Chapter Summaries

Chi Tong defeated Hainan with Ryonan by 48 points, ending Hainan’s sixteen-year hold on first place in the Kanagawa qualifiers. As the victory reshaped the prefectural rankings and Ryonan prepared to represent Kanagawa nationally, Mu Shenyi reflected on Chi Tong’s ruthless pursuit of victory.

• Mu Shenyi congratulated Chi Tong on his strength, and Chi Tong told him that victory required greater ruthlessness, prompting Mu Shenyi to understand why he had lost.
• Sendoh told Chi Tong he had not changed, and Chi Tong affirmed that victory remained his only goal.
• The scoreboard showed Ryonan defeating Hainan 96–48, and reporters and spectators reacted to the historic result.
• News spread that Ryonan had taken first place, ending Hainan’s sixteen-year reign; Lin Nan, Kainan University Affiliated High School, and Shohoku claimed the three national tournament berths.
• Lingnan High School greeted the morning in a festive mood after the team’s prefectural victory.

Ryonan celebrated its Kanagawa championship as schools across Japan reacted to its 48-point win over Hainan. In Akita, an unnamed figure recognized Sendoh and became fixated on Chi Tong, declaring that the National Tournament would let him take revenge.

• Ryonan High School held a welcome ceremony, and the principal awarded the basketball club members campus honor medals.
• Basketball teams across the country investigated Ryonan after learning it had defeated Hainan 96–48 and recorded several huge-margin wins.
• An unnamed figure in an Akita classroom read the Kanagawa tournament report and recognized Sendoh.
• The figure reacted to Chi Tong's name with excitement and vowed to get his revenge at the National Tournament.

One week after the Modern Tournament, Chi Tong set out to visit Liu Fei while Maki Shinichi and Kiyota Nobunaga encountered Sakuragi Hanamichi and the Sakuragi Gang. Kiyota and Sakuragi argued over their teams’ National Tournament prospects, and Sakuragi became enraged when Kiyota called him a benchwarmer.

• Chi Tong finished breakfast, collected a package, and left by car for Liu Fei's place.
• Maki Shinichi and Kiyota Nobunaga discussed preparing for the National Tournament and their desire to avoid another defeat.
• Maki Shinichi and Kiyota Nobunaga ran into Sakuragi Hanamichi and the Sakuragi Gang near a pachinko parlor.
• Kiyota Nobunaga criticized Shohoku for relaxing instead of practicing, and Sakuragi Hanamichi mocked Hainan for losing to Ryonan by forty-eight points.
• Kiyota Nobunaga called Sakuragi Hanamichi a benchwarmer, and Sakuragi's anger flared.

Sakuragi Hanamichi followed Mu Shenyi and Aota Nobunaga to see Aichi Star, prompting Chi Tong to consider scouting teams beyond Kanagawa. Anxi Guangyi rejected Liu Chuanfeng’s plan to go to the United States, telling him to overcome Sendoh and improve his team play before challenging stronger opponents; Shendai Liufei then joined Chi Tong in his car.

• Mu Shenyi asked Sakuragi Hanamichi whether he knew Aichi Star, and Sakuragi decided to go with him and Aota Nobunaga to take a look.
• Chi Tong watched the three leave and decided Ryonan needed more information about opponents outside the original storyline.
• Liu Chuanfeng told Anxi Guangyi that he wanted to go to the United States, but Anxi refused and pointed out his tendency to play alone.
• Anxi Guangyi said Liu Chuanfeng needed to beat Sendoh and learn to lead a team before he could consider challenging stronger opponents or going to the United States.
• Shendai Liufei greeted Chi Tong at the Shindai family residence and got into his car.

Chi Tong gave Shendai Liufei a camera after noticing how she struggled to take photos and notes during games, and she offered to help scout National Tournament opponents. Meanwhile, Xiangtian Yanyi traveled to Osaka to investigate Toyotama High and reunited with her childhood friend Da Chuan Huinan, who had grown dramatically taller.

