The news of Sakuragi's dunk on the Captain spread through Shohoku High like wildfire. But while Hanamichi was busy basking in his self-proclaimed genius status, a cold breeze seemed to enter the gym.
A tall boy with jet-black hair and an indifferent expression walked in. He didn't look at anyone. He just picked up a ball and, with a motion as smooth as silk, drained a three-pointer.
"Rukawa-kun! You're so cool!" a group of girls screamed from the entrance.
Sakuragi's face turned bright red, matching his hair. "Who is this flashy brat?"
[System Warning: Main Rival Detected!]
[Name: Kaede Rukawa]
[Title: The Super Rookie]
[Potential: S-Rank]
[New Quest: Eyes on Me!]
[Objective: Outshine Rukawa during the first team practice.]
[Reward: 100 System Points & Skill: 'Lightning Steal'.]
Haruko, who was standing nearby, had stars in her eyes as she watched Rukawa. "Rukawa-kun is amazing... he's been the best player since junior high."
Sakuragi felt a sharp pang in his chest. The System is right. This guy is a problem. He walked up to Rukawa, blocking his path to the hoop. "Hey, Fox-face. Don't think you're the star here. I'm the genius Hanamichi Sakuragi, and this is my team now."
Rukawa stopped, looked Sakuragi up and down with bored eyes, and uttered a single word: "Do'aho (Moron)."
The gym went dead silent. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. The genius with the System versus the natural-born prodigy. The real battle for Shohoku was just beginning