Chapter Summaries

After Ryonan took a 75–0 lead over Toyotama High in the first half, Toyotama’s players struggled with despair while captain Minami Retsu considered forfeiting. Their former coach Kitano arrived in the locker room to comfort them and acknowledge Chi Tong’s overwhelming talent.

• Uozumi credited Chi Tong’s training and guidance for his defensive improvement, while Taoka Moichi decided to leave game decisions to Chi Tong.
• Taoka considered resting Ryonan’s starters but chose not to interfere with Chi Tong’s authority.
• Toyotama’s players sat in stunned silence, and Minami Retsu wondered whether they should forfeit after realizing they could not win.
• Kitano arrived at Toyotama’s locker room, and the players greeted their former coach with surprise and emotion.
• Kitano reassured the players and praised Chi Tong’s extraordinary abilities, leaving Minami unable to respond.

Coach Kitano helped Toyotama High regain its courage after a devastating first half, and the team returned to the court to face Ryonan. Toyotama High insisted the game was not over, while Chi Tong dismissed their resolve as pointless.

• Coach Kitano encouraged Kishimoto Minori and the other Toyotama High players to return to the court and play without regrets.
• Ryonan took the court for the second half, but Toyotama High was absent, leading spectators to assume the team had forfeited.
• Minami Ryo led Toyotama High out of the tunnel just before the referee could declare a forfeit, and the players appeared determined again.
• Kishimoto Minori confronted Yueye Hongming after he mocked Toyotama High, but Minami Ryo stopped him.
• Minami Retsu told Ryonan that Toyotama High had not lost, while Chi Tong called their persistence meaningless and Sento praised it.

Ryonan opened the second half with an unexpected fast break, and Toyotama tried to answer with coordinated passing. Minami escaped Chi Tong’s steal attempt and passed into the paint, where Shioda Mitsuoka began a feint against Yu Zhu.

• Shioda Mitsuoka shouted that Toyotama would not let Coach Kitano down, and Chi Tong inferred that Kitano was the team’s former coach.
• Yu Zhu won the second-half tip, Chi Tong passed long to Sendoh, and Sendoh dunked for Ryonan.
• Minami led Toyotama’s attack and used a quick pass with Shi Yu Jingping to create space outside the three-point line.
• Chi Tong nearly stole the ball from Minami, who hurriedly passed into the paint to Shioda Mitsuoka.
• Shioda Mitsuoka could not move Yu Zhu, so he jumped as if attempting a dunk; Yu Zhu rose to block him as Shioda’s expression turned sly.

Chi Tong blocked Toyotama High’s best chance to score, and Ryonan dominated the rest of the game to win 155–0. Ryonan celebrated its historic National Tournament debut while Toyotama High was left devastated by the shutout.

• Shioda Mitsuoka passed the ball to Anben Shili, who set up Kishimoto Minori for a dunk, but Chi Tong appeared and swatted the shot away.
• Ryonan shut down Toyotama High’s offense for the rest of the second half while scoring repeatedly and widening the lead.
• Yu Zhu dunked Chi Tong’s pass against two defenders just before the referee blew the final whistle.
• The scoreboard showed Ryonan defeating Toyotama High 155–0, the first complete shutout of the National Tournament.
• Ryonan’s players celebrated their historic victory while Toyotama High’s players stood in silence, tearful and defeated.

After Ryonan’s 155:0 shutout of Toyotama High stunned the National Tournament teams, Ryonan celebrated and learned that Daiei Academy would be its next opponent. The chapter left the team wondering about Daiei’s star player, Tu Wuchun.

• Reporter Xiangtian Misheng and Mukai Yayo were stunned by Ryonan’s dominant performance, and Mukai Yayo suspected Chitong Lingyu had helped transform the team.
• News of Ryonan’s 155:0 victory spread through the tournament, prompting many teams to study Ryonan while some top contenders welcomed the challenge.
• Ryonan returned to the White Deer Manor Hotel, where Xiangtian Yanyi, Ikegami Ryoji, Yueye Hongming, and their teammates discussed the shutout.
• Xiangtian Yanyi identified Daiei Academy as Ryonan’s next opponent and said it had beaten Toyotama High in the Osaka semifinals.
• Xiangtian Yanyi named Daiei Academy’s formidable player Tu Wuchun, leaving the team uncertain about how strong he was.