• Chi Tong gave Shendai Liufei a new camera so she could record matches without missing important moments.
• Shendai Liufei offered to help gather intelligence on National Tournament teams, beginning with recording their games.
• Xiangtian Yanyi read a letter from Da Chuan Huinan, who said he had joined Toyotama High's basketball team as a regular player and hoped to meet Ryonan at the National Tournament.
• Xiangtian Yanyi arrived at the Osaka preliminary venue and reunited with Da Chuan Huinan, who had grown to 180 centimeters since they last met.
• Da Chuan Huinan teased Xiangtian Yanyi about not growing much, and she blushed and insisted that she had grown.

Xiangtian Yanyi defended Ryonan after Bian Zinan mocked Sendoh and Chi Tong, then fled the confrontation. Back at Ryonan, Taoka and Chi Tong set the team’s sights on winning the National Tournament and began outlining an intensive training plan.

• Xiangtian Yanyi proudly told Okawa Teruo that Ryonan had qualified for the National Tournament as the top team in Kanagawa after defeating Hainan.
• Bian Zinan showed Xiangtian Yanyi a magazine article about Ryonan and insulted Sendoh and Chi Tong.
• Xiangtian Yanyi angrily defended Sendoh and Chi Tong, then ran off before Bian Zinan could respond.
• Taoka told Ryonan’s players to raise their training intensity and pursue the National Tournament championship.
• Chi Tong declared that he would accept no excuses and began a three-phase training plan, starting with a week of physical conditioning and team coordination.

Chi Tong laid out an intensive preparation plan for the National Tournament, while Moichi Taoka accepted his growing role as Ryonan’s leader. Shendai Liufei arrived with footage of rival teams, giving Taoka a chance to study their opponents as the tournament approached.

• Chi Tong assigned Ryonan ten days of targeted scrimmages and three days of simulated combat, and required each player to submit a self-evaluation after the tournament.
• Moichi Taoka watched Chi Tong direct the team and felt relieved that Chi Tong had taken over much of the coaching work, even if Taoka’s own role faded into the background.
• Shendai Liufei arrived at the gymnasium carrying a camera and told Taoka that she had gathered footage of teams from other regions.
• Taoka accepted the camera and focused on the recordings, which could help Ryonan understand its opponents before the National Tournament.

Xiangtian Yanyi struggled with feeling useless on Ryonan’s basketball team, despite working hard and helping her teammates. Chi Tong noticed her frustration and asked her to stay after practice, leaving her anxious about what he wanted as he called to her in the empty gym.

• Xiangtian Yanyi watched Ryonan practice and privately lamented that she could not match her teammates’ abilities or earn a meaningful role.
• After hiding her disappointment, Xiangtian Yanyi brought Fukuda Kiccho water and resolved to keep helping the team, though she still hoped to find her own way.
• Chi Tong noticed Xiangtian Yanyi’s buried frustration and told her to stay after practice.
• Once the gym emptied, Xiangtian Yanyi worried that Chi Tong might offer her special training or remove her from the club.
• Chi Tong called Xiangtian Yanyi from behind, startling her into jumping.

Chi Tong tested Xiangtian Yanyi’s basketball skills and bluntly told her that her all-around weaknesses made her no help in an official match. He urged her to find a weapon of her own, and she resolved that she wanted to play on the court and help the team win.

• Chi Tong asked Xiangtian Yanyi to demonstrate her shooting, then tested her layups, dribbling, passing, defense, and other skills.
• Xiangtian Yanyi struggled through the drills, and Chi Tong told her that her offense, dribbling, speed, and defense were weak.
• Xiangtian Yanyi asked whether she could remain in the club and go to the National Tournament with the team.
• Chi Tong explained that she needed to discover a distinctive strength if she wanted to play in matches or become a core player.
• Xiangtian Yanyi declared that she did not want to be a benchwarmer and wanted to take the court and help the team win.

Xiangtian Yanyi trained to become Ryonan's Phantom Sixth Man under Chi Tong's guidance. During an intrasquad game, she entered in the first quarter and began disrupting the players with her unexpected tactics.

• Chi Tong encouraged Xiangtian Yanyi to use her observational skills and named her Ryonan's Phantom Sixth Man.
• Xiangtian Yanyi practiced unusual footwork and court awareness while Ryonan prepared for the National Tournament.
• Chi Tong gathered the players for an intrasquad game and asked Xiangtian Yanyi if she was ready.
• Xiangtian Yanyi watched from the bench until Chi Tong called her onto the court halfway through the first quarter.
• After play resumed, Xiangtian Yanyi's moves confused the players as the ball and players seemed to change direction unexpectedly.

