Ryonan Battle (1)

On the court, the two teams met for the first time.

"Sendoh-senpai, I'm a fan of yours. Let's put on a great game together!"

Wu Yufei took the initiative to approach Sendoh Akira, a character who had only been a supporting role in the original story but was no less popular than the protagonist.

Gentle in personality and highly skilled, he might not have had the same drive to win as A Maki or Rukawa Kaede, but he was the spiritual leader of the entire Ryonan Basketball Team.

At least from the limited plot of the original story, Sendoh was clearly a rather idealized character. He embodied the author's ideal image of a "youth who loved basketball."

Seeing Wu Yufei's outstretched hand, Sendoh showed a hint of surprise, but it was quickly replaced by a smile. He reached out and shook Wu Yufei's hand.

"Not at all. I'm looking forward to learning from you too."

The first meeting between the two aces was remarkably friendly.

At the same time, Wu Yufei spotted Fukuda Kiccho, the double-edged sword who could hurt both Ryonan and himself.

If Miuradai wanted to win today, Fukuda would be a point of breakthrough!

In the original story, Coach Taoka had only sent Fukuda onto the court a week later against Kainan. After all, the opening game against Takezato had been far too easy, and there had been no need to reveal this secret weapon.

But the plot had changed now. Miuradai had replaced Takezato, and Coach Taoka had a very clear understanding of Miuradai's strength. Therefore, he no longer hid Fukuda, decisively revealing his secret weapon.

That also fully demonstrated Coach Taoka's determination to win this game.

During warm-ups, the showy Fukuda could not suppress his restless excitement. He and Sendoh put on an alley-oop slam dunk, drawing gasps and cheers from the entire arena.

Since the other side had opened with such a display of dominance, Miuradai naturally would not back down. Wu Yufei and Naito Tetsuya answered with an alley-oop slam of their own, returning the favor in kind.

Amid this somewhat competitive atmosphere, warm-up time came to an end.

The players from both teams returned to their benches to receive their coaches' final instructions.

"Ryonan is different from every opponent we've faced before, especially their ace, Sendoh. He once scored forty-seven points by himself in a single game. So when we're on defense, Yufei, Sendoh is yours."

"No problem."

Wu Yufei accepted the assignment without hesitation.

Ace against ace. That was only natural.

"Since they have Uozumi Jun, the tallest player in the prefecture, Ryonan will definitely focus on attacking the paint. They'll use Uozumi's physical advantage to open things up. Naito and Ono, you two must guard Uozumi well. Don't let him receive the ball easily under the basket!"

"Understood!" X2

"Ishiyama, keep looking for opportunities on the perimeter like you do in practice. As long as the timing is right, shoot boldly. It doesn't matter if you miss. Trust that your teammates will get the rebound!"

"Got it!"

"As for Murasame, I don't need to say much. Just do what you always do."

Coach Harada swept his gaze across the five starters before him.

Among them, Ono Kazuki and Ishiyama Jun were this year's greatest gains aside from Wu Yufei.

Originally, Coach Harada had planned to rely on them only after the third-year seniors graduated. But the two had performed better with every game and directly secured starting positions.

The two third-year seniors, Kawasaki Akio and Kuroda Yoshito, were somewhat dissatisfied, but there was nothing they could do. After all, the others had earned their starting spots through genuine ability.

Coach Harada had been quite fair in that regard. He showed no favoritism based on whether someone was an upperclassman or a freshman.

The starting spots were there for everyone to see. All fifteen members of the team competed fairly, and it all came down to scrimmage performance. Whoever played well in practice would earn the right to start the next game.

After explaining the tactics to everyone once more, Coach Harada waved his hand, and the five starters turned and headed onto the court.

Ding-dong...

Just as Wu Yufei stepped onto the court, the system in his mind finally issued a new mission.

Main Quest: Dominate Japan's High School Basketball Scene!

Japan's tiny high school basketball scene is merely an insignificant stop on your path toward playing in the NBA. Dominate and rule Japan's high school basketball scene, take a solid first step toward your basketball dream, and make every spectator go wild and cheer for you!

Mission Step 10 in Progress: You have finally reached the four-team round robin. Although the schedule is not ideal, the more unfavorable the circumstances, the more the host must rely on his own strength to lead the team through adversity and toward victory!

Mission Requirements: Lead the team to victory, while surpassing Sendoh Akira in points, assists, and rebounds!

Mission Completion Reward: ① Allocatable Attribute Points X;

② Item [Ray Allen Three-Point Trial Card] X1

Mission Failure Penalty: The [Slam Dunk] system will be permanently shut down.

[Nice!! A Three-Point Trial Card! This is exactly what I need most!]

After reading the mission requirements and rewards, Wu Yufei's confidence and motivation rose even further.

If he could get Miller's Three-Point Trial Card, the later games would undoubtedly become much easier with the help of that god-tier item!

Defeating Ryonan would not be too difficult. The key was surpassing Sendoh in statistics, so he would need to pay some attention to that.

Now that he knew the mission requirements, Wu Yufei began planning in his mind how to play the upcoming game.

As the starters from both sides gathered at center court, the first game of the highly anticipated Prefectural Tournament four-team round robin officially began.

