Shohoku vs. Tsukitake

One day later.

The area in front of the Kanagawa Gymnasium was bustling with people, lively and extraordinary.

Students in high school uniforms of various colors moved through the crowd in groups of three and five.

Among them, one could also find many scattered small groups – these were members of the basketball clubs from various high schools.

Today was the match between Shohoku High School and Tsukitake High School for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Tsukitake, as a quarterfinalist in last year's Prefectural Tournament, was not to be underestimated.

Shohoku, on the other hand, was like a dark horse that had emerged out of nowhere, shining brilliantly on the court this year.

The clash between these two teams naturally attracted countless eyes, everyone wanting to use this match to gauge Shohoku's true strength.

The game had not even begun, but the spectator seats inside the gymnasium were already packed.

Reporters from various basketball publications had also arrived early, securing vantage points with excellent views. They held cameras and recording equipment in their hands, their eyes full of anticipation, just waiting for the game to start to capture those exciting moments.

Aida Yayoi, accompanied by her assistant Nakamura Taizo, also appeared at the scene.

They had been meticulously preparing for this match for two days.

Both Shohoku and Tsukitake were teams with significant reporting value.

Especially Shohoku, from their first game, they had crushed their opponents with an astonishing score exceeding 100 points in every match, advancing forcefully.

The team was filled with talent, including the extraordinary Qing Junce who had appeared out of nowhere, the Super Rookie Rukawa Kaede, the former Junior High MVP Mitsui Hisashi, Miyagi Ryota known for his "lightning speed," and the nationally ranked Center Akagi Takenori.

Aida Yayoi paid particular attention to the Shohoku team.

"Taizo, we need to take a lot of footage this time, try to capture every exciting moment from both sides, especially Qing Junce and Rukawa Kaede. These two are the focal points, we absolutely cannot miss them," Aida Yayoi said seriously, repeatedly instructing Nakamura Taizo beside her.

Nakamura Taizo quickly raised his camera and nodded repeatedly, replying, "Okay, Yayoi-nee, you can count on me!"

Aida Yayoi's gaze was sharp as she scanned the gymnasium in four directions.

Seeing this, she couldn't help but gasp slightly, the number of spectators present far exceeding her expectations. "I didn't expect so many people today; it seems this match is highly anticipated!" she muttered softly.

Before long, Aida Yayoi spotted many familiar faces in the crowd. "Those are Ryonan's players, and over there, Shoyo's Hanagata Toru and Fujima Kenji have also come. I really didn't expect them to be here in person to watch."

She spoke to herself while raising her camera, clicking away incessantly.

Just then, a figure caught Aida Yayoi's eye.

Seeing this person, her eyes widened instantly, her pupils constricted sharply, and she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. "That person is... Kainan's Maki Shinichi, he's actually here too. Is he here for Tsukitake, or for Shohoku?"

After a brief moment of shock, Aida Yayoi quickly regained her composure, her eyes shining even brighter.

It seemed that Shohoku's sudden rise had already touched the sensitive nerves of many strong teams.

She increased the frequency of her shooting, aiming her lens at these famous figures in Kanagawa's high school basketball scene, trying to record this special moment.

Time passed quietly.

The audience, in their anticipation, gradually became restless, and the atmosphere in the venue became somewhat dull, everyone eager for the game to start quickly.

Clang...

Clang...

Two dull sounds broke the slightly somber waiting atmosphere in the stadium.

Everyone looked towards the sound, and saw the iron gates at the player entrances on both sides of the stadium slowly opening.

Stomp... stomp... stomp...

Stomp... stomp... stomp...

A series of light yet rhythmic footsteps echoed from the depths of the passageway.

Before long, the players from Shohoku and Tsukitake emerged from the passageway one after another, entering everyone's sight.

Boom...

In an instant, the previously quiet audience erupted.

Cheers and shouts surged like a powerful tide, wave after wave, sweeping through the entire stadium.

"Look, they're out."

"It's Godai, I heard his three-pointers are incredibly accurate."

"Shohoku's Rukawa Kaede is so handsome!"

"Wow! That Shohoku #9 is even more handsome."

"Is that Shohoku #9? I heard his skill is even stronger than Rukawa Kaede's, is it true?"

"Tsukitake... Go... Tsukitake... Go... Tsukitake... Go..."

In a corner of the stands, a large group of boys and girls in Tsukitake's school uniforms were seated in an orderly fashion; they were Tsukitake's students and cheerleaders.

On the wall below their seats, a banner reading "Tsukitake Must Win" hung high, white background with black characters, exceptionally conspicuous, fully displaying their cheering spirit.

On Shohoku's side, although their numbers were far fewer than Tsukitake's, three cheerleaders in super short white skirts were particularly eye-catching.

Their legs were lifted high, the flower balls in their hands flying up and down, and they chanted "Rukawa Kaede" in unison, their enthusiasm undiminished.

On the wall beneath the three cheerleaders, a banner hung, reading "Rukawa Fan Club," exuding a fervent energy. In terms of scale, it was by no means inferior to Tsukitake's side.

If Tsukitake's side was a force of overwhelming numbers, then Shohoku's side was all about overwhelming quality.

