Journey to Sendai

The Kobe Jaguars were utterly crushed at home by the mediocre Sado Island Glories. Aside from a decent first quarter, they played like they were sleepwalking from the second quarter onward. Akagi also fell into foul trouble. Everyone seemed to have forgotten how to play basketball, and the Glories dominated them throughout the game. It was impossible to know what impact such a painful loss would have on the team.

The next morning, the players still arrived at the training facility on time, but their spirits remained terribly low. They all looked listless, as though they were sick.

"What's wrong with everyone?"

Coach Omoki was puzzled when the players did not even raise their heads.

"It was only one loss. A loss is a loss—there's nothing earth-shattering about it. But we can't lose for nothing. We need to figure out why we lost. The season is still long. They played better than we did, so naturally they deserved to win. We failed to show our true ability. It also seems that we overestimated ourselves. Did we think that crushing the Flying Waves meant we were a strong team? We are not!"

Coach Omoki knew where their low spirits came from. If they wanted to carry out normal training today, he had to help the players get past this hurdle.

After pausing for a moment, Coach Omoki continued, "We need to understand where this team stands. What kind of team are we, exactly? You may disagree with what I'm about to say, but based on these past few games, I don't think we're a championship-contending team!"

At those words, Sakuragi and the others finally lifted their heads. They stared at Omoki in shock, conflicted expressions on their faces.

"I never thought we were a team capable of competing for the championship. From the day Kawaguchi brought me in, I told him that with this current roster, even if I came, I couldn't win a title. All I could do was help these young players grow quickly, so they could have a chance to compete for the championship in the future. That is my greatest mission! If possible, I also hope to lead you onto the playoff stage and give it a shot. But compared to that, my greatest wish is for every one of you to improve in every game and keep developing in a positive direction!"

Coach Omoki rarely spoke so openly from his heart, and the players felt a little choked up as they listened.

"Coach! Let's start training! The next game is almost here, and time waits for no one. Come on!"

Sakuragi held back his tears and shouted.

"Forget it. None of you are in any condition today. Go back and rest. I want to take a break too. I haven't been sleeping well these past two days."

Coach Omoki ignored Sakuragi's request and turned to leave after speaking.

"Coach! It's our fault. We were too childish. We really were arrogant and conceited. After losing a game we shouldn't have lost, we couldn't pull ourselves out of it, and that dragged the team into this slump. You're right! We truly don't have what it takes to compete for a championship right now, but we will always be a team that aims for the championship. Please help us and guide us. I hope that one day, we can become that kind of team!"

Akagi stepped forward and tried to stop Coach Omoki.

"Yeah, Coach, don't go! Let's start a new day of training!"

"Come back, Coach! We need you!"

"Coach Omoki! Coach Omoki! Coach Omoki!"

Akagi's impassioned speech as captain stirred the other players as well, and they all urged Coach Omoki to resume training.

"Sigh, when you get old, your legs stop working, your hair turns white, and even your heart grows soft!"

Coach Omoki halted, then turned his head back.

Everyone's eyes gathered on Coach Omoki.

"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and warm up—fifty laps around the court! We've already wasted so much time!"

"Yeah!!!"

Hearing Coach Omoki's answer, the weight in the players' hearts finally lifted. They cheered in celebration.

"Sigh, these little brats..." Watching the players high-five and hug each other, Coach Omoki could only shake his head helplessly.

Fortunately, Coach Omoki's words helped the players weather this low point, but they truly did not have much time left to adjust.

"All right, gather up. We'll stop training here this morning. We just played a game last night, after all, so focus on recovering your stamina! We'll be leaving this afternoon!"

"Leaving!? Where are we going now?"

Sakuragi looked blankly at Coach Omoki. Apparently, having thrown himself completely into training, he had forgotten who their next opponent was.

"You big idiot, stay behind if you want. I don't mind."

Rukawa Kaede mocked him.

"You're the one who should stay behind! If you hadn't missed so many shots last game, we wouldn't have been in such a passive position!"

"Enough, you two. Don't ruin the team's newly restored unity with your arguing!"

Coach Omoki did not want the cohesion the team had just regained to be scattered by another quarrel.

