Chapter Summaries

Sannoh broke the deadlock against Hainan by tightening its offense and defense, while Mu Shenyi tried to steady Hainan’s attack. Sannoh then scored an and-one and shut down Hainan’s attempts to catch up, leaving the team overwhelmed as the first half neared its end.

• Sannoh’s center drew a double-team and passed to an open teammate, whose basket shifted the balance of the game.
• Xiangtian Yanyi, Ikegami Ryoji, Sendoh, and Chi Tong recognized Sannoh’s planned pressure, while Maki Shinichi regarded the Sannoh point guard warily.
• Mu Shenyi used Kiyota Nobunaga’s screen to pass to Takasago Kazuma, who scored a hook shot and briefly steadied Hainan.
• Sannoh’s center forced his way past Takasago Kazuma, drew a shooting foul, and scored the basket for an and-one.
• Hainan hurried its attacks, but Sannoh stopped them and widened its control of the game.

Sannoh extended its lead over Hainan to ten points by halftime, leaving the spectators and Ryonan players stunned. The second half began with Sannoh's center and Takasago Kazuma battling fiercely for the jump ball, and Sannoh's center used a feint to tip it away from him.

• Sannoh capitalized on Hainan's mistakes and fatigue to pull ahead by ten points before the first half ended, 38–28.
• The spectators and Ryonan players reacted with awe to Sannoh's dominance, while Chi Tong remained unruffled.
• The second half began with Sannoh's center and Takasago Kazuma contesting the jump ball.
• Takasago Kazuma disrupted Sannoh's center's attempt to control the ball, but the center feinted left and tipped it to the right past Takasago's reach.

Sannoh opened the second half with a coordinated three-pointer, then disrupted Hainan’s response with a steal and a fast break. The chapter ended with Sannoh’s point guard feinting against Hainan’s last defender beneath the basket.

• Sannoh’s point guard probed Hainan’s defense before passing through the power forward and Sawakita Eiji to an open shooting guard, who made a three-pointer.
• Maki Shinichi faked left and passed toward Kiyota Nobunaga on the sideline, but Sannoh’s shooting guard intercepted the ball.
• Sannoh’s power forward recovered the loose ball and passed ahead to the point guard to launch a fast break.
• Sannoh’s point guard and power forward raced beneath Hainan’s basket, where the point guard feinted a layup against the last defender.

Sannoh overwhelmed Hainan with a devastating second-half run, exploiting its defense and widening the lead. Hainan fell further behind as Sannoh continued to score at will.

• Sannoh's point guard set up the power forward for an easy basket, then broke through Hainan's defense and assisted Sawakita Eiji on a dunk.
• Sawakita Eiji stole the ball from Maki Shinichi and scored on a fast break, completing Sannoh's four-basket burst and extending the lead to eighteen points.
• Sannoh's point guard directed the offense while Sawakita Eiji scored repeatedly and Sannoh's center controlled the rebounds and protected the basket.
• Hainan's attacks repeatedly failed against Sannoh's defense, and Sannoh stretched its lead from eighteen to twenty-six points.

Hainan fought back against Sannoh after falling behind by twenty-eight points, with Maki Shinichi breaking through to set up Jin Soichiro for a three-pointer. Sannoh quickly resumed its relentless pace, and Maki Shinichi unleashed Wildness as the teams traded attacks.

• Despite their overwhelming deficit, Hainan's players stayed determined and continued to fight.
• Maki Shinichi used a feint to break through Sannoh's point guard and passed to Jin Soichiro, who made a three-pointer.
• Sannoh and Hainan traded quick scores and defensive stops as the game accelerated.
• Maki Shinichi activated Wildness and attacked Sannoh with renewed speed and force.

Hainan briefly fought Sannoh to a standstill after Maki Shinichi unleashed Wildness, but their momentum and stamina faded while Sannoh kept the lead above twenty points. Takato Riki called a timeout with Sannoh ahead 67–45, and Sento asked Chi Tong whether Hainan still had a chance to come back.

• Maki Shinichi led Hainan through a fierce offensive and defensive surge, but Chi Tong recognized that Sannoh was matching them without unleashing Wildness.
• As the second half progressed, Hainan's players grew tired while Sannoh maintained its rhythm and kept the point gap above twenty.
• Chi Tong concluded that Hainan had no realistic chance to recover despite roughly ten minutes remaining.
• Three minutes later, Sannoh led Hainan 67–45, and Takato Riki called a timeout as Hainan's momentum collapsed.
• Yueye Hongming, Xiangtian Yanyi, Shishang Liang'er, and Sento discussed Hainan's fading chances, and Sento asked Chi Tong if they could still make a comeback.

Chi Tong explained that Hainan had fallen into Sannoh's trap and predicted Ryonan would need its trump cards to challenge them. As Sannoh widened its lead past thirty points, Chi Tong recognized that Fukatsu Kazunari could calmly counter Maki Shinichi's Wildness.

