Original subtitles

No, you don't!

It's not a shot? It's...

You're finally here? You took your time.

They got us! But...

It wasn't unexpected.

If they're going all out, then just as we planned,

Assault Number 2!

That form... is it an Ignite Pass?

No... it's a little different.

Ignite Pass... Kai!

Ignite Pass... Kai!

EPISODE 39 USELESS EFFORT

Outsmarting people with his misdirection is one thing,

but passing right in front of me?

Who's underestimating who, Tetsu?

All right! Go, Kiyoshi!

No, you don't!

Wakamatsu's so fast!

He's already caught up!

When did he get here?

A pass!

He was definitely going for a dunk at first!

This is Kiyoshi's Right of Postponement?

Yeah! An alley-oop!

Seriously? Wow!

And just before that, too!

What was that pass?

Ignite Pass Kai...

I've never seen the improved version before.

Even more than its speed, I'm surprised by...

Its penetrative force knocked Mine-chin's hand aside.

What was that?

The secret must be in the spinning.

Spinning the bullet of a gun stabilizes its path

and increases its penetrative force.

In the same way, by transferring his body's turning to the ball,

he increases its force dramatically.

I see. I can have some fun with you now, Tetsu.

I'd be surprised if you thought I hadn't changed.

We can do this!

Let's ride this wave!

Don't rush.

We've only just started.

They're using their height advantage against Kuroko.

They're throwing high passes so he can't steal the ball, either.

That No. 4's pretty vigilant.

Rebound!

Come on!

There!

This guy might be evenly matched with Kagami physically.

And he's loud.

They made the follow-up shot!

Good, good, Sakurai!

Good, good, Sakurai!

Damn it. It's not as though anything's changed.

It would've been better for Seirin to have another trick up their sleeve.

Kuroko's pass didn't faze them.

Touou's just playing like they always do. There's no weakness to exploit.

In other words, we're just seeing their difference in skill.

Their difference in rank.

But if they don't do anything, they'll fall farther behind.

Hey, are you sure about that?

Opening it would be huge, but I wouldn't recommend it.

That's the demon's gate.

Is he going one-on-one with Aomine?

It's a dangerous risk to take now.

If he loses, they'll lose control of the game completely.

One wrong move, and it could mean the game.

They're not moving at all. It's been almost five seconds.

I can't do it.

It pisses me off, but I can't win. Not yet, anyway.

Seirin High, time out!

Seriously?

I thought we were going to see the aces go head-to-head.

Kagami ran away without doing anything. Lame.

Listen to them run their mouths.

You seem to understand.

Yeah, kind of.

To an amateur, Kagami seems to have fled the battle,

but in those few seconds,

a high-level game was happening between them.

From that subtle fake,

they read each other's plays in an extremely realistic simulation.

With their skill,

they're able to accurately determine their opponent's strength.

Furthermore, a one-on-one during a game

is influenced not only by individual skill,

but also by the situation.

With all the facts, Kagami determined he would lose.

So he stopped it before he lost the ball and gave them points.

Having the composure to accept an unfavorable outcome

can be more important than the game.

Before he would've blindly run in and lost the game,

but you must've matured, too.

Good job bringing the ball back, Kagami.

If you'd lost there, it wouldn't have been funny.

But what should we do? The battle is as fierce as ever.

Kuroko's new pass takes a heavy toll on his body,

so he can't use it all the time.

More importantly, it'd be dangerous to use it repeatedly against Aomine.

All right.

In that case, I'll start by scoring one from the outside.

Izuki, give me the ball.

What?

Touou's defense is currently strong on the inside,

so I'll draw their attention out.

Let's regroup from there.

Okay. We're counting on you, Hyuga.

Yeah.

Is the captain okay? He seems a little lax.

What are you talking about? It's just the opposite.

He can say that because he's confident.

We need to be careful of his three-pointers.

He's not that fast, though. I'll keep him close.

You sure?

You're standing so far away.

What? H-He's so far out!

What?

He just...

He stepped backwards and took a jump shot? But he was so fast.

The first-years aren't the only ones who have grown.

You apologetic mushroom.

The inviolable shot...

Barrier Jumper!

His habit's coming out, too.

What habit?

Did you hear him crack his neck?

Hyuga only does that when he's on fire!

They picked up another annoying move.

Are you okay, Sakurai? Do you need help?

No, I'm fine.

I can do it alone.

Their defense is amazing!

Give me the ball, Sakurai!

He forced the shot!

How can he make it with such a quick release?

Don't get the wrong idea.

He didn't become a starter just because he can shoot a little quickly.

The stronger his opponent, the more accurate Sakurai's shots become.

After all, despite his looks...

I'm going to win.

After all, I'm better.

What?

As a shooter, he hates losing more than anyone else.

