Draft Begins

"Ladies and gentlemen, the JBa Draft will officially begin in ten minutes. All relevant personnel who have not yet entered the venue, please return to the arena and take your seats promptly."

The announcement echoed throughout the stadium, inside and out, seeming to remind everyone that the annual draft was truly about to begin! The huge posters inside further heightened the atmosphere. But Sakuragi seemed to have run into some trouble.

"A suit!" Sakuragi shouted at a staff member inside the arena.

"I had no idea I was supposed to wear a suit!" Sakuragi said in shock.

Indeed, for someone preparing to enter the draft, Sakuragi's outfit was hardly appropriate: a tracksuit, a trendy baseball cap, sunglasses, and a mask covering half his face. He looked more like he was strutting through the player tunnel before a game. But Sakuragi had only one minute left.

"Right!" Sakuragi suddenly seemed to have an idea. He took off running, once again leaving the staff member staring after him in confusion.

"Ha! I'm back! I need to discuss something with you!" Sakuragi had returned to the stadium entrance and found the security guard who had stopped him earlier.

"Huh? You're out already? The draft hasn't even started yet. Ah! Did they notify you that no team wanted you and there wasn't even a seat for you? Heading home now, huh? I told you that you wouldn't make it. Acting all suspicious, and you even—"

Sakuragi covered the guard's mouth, but he did not lose his temper over the man's remarks. He had something important to ask.

"Mr. Security, it was my fault for not cooperating with your work earlier. Look, could you cut me some slack and lend me your clothes? I can't get in wearing this."

So Sakuragi wanted to borrow the guard's suit to enter the main venue.

"No way. If I lend it to you, am I supposed to stand guard in your clothes? Who would I be able to stop then?"

"Come on, please!" It was rare to hear Sakuragi pleading.

"No chance!" The guard's attitude was extremely firm.

Sakuragi thought that this guard refused to take the easy way, so he could only make him take the hard way.

Sakuragi suddenly made a steal-like move and, in an instant, snatched the metal detector from the guard's hand. He spun around and sprinted off like he was on a fast break, completing several movements in one fluid motion. It showed that Sakuragi's athletic instincts were still remarkably sharp!

The guard froze for a moment before snapping back to his senses. "Damn it!" he shouted, then took off after him.

The guard was a guard for a reason—his speed was actually enough to keep up with Sakuragi. He followed Sakuragi straight into the men's restroom. A "war" over a suit between two men was about to erupt in the bathroom!

But the process was simple and brutal! Even as a security guard, he was far too weak against Sakuragi, the former Shohoku delinquent who had once single-handedly taken down Mitsui's gang of punks. In no time at all, the guard's suit had been transferred onto Sakuragi.

"I won't let you go!" The guard lay on the floor, shouting himself hoarse as he clung to Sakuragi's leg. Sakuragi looked utterly troubled!

"You really are dedicated to your job! Let go! Let go already!" Sakuragi grew increasingly helpless.

"Looks like I'll have to use that move. You actually forced this genius to use it. If this guard played basketball, he'd definitely be a defensive beast." Sakuragi gathered his strength as he spoke, finally preparing to unleash his long-unused ultimate move—the Headbutt Technique!

With a loud bang, a red swelling rose on the guard's forehead, gradually giving off wisps of smoke as though a volcano were about to erupt! He released Sakuragi's leg and passed out.

"I haven't used that move in ages. That hurt! But I finally got rid of you, you troublesome guy." Perhaps because it had been so long since he had used it, even Sakuragi was numb from the pain.

After leaving the restroom, Sakuragi was drawn to a poster on a display stand. Looking at the man on it, he found him strangely familiar, yet somehow he could not quite place him.

"There is one minute remaining until the official draft ceremony begins. All participating teams, please make your final decisions and submit your lists." The announcement snapped Sakuragi out of his stare at the poster. He shook his head and collected himself, then ignored it, straightened his clothes, and headed directly into the arena.

