June 22, 8:00 a.m.
A slightly old but well-maintained bus sped steadily toward Kanagawa Gymnasium.
Inside sat the members of the Shohoku basketball team, on their way to compete that day.
Yet at that moment, everyone wore an indescribably strange expression. Helplessness, nervousness, worry, and bewilderment were all tangled together.
The oppressive atmosphere inside the bus was like an invisible net, making it hard to breathe.
"That bastard... He's late again... Ah..." Akagi Takenori's eyes blazed with fury. His teeth ground together, and his whole body seemed shrouded in a layer of visible black smoke. Veins bulged on his forehead. Up close, they were still visibly throbbing and writhing.
The Shohoku players sat as silent as frightened birds, hiding in the corners and not daring to make a sound.
Yasuda Yasuharu trembled uncontrollably and muttered, "Captain Akagi seems especially angry today!"
Shiosaki Satoshi nervously swallowed and whispered in agreement, "Qing Junce was late before too, but I've never seen Captain Akagi this angry!"
Kogure Kiminobu's mouth twitched, his face full of helplessness. "There's a reason for that. Today's opponent is Kainan. As long as we beat Kainan, we can enter the National Tournament. That's been Captain Akagi's dream all along. Being late for such an important game—of course he'd be furious."
Seeing the situation, Sakuragi Hanamichi decided he had finally found a chance to kick Qing Junce while he was down. He hurried over to Akagi Takenori and burst out laughing. "Hahahaha... Ouch! Gorilla, it's fine! It doesn't matter even if that 'Godless ghost' isn't here. With this genius, Sakuragi Hanamichi, around, we'll be fine! Put me in, and I'll beat Kainan until they're completely crushed!"
Bang...
Akagi Takenori did not even spare the idiot a glance. He slammed a heavy fist into Sakuragi Hanamichi's head.
Sakuragi Hanamichi instantly toppled