Xiangtian Yanyi briefed Ryonan on Daiei Academy’s formidable roster, led by the star captain Tu Wu Chun, while Daiei’s players reviewed information on Ryonan and discussed their upcoming match. Both teams recognized the other as a serious opponent, though Daiei’s final response was to focus on giving their all and winning.

• Xiangtian Yanyi explained that Tu Wu Chun was Daiei Academy’s captain and an all-around star whose style resembled Sendoh’s.
• Xiangtian Yanyi described Daiei Academy’s other key players, and Ryonan grew more cautious about facing them.
• Chi Tong remained calm while Ryonan discussed Daiei Academy’s strength.
• Tu Wu Chun and his teammates studied information on Ryonan at their hotel.
• Takeuchi Takuya and Hakaono Kazuta complained about Toyotama High’s loss, while Yukimura Shinka warned that Lingfeng should not be underestimated.
• A Daiei Academy teammate dismissed the need for caution and urged the team to give everything and win.

Ryonan arrived at the Hiroshima Central Gymnasium to face Daiei Academy, whose players sized up the team that had shut out Toyotama High. The teams finished warming up and took their positions, with the game about to begin.

• Taoka Moichi gathered Ryonan at the hotel and led them to their second National Tournament match against Daiei Academy.
• Ryonan and Daiei Academy entered Court Three to a packed crowd and press, and Ryonan noticed that Daiei Academy resembled Shoyo High School.
• Takeuchi Takuya doubted Ryonan because of its height, while Yukimura Xinge warned him not to underestimate the team.
• Miura Ryoukai mocked Chi Tong's appearance and dismissed him as an ordinary point guard.
• Tu Wu Chun told Daiei Academy to focus on its own job, and both teams went to their benches and warmed up without provocation.
• After warm-ups ended, the players took their positions for the opening tip.

Ryonan began its game against Daiei Academy and scored the opening basket with Yu Zhu’s dunk. Daiei Academy’s Miura Ryoukai was left baffled by Chi Tong’s unseen pass as the chapter ended.

• Yu Zhu won the opening tip for Ryonan, and Fukuda Kicchou secured the ball.
• Sendoh blocked Tu Wu Chun from reaching Fukuda Kicchou, who advanced and passed to Yueye Hongming.
• Yukimura Shinka cut off Yueye Hongming’s three-point attempt, so Yueye passed to Chi Tong.
• Miura Ryoukai challenged Chi Tong, who secretly passed the ball to Yu Zhu in the paint.
• Yu Zhu dunked over the rim, leaving Miura Ryoukai confused about how Chi Tong had passed the ball.

Ryonan scored a quick opening dunk, then Daiei Academy built an attack through Miura Ryoukai, Tu Chun, and Xuecun Xinge. Uozumi blocked Tu Chun’s layup attempt, but Tu Chun passed to Xuecun, whose three-point shot missed as Yueye Hongming closed in.

• Chi Tong passed the ball through Daiei Academy’s defense, and Ryonan opened the game with a fast dunk to take a 2–0 lead.
• Miura Ryoukai drove up court and passed to Tu Chun, while Muyen Shuduo screened Uozumi to clear a path into the paint.
• Uozumi escaped the screen and blocked Tu Chun’s route to the basket, forcing Tu Chun to pass the ball toward the perimeter in midair.
• Xuecun Xinge caught Tu Chun’s pass and attempted a three-pointer as Yueye Hongming rushed to contest him.
• Xuecun’s shot struck the rim and bounced away.

Daiei Academy tied the game against Ryonan when Yukimura Xinge's shot rolled into the basket, though it counted for two because his foot was on the three-point line. The score stood at 2–2 as the game continued, while Taoka Moichi and the Shohoku players assessed the players on court.

• Yukimura Xinge's shot bounced along the rim before dropping through the basket, tying the score at 2–2.
• Yueye Hongming noticed Yukimura Xinge's foot had touched the three-point line, so the shot counted for two points.
• Yukimura Xinge accepted the mistake, regained his composure, and ran back to defend.
• Taoka Moichi wondered whether Tu Wu Chun's accurate pass under pressure had been planned or improvised.
• Mitsui Hisashi and the Shohoku players compared Yukimura Xinge to Kogure Kiminobu, irritating Kogure as the game continued.

