Seiyo Middle School.
Outside the Basketball Gym.
Akashi stared in surprise at the figure who had just stepped out of the gym.
The boy before him was taller than the average middle schooler, with relaxed shoulders and a lazy, friendly smile. His most striking feature was his iconic broom-like hairstyle—casual, unrestrained, and unmistakable.
That appearance instantly overlapped with a familiar figure from Akashi's memories.
Sendoh Akira.
Akashi hadn't expected to meet Sendoh here.
In the original Slam Dunk, Sendoh's middle school background was never mentioned. Online discussions often speculated that he studied in Tokyo during middle school.
Now it seemed those guesses were correct.
What surprised Akashi even more was that Sendoh attended an aristocratic middle school.
With that in mind, his carefree habit of skipping class to go fishing suddenly made sense—
his family background was clearly not ordinary.
Sendoh was the first to speak, waving casually.
"Hey. I'm Sendoh Akira. I'm part of the Basketball Club too. Welcome."
Akashi smiled faintly.
"Akashi Seijuro. I'll be in your care."
After filling out the application form, Akashi handed it over.
Kirihara Hayato glanced down—and froze.
His pupils shrank slightly.
Elementary School Boys' Basketball League Champion — Three Consecutive Years.
Even if it was an elementary competition, three consecutive national championships were not something that could be brushed aside.
"That's… impressive," Kirihara said honestly.
Akashi replied calmly, "Just luck."
Sendoh glanced at the form as well and chuckled.
"That's not something luck alone can do. Especially not three times in a row."
Kirihara muttered under his breath,
"…Looks like we picked up a real treasure."
With those credentials, Akashi's registration went smoothly.
After a brief explanation, Akashi learned that the basketball club currently had ten members, including himself.
Kirihara Hayato was the captain—a third-year student.
The coach was a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. His temperament was calm and refined, more like a scholar than a typical coach.
"Gather!"
Inside the gym, all members lined up neatly.
Kirihara stepped forward, his tone serious.
"Before training begins, let's introduce our new member."
He gestured toward Akashi.
"Akashi, step forward."
Akashi moved out of the line and spoke calmly.
"Hello. My name is Akashi Seijuro.
I'm 177 centimeters tall, weigh 65 kilograms, and my preferred position is point guard."
Kirihara nodded.
"Alright. Everyone else, introduce yourselves."
The players spoke one after another.
"Kobayashi Koichi. Center."
"Yamamoto Ryu. Shooting guard."
"Ito Hiroki. Point guard."
Then Sendoh smiled lazily.
"We've already met. I play small forward."
These were the regular players.
The substitutes followed, introducing themselves briefly.
Finally, Kirihara spoke again.
"My name is Kirihara Hayato. Team captain. Power forward."
He paused, then added deliberately:
"Don't underestimate Akashi. He won three consecutive national championships in elementary school."
The gym fell silent.
Every player—except Sendoh—looked at Akashi in shock.
Three consecutive championships.
Even at the elementary level, such an achievement was more than enough to stand out.
Unconsciously, several gazes shifted toward Sendoh.
After all, his application form last year also mentioned a championship.
Comparisons were inevitable.
At that moment, footsteps sounded at the gym entrance.
"Coach!"
Kirihara greeted the newcomer immediately.
The man nodded, scanning the room before his gaze settled on Akashi.
"A new member?"
"Yes. Akashi Seijuro. This is his information."
The coach took the form, brows lifting slightly.
"Oh? Three consecutive championships…"
He looked at Akashi with interest.
"I'm Nakamura Mitsuba, the basketball club's coach.
Since your profile suggests strong open-play ability, let's settle this with a practice match. What do you say?"
Akashi nodded without hesitation.
"No problem."
Soon, under the coach's arrangement, the ten players were split evenly.
White Team — Regular Players
PF — No.4 Kirihara Hayato (3rd Year, Captain)
SF — No.6 Sendoh Akira (2nd Year)
C — No.5 Kobayashi Koichi (3rd Year)
SG — No.7 Yamamoto Ryu (2nd Year)
PG — No.10 Ito Hiroki (2nd Year)
Red Team — Substitutes
PG — Akashi Seijuro (1st Year)
Remaining substitute players
After changing into practice jerseys, both teams took their positions.
The atmosphere tightened.
Beep—
The whistle sounded.
The practice match began.
The ball rose into the air between the two centers.
As expected, the White Team took possession.
Kobayashi Koichi used his height advantage, tipping the ball cleanly.
It landed in Sendoh's hands.
No unnecessary movements.
Sendoh merely scanned the court once—then accelerated.
The substitute small forward assigned to guard him was overwhelmed instantly.
He couldn't slow Sendoh down.
Not even for a second.
Sendoh broke through effortlessly, cutting straight toward the basket.
Without hesitation, he leapt and finished smoothly.
Swish.
White Team — 2
Red Team — 0
Cheers and murmurs erupted.
"So fast… Sendoh's even stronger than last year!"
"How do you even defend that?!"
"We're done for…"
Only Akashi remained calm.
To him, Sendoh's play was impressive—but far from surprising.
Possession changed.
Red Team ball.