The two completely different ways of cheering created an incredibly passionate atmosphere at the venue.

At this moment, on the court.

Both teams appeared exceptionally calm, meticulously warming up in their respective halves.

Qing Junce cupped a basketball in his hands and slowly walked towards his own basket.

Kogure Kiminobu happened to pass by and, seeing Qing Junce, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He couldn't help but tease, "It's rare for you not to be late today!"

Bang...

Bang...

Bang...

Qing Junce bounced the ball rhythmically and said without looking back, "I'm playing in today's game."

As soon as he finished speaking, he planted his feet firmly. Without even jumping, he raised the basketball in place, aimed slightly, and with a gentle flick of his wrist, shot the ball.

The basketball traced a somewhat strange and ungraceful arc through the air. Yet, as if enchanted, the arc flew with incredible precision towards the hoop, finally swishing through the net with a clean, crisp sound.

Hearing Qing Junce's words, Kogure Kiminobu, though filled with curiosity, couldn't help but jest, "Oh, really! Is there a reason for that?"

Qing Junce didn't respond, continuing to focus on his shooting.

His unique shooting form quickly attracted the attention of many in the stands.

Maki Shinichi stared intently at Qing Junce, his eyes narrowed slightly, a hard-to-read glint flashing in his deep gaze as he pondered something.

On the other side, Fujima Kenji watched Qing Junce shooting below and turned to ask Hanagata Toru beside him, "Is that Shohoku #9 you mentioned earlier?"

Hanagata Toru nodded slightly, confirming, "That's right. His strength shouldn't be underestimated. It's just that the opponents Shohoku has faced so far have been relatively weak. I wonder how he'll perform against Tsukitake today."

Fujima Kenji looked at Qing Junce shooting below and commented, "His shooting method is very peculiar. His form isn't standard, but he makes every shot."

Hanagata Toru frowned slightly and agreed, "Yes, I noticed that too. It might just be his personal unique habit!"

Fujima Kenji pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Perhaps."

For some reason, from Qing Junce's shooting motion, he felt an indescribable sense of strangeness.

This feeling was subtle, making one feel uneasy.

Many people had similar thoughts, but they all dismissed it as Qing Junce's personal shooting habit and didn't pay it much mind.

However, there was one person who didn't think so, and that was Maki Shinichi.

He had participated in numerous national tournaments and seen all sorts of players, each with their own unique skills and techniques.

Qing Junce's shooting method might indeed be a personal habit, but being able to make every shot was by no means explainable by a simple habit.

Just then, the stadium's broadcast suddenly announced, "Next, the game between Tsukitake and Shohoku will begin shortly."

Upon hearing the announcement, the entire stadium erupted in thunderous cheers, as if to shake the roof off.

Everyone was eager for the game to start.

The players on both sides encouraged each other and walked onto the court, full of fighting spirit.

Meanwhile, Sakuragi Hanamichi sat on the bench with a sullen expression, his eyes wide with fury, gnashing his teeth, and staring intently at Qing Junce's back. He cursed inwardly, "Damn you, Godless ghost, for stealing my genius starting position. You're making me furious."

On the court, the players from both sides took their positions.

Before the referee could blow the opening whistle, Nangou Koichiro of Tsukitake suddenly stepped forward, pointed at Qing Junce, and shouted loudly, "Qing Junce, I will definitely defeat you today and win the heart of the beauty."

At these words, the players on both sides looked bewildered, exchanging confused glances.

Do these two know each other?

And who is this beauty?

What's going on?

Qing Junce coldly glanced at Nangou Koichiro and ignored him.

In Qing Junce's eyes, this was nothing more than a clown, not worth wasting energy on.

But Nangou Koichiro was relentless, continuing to babble on, "Just you wait! I'll crush you and all of Shohoku under my feet. Watch me show off today!"

With that, he threw his head back and laughed, hands on his hips, looking utterly triumphant.

The Shohoku players all had dark expressions, glaring at him unhappily.

The Tsukitake players stood by helplessly, looking embarrassed.

The referee, speechless, sternly warned, "Hurry up and get to the center circle, or you'll be penalized."

Under the referee's deterrence, Nangou Koichiro obediently returned to the center circle and took his position.

Shohoku's starting lineup for this game is:

Center, Akagi Takenori, #4, third-year student. (Captain)

Shooting Guard, Mitsui Hisashi, #14, third-year student.

Point Guard, Miyagi Ryota, #7, second-year student.

Small Forward, Rukawa Kaede, #11, first-year student.

Power Forward, Qing Junce, #9, first-year student.

Tsukitake's starting lineup for this match:

Center, Nangou Koichiro, #15, first-year student.

Shooting Guard, Godai Tomokazu, #4, third-year student. (Captain)

Point Guard, Natsume Hiroshi, #7, third-year student.

Small Forward, Izumi Takashi, #5, third-year student.

Power Forward, Mine Kenta, #8, third-year student.

Beep...

A whistle echoed throughout the arena.

The referee raised his arm high and tossed the basketball in his hand forcefully into the air above the center of both teams.

The match between Shohoku and Tsukitake officially began.