The crown of the National Tournament finally descended on Yuuto's head.
On the same day, Yuuto made his choice.
He didn't waste time; he called Katsunori Harasawa and other coaches separately, declining their invitations.
His first goal in this world had been achieved.
Next, he would fight once for his former dream.
Dream.
Such an unreasonable thing.
Masaaki Nakatani was incredibly regretful.
"Is that so? I understand. From now on, we are opponents. I will wait for you in Tokyo."
He genuinely admired Yuuto as a player and attempted to teach him in advance how we professional players play basketball.
However.
Seiho wasn't a bad place to go.
Senior Shio Yamashita was also his old rival.
A veteran coach with NCAA coaching experience, even if only as an assistant.
If Yuuto's goal was that hall of fame...
Maybe Shio Yamashita could help him adapt to the basketball style over there in advance.
...
The day after winning the championship.
Tochigi Prefecture had not yet recovered from the joy.
Yuuto walked on the country path of Okukozome.
Passersby greeted him warmly one after another.
Also on this day.
Homi Academy's basketball club held its annual farewell ceremony.
The coach took the podium, once again bidding farewell to the club members who had fought for this basketball club for three years.
Yuuto, as the team captain, also gave a speech, encouraging the juniors.
At the same time.
He handed over the captain's position to Masataka Oyamada (nicknamed Little Masataka/Masa-kun in context).
Of Homi Academy's starting five this year, 4 were third-year players.
Yuuto, Haizaki, Kuroko, and Sakurai.
They wouldn't be in this basketball club next year; Yuuto decided to hand the team to Oyamada.
After fighting that tough battle against Teiko, Oyamada looked noticeably different than before.
"The basketball club is in your hands from now on."
"Yes, Captain!"
"What is next year's goal?"
"Break out of Tochigi and kill into the National Tournament!"
"And?"
"That's all, Captain."
"You motherf*cker, the defending champion's goal is only to enter the National Tournament? Can you have some ambition?"
Yuuto laughed in anger. They were the dignified defending champions, yet the goal was just to break into the National Tournament?
Oyamada was also a bit embarrassed. He scratched the back of his head and said, "Captain, although the Generation of Miracles are all advancing to high school next year, you and the seniors are also graduating."
He was very pragmatic.
Yuuto felt this guy was not bad; at least he recognized himself clearly.
With such a captain, Homi Academy would take every step steadily in the future, not plummeting into the Bronze tier.
Homi Academy had hope to become a basketball powerhouse in the future; at least within Tochigi Prefecture now, they were quite attractive to young people.
"Anyway, the team is yours now."
"Yes!"
Amidst fanaticism mixed with reluctance, Homi Academy sent away the greatest captain in the history of the basketball club.
Breaking the monopoly of Seikai Dai High Affiliated, leading the team into the National Tournament for three consecutive years.
Preventing Teiko from achieving a three-peat in the National Tournament, pulling the Super Teiko down from the throne in the final year.
Leading Homi Academy to win the first National Tournament championship for the team and the entire Tochigi Prefecture.
These were the achievements Yuuto accomplished in the past three years.
The basketball club activity ended.
Everyone had left.
At this time, Yuuto pushed the door open and walked in again.
Looking at this place where he had fought for three years, looking at the report of Teiko's two-peat he personally pasted up.
Yuuto walked over and tore the yellowed paper down with his own hands.
"Not going back yet? Captain!"
"I'm not the captain anymore. Also, Kuroko, reduce these scary pranks of yours; you'll scare people to death."
"But Captain, you don't look scared by me at all."
Kuroko sounded a bit regretful saying this.
In the past, Yuuto used to be easily scared by him.
"What about you? What plans do you have after this?"
"I will continue playing basketball! This time without the Generation of Miracles, and without the Lion of Okukozome."
Kuroko had decided to try something completely new after entering high school.
He didn't plan to team up with Yuuto, Aomine, or any of them again.
"That's good too. The road is under your feet. How to walk, which direction to walk, is your own choice."
Turning his head, he looked at Haizaki leaning against the door and asked, "Want to continue playing together?"
"Not playing. As expected, I really can't stand this boring life."
Even if I play, I won't play with you bastard.
Haizaki's wish was fulfilled.
He completed his revenge, and some time ago, he was found by Akashi for a 一one-on-one talk.
Towards Teiko, towards Akashi...
Haizaki let go; there was nothing worth his lingering.
There was another main reason he didn't say.
Through that game, he realized more profoundly that his talent really couldn't catch up with guys like Yuuto.
Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix.
Competing with guys who had higher talent than him and worked harder than him was too tiring.
"But... thanks, Yuuto. If not for you, I might never have gotten that apology in my life."
"Thank yourself. Compromising with your past self is also a form of growth."
Yuuto put his hands in his pockets and led them out of the arena.
"Let's go back. I'm going to eat ramen. Want to come together?"
"If you're treating, I'll come."
...
At the same time.
Similar things happened at Teiko on the other side.
Akashi didn't specifically call his teammates this time, but they all returned to the basketball club coincidentally.
"I regret not achieving the three-peat, but I was very happy playing with you all for these three years."
Akashi looked at the four teammates with distinct personalities in front of him, involuntarily recalling the time spent together in the past three years.
"If possible, I hope to play with you again."
"Huh? Forget it. Rather than being teammates with you guys, I want to crush you all more."
Aomine was the same as always.
His goal now was only one.
Crush Yuuto.
Of course, playing against these teammates of his would definitely be very interesting too.
"True. I don't want the limelight to be stolen by everyone all the time either." Kise chuckled.
He had already reached an agreement with Kaijo High School's Genta Takeuchi. The latter called him three times to persuade him.
After graduating from Teiko, he would go to Kanagawa to join Kaijo High School.
Midorima and Murasakibara didn't speak; one was acting cool there, the other was eating snacks non-stop.
They had all found their next stops.
"Is that so? It seems everyone has new destinations."
"Then... see you in high school..."
...
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