Highly Anticipated Match

Kanagawa Gymnasium.

Inside the venue for the Group B final.

The noisy voices surged endlessly like waves.

As the start of the game drew closer, the spectators' anticipation continued to rise. Excitement and tension filled every face.

The stands were almost completely full. Members of basketball teams from various high schools had gathered here, which alone showed how much attention this game had attracted.

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

Just as everyone waited eagerly.

Suddenly, two teams emerged from the passageway above the gymnasium.

The sharp-eyed spectators immediately recognized them.

"It's Ryonan and Kainan."

"They came to watch this game too."

"Of course they did. The winner of this game will be King Kainan's next opponent—unless Kainan loses."

"How could that happen?"

At the very top of the stands.

Ryonan and Kainan unexpectedly met at the passageway. Both teams stopped and stared at each other from a distance.

At that moment, not a single person on either side spoke, as if their gazes had already conveyed everything without words.

Immediately afterward, both teams released a powerful, invisible aura that pressed toward the other side like a raging tide.

The two auras collided fiercely in midair. The surrounding spectators keenly sensed the unusual change in atmosphere. The area that had been noisy a moment ago instantly became oppressive, and even the air seemed to freeze.

However, the oppressive atmosphere came quickly and vanished just as quickly.

In the end, the players on both sides withdrew their gazes and brushed past each other as if nothing had happened.

The people from Ryonan and Kainan each took their seats.

Their main purpose in coming was to watch the game between Shohoku and Shoyo.

Meanwhile, the game being held at the other venue was the Group D match between Murisato and Okitama.

As for why neither team had chosen to watch the game between Murisato and Okitama, the reason was actually very simple.

In the eyes of Ryonan and Kainan, those two teams were not strong enough to warrant their attention. Both sides tacitly chose to ignore the game.

Although that was somewhat impolite, it was indeed the truth.

In their minds, the two Group D teams had already been excluded from consideration.

It was worth mentioning that Ryonan's coach, Taoka Moichi, and Kainan's coach, Takato Riki, had also personally come to the venue.

The two stern-faced middle-aged men sat in their respective seats. One had his arms folded across his chest, while the other held a fan. Both quietly waited for the game to begin.

Clang...

Clang...

Amid the noisy gymnasium, the sound of two iron doors slowly being pushed open was exceptionally clear, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Everyone turned toward the source of the sound.

The Shohoku and Shoyo players emerged in orderly succession from the players' tunnel, their steps steady and their expressions focused.

"Whoa! It's Shohoku. They're coming out."

"Look, the one leading them is Akagi, one of the strongest centers in Kanagawa."

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

"That's Mitsui Hisashi. We went to the same middle school."

"That short guy is Miyagi Ryota, right?"

"The red-haired one—I remember him. He's the guy who often fouls out with five fouls."

With Shohoku's sudden rise, many people had already become Shohoku supporters, and they knew the backgrounds of every Shohoku player.

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

It was no exaggeration to say that they had come here today specifically to watch Qing Junce play.

Then Qing Junce finally stepped out of the tunnel and appeared before everyone's eyes.

Boom...

In an instant, the entire gymnasium seemed to have been hit by a massive bomb. It erupted and descended into a frenzy of shouting.

"Look! He's out! It's Qing Junce!"

"Ah... he's finally out. My idol."

"I came here today just to watch him play."

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

"After seeing his skills last time, I couldn't stop thinking about him when I went home. I can finally feast my eyes again today."

The spectators shouted Qing Junce's name with the fervor of devout believers, their cries rising and falling in waves. They even seemed poised to drown out the unified chants of Shoyo's cheer squad.

The members of the other high school basketball teams who had come to watch were also shaken by the passionate, almost frenzied atmosphere.

They could not help marveling at the popularity Qing Junce commanded.

The players from Ryonan and Kainan also focused their gazes, almost in unison, on the figure emerging from the players' tunnel.

Qing Junce still looked listless, his eyes half-open as if he had yet to fully awaken from a dream. His gaze appeared somewhat murky.

Yet a closer look revealed a sharp glint within that murkiness, flashing like a blade.

Taoka Moichi and Takato Riki also turned their gazes toward Qing Junce and began carefully sizing up this highly anticipated player.

However, their thoughts at that moment were entirely different.

Taoka Moichi: How much strength are you still hiding?

Takato Riki: Is this the kid who even makes Maki Shinichi wary?

Elsewhere.

The Shoyo players emerged from the tunnel in orderly fashion, appearing one after another before the crowd.

After Shohoku, another wave of enthusiastic cheers and shouts erupted throughout the gymnasium. Its volume was in no way inferior to the welcome Shohoku had received.

"It's Shoyo! Shoyo's coming out."

"Whoa! They look so imposing."

"It's Fujima and Hanagata. Fujima is so handsome! Hanagata isn't bad either."

"Every one of them is so tall and sturdy."

"Their opponent is Shohoku. This is going to be a great game."

The players from both teams returned to their respective benches.

Soon, the players on both sides began warming up.

Time passed second by second amid this atmosphere.

Tweet...

No one knew how much time had passed when the referee suddenly blew his whistle and announced loudly, "Three minutes remaining."

Only three minutes remained before the official start of the game.

At the Shohoku bench, Anzai Mitsuyoshi gathered all the players together to give them a pregame speech.

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

Coach Anzai first slowly swept his gaze across the players, his eyes calm and resolute. Then he slowly began, "Today's opponent is not to be underestimated."

The Shohoku players all understood that perfectly. Serious expressions appeared on their faces, and a trace of solemnity showed in their eyes.

Yet Qing Junce alone still maintained his calm expression, as if the pressure of this game meant nothing to him.

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

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across every Shohoku player's face. Finally, he said, "And Sakuragi. The five of you will start."

When he heard his name, Sakuragi Hanamichi's entire body jolted. He stood there dumbfounded.

He had never expected to be chosen as a starter.

Sakuragi Hanamichi was not the only one surprised. The players around him were also filled with confusion.

After all, judging by ability and past performance, Qing Junce was undoubtedly the most suitable choice for the starting lineup.

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

Anzai Mitsuyoshi offered no explanation.

Although the players were curious, none of them dared ask rashly.

Anzai Mitsuyoshi turned his head toward Qing Junce and said, "Qing Junce, sit this one out for now. Is that all right?"

Qing Junce did not care much. He shrugged indifferently and said, "I don't mind."

Shoyo's bench.

Fujima Kenji slowly took off his jacket, bent down, and carefully tied his shoelaces. Every movement revealed his focus and composure before taking the court.

"Fujima, are you going out from the start?" Hanagata Toru asked softly, his brows slightly furrowed.

Fujima Kenji nodded lightly and said with a determined gaze, "Of course. Shohoku isn't easy to deal with, so we can't afford to be careless. Besides..."

As he spoke, he slowly rose from his seat and straightened his back. A resolute light flashed in his eyes, as if a blazing fighting spirit burned within them. "This is our final year of high school, and our last chance. We absolutely cannot lose."

Fujima Kenji's words seemed to possess an invisible power, instantly infecting every Shoyo player present.

Determination ignited in their eyes, and a powerful aura rose within them.

Then they answered in unison, "Yes..."