The Second Round Begins

"Hello, Coach. Your team put on an excellent performance in the last round. Are you confident you can keep that up this round?"

"Of course, we're very happy with the results we achieved last round. But this isn't the time to look back. Our focus is on the game ahead. As for the result, all I can say is that the kids from Teiko Junior High will give it everything they've got."

"Hello, Coach. Several of your first-year newcomers stood out in the last round, especially Ken Kaneki, who recorded the first 5×5 in the history of junior high basketball. What's your assessment of his performance?"

"Kaneki did an excellent job. He was always focused on helping the team win. He's a fine young man, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he does in the future."

"Coach, how do you feel about Daisuke Narumi of Shibuya First Junior High saying before the game that he'd finish it in three quarters?"

"Who?" Kōzō Shirogane asked, pretending to be confused.

"Daisuke Narumi of Shibuya First Junior High."

"I'm not sure what you mean. We're more focused on our next opponent. We'll take this game seriously, and that's all." Kōzō Shirogane glanced at his watch. "All right, everyone, that's the end of the interview. We need to head in and get ready to warm up."

"Who knew old man Shirogane would be so cool under pressure? He sure looks used to the spotlight." Daiki Aomine watched Kōzō Shirogane being interviewed nearby, his face full of curiosity.

"Coach has been at the helm of Teiko Junior High, one of Tokyo's top teams, for years. It's only natural he's used to interviews," Seijuro Akashi said with a smile.

"But that Narumi guy sure is full of himself," Atsushi Murasakibara muttered as he munched on chips.

"Don't eat before a game, Murasakibara," Shintaro Midorima reminded him, adjusting his glasses.

"What a pain, Midori-shin," Atsushi Murasakibara said, sounding annoyed.

"Time to warm up. Put the snacks away, Murasakibara." Ken Kaneki patted Atsushi Murasakibara on the back. "You don't want to throw up during the game."

"..." Atsushi Murasakibara reluctantly folded up the bag of chips and handed it to Ken Kaneki. "Ken-chan, remember to give them back after the game. This flavor's hard to find."

"Don't worry, I won't eat your chips." Ken Kaneki laughed at Atsushi Murasakibara's cautious expression. "If you can keep Daisuke Narumi from scoring today, I'll buy you ten bags of the exact same flavor. How's that, Murasakibara?"

"But you still owe me twenty bags, Ken-chan," Atsushi Murasakibara said hesitantly. "Keeping the other team scoreless sounds like a pain."

"You don't trust me, after all we've been through?" Ken Kaneki was beginning to realize that the usually airheaded Atsushi Murasakibara got sharp whenever food was involved. "Besides, Daisuke Narumi's been running his mouth. Coach must be furious. If you crush him, Coach might be so happy he treats us to yakiniku!"

"Come to think of it, even if taking him seriously is a pain, that kind of guy really is annoying." Atsushi Murasakibara rolled his neck, seeming tempted.

"All right, everyone, go get ready to warm up." Kōzō Shirogane returned from the interview, smiling warmly. "Our opponents have been talking big. If I end up losing face, you'll all run yourselves to death around the court."

"Yes, sir!" The Teiko First String players stared at Kōzō Shirogane's smiling face, felt a chill run down their spines, and hurriedly stood at attention as they answered in unison.

"!!!" Kazuhiko Yamanaka, captain of Shibuya First Junior High, stared at Ken Kaneki as if his eyes were about to pop out. His hand trembled as he pointed at him. "You little brat! So that's why I could never find you! This is all your fault! You made me look like a fool in front of Akina!"

"Senpai, I only said that Senpai Nakamori was paying attention to the Basketball Club. I never said she was paying attention to you." Ken Kaneki looked utterly harmless. "If all else fails, go back to Gotham. Batman said he wouldn't hit you anymore."

"Batman?" Kazuhiko Yamanaka was completely thrown by Ken Kaneki's words. Just then, Kotaro Hayama chimed in. "You bastard! I won't let you call our captain the Joker!"

"That was your idea. If you hadn't said it, maybe no one else would've thought of it." Ken Kaneki shook his head and turned to return to his side of the court to warm up, no longer interested in dealing with those two idiots.

"Heh. Captain, Hayama, what's the point of trading barbs with someone like him?" Daisuke Narumi stepped in front of Ken Kaneki, looking arrogant. "He's just a nobody who keeps his head down and hides from everyone. We'll finish them in three quarters."

"Your opponent today isn't me, Daisuke Narumi." Ken Kaneki stopped and looked toward Atsushi Murasakibara, who was warming up under the basket. "But you were right about one thing. Instead of saying the game will last three quarters, it's more fun to say it'll be over before then."

"Ken-kun's angry," Satsuki Momoi said, watching Ken Kaneki, whose expression remained unchanged.

"Huh? How can you tell, Momoi?" Daiki Aomine asked, baffled. "That guy always has the same poker face whenever he's on the court. I don't know how you can tell what he's feeling."

"It's something about his aura, A-Dai. Can't you feel it?" Satsuki Momoi smiled at Ken Kaneki. "Ken-kun's presence feels so oppressive, like the moment before a tsunami hits."

Daiki Aomine followed Satsuki Momoi's gaze. Under the arena's overhead lights, Ken Kaneki looked like a ferocious beast ready to devour anyone in its path. His aura was so intimidating it seemed to tear through the air, radiating from him in every direction.

"Kaneki's presence is incredible," Shintaro Midorima said, pausing his warm-up to look at Ken Kaneki.

"Presence? I'd say it's the anger of a king provoked by ants." Seijuro Akashi's expression was cold. "Even stupidity has its limits. They've gone too far in provoking Kaneki. Their defeat is already sealed."

"Akashi..." Shintaro Midorima looked at Seijuro Akashi, whose face was unusually cold, and felt a chill run down his spine. "This isn't like you at all..."

"Isn't it?" Seijuro Akashi's expression softened, returning to its usual gentle calm. "It doesn't matter. Warm up properly, Shintaro, and win this game as quickly as possible."

"Right, understood." Shintaro Midorima didn't press the matter and turned back to warming up.

"The second round of the Tokyo District Qualifiers: Teiko Junior High versus Shibuya First Junior High. The game begins now!"

As the announcement echoed through the arena, the starting players from both teams took the court.

"Let's have a good game!"

Once both teams had finished exchanging greetings, the two centers took their places at midcourt.

"Hey, hey. You're the one who said you'd finish the game in three quarters, right?" Atsushi Murasakibara lowered his eyes and looked down at Daisuke Narumi. "It's a pain, but I guess I shouldn't let Ken-chan get angry. You're not scoring a single point today."