Crownless Kings: Court of Fire-Chapter 32 – "The Weight of Flame"

Underground Tokyo Court – Midnight

The court smelled of concrete, sweat, and something bitter.

Renji stood in the center, hoodie tossed aside, wearing only his Kaizen jersey.Breath steady.Heart heavier.

Before him, his opponent.A boy with sharp steps, faster hands, and a cold grin that felt like it came from another version of himself.

"They called you the Ghost King,"the boy said, dribbling low, the ball like a second heartbeat between them."But ghosts don't bleed."

Renji said nothing.

There were no referees.No crowd.Just asphalt and pride.

🔥 First Clash

The moment the ball touched the ground,the boy exploded forward.

Hesitation. Cross.Spin inside.

Renji pivoted — stayed low — palmed the ball mid-spin —but the boy anticipated.Tapped it free.

Fastbreak.

Two steps.Layup.

1–0.

No cheers.Only echoes.

🧠 Renji's Mind

"I spent my life dancing between anger and rhythm.""But tonight...""Tonight I'm burning both."

⚡ Second Play – Renji Awakens

Inbound.

Renji took no dribbles.No flashy moves.He sprinted straight at the boy, like a bullet through smoke.

The boy reacted—early.

Renji grinned mid-stride.

Eurostep.

Not around.Through.

His shoulder crashed into the boy's chest.The boy stumbled.

Renji floated it high off the board.

Bucket. 1–1.

🏀 The War Escalates

They traded blows.

Crossovers so fast they blurred.

Elbow brushes that would have drawn whistles in a real game.

Fakes inside fakes.

Anger sharpened into pure, vicious poetry.

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Each point scored felt heavier, as if the court itself was keeping score not of baskets—but of pride surrendered.

📉 Meanwhile – Kaizen Dorms

Souta sat at his desk, headphones off.The USB drive still blinked from his laptop.

Footage of his brother playing...breaking...benched.

The words from the anonymous note rang louder now:

"You'll never be him."

Souta clenched his fists.

"Good,"he muttered.

"Because I'll be better."

He opened a blank playbook.Started drawing plays.

Not to copy.To surpass.

🌍 Drift's Silent Struggle

Across the city, Drift sat alone under the streetlights.

Phone open.The DM from Zavi glowing.

"March 10th. Barcelona. If you dare."

He bounced a ball lazily on the cracked pavement.

Each bounce felt heavier.Each second felt shorter.

He smiled without humor.

"Guess I gotta show the world what happens...when chaos learns to aim."

🕯️ Riku's Step

In the empty Kaizen gym, Riku stood alone.

Tape on his ankle.Sweat on his brow.Pain whispering behind every move.

He walked.Jogged.

Limped.

But refused to stop.

[Small panel moment:]

Riku missing a three.

Riku chasing his own rebound.

Riku falling, pushing himself up.

No music.No spotlight.Just fire feeding fire.

🏟️ Underground Court – Final Point

Back in the underground match,Renji and the boy circled each other.

Game tied. 9–9.

Next point wins.

The boy smirked.

"You were never the Ghost King.You're just a flare burning out."

Renji's eyes didn't flicker.

"Wrong.""I'm not a ghost."

The boy drove right — feint — spun left —

Renji was already there.

One clean slap.Ball loose.

Renji grabbed it—two dribbles—

Elevated.

For once, no fakes.No feints.

Just flight.

Slam.

The rim groaned under the weight of it.

Game over.

🧢 The Opponent Stands

The boy chuckled, coughing dust.

"Guess...the fire's real after all."

He walked away, leaving Renji alone in the echo.

Renji wiped sweat from his brow.

Looked up at the concrete ceiling.

"I'm not burning out."

"I'm just getting started."