"Oh, you're finally here."
After stepping off the train and arriving at the entrance of Ryonan High School, the Shohoku team spotted Coach Anzai already waiting there, a hat resting on his head.
"Hello, Coach!"
"Hello, Coach!"
Akagi and the others quickly bowed in greeting. Coach Anzai smiled warmly and waved his hand, signaling that they didn't need to be so formal.
"Did everyone get enough rest last night? Today's match against Ryonan High won't be an easy one."
"Of course, Coach!" shouted Sakuragi, brimming with energy. "Just a mere Ryonan? I, the genius Sakuragi Hanamichi, will defeat them all!"
"Idiot! Call him 'Coach', not 'Daddy'!" Ayako snapped, smacking Sakuragi hard on the head with a paper fan.
(Note: In Japanese, '老爹' doesn't refer to a biological father, but has a tone similar to 'old man' or 'pops' in a respectful or teasing sense.)
"It's all right, Ayako-san," Coach Anzai chuckled. "It's nice to see Sakuragi so full of spirit."
Ayako gave Sakuragi a warning glare but let him go.
"But the coach is right," she said, turning serious. "Ryonan is a formidable opponent."
She looked visibly worried.
"They're one of the top four teams in the prefecture. And most importantly, their ace, Akira Sendoh, is no joke."
"Sendoh? That guy strong or something?" Sakuragi asked, tilting his head.
"He's incredible!" Ayako exclaimed. "We played against Ryonan last year, and it was Sendoh who led to our defeat."
Her words brought back painful memories for many of the team's senior players. They had vivid recollections of last year's loss, and several shook their heads in frustration.
Thinking of Sendoh's overwhelming skill, the team's morale took a dip.
"Hmph! So what?" Sakuragi pounded his chest confidently. "Don't worry, Ayako. Leave the match to me, Sakuragi Hanamichi! I'll win it in no time!"
"After all, I'm a basketball genius! Who cares about a guy like Sendoh?"
"Hah! Big talk for someone who still can't shoot," Akagi sneered.
"What did you say, you damn gorilla?! Don't forget you were once crushed by this genius too—!"
Bang!
Before Sakuragi could finish his boast, Akagi delivered a solid punch to his head.
The rest of the team burst into laughter, and the heavy atmosphere lightened.
"What a noisy bunch," Akagi muttered. "Everyone line up! We're almost at Ryonan's gymnasium!"
---
Inside Ryonan High School's gymnasium, Hikoichi Aida was passing drills with his teammates.
"Yo!"
He passed the ball and glanced around at the gym. The team was training hard, and each player radiated determination.
"Even a backup like me is getting nervous..."
Hikoichi gulped and looked over at a tall, imposing figure nearby.
"Captain Uozumi seems quieter than usual today... Is it because he's about to face Shohoku's captain, Akagi?"
He turned his gaze to the second-floor stands where a few journalists were setting up cameras.
"Reporters too? This is just a practice match..."
Catching the ball that had just been passed to him, Hikoichi forced himself to focus again.
But it was no surprise that the press was interested. After all, this year's senior players were exceptional, and the match was more than just a friendly—it was a proving ground.
"Hey yo!"
He passed again, then shifted his gaze to another figure at the center of the court.
…Akira Sendoh.
Usually, Sendoh was the last one to arrive at practice, but today he had been training since early morning.
It had to be because of that man.
Hikoichi closed his eyes and replayed last night's image—he had seen Oliver, the storm of Shohoku, running drills under the lights of the baseball field.
The clash between Akira Sendoh and Oliver was going to be monumental.
He was so excited he hadn't been able to sleep the night before.
Creak—
Suddenly, the doors to the gymnasium swung open, and the Shohoku Basketball Team entered, dressed in their crisp black school uniforms. The training inside came to a halt. All eyes turned toward the newcomers.
"Is that them? The Shohoku team?"
"That must be Akagi in the center. He's huge."
"Over there—Kaede Rukawa!"
"And who's that red-haired guy? Is he even a player?"
"There's someone shorter next to him too..."
Sendoh stopped his dribbling and focused on one person: Oliver.
His eyes narrowed.
"…He's finally here."
"WAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
Sakuragi stepped forward, laughing wildly.
"Which one of you is Sendoh!? Prepare to be crushed today by the genius basketball player, Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
Shock.
The entire Ryonan gym fell silent.
"Sakuragi Hanamichi? Who the heck is that red-haired guy?"
"He thinks he can beat Sendoh? What a joke..."
Akagi delivered a swift punch to Sakuragi's head. The redhead shrank back, rubbing the fresh bump with a pained expression.
"Hey, Oliver!" Hikoichi called out cheerfully, running up to greet him. "You finally made it! Good luck today!"
Oliver grinned and waved back.
"Haha, thanks!"
---
"Coach Anzai!"
A middle-aged man hurried over, bowing respectfully. It was Coach Taoka, someone Oliver had met once before.
"I'm so sorry to make you come all this way!"
"Oh, it's no trouble at all. It's not that far," Coach Anzai replied calmly.
"Huh... Is Coach really that important?" Sakuragi asked, tilting his head.
"That guy's acting all respectful..."
"Coach Anzai is very famous!" one of the team members whispered.
Akagi stepped forward and held out his hand to Coach Taoka.
"Hello, I'm Akagi Takenori, Shohoku's captain. I look forward to learning from you."
"Ah, Akagi-san!" Coach Taoka smiled and shook his hand. "Our Uozumi is very eager to play against you. Please take care of him!"
Akagi nodded solemnly.
At that moment, a towering man approached Coach Anzai and bowed slightly.
"I'm Uozumi, Ryonan's captain. Please treat me kindly."
"Hehe, the pleasure is mine, Uozumi-san."
After a firm handshake with Coach Anzai, Uozumi turned and locked eyes with Akagi.
"Whoa... He's huge! Even taller than our captain!"
Shohoku's new members were stunned.
"How are we supposed to play against someone like that?"
"Hey! Don't talk like that! Don't praise the enemy and discourage your own team!" Sakuragi yelled. "I'll defeat him too!"
"Uozumi..." Oliver whispered, sizing him up.
Standing next to the towering center, Oliver barely reached his shoulders.
This pressure... it's overwhelming.
Akagi walked toward Uozumi and held out his hand.
"...Please guide me."
Uozumi didn't move. He simply glared coldly at Akagi, then turned away.
"I will win," he muttered.
"Tch... What arrogance," Akagi said, cracking a smile.
---
The stage was set. Shohoku vs. Ryonan.
The battle between giants was about to begin!
Oliver, the storm of Shohoku.
Sendoh, the ace of Ryonan.
Akagi, the immovable mountain.
Uozumi, the two-meter-tall giant.
With all the key players assembled, the gym buzzed with an electric intensity. The practice match was no longer just a warm-up—it was war.
To be continued...
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