The Joker (Kuroko no Basket insert)

Chapter 16: Chapter 16



Kise tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes narrowing with an exaggerated look of mock consideration as Taro's words hung in the air. Then, with a smirk designed to infuriate, he lazily shrugged, his voice smooth and dripping with condescension.

Kise's eyes flicked to Taro first, his smirk widening as he took in the larger player's calm stance. "Nothing you need to worry about, Mr. Sumo. Oh, sorry, I mean… whatever your name is," he said, adding a lazy flick of his hand, the mock apology layered with contempt.

He folded his arms, leaning forward slightly, the corners of his eyes narrowing with playful disdain. His smirk deepened, as though savoring a private joke only he understood. "I don't make a habit of wasting my time on nobodies," he said, his voice smooth and dripping with condescension. "You see, talent speaks for itself. It doesn't need to beg for attention or demand answers it's obvious, undeniable. And from where I'm at," Kise added, his eyes flicking over Taro dismissively, "I don't see much from you."

Behind him, the defeated thugs, who had been slumped on the ground moments earlier, were now silently crawling away on their hands and knees. Their earlier bravado had evaporated completely, replaced by the desperate need to escape the presence of players whose abilities seemed almost otherworldly. One of them glanced back briefly, locking eyes with Taro before quickly looking away, fear written all over his face.

Kise, oblivious to the retreating figures, tilted his head slightly, his smirk widening. "So, are we done here, or do you plan to impress me?"

Before Taro could respond, Kise's gaze shifted, landing on Rukawa. His smirk faltered for the briefest of moments before it returned, sharper than before. "Wait a second," Kise said, his voice taking on a tone of mock surprise. "I know you. You played against Aominecchi and the second team, didn't you?"

Rukawa's sharp eyes remained fixed on Kise, his expression unreadable. He didn't reply, but his silence seemed to amuse Kise further.

"What was the score again?" Kise continued, his tone both mocking and amused. "Oh yeah something like a 60-point loss. And if I remember right, you had a lot to say before the game. Something about showing Aominecchi that he's not so special?" He let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "How did that work out for you?"

Rukawa's jaw tightened, but his voice was calm and flat as he spoke. "This is Kise Ryouta," he said, addressing his teammates. "He's one of the Generation of Miracles."

Watari's head snapped toward Rukawa, his face a mix of awe and disbelief. "Wait, that guy? He's one of the Miracles?" His voice cracked slightly, the realization shaking his composure. "What's he doing here?"

"He's the weakest," Rukawa replied bluntly, his gaze unwavering as it stayed locked on Kise. "But don't underestimate him. He can copy anything he sees on the court moves, techniques, shots. It's like he has a Sharingan," Rukawa added, his tone cold and matter-of-fact. "And just like an Uchiha, he'll use what he sees against you."

Kise's smirk twitched, and for a moment, his eyes narrowed. "The weakest, huh?" he repeated, his voice deceptively light. "Funny, coming from someone who got demolished by the second team."

He straightened, his gaze moving over to Taro like an appraiser sizing him up. For a brief moment, something stirred deep inside him a faint spark, a flicker of something unidentifiable that he didn't care to name. It felt like the same instinct that had warned him about Aominecchi before he first tried out for Teiko or when he'd underestimated Kagamicchi. But Kise quickly buried it, refusing to let the thought take root.

"And you" Kise started "you're practically shouting how ordinary you are. Sure, you're big kind of like Murasakibaracchi but that's where the similarities end. When you're around Murasakibaracchi, it feels like he could crush you on a whim. It's not just his size it's the way he carries it, like he's a walking disaster. Whether he's crushing you by accident or on purpose, the result's the same: you don't stand a chance."

Kise's eyes glinted as his smirk widened, and he gestured lazily toward Taro. "But you? You look like you struggle just getting up from the sofa. If there's some hidden talent buried under all that bulk, it's doing an amazing job of staying buried."

