Rebirth In KurokoNoBasket

[A/N: Just in case you guys want to see what the Nationals bracket looks like, I will have a link to the picture in the comments, it will only be a structure so don't expect me thinking about forty-nine school names.

Make sure to LIKE that comment so that it stays at the top of the comments section.]

Shun and the rest of the first-string were sitting on the gym floor. The coach was standing in front of them with a paper in his hands.

Coach: "Today, some information about the Nationals arrived. Nationals for middle school has forty-nine participating in it. The format of the tournament is single-elimination.

There will be fifteen teams that will have a bye and not participate in the first round of the tournament.

The actual schedule is announced during the opening ceremony.

The information we have got is teams that are getting a bye."

Coach: "As we are the reigning champions, we will be getting a bye. Our fellow Tokyo representative, Teiko Middle School, will also be getting a bye."

The tournament was four days long.

Day 1: Round 1 and Round 2. (Seeded teams enter in Round 2)

Day 2: Round 3 and Round 4.

Day 3: Semi-final 1, and Semi-final 2.

Day 4: Third-place game and Finals.

Everybody was ready and were careful not to injure themselves. After the practice, Shun was approached by the coach, who gave him a final piece of advice regarding the shooting.

Coach: "Kageyama, whatever you do, never shoot the ball with the intention that if the shot misses, you can pick the rebound yourself and try to score again.

That is the worst mentality for any shooter. You have to believe that the shot will go in. With that mentality, you will never be confident in your shooting. Plus, if you go in with that intention, you will lean your body forward subconsciously, and ruin your form."

[A/N: Do you guys remember, during the first game between Seirin and Shutoku, how Kagami attempted a three-pointer, and when it missed, he slammed it down himself. That is the worst thing a shooter can do if you don't have confidence in your shooting don't shoot.]

Shun thanked the coach and continued his shooting routine. Shun's shooting improved his great, and now he could shoot 60% from the three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw mark. (Steph Curry at his best had a three-point percentage of 45%, so I think a fifteen percent boost is pretty good.)

Shun: 'Nationals will start in one week, those four days that will be the highlight of the first year of my middle school career.'

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Around the country, the players from all forty-nine schools were preparing in anticipation of the biggest competition in middle school.

(At, Meiho Middle School)

Captain: "Nebuya! don't just try to muscle your way to the basket you need to gain some finesse and skills."

Nebuya Eikichi (Uncrowned King): "Captain, muscle is supreme with muscle power nothing can stop me; wait for me Kiyoshi, I will show you the power of my muscles."

(At, Aiwa Middle School)

Hanamiya Makoto (Uncrowned King): "Move your legs you losers, try to move according to the plans that I gave you if you can't do it just tell me, every single one of you is replaceable."

Imayoshi: "Hanamiya, you don't have to be so mean to your teammates. Guys don't listen to him, just try your best, even if Hanamiya is a jerk he still is a good player and strategist."

Hanamiya: "Imayoshi! Shut up, you glasses-wearing bastard, drop the kind goody two shoe act."

Imayoshi: "Hanamiya, that is not the way to talk to your senior, and I am a naturally kind person, don't falsely accuse me."

The rest of the Aiwa middle school team stood and watched the usual as their captain and vice-captain fought with each other.

(At, Kamata West Middle School)

In the school gym, two figures were practicing Aikido on mats.

Shota: "Sota, with this, we will be able to win the Nationals."

Sota: "Shota, you just took the words right out my mouth."

Shota: "We are twins, after all."

Sota: "A team can't win the match if their best players are ejected from the game."

The genius twins from Kamata West Middle School were ready to conquer the Nationals.

(At, Kamizaki Middle School)

Inoue: "This time we will defeat Tokiwadai, and win the championship and bring the trophy home."

Team: "Hell, yeah!"

Coach: "Okay enough of that; you won't win if you don't practice, come on, give me fifteen shuttle runs."

Team: "Yes, Sir!"

The middle school basketball scene was burning up. Each team was doing its best to stand at the top. No was willing to settle for the second spot.

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Shun was walking his way home from practice when he saw Momoi Satsuki on the other side of the road.

He greeted her when she saw him.

Shun: "Good evening, Momoi-san."

Satsuki: "Kageyama-kun, returning from school as well?"

Shun: "Yes, I just finished practice. That's right, congratulations our coach told us that Teiko is getting a bye in the Nationals."

Satsuki: "Thank you, and same to you as well, we aren't the only ones that are getting a bye. Tokiwadai also got a bye."

Shun: "Well, we did win the championship last year. Us getting a bye was final the moment we qualified for the Nationals."

Shun and Satsuki kept talking about other schools on their way home, but both of them made sure that they didn't talk about Tokiwadai and Teiko.

As they reached the street where their houses located,

Shun: "I will tell you that I self-study and do my homework every day, so don't lump me with those muscle brained jocks that do poorly in class."

Satsuki: "Ok, Mr. Intelligent jock, I will make sure to remember that, but still I am smarter than you, so don't hesitate to ask me if you don't understand something. I am a kind person who helps people in need."

Shun: "We will see about that, I am pretty sure that I will score more than you in the mid-terms."

Satsuki: "Let's make it a bet, the loser would treat the winner to lunch. No price limits."

Shun: "Deal!"

Shun and Satsuki parted with thoughts of extorting the other at a pricy place when they won.