Xiangtian Yanyi’s stealthy playmaking impressed Ryonan during a practice game, and the team set off for Hiroshima after a month of training. On the Shinkansen, the players learned that their first National Tournament opponent would be Toyotama High, led by Minami Retsu.

• Xiangtian Yanyi repeatedly disrupted the opposing team’s attacks during a practice game, helping the starters win.
• Sendoh recognized Xiangtian Yanyi’s role, and Chi Tong said she would be one of Ryonan’s aces at the National Tournament.
• After a month of training, Tiangang Maoyi led the Ryonan team from school as students cheered them on.
• The team boarded the Shinkansen for Hiroshima and discussed the National Tournament schedule, which placed Ryonan in Group B, Hainan in Group C, and Shohoku in Group D.
• Xiangtian Yanyi told the team that Toyotama High would be Ryonan’s first opponent and began describing its captain, Minami Retsu.

Xiangtian Yanyi briefed Ryonan on Toyotama High and the other strong teams in Group B as the team traveled to Hiroshima. The chapter ended when Ryonan encountered Toyotama’s players, including Kishimoto Minori, whom Xiangtian recognized from Osaka.

• Xiangtian Yanyi warned Ryonan that Toyotama’s leading scorer was called the Ace Killer and described the team’s players and tactics.
• Chi Tong told Sendoh he had some ideas for facing Toyotama, easing the team’s concerns.
• Xiangtian Yanyi briefed the team on Hakata Shogyo, Aiwa Gakuin, Nagashiro, and Daiei Academy, then noted that Sannoh was in Group A.
• A braided-haired player approached Ryonan with a mocking greeting, and Xiangtian recognized him as Kishimoto Minori of Toyotama High.

On the train to the National Tournament, Toyotama High’s Anben Shili provoked Ryonan until the teams nearly fought. Chi Tong stopped his teammates with a command, and Toyotama captain Minami Retsu sensed a menacing pressure from him.

• Xiangtian Yanyi told Ryonan that Anben Shili had mocked their senior and Captain Chi Tong before, and Anben continued insulting Ryonan.
• Yu Zhu confronted Anben as players from both teams gathered around them, and Itakura Daijiro stepped forward to defend Toyotama High.
• Chi Tong ordered Ryonan to return to their seats, and the team obeyed immediately.
• Minami Retsu silenced Anben and looked toward Chi Tong, feeling a dangerous pressure that made him stiffen.

Chi Tong and Minami Ryo exchanged a tense challenge on the train before the Ryonan team arrived in Hiroshima. They settled at White Egret Manor and joined the other teams at the National Tournament’s opening, leaving the players eager and nervous about the competition.

• Chi Tong stared down Minami Ryo, who challenged him to let their strength speak, before leading Toyotama High away.
• The Ryonan team arrived in Hiroshima and admired the coastal scenery before Tiangang Maoyi took them to White Egret Manor.
• Tiangang Maoyi told the Ryonan players to rest at the inn and gather at its entrance at one in the afternoon.
• The Ryonan team entered Hiroshima Central Gymnasium and joined the gathered teams at the National Tournament opening.
• Xiangtian Yanyi, Fukuda Kicchou, Koshino, Shishang Liang'er, and Uekusa Tomoyuki reacted with excitement, nerves, and anticipation as they surveyed the competing teams.

Ryonan left the National Tournament opening ceremony and went to check the tournament schedule, where they ran into Hainan and Shohoku. Chi Tong declared that he had come to confirm his opponent in the final, provoking Shohoku’s players.

• Yu Zhu and Sendoh focused themselves as the National Tournament opening ceremony began.
• After the ceremony, Taoka Moichi gave Ryonan’s players free time before the games started the next day.
• Chi Tong led Ryonan to the tournament schedule, where they encountered Hainan and Shohoku.
• Yu Zhu exchanged greetings with Akagi, while Rukawa silently vowed to defeat Sendoh and Chi Tong.
• Mu Shenyi asked whether Chi Tong had come to scout opponents, and Chi Tong said he only wanted to confirm his opponent in the final.
• Mitsui Hisashi and Miyagi Ryota took offense at Chi Tong’s confidence.