He leaned back, folding his arms as though his words had already sealed the verdict. But then, his smirk twisted into something more amused. "You know who you remind me of? Shaq. But not prime Shaq you're more like end-of-his-career Shaq, when he'd lost the muscle and couldn't dominate anymore. The thing is," Kise added, his voice sharpening with a mocking edge, "Shaq only got like that after years of breaking backboards and becoming a legend. What's your excuse for looking like this now?"

He let the words hang in the air, confident they'd cut deep. But as he glanced at Taro, his smirk faltered slightly. The larger player had gone quiet, his hands tightening into fists, his jaw set. Taro's normally calm demeanor seemed to shift, as though the very air around him was thickening.

A faint orange aura began to shimmer around Taro, subtle at first but growing steadily brighter, radiating from him like heat waves off asphalt on a summer day. The energy was raw, unrefined, but undeniably present, crackling with barely restrained intensity.

Watari blinked, his expression twisting into one of confusion and growing unease. "Uh… is it just me, or does he look… different?"

Even Rukawa, ever stoic, shot a sidelong glance at Taro, his sharp eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Hmph," was all he said, though the hint of surprise in his tone was unmistakable.

The aura continued to pulse, the orange hue deepening as Taro's gaze locked onto Kise. For the first time, Kise felt a flicker of unease creep up his spine. The shift in Taro's presence was subtle but undeniable like a storm cloud rolling in, heavy with the promise of something more.

The smirk lingered as he straightened, his gaze sweeping over Taro with calculated precision. Kise chuckled lightly, leaning back and giving a dismissive wave of his hand as if Taro's challenge wasn't even worth acknowledging. "So, consider that your answer. Now, if you've got a good reason to keep me here, by all means, impress me. Otherwise…" He flicked his wrist toward Kagami and Kuroko. "I'll move on to something worth my time."

The words hung in the air, each one a dagger meant to cut, and for a moment, the tension felt like it might snap. Before Rukawa could respond, Kagami stepped forward, his expression no longer playful but sharp and serious. His red eyes narrowed as he glanced at Kise, his tone laced with disapproval.

"Alright, that's enough, Kise," Kagami said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension. "You've made your point. No need to keep dragging it out."

He turned his gaze to Taro, who stood unmoving, his growing aura unmistakable. Kagami's lips twitched into a determined grin, his challenge reignited by the intensity in the air. "Why don't we settle this with a 3-on-3?" he added, his red eyes flashing with excitement. "Let's see what all of you have."

Watari blinked, his head swiveling between Kagami and Kise, his voice cracking slightly as he stammered, "Uh, isn't there a problem here? You're two people. That's not 3-on-3—it's 2-on-3."

Before anyone could respond, a soft voice cut through the tension like a knife. "I'm also here."

The words were calm, almost unassuming, but the effect was anything but. Watari let out a high-pitched yelp, stumbling backward so violently he nearly tripped over his own feet. "Wha—?! Where did he come from?!" His eyes darted around wildly before landing on Kuroko Tetsuya, who had appeared out of thin air between him and Rukawa, standing as if he'd always been there.

Even Rukawa, who rarely showed any emotion, visibly flinched. His sharp composure cracked as his head snapped toward Kuroko, his gaze filled with momentary disbelief. "...What the hell?"

Kuroko's pale blue eyes were calm, completely unbothered by the chaos he'd caused. He stood there silently, radiating his usual quiet presence, as though he hadn't just pulled off a human version of a horror movie jumpscare.

Watari clutched his chest dramatically, his voice rising an octave. "I swear he wasn't there a second ago! Did he teleport?! Is he a ghost?!" He leaned toward Rukawa, wide-eyed. "Did you see him move?!"

Rukawa ignored Watari entirely, his sharp eyes narrowing at Kuroko, still unsettled by the sudden appearance but determined not to show it.

Taro, meanwhile, had been aware of Kuroko, catching a faint glimpse of his movement just before he materialized. Still agitated, his orange aura simmering faintly around him, he let out an audible huff when Kuroko appeared, and the corner of his mouth twitched in irritation.

Kuroko tilted his head slightly, his calm gaze shifting to Taro. "You saw me, didn't you?"

Taro, caught off guard by the direct question, hesitated for a moment before muttering, "Yeah, barely." He exhaled sharply through his nose, as if annoyed at being called out for it.

