The first years participate in a street basketball tournament, with Kiyoshi subbing in for Kawahara. They run into Seiho and learn that only the top eight teams from the Inter-High can participate in the Winter Cup heats.
Momoi shows up at Seirin, where the second years are practicing. The first years and Kiyoshi return to Seirin, where Momoi explains that Aomine didn't play in the Interhigh finals due to injuries sustained during the Kaijo-Touou game.
The Winter Cup preliminaries begin with Seirin versing Josei High. A member of Josei recognizes Kiyoshi as "The Iron Heart", one of 5 players who would have been considered prodigies of their time if not for the Generation of Miracles.
Three other teams advance to the championship league along with Seirin; Shutoku High, Senshinkan High and Kirisaki Dai Ichi High. Seirin's first opponent is Senshinkan who are known as the "King of the West".
Seirin keeps a lead against Shutoku to the second quarter. But Kagami grows ever more tired, and Takao's hawk eye is a formidable weapon against Kuroko's Misdirection.
Kuroko re-enters the game and takes on Midorima, easily passing him with his Vanishing Drive, and Seirin catch up to Shutoku with the third quarter ending in a tie. In fourth quarter, Midorima states that he passed his limits long ago.
Startled by the buzzer, Kagami and Midorima fumble the ball which misses the hoop. Hyuga has realized that Kiyoshi is still injured and asks him to sit out the Kirisaki Daiichi match.
The next morning, the newly-formed basketball team shout from the rooftops before morning assembly that they will participate in the national tournament to become the best team in Japan.
Hanamiya taunts Kiyoshi who doesn't react. This angers Hanamiya, who signals his team to injure Kiyoshi and Kiyoshi gets an elbow to the face, but manages to get up again, saying that he has vowed to protect Seirin.
Kuroko asks Hanamiya why he plays in such an underhanded way and Hanamiya responds that he enjoys seeing the frustration of hardworking players. Aomine confronts Hanamiya in the bathroom and says he's going to lose.
Hyuga continues to miss his shots, until the ball goes out of court and Kiyoshi retrieves it. Hyuga remembers his promise to Kiyoshi to become the best in Japan, and realizes they have never hi-fived.
After winning against Kirisaki Daiichi and confirming their spot in the Winter Cup, the Seirin team head to a hot spring to regenerate their energy. They are surprised when the Touou Academy team joins them at the resort.
Kagetora claims that the second years of Seirin can improve their individual skills in less than a month, but when asked about Kuroko, he doesn't know what to teach him. Kagetora even said that Kuroko might face a wall.
Seirin gets their first points through Kuroko's Ignite Pass Kai, an improved version of his Ignite Pass, powerful that it even goes past Aomine's hand, followed by Kiyoshi's Right Of Postponement to provide a lob for Kagami to slam.
Timeout is over, and Kagami has gotten serious to try and raise Kuroko's spirits. Kagami's awakening of his real potential, due to him forgetting about his reliance on Kuroko, has enabled him to block Aomine from behind the back.
Imayoshi is able to immobilize Kuroko, and Sakurai manages to stop Hyuga's Barrier Jumper, both actions being instructed by Momoi. Aomine goes past Kagami and makes a 360 spin dunk. All 5 Touou players are now able to see Kuroko.
Still behind by 10, and Kagami has been unable to stop the faster Aomine, therefore Hyuga suggests to go 3 points at a time. Hyuga hits a 3 with confidence, even with Sakurai's tight defense on the former.
An intense battle between the Aces, Aomine and Kagami, begins. The audience, as well as the other players, are amazed at the battle of the Aces in the Zone, which brings their focus and reaction speed to the maximum.
Seirin team decides to find a place to rest and rejuvenate. Kagami offers the team an invitation to his house. After a restful night for the team, they find Alexandra Garcia, Kagami's master in basketball, sleeping in Kagami's house.
While the match between Seirin and Nakamiya South progresses, at Touou Academy's library, Imayoshi and Susa discussed about Seirin's possibility of winning the match while studying.
Murasakibara cannot take Kiyoshi particularly, and decides to go to the other side of the court to join in Yosen's offense. This made the whole of Seirin shocked as they don't know how to stop Murasakibara.
With Murasakibara finally appearing on the offensive side, Seirin is slowly losing hope of having the chance to win against Yosen. Murasakibara catches the ball and dunks it, causing the hoop to break and collide with the ground.
During the time out, Murasakibara said that he does not want to play even though they are still 4 points ahead, but Himuro is able to convince him back into playing. How would the match end up?
Knowing that he is at his limits, Kagami exceeds them and attempts a lane up, but he does not have enough space to jump from that angle, and would not reach the hoop. Kagami then made his new move, Meteor Jam, over Murasakibara.