Chi Tong declared his determination to win the National Tournament, then Toyotama High’s players arrived and mocked Hainan’s qualifier loss. Maki Shinichi defused their taunts by pretending not to know Anben Shili.

• Chi Tong told Maki Shinichi he would have to reach the finals before they could meet again, and declared that his only goal was to win.
• Toyotama High’s players approached, and the Shohoku and Ryonan players recognized them from earlier confrontations on the train.
• Anben Shili mocked Hainan’s qualifier loss, while Kishimoto Minori taunted them about a semifinal spot.
• Maki Shinichi calmly asked Anben Shili who he was, breaking the tension and making the Hainan, Shohoku, and Lingnan players laugh.

Chi Tong intimidated Toyotama after Itakura Daijiro insulted Ryonan, nearly provoking a fight before Sendoh reminded him they had a game tomorrow. Ryonan left, while Hainan, Shohoku, and Toyotama remained shaken by Chi Tong’s presence.

• Sakuragi Hanamichi and Aota Nobunaga mocked Anben Shili, prompting Shiyu Jingping and Itakura Daijiro to confront the other teams.
• Miyagi Ryota teased Toyotama about fighting, but Chi Tong told Ryonan to leave.
• Itakura Daijiro accused Ryonan of insulting Toyotama, and Uozumi turned to challenge him.
• Chi Tong warned Itakura Daijiro that those who disrespected him had to pay, terrifying players from all three teams.
• Sendoh stopped Chi Tong from escalating the confrontation, reminding him that Ryonan had a game the next day.
• Chi Tong withdrew his intimidating aura and led Ryonan away, leaving the other teams shaken.

Lingnan prepared for its first National Tournament game against Wind Domain High after Chi Tong left Toyotama High shaken. As the teams gathered at Hiroshima Central Gymnasium, Lingnan’s unexpectedly large crowd of supporters filled the stands.

• Chi Tong’s intimidating presence unnerved Itakura Daijiro, Anben Shili, and Minami, and Mu Shenyi warned that Toyotama High should not have provoked him.
• Mu Shenyi and the Hainan players left, after which Toyotama High and Shohoku silently parted ways.
• On August 2, Tiangang Maoyi gathered Lingnan outside their hotel and led the team to its first National Tournament game against Wind Domain High.
• At Basketball Gym No. 3, reporter Shendai Liufei saw packed stands and large sections of supporters in Lingnan’s white and Wind Domain’s blue.
• Lingnan’s support came in part from Shendai Liufei and Mukai Minsheng, whose reporting had publicized the team’s victory over Hainan.

Ryonan and Toyotama prepared for their National Tournament game amid a roaring arena crowd. Ryonan left its locker room fired up and ready to face Toyotama as the doors to the court opened.

• Toyotama's supporters and Ryonan's white-clad fans traded loud chants before the game.
• Coach Jinping warned Toyotama that Ryonan was dangerous, but the players largely ignored him; Minami said he would take responsibility for Sento early in the game.
• Taoka Moichi told Ryonan to stay composed and alert against Toyotama's aggressive play, then handed the team over to Chi Tong.
• Chi Tong ordered his teammates to follow his directions, score, and defeat Toyotama, and the Ryonan players answered in unison.
• Taoka Moichi called the team onto the court, and the locker room doors opened onto the noisy gymnasium.

Ryonan and Toyotama High entered the arena and began warming up before their National Tournament game. Toyotama's players mocked Ryonan's calm drills, and Shioda Mitsuoka dribbled toward them as the confrontation escalated.

• Ryonan and Toyotama High emerged from the tunnels to competing cheers from their supporters.
• Chi Tong led Ryonan onto the court with a calm, unified presence, while Minami led Toyotama High with an aggressive swagger.
• Both teams faced each other briefly before withdrawing to their benches and beginning warm-ups.
• Toyotama High warmed up noisily and cast taunting looks at Ryonan, whose drills remained quiet and orderly.
• Anben Shiri and Mankura Daijiro mocked Ryonan for warming up gently, and Shioda Mitsuoka dribbled toward them.