"Our next opponent is the strongest team we've faced this season aside from the Deer Horns! Xiandao alone is enough to give anyone a headache!"

"Xian... dao..."

Sakuragi thought for a moment, then said, "Ah! We're playing the Walkers so soon!"

"Idiot! They're called the Wanderers!"

Sakuragi's answer set off a burst of laughter. Unable to stand it any longer, Akagi immediately stepped forward to correct him.

"What's the difference...?" Sakuragi continued to argue.

"All right, whether they're the Walkers or the Wanderers, we don't have much time to prepare. Everyone, go eat first, then get ready. We're leaving!"

After Coach Omoki spoke, the players gradually left the training gym to prepare for their journey to Sendai.

"Hey, Sakuragi, what are you doing?"

"Nothing. Packing my luggage and getting ready for the road trip!"

Takamiya suddenly called Sakuragi, who was packing his bags, and the two began chatting.

"You haven't left yet? The rest of us are already here! The match starts tonight, so hurry up!"

"What are you guys going there for!? It's not like you're playing."

"Did you forget, Sakuragi!? Yohei already told me about the bet between you two. No matter which of you wins, I benefit. Omoki, Noma, and I are going to find the finest restaurant around later and have a proper feast!"

"Oh, that thing. Sigh, there have been so many annoying things lately that I almost forgot. Don't worry, make sure you find the best restaurant! Let Yohei treat you properly for once!"

"Wow, Sakuragi, you're that confident? The Wanderers have Xiandao too!"

"Xiandao? He's a defeated opponent! Back in Kanagawa, Shohoku beat Ryonan before!"

"All right, then do your best, Sakuragi. See you in Sendai!"

"Bye! You're holding up my packing!"

After hanging up, Sakuragi lay down on his bed and recalled the scene of making that bet with Yohei over the phone.

"Good! It's finally here. This is the kind of game that gets my blood pumping. Yohei! Don't blame me for disregarding brotherhood!"

Sakuragi sat up, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

Around noon, the Jaguars set off once again for Sendai.

"Although the Jaguars suffered an unexpected crushing defeat against the Sado Island Glories last game, that may be exactly why they'll bounce back from rock bottom and play with tremendous resilience. I don't want our team to become their punching bag!"

Inside the Wanderers' training facility, head coach Zhuangsi Xiti analyzed the Jaguars' recent situation. He did not dare underestimate this opponent.

"I know Coach Omoki of the Jaguars very well. He will definitely find a way to rally his team, so tomorrow night's game is destined to be exceptionally difficult. We must remain vigilant and be prepared for every hardship."

From his words, it was clear that Coach Zhuangsi was quite familiar with Coach Omoki.

"Sakuragi... we'll finally be competing on the same court!"

Yohei clenched his fists, ready for battle.

After half a day of flying, the Jaguars arrived in Sendai, Japan's aviation city.

Sendai was the largest economic and cultural center in northeastern Honshu, Japan, with a population of 170,000. Just like the name of its basketball team—the Wanderers—it was a true aviation city. Japan's satellites, rockets, and all kinds of aerospace-related things could be found here. It had Japan's largest rocket launch site and was a key center for the nation's aerospace research. It was also home to Japan's hottest team at the moment—the Sendai Wanderers! And their star player, Sendoh Akira, was almost certainly one of the hottest players in the JBa league.

"It's been a long time since I came to Sendai! This place hasn't changed at all!"

Coach Omoki stepped off the plane and sighed as he saw the enormous astronaut model suspended inside the terminal.

"Huh? Coach, did you come here often before?" Sakuragi asked curiously.

"Back when I played for the Iron Horses in the finals against the Wanderers, the most painful thing was receiving a ticket to Sendai. Haha... sigh, it's been almost thirty years in the blink of an eye. Ah, those are all memories now!"

As Coach Omoki reminisced, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"The finals..." Looking at Coach Omoki's expression as he spoke of the finals, Sakuragi could not help wondering what it felt like to play in the championship series.

The two teams still had a day and a half to prepare. Tomorrow night, the game would also be broadcast live nationwide on NHK.