Second Round Begins

"Hello, Coach Platinum. Your team achieved outstanding results in the last round. Do you have confidence in continuing this success in the current round?"

"Regarding the last round's game, we are very happy to have achieved excellent results. However, now is not the time to look back at past achievements. Our current focus is on the current game. As for the outcome, we can only say that the children of Teiko Junior High will give their all."

"Hello, Coach Platinum. In the last game, several first-year rookies performed exceptionally well, especially Ken Kaneki, who achieved the first-ever 5x5 stat line in junior high history. How would you evaluate Ken Kaneki's performance in this game?"

"Kaneki's performance was outstanding. He was dedicated to helping the team win on the court. He's a very good kid, and I'm looking forward to his future performances."

"Coach Platinum, what are your thoughts on Daisuke Narumi from Shibuya First Junior High's pre-game statement about ending the game within three quarters?"

"Who?" Kōzō Shirogane feigned ignorance.

"Daisuke Narumi from Shibuya First Junior High."

"I'm not very familiar with him. Actually, we are more focused on our next opponent. We will take this game seriously, and that's all there is to it." Kōzō Shirogane glanced at his watch. "Alright, reporters, the interview time is over. We need to go in and prepare for warm-ups."

"I didn't expect that old man Platinum to be so calm and composed. He seems quite accustomed to big stages," Daiki Aomine said, looking curiously at Kōzō Shirogane, who was being interviewed not far away.

"The coach has been the head coach of Tokyo's powerhouse Teiko Junior High for many years, so it's normal for him to be used to interviews," Seijuro Akashi said with a smile.

"But that Narumi guy is indeed quite clueless," Atsushi Murasakibara mumbled while eating potato chips.

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

"This is so troublesome, Shin-chan," Atsushi Murasakibara said with some impatience.

"We need to warm up, put down the snacks, Murasakibara," Ken Kaneki patted Atsushi Murasakibara's back. "It would be bad if you threw up during the game."

"." Atsushi Murasakibara unhappily re-sealed his bag of chips and handed it to Ken Kaneki. "Ken-chan, remember to give them back to me after the game. This flavor is hard to find."

"Don't worry, I won't eat your chips," Ken Kaneki chuckled at Atsushi Murasakibara's cautious expression. "If you can shut out Daisuke Narumi today, I'll buy you ten bags of the exact same flavor, how about it, Murasakibara?"

"But you still owe me 20 bags of chips, Ken-chan," Atsushi Murasakibara hesitated. "Shutting out the opponent is quite troublesome."

"With our relationship, can't you trust me?" Ken Kaneki realized that as long as it involved food, the naturally airheaded Atsushi Murasakibara started to think. "Besides, Narumi Daisuke spoke so arrogantly. The coach must be very angry. If you crush him, the coach might treat us to yakiniku!"

"Come to think of it, although it's troublesome to get serious, that kind of person is indeed annoying," Atsushi Murasakibara briefly stretched his neck, showing signs of interest.

"Alright, everyone go prepare for warm-ups," Kōzō Shirogane said with a smile as he walked over after finishing the interview. "The opponent has made threats against us. If I lose face, you'll all have to run laps around the court until you drop."

"Yes!" The First String of Teiko Junior High stood at attention, their hearts tightening as they looked at the smiling Kōzō Shirogane, and replied in unison.

"!!!" Kazuhiko Yamanaka, the captain of Shibuya First Junior High, stared at Ken Kaneki, his eyeballs about to pop out. His hand trembled like he had Parkinson's as he pointed at Ken Kaneki. "You brat, no wonder I couldn't find you! It's all your fault! You made me lose so much face in front of Akina!"

"Senpai, I only said that Senpai Nakamori was paying attention to the Basketball Club, I didn't say she was paying attention to you," Ken Kaneki said with a harmless expression. "If that doesn't work, you can go back to Gotham. Batman said he won't hit you anymore."

"What Batman?" Kazuhiko Yamanaka was a bit confused by Ken Kaneki's words. Just then, Kotaro Hayama chimed in, "You bastard, I won't allow you to call our captain a clown!"

"You said it yourself. If you hadn't said it, perhaps everyone wouldn't have reacted," Ken Kaneki shook his head and turned to return to his half of the court for warm-ups, no longer intending to deal with these two idiots.

"Heh heh, Captain, Senpai Hayama, what's the point of engaging in this war of words with someone like him?" Daisuke Narumi approached Ken Kaneki with an arrogant expression. "He's just a nobody hiding in the shadows, afraid to show his face. We'll finish them within three quarters."

"Your opponent today isn't me, Daisuke Narumi," Ken Kaneki stopped and looked at Atsushi Murasakibara, who was warming up under the basket. "However, you're right about one thing. Today's game will end in less than three quarters, making it even more interesting."

"Ken-kun is angry," Satsuki Momoi said, observing Ken Kaneki, who appeared calm on the court.

"Huh? Momo, how can you tell?" Daiki Aomine said speechlessly. "This guy always has a poker face when he's on the court. It's really hard for you to tell how he's feeling."

"It's the aura, A-Dai, don't you feel it?" Satsuki Momoi smiled as she looked at Ken Kaneki. "Ken-kun's current aura is like the sense of oppression before a tsunami hits."

Daiki Aomine followed Satsuki Momoi's gaze. Ken Kaneki's figure, cast under the stadium lights, seemed like a ferocious beast ready to devour anyone, exuding an aura that warned others to stay away, almost like a tangible force tearing through space.

"Kaneki's aura is incredibly striking," Shintaro Midorima said, pausing his warm-ups to look at Ken Kaneki.

"Aura? Rather... it's the anger of a king provoked by ants," Seijuro Akashi said with a cold expression. "Even foolishness has its limits. Provoking Kenki to this extent has already sealed their fate of defeat."

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

"Is it?" Seijuro Akashi's expression returned to its usual gentle demeanor. "None of that matters. Warm up properly, Shintaro, and win this game as quickly as possible."

"Yes, I understand," Shintaro Midorima didn't probe further and turned back to continue his warm-ups.

"Tokyo District Qualifiers Round Two, Teiko Junior High versus Shibuya First Junior High, begins now!"

As the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium, the starting players from both teams officially took the court.

"Please guide us!"

After both teams finished their salutes, the centers from both sides stood at the center line.

"Hey, hey, did you say the game would end in three quarters?" Atsushi Murasakibara lowered his eyes, looking down at Daisuke Narumi. "Although it's troublesome, I don't want to make Ken-chan angry. You won't score a single point today."