Kuroko gave the faintest hint of a nod, acknowledging Taro's perceptiveness with his usual deadpan demeanor. "Interesting."

Watari threw up his hands, still shaken. "What's interesting?! The fact that he's not bound by the laws of physics?!" He pointed an accusing finger at Kuroko. "You can't just appear out of nowhere like that! It's unnatural!"

Kuroko blinked at Watari, his expression as serene as ever. "I've always been here."

"NO, YOU HAVEN'T!" Watari yelled, throwing his arms in the air.

Kagami, standing a few steps away, clapped his hands together, cutting through the chaos with his commanding voice. "Alright, enough. Let's settle this on the court."

Kise grinned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation as he tossed the ball lightly in his hands. "Fine by me. We'll play to 11. Let's see if they can keep up."

Kuroko nodded silently, taking his place beside Kagami and Kise, while Taro, Rukawa, and Watari moved to their side of the court. The tension crackled like static in the air, each player ready to prove themselves.

Watari glanced nervously at his teammates. "So… no pressure or anything, but we are about to go up against a Miracle, a ghost and some dude with two eyebrows, right?"

Taro's orange aura flared faintly as he gripped the ball, his gaze sharp. "Let's just play."

The court fell silent as both teams readied themselves, and with a sharp pass to start, the game to 11 began.

Rukawa held the ball tightly, his sharp eyes locked onto Kise, a determined glare promising a fight. His posture was poised, ready to strike. The court buzzed with anticipation as the teams got into position.

They checked the ball to Kise, who passed it back to Rukawa. The game began.

"Let's see if the second stringer what it takes," Kise said with a smirk, his eyes gleaming with confidence. His gaze shifted briefly to Taro. "And you, Mr. Sumo," he added, the nickname dripping with mockery, "try not to break a sweat."

Taro's expression remained calm, though the faint orange aura simmering around him flickered slightly. He exhaled through his nose, suppressing the irritation Kise's words stirred.

Rukawa wasted no time, dribbling with sharp precision as he advanced toward Kise. Each movement was deliberate, his footwork crisp. With a sudden behind the back, he created just enough space to pull up for a mid-range jumper.

The ball was just about to leave his hand, but Kise was already in the air, perfectly mirroring Rukawa's form. His hand tipped the ball just enough to disrupt the shot, sending it off the rim.

"Nice try," Kise said as he grabbed the rebound. His smirk widened as he dribbled past Rukawa. "But you'll have to do better than that."

Kuroko, who had been quietly observing from the backcourt, suddenly disappeared from sight. His absence went unnoticed—until the ball left Kise's hands and the ball curved into Kagami's path. Kagami caught the pass mid-air, slamming it down with a thunderous dunk.

"2-0," Kagami said with a grin, glancing at Taro. "You keeping up?"

Taro caught the inbound pass from Watari, holding the ball with an almost casual grip. His movements were unhurried, and yet each step seemed to draw the defense toward him like a gravitational pull. Kagami shifted forward, his red eyes narrowing, prepared to contest whatever Taro had planned.

But Taro didn't flinch. Instead, he glanced toward Rukawa, who had repositioned himself at the elbow, shadowed by Kise.

"Here," Taro said calmly, lobbing a soft, floating pass to Rukawa that seemed almost too slow until it wasn't. The ball dropped perfectly into Rukawa's hands, catching Kise a half-step off guard.

Rukawa hesitated for a fraction of a second, but Taro's voice cut through. "Finish it."

Snapping back into motion, Rukawa pulled up for a jumper. Kise recovered quickly, leaping to contest the shot, but the timing was off by a second. The ball sailed cleanly through the net.

"2-2," Rukawa said curtly, jogging back on defense.

Kise's smirk faltered slightly as he glanced between Taro and Rukawa. "Not bad," he admitted, though his tone carried a sharp edge. "Guess Mr. Sumo's good for something after all."

Kise brought the ball up with his usual flair, his eyes scanning the court. Spotting Rukawa in front of him, his smirk widened. Without hesitation, Kise mimicked Rukawa's earlier move a behind-the-back dribble and then launched into a mid-range jumper.