Ryonan and Daiei Academy traded quick scores as Sendoh and Tu Chun tested each other with unexpected passes. The game settled into a fierce balance, with both teams creating scoring chances and defending the paint.

• Sendoh passed past Tu Chun's pressure to Fukuda Kicchou, who dunked to make the score Ryonan 4, Daiei Academy 20.
• Tu Chun evaded Sendoh with a behind-the-back pass to Takeuchi Takuya, who scored to tie the game at 4–4.
• Sendoh admired Tu Chun's similar playmaking and continued to challenge him on both offense and defense.
• Chi Tong orchestrated Ryonan's offense while Sendoh and Fukuda Kicchou added scoring and defensive plays.
• Tu Chun, Miura Liangjie, and Hakaono Kazuta led Daiei Academy's attack with drives, assists, rebounds, and a block as the teams traded advantages.

Ryonan and Daiei Academy remained locked in a close game as Sendoh and Tu Wu Chun tested each other. Miura Ryoukai broke past Chi Tong and challenged Ryonan’s defense, but his shot struck the rim and bounced away.

• Ryonan and Daiei Academy traded baskets for ten minutes without either team gaining a lead.
• Sendoh and Tu Wu Chun matched each other with deceptive dribbling and passing while holding back their full strength.
• Tu Chun passed to Miura Liangjie, who used a burst of speed to get past Chi Tong and drive toward the basket.
• Yu Zhu and Fukuda Kicchou converged beneath the hoop, but Miura Ryoukai shot over them and taunted Chi Tong.
• Miura Ryoukai’s shot hit the front of the rim and bounced away, surprising the players and spectators.

Chi Tong deliberately baited Miura Ryoukai into a shot he was certain to miss, and Yu Zhu secured the rebound. Chi Tong then sent Sendoh on a fast break with a long pass, leaving Sendoh charging toward Daiei Academy’s undefended basket.

• Miura Ryoukai missed his shot and realized Chi Tong had intentionally let him break through, using Fukuda Kicchou and Yu Zhu’s positioning to alter his shooting angle.
• Tu Chun understood that Chi Tong had planned the entire defensive sequence and felt alarmed by his precision.
• Yu Zhu grabbed the rebound and immediately passed the ball to Chi Tong.
• Sendoh spotted a fast-break opportunity and sprinted toward Daiei Academy’s half as Tu Chun chased him.
• Chi Tong launched a long pass to Sendoh, who caught it and drove toward the basket with the paint empty.

Ryonan extended its lead over Daiei Academy after Sendoh scored, then Chi Tong stole the ball during Daiei Academy’s coordinated attack and set up another fast-break dunk. The chapter ended with Ryonan scoring twice in a row and opening the first gap between the teams.

• Sendoh scored at the basket after Tu Chun failed to catch up to him.
• Tu Wu Chun signaled Daiei Academy to launch an all-out attack, and the team’s quick passing broke through Ryonan’s first line of defense.
• Tu Wu Chun avoided Fukuda Kicchou’s block in midair and passed to Hakaono Kazuta near the basket.
• Chi Tong stole the ball from Hakaono Kazuta and launched a long pass to Sendoh, who had already raced past midcourt.
• Sendoh dunked at Daiei Academy’s basket, giving Ryonan consecutive scores and its first lead by a margin.

Ryonan steadily widened its lead over Daiei Academy as Yu Zhu and Fukuda Kiccho overwhelmed their opponents and Chi Tong Lingyu stifled Miura Ryoukai. Tu Chun began to realize Ryonan was stronger than he had expected, and the game continued with Daiei struggling to find answers.

• Fukuda Kiccho scored to extend Yunnan’s lead to 42–32 as Daiei Academy’s players grew exhausted and their offense faltered.
• Xuecun Xinge recognized Yu Zhu’s strength at center, while Takeuchi Takuya complained that Fukuda Kiccho’s constant movement was draining his stamina.
• Tu Chun concluded that Sendoh Akira was a top-level player after their repeated clashes and wondered why he was not Ryonan’s captain.
• Tu Chun recalled Chi Tong Lingyu’s precise passes, steals, and defensive control, and feared that Chi might be even stronger than Sendoh.
• Miura Ryoukai remained unable to get past Chi Tong Lingyu’s defense, and his confidence and shooting accuracy declined.

