June 27th, Sunday. The sky was still perfectly clear.
The summer qualifiers, which had stretched on for more than a month, were about to reach their conclusion. Though the two teams representing Kanagawa in the National Tournament had already been decided, one last battle remained—this one for the prefectural crown itself.
Shohoku or Ryonan.
Who was stronger?
Most of the crowd favored Shohoku, yet no one's anticipation dimmed. This game was special—the clash between Kanagawa's brightest stars.
Ryonan's towering trio of Uozumi, Fukuda, and Sendoh against Shohoku's core of Akagi, Rukawa, and Nango. It was a matchup that promised fireworks.
Two hours earlier, Kainan High and Fukuda High had fought their consolation match. Kainan, furious at their failure, demolished Fukuda 103–45, restoring some dignity before leaving the stage.
Now, all eyes turned to the grand finale.
In the stands sat every major opponent Shohoku and Ryonan had faced—Takezono, Miuradai, Tsukubu, Shoyo, even Kainan—like lions awaiting the crowning of a new king.
As the teams completed warm-ups, the arena announcer's voice suddenly echoed through the speakers:
"Before today's match begins, we will now introduce the starting players for both teams!"
The crowd erupted.
"Eh? They're doing player announcements?"
Even the players looked surprised—it was the first time they'd seen such ceremony in Kanagawa.
Sakuragi panicked instantly. "Oh no! What pose should I strike when they call my name!?"
"Idiot," Rukawa muttered.
"Wearing red jerseys, Shohoku High School! Number 4—Akagi Takenori!"
Akagi straightened, chest puffed out, and marched onto the court.
The Sakuragi Gang howled, waving empty bottles. "Go Gorilla! Smash Ryonan!"
Haruko cupped her hands like a megaphone. "Big brother, you can do it!"
Even the mustachioed diner owner smiled. "Akagi-san… a little late, but it seems your era has arrived."
"Number 10—Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
"Here we go!" Sakuragi still hadn't picked a pose, so he just pumped his fist skyward. The crowd roared anyway.
"Red hair! Let's see some dunks today!"
"It's all on you, Sakuragi!"
"Eh? So many people cheering for him?" The Sakuragi Gang gawked.
Haruko's eyes sparkled. "Sakuragi has become a true star! Amazing!"
Oda scowled, "That idiot doesn't deserve this!" while Yoko only sighed.
Though Sakuragi grumbled about the volume not being as loud as he'd imagined, Haruko's voice alone was enough.
"Number 11—Rukawa Kaede!"
The stoic ace walked out with his usual icy expression, triggering the loudest cheers yet. Fans shrieked from every corner.
"Rukawa-senpai, go!" shouted a block of Tomioka Junior High students in his old jerseys.
"Rukawa! Rukawa!" screamed the pom-pom cheerleaders.
"Number 13—Nango Koichiro!"
"Nango! Bring home the title!"
"Koichiro, we love you!"
"My son is so handsome—just like me when I was young!"
Nango smiled, waving at his classmates, girlfriend, and family in the stands.
His entrance even drew murmurs from the VIP section.
"Is that the boy?" an old man with gold-rimmed glasses asked.
"Yes, teacher," the man beside him replied.
"He really is 1.9 meters… and still a first-year?"
"Yes, and his fundamentals are excellent."
"Ho… Anzai really found a treasure."
"Number 14—Mitsui Hisashi!"
"Mitsui, fight on!" Tokuo and the others waved flags reading Man of Fire.
Compared to his teammates, Mitsui's fan section was thinner but no less passionate.
"Now introducing Ryonan High School, in white jerseys! Number 4—Uozumi Jun!"
Uozumi strode straight toward Akagi, the two captains facing each other like immovable mountains.
"Today, I'll be the one to claim victory," Uozumi declared, his confidence bolstered by yesterday's buzzer-beater against Hainan.
"Hmph, arrogant," Akagi muttered, unshaken.
"Number 6—Echizen Hiroaki!"
"Number 7—Sendoh Akira!"
Sendoh's entrance drew cheers nearly rivaling Rukawa's. Smiling casually, he nodded at Shohoku. "Nice to meet you."
"Sendoh! Today I'm gonna—" Sakuragi started, before Akagi yanked him back.
"You really haven't changed," Sendoh chuckled.
Nango grinned. "Don't underestimate him—you'll regret it."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Sendoh replied. His eyes slid to Rukawa, who glared back with silent fire.
"Number 8—Uekusa Tomoyuki!"
"Number 13—Fukuda Kiccho!"
Fukuda's cheers far outshone Uekusa's, his explosive first-half against Kainan still fresh in memory.
In the locker huddle, Coach Taoka gave his last instructions:
"Stay sharp, but don't get injured."
"Yes, Coach!"
Taoka sighed in relief. The boys were relaxed. Originally, he hadn't planned to push hard against Shohoku—their true battle had been Kainan, and that gamble had already paid off. First or second place didn't matter to him.
Besides, after the war against Kainan, his squad's stamina wasn't fully restored. Risking exhaustion in a "bonus" game seemed foolish.
But Uozumi and Sendoh refused to sit. Akagi was Uozumi's eternal rival, and Shohoku was the kind of opponent Sendoh lived for.
Seeing their determination, Taoka relented. This fire… this courage… they'll need it at Nationals.
Still, he made adjustments. Echizen and Uekusa returned to the starting five, their fresher legs meant to inject energy into the lineup.
And so, the stage was set.
The final battle of Kanagawa was about to begin.
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