A Match of High Concern

Kanagawa Gymnasium.

Inside the venue for the Group B finals.

A noisy crowd surged like a tide.

As the start of the game drew nearer, the audience's anticipation grew, excitement and tension evident on every face.

The stands were almost full, with members from various high school basketball teams gathered. This clearly showed the high level of attention on this match.

After all, the winner of this game would become the opponent of the reigning champions, Kainan, in the next round.

Just as everyone was eagerly awaiting the start.

Suddenly, the two teams emerged from the tunnel above the stadium.

Sharp-eyed spectators immediately recognized them.

"It's Ryonan and Kainan."

"They're here to watch this game too."

"Of course, the winner of this match is Kainan's next opponent, unless Kainan loses this game."

"How is that possible!"

At the very top of the spectator stands.

The Ryonan team and the Kainan team met unexpectedly at the tunnel entrance. Both groups stopped, facing each other across the distance.

At that moment, no one spoke. It was as if their gazes conveyed everything silently.

Then, both teams simultaneously unleashed an invisible, powerful aura, pressing towards the other like surging waves.

These two auras clashed fiercely in mid-air. The surrounding spectators keenly felt the unusual shift in atmosphere. The previously noisy area instantly became oppressive, and the air seemed to freeze.

However, this oppressive atmosphere arrived as quickly as it disappeared.

Finally, the players from both teams withdrew their gazes and, as if nothing had happened, brushed past each other.

The members of Ryonan and Kainan took their respective seats.

Their main purpose for coming was to watch the match between Shohoku and Shoyo.

Meanwhile, in another venue, the Group D match was underway, with Murisato facing Okitama.

The reason neither team chose to watch the Murisato versus Okitama game was quite simple.

In the eyes of Ryonan and Kainan, the strength of these two teams was not enough to warrant their attention. They tacitly chose to ignore this match.

Although it might seem a bit impolite, that was indeed the case.

In their minds, these two teams from Group D had already been excluded from their scope of concern.

It's worth noting that Ryonan's Coach Taoka Moichi and Kainan's Coach Takato Riki were also present.

The two stern-faced middle-aged men sat in their respective seats, one with his arms crossed, the other holding a fan, both quietly waiting for the game to begin.

Clang...

Clang...

Amidst the noisy stadium, the sound of two iron gates being slowly pushed open was exceptionally clear, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Everyone turned their gaze towards the source of the sound.

Shohoku and Shoyo players emerged, their steps steady and expressions focused, filing out from the player tunnel.

"Wow! It's Shohoku, they're out."

"Look, the one in front is Akagi, one of Kanagawa's strongest centers."

"That cool guy is Rukawa Kaede, known as the Super Rookie."

"It's Mitsui Hisashi. In junior high, he was from my school."

"That short guy must be Miyagi Ryota!"

"That red-haired guy, I remember him. He's the one who always gets fouled out."

Due to Shohoku's sudden rise, many had become their supporters and were familiar with the information about each of their players.

The reason they paid so much attention to Shohoku was because of one person: Qing Junce.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they came here today just to watch Qing Junce play.

Next, Qing Junce finally stepped out from the tunnel, catching everyone's eye.

Boom...

In an instant, the entire stadium erupted as if a bombshell had been dropped, boiling over with frenzied cheers.

"Look, he's out, it's Qing Junce."

"Ah... he's finally here, my idol."

"I came today specifically to watch him play."

"I wonder how many points he'll score today?"

"The last time I saw his skills, I couldn't stop thinking about it. Today, I can finally feast my eyes."

The spectators were like fervent devotees, shouting Qing Junce's name at the top of their lungs. The rising and falling cries of their cheers were subtly starting to drown out the synchronized shouts of the Shoyo cheerleaders.

Members of other high school basketball teams who came to watch were also awestruck by the fervent, almost frenzied atmosphere.

They couldn't help but marvel at the popularity Qing Junce commanded.