As Ryonan held a ten-point lead, Shohoku and Hainan questioned why Chi Tong kept setting up Sendoh rather than attacking himself. Daiei Academy abruptly changed its pace and began a fierce comeback, ending the chapter with Tu Wu Chun stripping the ball from Fukuda Kicchou.

• Shohoku's players discussed Miura Ryoukai's status as a super rookie and wondered why Chi Tong repeatedly created chances for Sendoh to face Tu Wu Chun.
• Mu Shenyi suspected Chi Tong's precise passing was part of a deeper tactical plan rather than merely an effort to set up a duel.
• With fewer than five minutes left in the half, Miura Ryoukai passed to Tu Wu Chun, who used Takeuchi Takuya's screen to drive and then set up Xuecun Xinge for a three-pointer.
• Ryonan counterattacked as Chi Tong passed to Sendoh, who fed Fukuda Kicchou cutting into the paint.
• Tu Wu Chun abandoned Sendoh and knocked the ball from Fukuda Kicchou's hands just as Fukuda prepared to dunk.

Daiei Academy cut Ryonan’s lead to four with two quick three-pointers, prompting Chi Tong to tighten the defense on Yukimura Shinka. Sendoh later broke through a double-team by Tu Chun and Takeuchi Takuya, leaving Ryonan’s attack poised to continue.

• Miura Ryoukai grabbed Fukuda Kicchou’s blocked shot and quickly passed to Yukimura Shinka, who made a three-pointer to bring the score to Ryonan 42, Daiei Academy 38.
• Chi Tong noticed Yukimura’s quick releases and told Yueye Hongming to stay close to him.
• Sendoh received Chi Tong’s pass, but Tu Chun’s improved defense and Takeuchi Takuya’s help trapped him in a double-team.
• Sendoh evaded several steal attempts, spotted a gap between the defenders, and drove past Tu Chun to escape the double-team.

Sendoh broke Daiei Academy’s double-team with an assist to Fukuda Kicchou, but Daiei Academy answered with a rapid attack capped by Yukimura Shinka’s three-pointer. The first half ended with Ryonan leading 44–41, and Ryonan left the court calmly for halftime.

• Sendoh evaded Miura Ryoukai and Takeuchi Takuya’s double-team and passed to Fukuda Kicchou, who dunked to put Ryonan ahead 44–38.
• Daiei Academy launched a fast break, moving the ball quickly through Ryonan’s unsettled defense.
• Tu Wu Chun drew Sendoh into a shooting contest, then bounce-passed to Yukimura Shinka, who made a three-pointer.
• The halftime whistle ended the first half with Ryonan leading Daiei Academy 44–41.
• Chitong Lingyu led Ryonan toward the players’ tunnel as the team remained composed.

At halftime, Shendai Liufei described Chi Tong’s tactics as arranging teammates like trusted chess pieces, though she could not identify her exact plan. Daiei’s players regrouped in the locker room, where Takeuchi Takuya acknowledged Ryonan’s ability.

• Tu Chun watched Ryonan leave the court and felt uneasy despite Daiei trailing by only three points.
• Xiangtian Miesheng and Mukai Yayo puzzled over Ryonan’s measured play and Chi Tong’s unusual choices.
• Shendai Liufei explained that Chi Tong treated the court as a chessboard and assigned teammates roles suited to their strengths.
• Shendai Liufei admitted she did not know Chi Tong’s current plan, then praised Chi Tong’s mysterious charm.
• Daiei’s players rested in the locker room, and Takeuchi Takuya remarked that Ryonan had real ability.

At halftime, Daiei Academy planned to contain Chi Tong, Uozumi, and Sendoh, while Chi Tong said Ryonan was ready to make its move. As the teams returned to the court, Xiangtian Yanyi prepared to prove herself as Ryonan’s new ace.

• Tu Chun told Daiei Academy to deny Chi Tong the ball, have Hakaono avoid direct battles with Uozumi, and assigned Sendoh to himself.
• Miura Liangjie vowed to shadow Chi Tong and stop him from receiving or passing freely.
• Sendoh asked Chi Tong for Ryonan’s plan, and Chi Tong said the first half had been reconnaissance and it was time to make their move.
• Yueye Hongming and Sendoh encouraged Xiangtian Yanyi, who overcame her nerves and promised to give her all.
• The referee called both teams onto the court, and Ikegami Ryoji urged everyone to watch Ryonan’s new ace.