Rebound of the Shadow Prodigy

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The following day was a new opportunity for Kaito to blend into the ordinary world, despite his extraordinary experiences in his past life. School had become a regular part of his routine. But while most children his age struggled with concepts in their textbooks or school activities, Kaito's mind functioned differently. He wasn't just a ten-year-old boy—he was someone with the mind and instincts of an adult, honed by years of life-or-death situations, only now tempered with the wisdom of age.

Today was the first day of basketball class, and Kaito found himself seated among the other children, observing with a focused calmness. The teacher, Mr. Tyler Brooks, was preparing to begin the class.

"Alright, kids," Coach Brooks called out with an enthusiastic clap of his hands. "Today we're starting with basketball. Who here has played before?"

Kaito's hand shot up almost reflexively. A few kids around him looked at him in surprise, not expecting such a confident response from someone as young as him. The others hesitated before raising their hands in acknowledgment.

"Great! Let's get started then," Coach Brooks said, smiling broadly as he handed out the basketballs. He gestured to the court where a couple of other teachers were setting up the basketball nets. "First, we're going to work on the basics—dribbling, passing, and shooting. Don't worry, I'll guide you every step of the way."

The students scattered across the court, some of them fumbling with the basketballs, others practicing their dribbling while giggling among themselves.

Kaito, however, approached the court with an air of calm, his movements fluid and purposeful. He grabbed the basketball with one hand and lightly bounced it in his palm a few times, feeling the texture of the ball.

To Kaito, it was almost laughable how simple the basics of basketball were. His past life as an assassin had included numerous physical challenges, from complex parkour to intense hand-to-hand combat. His body had been conditioned beyond measure, honed for speed, precision, and agility.

Basketball was nothing more than another skill for him to conquer.

He began to dribble the ball slowly at first, then increased the speed, feeling the smooth rhythm of the ball as it bounced in perfect unison with his steps. His hands adjusted with perfect control, guiding the ball as if it were an extension of his own body.

His footwork was equally as graceful, his movements crisp and purposeful. The others were watching him now, noticing how easily he controlled the ball, how effortlessly he maneuvered it around himself.

"That kid's good," One of the students muttered. "He's only ten, but look at him."

Kaito's expression remained stoic. He didn't need their praise or attention. It was all part of his plan. But even so, he couldn't help but appreciate the simplicity of the task.

It was a nice break from the constant mental calculations he'd been making since his rebirth.

Coach Brooks, who had been walking around the court observing the students, now stopped in his tracks as he saw Kaito weaving in and out of the other children, effortlessly executing complex dribbling maneuvers.

"Hey, Kaito!" Coach Brooks called, his voice filled with surprise. "You've got quite the talent for this. Where did you learn to dribble like that?"

Kaito stopped for a moment, turning to face the teacher. His gaze was steady, unshaken.

"I've always been good with my hands," He replied coolly, as if it was nothing.

Coach Brooks blinked, caught off guard by Kaito's confidence.

"Well, it shows! Now, let's see how you shoot," Coach Brooks suggested, motioning to one of the hoops.

Kaito nodded and walked toward the basketball hoop. He took the ball into his hands, dribbling it twice before stopping a few feet from the line. His gaze fixed on the hoop as if it were a target, his body remaining perfectly still. He wasn't thinking about anything other than the precise movements that needed to happen to make the shot. He lifted his arms with fluidity, the ball leaving his hands in a perfect arc.

The ball sailed through the air, spinning smoothly before swishing cleanly through the hoop.

The other kids gasped in astonishment. Kaito had barely made an effort, yet the shot had been perfect.

"Whoa! Did you see that?" One of the boys exclaimed.

"That was amazing!" Another said.

Kaito ignored them, his face impassive. He was used to being the center of attention by now.

What mattered was the outcome, not the reaction.

Coach Brooks' eyes widened as he walked over to Kaito.

"You've got a real gift, Kaito," He said, his voice full of admiration. "I've never seen a ten-year-old play basketball like that before. You could be something special if you really focused on it."

Kaito met Coach Brooks' gaze, the slight hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "I'll keep that in mind, Coach."

The coach paused for a moment, studying Kaito. The boy's skills were beyond what anyone his age should possess. He'd seen plenty of kids with raw talent before, but this…

This was something else entirely.

"Tell you what, Kaito," Coach Brooks said, his voice lowering slightly, "I run a basketball training center on the weekends. I usually work with older kids, but I think you've got something that could really take you far. If you're interested, I'd like to invite you to come by for extra training. I'll teach you more advanced techniques, and we can really push you to your limits."

Kaito's mind immediately began calculating the possibilities. A training center was a perfect opportunity to hone his skills, not just for basketball, but to test the limits of his physical capabilities in a more structured environment. It was clear that basketball was just a game to most of the kids, but for Kaito, it was a tool to continue perfecting his body and mind.

"I'd be interested," Kaito replied coolly, his gaze unwavering. "When do I start?"

Coach Brooks' eyes lit up. "How about this Saturday? I'll send you the details."

He extended his hand, and Kaito shook it firmly, feeling the weight of the decision settle on his shoulders. This would be the beginning of a new phase of his training—one that he would control with the same precision he had controlled his past life.

As the class continued, the other kids kept talking about Kaito's performance, but he wasn't listening anymore. He had already shifted his focus to the next challenge, the next step in his journey.

Basketball, like everything else in his life, was just another opportunity to perfect himself.

That evening, as Kaito walked back to the orphanage, he found himself reflecting on the day's events. His heart rate was calm, his mind calculating the next move in his quiet game. He was already so far ahead of everyone around him.

The gap between himself and the other children, between his old life and this one, was already too vast to bridge.

He stepped through the gates of the orphanage, where the children were playing outside. Their carefree laughter echoed through the yard. Kaito watched them for a moment, his face unreadable. They were so full of life, so innocent—something that he could no longer relate to.

But he wasn't here for them.

Not yet

The game was just beginning. And Kaito had no intention of losing.

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