The ball swished cleanly through the net.

"4-2," Kise said, landing with a flourish. "I think this is how it's done, right?"

Rukawa scowled silently.

Rukawa caught the ball just past the midline, his sharp eyes locking onto Kagami. Determined to push through, he dribbled with fierce intensity, his footwork sharp and deliberate as he closed the gap. Ignoring the faint calls from Watari and Taro for a pass, Rukawa took a hard step toward the basket, feinting left before attempting a quick fadeaway jumper.

But Kagami was ready.

With his explosive athleticism, Kagami soared into the air, his hand meeting the ball mid-flight and swatting it cleanly to the side. The sound of the block echoed across the court, and the ball bounced toward Kise, who caught it in stride.

Kise wasted no time, sprinting up the court with his usual flair, the ball bouncing effortlessly under his control. Taro, reacting immediately, took off after him, his larger frame moving with surprising speed for someone his size. The court seemed to stretch as Taro tried to close the distance, each stride purposeful.

But Kise's speed was undeniable. With a sharp burst of acceleration, he reached the basket ahead of Taro and finished with a smooth, effortless layup. The ball rolled off his fingertips and into the net as Taro leapt, his hand just a fraction too late to contest the shot.

"6-2," Kise called out, jogging back with a casual air. He glanced over his shoulder at Taro, who was catching his breath from the chase, and smirked faintly.

Taro exhaled sharply, his calm demeanor intact, though the faint flicker of his orange aura hinted at the growing fire within.

The ball was inbounded to Taro, who caught it with a relaxed grip, his expression calm as he dribbled toward the high post. Kise stepped up to defend him, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the matchup. At first glance, Taro's movements seemed casual,uncaring But there was something deliberate in the way he moved, his large frame commanding attention.

Kise kept low, his footwork sharp as he attempted to press closer. But Taro shifted slightly, using his bulk to create a wall between Kise and the ball. Every time Kise tried to reach around him, Taro adjusted just enough to keep the ball out of his grasp, his movements smooth and measured.

"Come on, Mr. Sumo," Kise said through gritted teeth, his smirk faltering as he struggled to close the gap. "You've got to give me something here."

Taro didn't respond. Instead, he backed Kise down methodically, inch by inch, until he was close enough. With a simple turn of his body, he lifted the ball above his head and released a soft shot just out of Kise's reach. The ball arced perfectly and dropped through the net with a soft swish.

"6-4," Taro thought simply

Kagami grabbed the inbound and surged up the court, his explosive power driving the play forward. Kuroko appeared silently on the left, positioning himself near the action. Kagami spotted him and, without hesitation, delivered a pass towards him.

Taro moved.

He didn't track Kuroko he couldn't really see him. Instead, he read the play. Taro understood how Kuroko operated, how the invisible player would aim for the cleanest, most efficient pass towards an available teammate. And in this case it was with Kise in a one-on-one matchup against Rukawa, the ball's destination was obvious.

As Kagami's pass seemed to curve Taro shifted, stepping into the path of the ball at precisely the right moment. His large hand snapped out, intercepting it mid-air with a satisfying thud. The motion was deceptively smooth, as if he'd been waiting there all along.

The court froze for a moment, both teams stunned by the unexpected interception.

Kuroko's pale blue eyes widened, his composure cracking slightly. "He stopped my pass…" he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "

Taro wasted no time. Pivoting with calm efficiency, he began dribbling up the court. Kagami and Kise closed in, their combined speed and size creating an imposing defensive wall. But Taro didn't panic. Using his bulk, he shielded the ball, keeping it just out of reach.

As Kagami lunged to steal, Taro shifted his stance subtly, maintaining perfect control of the ball. Kise tried reaching around him, but Taro's movements were deliberate, almost lazy, as if the effort required was minimal.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, Taro sent the ball behind his back. It curved sharply between Kise and Kagami, threading the gap with precision. The pass landed in Watari's hands, who stood wide open under the basket.

Watari blinked, momentarily stunned, before finishing the play with an easy layup.