The players from both Ryonan and Kainan also turned their gazes towards the figure emerging from the player tunnel, as if by unspoken agreement.

Qing Junce still had that listless look, his eyes half-open, as if he hadn't fully woken up from his sleep, his gaze slightly unfocused.

However, upon closer inspection, one could see a sharp, blade-like glint hidden within that blurriness.

Coaches Taoka Moichi and Takato Riki also turned their attention to Qing Junce, beginning to scrutinize the highly anticipated player.

Yet, their thoughts at this moment were vastly different.

Taoka Moichi: How much more strength are you hiding?

Takato Riki: Is this the kid that even Maki Shinichi is wary of?

On the other side.

The Shoyo players emerged from the tunnel in an orderly fashion, one by one, presenting themselves to the crowd.

Following Shohoku, the stadium erupted once again in fervent shouts and cheers, the roar of the crowd no less intense than when Shohoku had been welcomed.

"It's Shoyo, Shoyo's here."

"Wow! They look so imposing."

"It's Fujima and Hanagata. Fujima's so cool! Hanagata's not bad either."

"Their team is full of tall, strong guys."

"Their opponent is Shohoku, this is going to be good."

The players from both teams returned to their respective benches.

Soon, both teams began their warm-ups.

Time ticked by in this atmosphere.

Beep...

After an unknown amount of time, the referee suddenly blew his whistle, announcing loudly, "Last three minutes."

At this point, only three minutes remained before the game officially began.

On the Shohoku bench, Anzai Mitsuyoshi gathered all the players, preparing to give his pre-game talk.

Shimizu Kanon and Ayako stood quietly on either side of him.

Coach Anzai slowly scanned the players, his gaze steady and firm, before slowly starting to speak, "Today's opponent is not to be underestimated."

The Shohoku players were well aware of this, and every one of them wore a serious expression, their eyes revealing a hint of gravity.

However, only Qing Junce maintained his usual nonchalant demeanor, as if the pressure of this game was insignificant to him.

Anzai Mitsuyoshi continued, "I will now announce the starting lineup for this game. Akagi, Mitsui, Rukawa Kaede, Miyagi, and then..."

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across each Shohoku player's face, before finally saying, "And Sakuragi. The five of you will start."

Upon hearing his name, Sakuragi Hanamichi jolted, completely stunned.

He had absolutely not expected to be chosen as a starter for the game.

It wasn't just Sakuragi Hanamichi who was surprised; the surrounding teammates also wore expressions of confusion.

After all, considering their strength and past performances, if a starter were to be chosen, Qing Junce would undoubtedly be the most suitable candidate.

But why had Coach Anzai chosen Sakuragi Hanamichi to start this time?

Anzai Mitsuyoshi offered no explanation for this question.

Although the players were curious, they dared not ask.

Anzai Mitsuyoshi turned his head towards Qing Junce and said, "Qing Junce, you'll be resting for now, is that alright?"

Qing Junce didn't seem to care much about it. He shrugged indifferently and said, "I don't mind."

Shoyo's bench.

Fujima Kenji slowly took off his jacket and bent down to tie his shoelaces with focus and composure, his every movement revealing his readiness to play.

"Fujima, are you starting?" Hanagata Toru asked softly, his brow slightly furrowed.

Fujima Kenji nodded gently, his gaze firm as he said, "That's right! After all, Shohoku isn't an easy opponent, so we can't afford to be careless. And..."

As he spoke, he slowly stood up from his seat, straightening his back. His eyes sparkled with unwavering determination, as if burning with passionate fighting spirit. "This is our last year of high school, and our last chance. We absolutely cannot lose."

Fujima Kenji's words seemed to possess an invisible power, instantly igniting the fighting spirit of every Shoyo player present.

A resolute flame ignited in their eyes, and a powerful aura surged within them.

Immediately after, they responded in unison, "Yes..."