yeah. I remember a game we had in middle school. I had to clock Murasakibara upside the head for being an arrogant douche.

Kiyoshi: And then proceeded to score 61 points.

Ryu looked away whistling.

Seirin: TALK ABOUT HAVING NO CHILL!!!

Ryu: The defense aside from him was filled with holes, how could I not abuse that?!!

Kiyoshi: Regardless, I'm looking forward to actually playing WITH a Miracle instead of against them. Especially when he's the strongest one in my opinion.

Ryu: ...

Practice started, as it was clear things were a bit different.

Koganei: 'Hold or, is Kuroko...'

Kuroko dribbled up the ball in front of Koganei, and actually managed to get by with a crossover, before making a layup.

Fukuda: Woah, Kuroko is able to dribble now?!

Kawahara: And is it me, or did he pack on a little muscle?

Ryu: 'It's not by much, but so far thanks to two weeks of physical training and ball handling drills, we've upgraded our Phantom Sixth man to a new model.'

Kagami was also surprised, as Kuroko walked back.

Kagami: 'Kuroko... You've changed in almost the blink of an eye.'

Ryu: 'Where he goes now will be his own choice. All I need to do is help him from time to time.'

Kuroko: '... Sorry everyone. I have to start being selfish for a little while. Until I can fight my own battles like I really want.'

Kuroko jogged back to defense.

Kuroko: 'I have to start from my basics in order to become the True Phantom.'

Ryu: 'Tetsu is on his path... Which makes me think.'

Ryu stole the ball from Kagami, before running up the court.

Ryu: 'I've faced him again and lost bad. Even after polishing my own skills, the question is still the same.

Kagami tried to chase after him, but Ryu jumped from the free throw line, making a dunk.

Ryu: 'How am I going to evolve and beat Azure?'

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu: -_- This is not right.

Summer training had started for Seirin, and now on the second day, they had found out Shutoku was at the same place, which made Riko request for practice games.

And even without Kagami there, Ryu was more than enough to allow them to win.

Score: 103-81 Seirin

Ryu: *Sigh* That wasn't nearly enough.

Kuroko: You scoring 55 points against Midorima wasn't enough to you?

Ryu: What? I mean, kinda but not that. I tried to read the floor better to pass around more, but not that many guys had good options. I took too much time and so I scored less. Even your new style allowed to get in 6 points.

Kuroko: ... I know what you're thinking, and I doubt you'll have to change your style entirely.

Ryu jolted up hearing this.

Ryu: Stay out of my thoughts Tetsu!

Kuroko: If you're having ones like that then clearly I can't.

Ryu rolled his eyes, walking away.

Takao: Man, I thought dealing with Kaizen before was tough. That Beast Eye puts him in a whole different league. I can't believe Kaito was able to beat him.

Midorima: It just shows that the Generation of Miracles aren't the only talented Genius' of their caliber. Azure Kaito as seemingly all their traits in one way or another.

Takao: Yeah... Wait, so you saw that game?!

Midorima: MOVING ON. The biggest difference is that Kuroko's improved more than I thought he could.

He looked back on when Kuroko did a behind the back crossover to get past Midorima, and then pulled up for a shot.

Midorima: I'm surprised he was able to actually gain a good dribbling skill after only a few weeks. It makes me wonder what he did. Or maybe...

He looked at Kuroko.

Midorima: ... If Akashi didn't look deep enough.

Ryu went for a jog, as he found Kuroko beside him.

Ryu: You don't have to push yourself that much Tetsu. I'm already planning to make you do calisthenics to make up for the lack of weights around.

Kuroko: ... I would rather not.

Ryu: Too bad.

Kuroko: But there's another reason. I'm already behind when it comes to the Generation of Miracles. I'll have to work much harder than they ever have or will to make up for it.

Ryu hearing this was surprised, before he let out a smile.

Ryu: THEN LET'S KICK IT UP!!

Kuroko: Please don't.

Takao: Let's be honest, you're a little scared now are you?

Midorima: Don't be ridiculous! At most it startles me. A player willing to completely break themselves down to their building blocks, and rebuilding their basketball from scratch is the most threatening kind of player. But it's what Kuroko may become at the end of it that concerns me.

Kuroko and Ryu ran side by side.

Midorima: We may be dealing with a completely new force if things go his way.

TIME SKIP!!

Ryu: *Sigh*

The summer training came to a halt, as Seirin went to watch the Quarter Finals of the Inter High between Tooh and Kaijo.

Ryu: 'Kise is gonna get crushed. Against Aomine it would be hard enough, but Azure will absolutely annihilate Kaijo.'

Kagami: You good man?

Ryu: I really don't like Kaijo's odds.

Kuroko: I agree. If it was only Aomine then there would be a possibility... But Kaito is liable to take the entire team himself.

Soon enough, Seirin got to the game, and prepared to watch the game. On the court, Azure stretched with his eyes closed.

Azure: Hey, Daiki.

Daiki: What up?

Azure: Is there any chance Kise will give a little trouble?

Daiki: If you want me to be honest... I don't think so.

Azure: *Sigh* Damn, Rakuzan better be worth the wait. Let's just win this.

CHAPTER END!!