"6-6," Taro said evenly, his tone casual as he turned to jog back on defense.

Kise stood still for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he watched Taro jog back on defense. His movements were unhurried, almost like he was taking a casual stroll instead of playing a high-level game. Kise's fists clenched briefly before he let out a soft, frustrated exhale. There's no point in copying him, he thought, the irritation clear in his gaze. He doesn't do anything I can replicate. He uses his bulk perfectly, staying just out of reach like it's second nature. But the way he plays…

Kise's jaw tightened as he continued to analyze Taro. It's not like Murasakibaracchi, who looks lazy but still moves with effort and force when it matters. Taro's different. It seems like he actually doesn't try. He doesn't even need to. He moves like the game isn't worth wasting energy on like it's just... too easy for him.

The thought grated on Kise's nerves. Even with his ability to copy anyone's moves, Taro's style left him at a loss. How do you replicate someone who plays like they don't have a care in the world?

Back in play, Kise seized the moment. Catching the inbound from Kagami, he sprinted up the court at full speed, his eyes scanning the defense. As Taro moved to intercept him, his large frame blocking the lane, Kise's mind raced. He's too big to overpower directly, Kise thought, his smirk sharpening. If I try to go through him, he'll stop me cold. I'll have to use my speed get in and out before he can react.

Kise adjusted his pace, quickening his steps to exploit the gap in Taro's defensive timing. As he approached the arc, Taro shifted into position, his arms wide and his focus locked on Kise. But Kise was ready. Planting his foot hard, he executed a sharp step-back, creating just enough space to launch a three-pointer over Taro's outstretched arm.

The ball arced high, its path flawless, before dropping cleanly through the net.

"9-6," Kise called out, landing lightly and flashing a smirk at Taro. "You're good, Mr. Sumo, but you can't block at that speed"

Taro exhaled quietly, his calm demeanor holding firm, though the flicker in his orange aura hinted at the growing fire within. Kise's smirk deepened as he jogged back, his confidence bolstered. If I keep using my speed, I can keep him off balance.

As Taro brought the ball up the court, his calm demeanor unshaken despite the game slipping away, Kise and Kagami exchanged a quick glance. Kagami stepped forward first, his powerful frame cutting off Taro's direct path to the basket. His red eyes gleamed with determination, his stance low and ready. Kise slid into position just behind Kagami, his eyes locked on Taro's every movement. Together, they formed a double team, ready to counter any move Taro made.

Taro paused, his sharp gaze assessing the situation. His movements slowed down even further as he backed toward the post. Kagami held firm, his sheer strength matching Taro's bulk step for step.

"You're not getting through," Kagami said, his voice firm, almost taunting.

Taro didn't respond, his face a mask of calm concentration. He made a slight pivot, looking for an angle, but Kise was already there, his quick movements cutting off the passing lanes.

"Nice try, Mr. Sumo," Kise said, his smirk returning. "But we're not letting you bully your way through this time."

With no clear path to the basket, he glanced across the court, spotting Rukawa moving toward the elbow. Taro shifted his weight slightly, using his size to nudge Kagami just enough to create a passing angle, and lobbed the ball to Rukawa.

Rukawa caught it in stride, immediately rising for a jumper. But Kagami, recovering with incredible speed, leapt high into the air. His fingertips grazed the ball, tipping it just enough to send it off course. The ball clanged off the rim, and Kise was already there, grabbing the rebound.

Kise wasted no time. Sprinting down the court at full speed, he scanned the defense, his eyes glinting with intent. Watari scrambled to intercept him, stepping into position as the last line of defense. But Kise wasn't slowing down.

As he approached the paint, Kise took off, leaping high into the air with explosive force. Watari jumped to contest, his arms stretched as far as they could go, but Kise's momentum was unstoppable. With one arm cocked back, Kise powered through Watari's defense, slamming the ball down with a thunderous dunk that shook the rim.

Watari stumbled backward, landing harshly, while Kise landed lightly, his eyes gleaming with triumph.

"And that's game!" Kise called, his voice cutting through the noise. "11-6."


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