In a state of Total Concentration Breathing, one's physical abilities surge with extraordinary power.
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - Total Concentration | Status: Unlocked | Level: 1 | EXP: 0% 〛
The world fell silent around him. Ryōsuke heard nothing but his own breathing and heartbeat, his mind laser-focused on the kick.
Take the step, shoot!
❖ Thunderclap and Flash ➠ Shot! ❖
BOOM!
His foot connected with the soccer ball, unleashing a sound like an exploding thunderbolt. The ball rocketed forward in a perfect straight line, defying gravity!
This Thunderclap and Flash, enhanced by Thunder Breathing, possessed unprecedented speed and power. Like a ravenous beast charging at its prey, the ball cut through the air with a fierce roar.
Yet contrary to Ryōsuke's expectations, the ball missed its mark. Instead of finding the net, it slammed into the goalpost with a tremendous crash and soared dozens of meters skyward.
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - First Form: Thunderclap and Flash | Status: Unlocked | Level: 1 | EXP: 0.11% 〛
〚 Skill: Thunder Breathing - Total Concentration | Status: Unlocked | Level: 1 | EXP: 0.02% 〛
"Both Total Concentration Breathing and First Form proficiency increased, with Thunderclap and Flash gaining significantly more. Could the breathing technique be amplifying skill proficiency? The power under Total Concentration Breathing is incredible, but my accuracy has suffered. I haven't fully mastered this technique yet." Ryōsuke muttered to himself.
Despite inheriting his original self's exceptional ball control, and despite twenty-five meters being well within his range, he had missed.
But he did miss.
"I need more practice with this ability." He analyzed, "Total Concentration Breathing gives me unprecedented power, but my body hasn't adjusted to it yet. I must work on my accuracy..."
Just then, a clear, energetic voice called out behind him.
"Excuse me... are you Kira-senpai?"
Ryōsuke turned to find a girl with delicate features.
Her crystal-clear amber eyes radiated youthful energy. She seemed about his age, with fair skin and shoulder-length brown hair secured by two black clips. She wore simple athletic wear — clearly another early morning exerciser.
"Yes, hello." Ryōsuke replied politely.
Being recognized by passersby wasn't unusual, given his local reputation. To avoid drawing too much attention and unnecessary trouble, he chose to train before the sun had fully risen.
This was his first time seeing this girl, but something about her felt strangely familiar.
However, the girl didn't immediately respond to his greeting. Instead, her gaze moved up and down his body, like a mechanical scanner.
"Hello... um... what are you doing?" Ryōsuke asked awkwardly.
"I'm so sorry!" The girl finally realized her impropriety and quickly clapped her hands together, "I have a habit of observing athletes' bodies — I'm very sorry!"
"Observing athletes' bodies?" Ryōsuke's eyebrow twitched. Coming from a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, those words sounded rather strange.
"Oh no! Not like that!" The girl's fair face reddened with embarrassment as she waved her hands frantically, "My father was an athletic trainer who recorded athletes' physical data to create training schedules. I grew up following him around, so I unconsciously developed the habit..."
After hearing her explanation, that familiar feeling grew stronger.
"May I ask your name?"
"I forgot to introduce myself, I'm so sorry! My name is Riko Aida! I'm a first-year at the newly built Seirin High School! Please take care of me!" She immediately bowed.
Ryōsuke could now confirm his suspicion. She was indeed someone he 'knew'.
She was the female protagonist of "Kuroko's Basketball", serving as both coach and manager of the protagonist's team. She possessed a special ability to assess someone's physical capabilities through observation alone and create targeted training programs accordingly.
In the original story, it was her presence that had led the Seirin basketball team from obscurity to fame.
But for this actual Riko, who had just entered high school, that was still a story for the future.
'So the two worlds have merged... though basketball probably won't have anything to do with me for a while.' Ryōsuke mused internally.
"Excuse me, Kira-senpai, was that sound from earlier made by you?" Riko asked curiously.
She had been out for her morning run when the thunderous sound drew her attention, only to find the locally famous soccer player Ryōsuke Kira here.
"Sorry, I was practicing my shooting. I was too focused and didn't notice the sound." He scratched the back of his head while discreetly scanning the surroundings. There was no one else nearby.
"Is that so? Did I hear wrong?" Riko pursed her lips while shifting her gaze to the goal.
She clearly saw a significant dent in the goalpost, as if it had been struck by something heavy.
Though this was an older gymnasium, the sports equipment remained sturdy and well-maintained. How could a seventeen-year-old high school student possibly create such an impact with just a kick?
It seemed utterly impossible.
'Even though Ryōsuke Kira is an exceptional player, there's no way his physical abilities could generate that kind of force. Someone must have vandalized the goal yesterday.' Riko concluded.
"By the way, Aida-san, do you notice any areas where I could improve physically?"
Ryōsuke's question snapped her back to reality.
❖❖❖
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