Beep—!!

The whistle sounded, the basketball was tossed high into the air, and the game officially began!

"Haaah!!"

"Roar!!"

The instant the basketball reached its highest point, Uozumi and Naito leaped high at the same time, stretching out their arms toward the ball.

In the end, Uozumi, with his superior height, got the first touch, and Sendoh Akira collected the ball securely.

Only then did the spectators in the stands realize in surprise that Ryonan had actually put Sendoh at point guard?!

"Hmm, was this a lineup adjustment specifically designed to deal with Wu Yufei?"

Fujima Kenji, watching from the stands, studied Ryonan's positioning on the court and pondered.

Indeed, whether it's Miuradai's Wu Yufei or Kainan's A Maki, both are tall point guards. Uekusa Tomoyuki alone can't contend with them. Looking across the entire Ryonan roster, only someone with Sendoh's ability can do it, but...

Could Sendoh really play point guard?

That was the biggest question in the minds of everyone who knew Sendoh.

Ever since Sendoh first appeared last year, the deepest impression he had left on people was his versatile offensive arsenal and exceptional scoring ability.

Moving Sendoh from small forward to point guard so suddenly today was undeniably a very bold attempt.

But Wu Yufei was not intimidated. He had long known that Coach Taoka would assign Sendoh to point guard, so the moment Sendoh got the ball, Wu Yufei stuck to him.

Faced with Wu Yufei's tight pressure, Sendoh did not force the issue and decisively passed the ball out.

After receiving the pass, Koshino Hiroaki advanced into the frontcourt, then passed it back to Sendoh, who had arrived a step later.

Wu Yufei pressed up again. He knew Sendoh's strength well, so he absolutely could not let the man drive or pass easily!

Under Wu Yufei's defense, Sendoh looked extremely constrained. He tried several times to shake him off but failed every time.

"Great defense! Yufei!!"

"Keep it up!! It's already been fifteen seconds!!"

Cheers erupted from Miuradai's bench on the sideline.

Since they had not been able to score with a lightning-fast fast break right from the opening like in previous games, they at least could not let Ryonan score easily!

After nearly twenty seconds of stalemate with Wu Yufei, Sendoh finally used a fake to fool him and smoothly drove into the paint.

Seeing this, Ono Kazuki immediately stepped up to help defend, but Fukuda Kiccho, whom he had originally been guarding, turned and charged toward the basket.

Sendoh saw the opening and immediately lofted the ball toward the rim.

"Rebound!!"

Seeing Sendoh take such a reckless shot, Ono Kazuki immediately turned and shouted at Naito.

The next moment, before Ono's words had even fully faded, a blue figure had already risen into the air, snatched the flying basketball, and viciously slammed it through the hoop.

"Damn!"

Naito Tetsuya had actually seen Fukuda's movement, but Uozumi had boxed him out too firmly, preventing him from getting over in time.

Ryonan ultimately drew first blood through Fukuda Kiccho, and Sendoh's outstanding passing ability was displayed before everyone for the first time.

"Okay, don't panic, everyone. Let's get this one back first."

Wu Yufei did not lose heart over a single mistake. He dribbled while encouraging his teammates.

After reaching the frontcourt, Wu Yufei gestured to Ono Kazuki in the paint. Ono immediately stepped out and set a screen for Wu Yufei.

Using the screen to drive smoothly inside, Wu Yufei drew the attention of both Sendoh and Fukuda before firing a bounce pass directly into the hands of Ono Kazuki, who had spun and cut to the basket.

This time, Naito Tetsuya firmly boxed out Uozumi Jun, leaving him unable to move.

Ono Kazuki charged under the basket and scored easily on a layup, helping Miuradai tie the game.

The game had only just begun, yet both sides were already displaying excellent competitive form.

On the change of possession, Sendoh brought the ball up. Facing Wu Yufei rushing at him, he immediately used a crossover, shook Wu Yufei off, and drove straight into the paint.

This time, Ono Kazuki stayed tight beside Fukuda Kiccho, denying him the chance to cut to the rim.

Seeing that, Sendoh stopped sharply on the spot and took a mid-range jumper.

Swish!

The basketball dropped cleanly through the net. Miuradai 2:4 Ryonan.

Miuradai's possession.

Seeing every teammate tightly guarded, Wu Yufei chose to use a drive to break the deadlock. He first feinted a hard drive to the right, successfully fooling Sendoh, then went between the legs into a change of direction and burst into Ryonan's interior, charging straight into the paint.

The next second, Wu Yufei took off the instant he stepped into the restricted area.

Uozumi shook off Naito and rushed over, looking ready to deliver Wu Yufei a massive rejection.

But Wu Yufei showed no panic whatsoever. He forced out an acrobatic adjustment in midair, twisting his entire body like a corkscrew. At the instant he collided with Uozumi, he flicked the ball out from the side.

Swish!

Beep—!!

The basket counted, and the whistle sounded.

The basket counted, plus one free throw! Wu Yufei successfully completed the 2+1.

"Whew... You really are incredible."

Watching Wu Yufei land and high-five his teammates in celebration, Sendoh wore a somewhat helpless expression and gave a bitter smile.