After all those twists and turns, Sakuragi finally entered the main stadium. Tokyo Dome Stadium truly was Japan's largest, most luxurious, and most technologically advanced multipurpose arena, one of the finest in all of Asia! The entire stadium could hold countless people, while a massive LED screen hung in midair, stretching a full four stories high. Lights flashed everywhere, and looking up at the ceiling felt like gazing into a vast starry sky. It was truly comparable to the NBA's Madison Square Garden! Not only was this the home court of the JBa's Tokyo Great White Sharks, it also hosted commercial performances and major exhibitions, while the annual draft was held here every year.

But Sakuragi had no mood to admire the scenery. The draft he had waited so long for—the most important chance to prove his return—was about to begin. The thought of appearing brilliantly onstage and giving Haruko the biggest surprise filled him with even greater excitement!

It's starting, it's starting! It's finally starting!!! Sakuragi rejoiced inwardly.

As melodious music began to play, JBa President Hashimoto Ryuichi slowly walked to the center of the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon!"

Hashimoto Ryuichi had served as JBa president for many years, and his reforms and promotion of the league in recent years had gradually made the JBa one of Asia's top professional basketball leagues. Thus, even that simple greeting earned thunderous applause!

"Today, another large group of young people will join the JBa family. You bring vitality and energy to the JBa, and I believe you have long been ready for the challenges it offers. Come, show what you can do here! Let your youthful blood burn here! Shed the sweat of your youth! For basketball, for your dreams, give it your all! Finally, I wish all of the prospects the best of luck. Go for it!"

After Hashimoto's impassioned opening remarks, a hostess gracefully stepped onto the stage and handed the president an envelope. Inside was the name of this year's first overall pick!

"With the first pick in the 2006 JBa Draft, the Kobe Jaguars select—" Everyone in the stadium turned their eyes toward the president. Sakuragi clenched his fists tightly, waiting for the moment his name would be called!

"Ru—kawa—Kaede!!!!!!!!!"

Yes, it was Rukawa Kaede—the former Shohoku ace, Rookie of the Year, and national idol. The same Rukawa Kaede who could sleep while riding a bicycle, yet drew screams from girls wherever he went; the quiet guy Sakuragi had always considered a fox!

The instant the president spoke the three words "Rukawa Kaede," the entire arena erupted. The girls' shrieks even drowned out the applause and cheers. The cameras focused on some Jaguars fans, who were already crying uncontrollably, because they knew that the man their team had selected could change the team's destiny. He was the chosen one, a player who could bring the team through a complete transformation.

Back on the stage, Rukawa Kaede was shaking hands with the president for photographs. After several years apart, Rukawa had grown noticeably taller. His formerly long hair had been cut much shorter, giving him a fresher look. He wore a dark navy suit with bright yellow leather shoes, standing tall and sharp, his body lines perfectly sleek like those of a fitness instructor. Yet his expression remained as cool as ever, with only the faintest smile on his face.

Meanwhile, Sakuragi was speechless, sitting there like a statue, unable to believe what was happening before his eyes. Rukawa Kaede—his greatest rival in life, his rival for Haruko—had actually stolen the glory Sakuragi had thought would be his at such a moment. His tightly clenched fists had long since gone limp, as though he no longer had the strength even to lift a pair of chopsticks. Everyone else in the stadium was immersed in joy, excitement, and madness. Only Sakuragi had fallen into bottomless confusion.

Sakuragi suddenly remembered the poster outside the arena and confirmed it once again: the person on it was the man now basking in limitless glory—Ru! Kawa! Kaede!

Before Sakuragi could recover, the president returned to the stage after a brief break. The entire arena instantly fell silent again. That sudden quietness helped Sakuragi regain some focus. He rubbed his eyes, pricked up his ears, and waited for the president's announcement.

"Sakuragi Hanamichi, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Sakuragi Hanamichi." Those were the only words in Sakuragi's mind.

"With the second pick in the 2006 JBa Draft, the Kagoshima Antlers select—"

"No!!!!!!!!!!!" Sakuragi.