Inside the izakaya, Coach Anzai and Coach Kitano sat at the bar, sharing a few appetizers and two cups of green tea as they reminisced about old times.
Coach Kitano raised his cup with a sigh. "If only I were still coaching Toyotama. How great would that be? We could have had a real showdown today."
"That truly is a pity," Coach Anzai replied with a calm smile, taking a sip of his tea. Inwardly, though, he wasn't particularly bothered. His old classmate had ability, yes—but Toyotama's players simply weren't strong enough. Even if Kitano were still there, they wouldn't have made much of a splash against Shohoku.
As if reading Anzai's thoughts, Coach Kitano chuckled. "Shohoku's strength is remarkable. It looks like you're on a collision course with Sannoh."
It wasn't that Kitano wasn't envious. After all, his old friend had found a new spring in his coaching career, leading a high school team that was now shaking up the national scene. Meanwhile, Kitano was coaching elementary school students—not something he despised, but far from the grand stage he once stood on. He still longed to prove himself.
Coach Anzai waved a hand modestly. "There are so many teams in the National Tournament. Perhaps new talents will emerge this year."
"Talents like that are rare," Kitano said, shaking his head with a smile. "You don't just find another Shohoku overnight."
Mitsui licked his dry lips, staring at the court. "Is that guy Morishige Hiroshi? He's a monster…"
After leaving Coach Anzai, the Shohoku team went to watch a match between Meihou Industrial—a seeded team in the same half of the bracket—and Josei High School. It served two purposes: scouting a potential opponent, and cheering for Josei, their summer training partners. Two birds with one stone.
Miyagi swallowed hard. "You can't really blame Josei for losing against a team like that…"
Sakuragi scoffed, eyes narrowing with hostility at Morishige Hiroshi, who was hanging off the rim after another thunderous dunk. Two Josei players lay on the floor, knocked aside like bowling pins.
Morishige looked down at them, a faint smirk on his lips. He enjoyed this feeling—towering over his opponents. Even if the referee blew the whistle, he didn't care. The outcome was already decided.
"Beep! Technical foul!"
"Sigh… here we go again." Meihou Industrial's coach, Murai Shintaro, rubbed his temples in frustration. "How many times do I have to tell that idiot…"
Mitsui pointed at Morishige. "Akagi, can you really handle this guy?"
"…" Akagi didn't answer. He just stared silently at the court.
"Hey! Don't just stand there! The inside will all be up to you!" Mitsui pressed.
"Relax, Mitsui! I, the genius Sakuragi, will take care of him!" Sakuragi declared proudly, puffing his chest.
But Mitsui wasn't buying it. "I don't think it'll be that easy this time. Their other inside player is huge too."
Morishige Hiroshi stood at 199 cm, but he wasn't even the tallest on Meihou's roster. Their vice-captain, Kawashima Naoto, measured a towering 205 cm. Unlike Morishige, he wasn't a traditional center—more of a modern big man who could shoot and facilitate. Together, the two anchored Meihou's offense and defense.
But make no mistake—Morishige Hiroshi was the heart of that team.
The National Tournament truly hid monsters among men.
Akagi's expression darkened. Even Uozumi, who was taller, had never given him this kind of pressure.
He had bulked up for this very tournament, adding three kilograms to reach a solid 93, yet it still didn't seem enough.
Morishige Hiroshi's sheer physicality—combined with explosive speed and leaping ability—was terrifying. Stopping him alone might be impossible.
Akagi turned slightly, glancing at Nango. These two were monsters of the same breed: one dominating the inside, the other controlling the perimeter.
Eri, who was watching with the Shohoku group, had the same thought—and a bolder one.
If I could bring both Nango and Morishige to Ryokufu… that would be unstoppable.
They wouldn't just win championships—they'd dominate the high school scene for the next two years.
Eri was a woman of action. She was already scheming how to make it happen.
Nango studied Morishige intently. If I had to pick an NBA comparison, he thought, this guy's like Artest playing center.
"Fifty points… twenty-two rebounds… ten blocks…" Nakamura flipped through the stat sheet in disbelief. "Each of those numbers alone is crazy, but he did all of them in one game. Unreal…"
Aida Yayoi watched as Morishige stood in the center of a crowd of reporters, tall and commanding like a lighthouse in the dark.
If Shohoku wanted to challenge Sannoh, Meihou Industrial might be their biggest obstacle before that.
Could Shohoku's inside defense, centered around Akagi, really handle this kind of power?
Her gaze drifted across the Shohoku members, finally resting on Nango. Nango… your generation is full of monsters.
Aida smiled faintly. "Come on, Nakamura. We still have another game to cover this afternoon."
The National Tournament only lasted a week. Basketball Weekly didn't do daily follow-ups like newspapers—it was too risky. Who knew if the team you hyped up today would still be standing tomorrow?
Just like Toyotama, who crushed Magunishi yesterday and got eliminated by Shohoku today.
The slap to their pride couldn't have been louder.
"Hmm? Ryonan?"
"Shohoku?"
After leaving the arena, the two teams ran into each other outside.
The Ryonan players looked relaxed and cheerful. Uozumi grinned. "Akagi, you think you can handle that first-year monster?"
"Hmph. You don't need to worry about me," Akagi said sternly. "Looks like you guys won your match too."
"Same to you," Uozumi chuckled. He knew Akagi was already overthinking Morishige. For him, it wasn't a concern yet—he wouldn't face that monster until the finals. Besides, Uozumi was just enjoying basketball these days. Rankings and championships didn't bother him as much anymore.
Sendoh turned to Shohoku's three first-years with a teasing smile. "So? You confident you can handle that big guy?"
Sakuragi snorted. "Hmph! Just wait and see how this genius takes him down!"
"Well, we're counting on you then," Sendoh said, amused.
He glanced at Rukawa, who didn't reply—his animosity toward Sendoh had faded, replaced by quiet focus.
Finally, Sendoh looked at Nango.
"Have you thought about how to deal with Sannoh and Hakata Shodai Affiliated?" Nango asked casually.
"We'll take it one step at a time," Sendoh replied calmly. Every game from now on would be an uphill battle, but he wasn't worried. For him, it was all about doing his best.
"Then I wish you good luck," Nango said, extending his hand.
"You too," Sendoh replied, shaking it firmly.
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