I'm going to win. I'm better. I won't lose.

Izuki...

Keep passing to me.

Sure. You're riled up, aren't you?

Yeah.

He's just annoying! Quit pouting like that!

-They're making all their shots! -Neither team's giving up!

It's a three-pointer shoot-out. This is a rather bland development.

Taking the battle inside now would be counterproductive.

It's the same as running, and it would come back to haunt them.

It's not a great plan. If either team withdraws, they'll lose.

They both know that.

They have to stick with it for the sake of their pride.

He made the shot! Five more seconds!

The first quarter's ending with Touou in the lead.

We're not finished yet.

Bastard!

They're tied!

Seirin's amazing!

SEIRIN - TOUOU ACADEMY

They caught up with a buzzer beater!

Not bad. Seirin's strength isn't just a fluke.

Susa, how was it?

Yeah... Momo was right.

It's decided, then.

Somehow we're keeping up for now.

Kuroko, maybe you should sit out for a little bit.

No, I can go a little more.

-Koganei, drinks-- -Coach...

as soon as the second quarter starts, let me use my Vanishing Drive again.

We're tied, but we're barely keeping up. I don't want to stint the team.

It would make a good preemptive strike, but I don't know.

If we use it too much, they might figure out the trick.

We have to use it carefully.

Fine. Do it.

What?

It's better than waiting for their move.

The important thing is to stay one step ahead.

They'll figure out how the drive works eventually.

Even if they do, it doesn't matter.

It's not a move we can always use,

but if the conditions are right, it's unstoppable.

That's how it works.

Conditions?

More than conditions... Kuroko can't use that drive alone.

Alone? Did you figure it out, Takao?

Well, Shin-chan and I did fall for it tons of times.

Shut up, Takao.

First, his movements.

He ducks in diagonally.

The human eye can track vertical and horizontal movements,

but it has trouble with diagonal movements.

Furthermore, Kuroko's good at reading people's vision

and ducks in at particularly difficult angles.

Most players can't stop him based on that alone,

but that drive only makes him seem to disappear.

When a certain condition has been met, the Vanishing Drive is complete.

It's Kagami.

His presence on the court is exceptional.

On the court, the ball has the most presence.

Tetsu can't misdirect his opponent's vision when he has the ball.

However, he can misdirect their attention to the improved Kagami for a moment.

That's the secret behind the disappearing drive.

In other words, he can only use the Vanishing Drive

when Kagami is in his opponent's vision.

We just need to pull Kagami and Kuroko apart, then.

That's easy. As long as Aomine stays on Kagami...

-No way. -What? Don't be ridiculous!

I could say the same about you. Don't let them do it, keep Kagami away...

Why do I have to be the team's errand boy?

If they want to do it, let them.

They couldn't pass me even if hell froze over.

The only one who can beat me is me.

Aomine and the little guy are going one-on-one?

Impossible!

In this situation...

...there's only...

...one thing to do.

I'm glad you understand, Tetsu. We get along when it comes to basketball.

I agree!

Go!

No way!

What just...

His eyes?

As long as he can't see Kagami, his reactions won't be delayed,

but...

This can't be happening!

Did he move in response to Kuroko's breath and rhythm?

I really don't get it.

Tetsu, we can't agree on anything else, but we play basketball so well together.

Too bad, Tetsu!

Don't get the wrong idea, Tetsu.

A shadow doesn't exist without light.

No matter how much you struggle, it never works the other way.

A shadow can't defeat the light.

This isn't good.

Kuroko!

Time out.

Kuroko!

What is he thinking?

Don't do it, Kuroko!

Hyuga and Kiyoshi haven't shaken their marks!

Idiot.

Did you think the same move would work twice against me?

Try not to disappoint me so much, Tetsu.

If this is your answer to defeating me, I'll make it clear.

It's a useless effort.

You're not going anywhere!

Impossible! He can't make that shot!

Aomine's formless shot!

Calm down! Let's get them back!

They're making shot after shot...

My bad feeling was right. Please, clock. Stop.

Seirin High, time out!

Kuroko, you're out.

Okay.

Listen up, everyone.

There's something I noticed watching the flow of the game.

First, the inside...

A shadow doesn't exist without light.

Damn it.

If this is your answer to defeating me, I'll make it clear.

It's a useless effort.

Damn it.

It's not useless, stupid.

Everyone believes you'll come back.

Don't give up this time. While you're sitting out, I'll show him.

There's no such thing as useless effort.

PREVIEW

No matter how much a shadow struggles, he can't become the light.

Shut up. This won't break Kuroko.

You think I'm going to wait for Tetsu to come back?

I'll stop you until he does.

EPISODE 40 HE'S BESIDE HIMSELF WITH JOY

Entertain me.