• Chi Tong told Sendoh that Hainan had already used nearly all its trump cards while Sannoh had held back, and said Ryonan would need its own trump cards to beat them.
• After the timeout, Sannoh launched a fierce attack and quickly restored a twenty-eight-point lead with five minutes remaining.
• Hainan's players, led by Mu Shenyi, kept fighting despite their certain defeat, while Sannoh maintained its focus and drew Ryonan's admiration.
• With four minutes left, Sannoh's lead passed thirty points, and Fukatsu Kazunari repeatedly stopped Maki Shinichi's drives and read his passes.
• Chi Tong watched Fukatsu and concluded that his suspicions about the point guard's ability to counter Maki Shinichi's Wildness were correct.

After watching Sannoh defeat Hainan, Ryonan and Shohoku prepared for their afternoon match, which would decide whether Shohoku could continue in the tournament. During lunch, Shendai Liufei brought Chi Tong peach juice, and he asked whether she had eaten.

• Chi Tong suspected that Fukatsu Kazunari also possessed Wildness, though his ordinary strength had been enough to face Maki Shinichi.
• After Sannoh's victory over Hainan, Chi Tong led Ryonan out of the stands to prepare for their game against Shohoku.
• Akagi rallied Shohoku, whose players focused on the must-win match against Ryonan and thought of Chi Tong's striking red hair and differently colored eyes.
• At noon, Chi Tong ate his elaborate bento alone in a quiet corner of the gymnasium.
• Shendai Liufei brought Chi Tong a bottle of peach juice, and he thanked her before asking whether she had eaten.

Shendai Liufei shared lunch with Chi Tong, then Shohoku’s players gathered in the locker room to steel themselves for their afternoon game against Ryonan. Akagi rallied the team around their dream of winning the national championship, and the players left ready to face their rivals.

• Chi Tong persuaded Shendai Liufei to share his lunch, and they ate together before he returned to the gym.
• Shendai Liufei watched Chi Tong leave and privately imagined that their lunch had felt like a couple eating together.
• Akagi reminded Shohoku that reaching the national tournament and winning the championship had been his lifelong dream and his last chance to achieve it.
• Mumu Gongyan and Mitsui Hisashi vowed to fight for their long-awaited opportunity, while Mitsui also looked forward to settling the score with Ryonan.
• Sakuragi Hanamichi, Gongcheng Liangtian, and Rukawa showed their determination to face Ryonan and avenge their previous defeat.

Shohoku and Ryonan prepared for their national tournament semifinal, with Ryonan confident but wary of Shohoku’s progress. Both teams entered a packed gym and faced each other as their Kanagawa derby was about to begin.

• Ayako saw that Shohoku had overcome its fear of Ryonan, and Anzai arrived to review how they would handle their opponent.
• Taoka Moichi warned Ryonan not to underestimate Shohoku, while Chi Tong said Shohoku was only a step toward his real goal, Sannoh Industrial High School.
• A staff member called Ryonan to the court, and Taoka Moichi led the team out, determined to show that they were Kanagawa’s strongest team.
• Fans and photographers filled Basketball Gym No. 1 as both teams emerged to loud cheers.
• The Shohoku and Ryonan players stopped opposite each other at the tunnel entrances, facing off before the semifinal began.

Shohoku and Ryonan began warming up in an unusually tense, quiet gymnasium before Shohoku’s players drew the crowd’s attention with their skills. Mitsui Hisashi made a flawless string of three-pointers, while Miyagi Ryota dazzled with his dribbling and Akagi and Kogure practiced precise passes.

• Ryonan and Shohoku returned to their benches, then stepped onto the court to warm up in a tense silence.
• Shohoku’s players broke the quiet with an energetic warm-up that caught the spectators’ attention.
• Mitsui Hisashi sank a long series of textbook-perfect three-pointers, stunning the crowd and other players.
• Miyagi Ryota impressed onlookers with rapid, intricate ball-handling.
• Akagi and Kogure ran near the three-point line and exchanged precise passes without breaking stride.

During warm-ups, Sakuragi Hanamichi watched Ryonan’s precise passing before provoking the team and suddenly sprinting toward Shohoku’s basket. The chapter ended with Yueye Hongming confused by Sakuragi’s unexpected move.

• Jin Soichiro and Kiyota Nobunaga wondered why Sakuragi Hanamichi stood motionless, while Maki Shinichi watched him thoughtfully.
• Chi Tong impressed spectators with passes that reached his teammates with exceptional precision.
• Sakuragi Hanamichi stopped dribbling, approached the center line, and declared that he would beat Ryonan because he was a genius.
• Sakuragi Hanamichi turned toward Shohoku’s basket and sprinted toward it with the ball as Yueye Hongming watched in confusion.

Sakuragi Hanamichi attempted a free-throw-line dunk in front of the stunned crowd, but the ball hit the rim and bounced into his face, sending him crashing to the floor. He lay motionless as the arena fell silent, then the spectators burst into laughter.

• Sakuragi Hanamichi raced toward the basket and launched himself from the free-throw line as the crowd realized he was attempting a long-distance dunk.
• Sakuragi Hanamichi swung the ball toward the hoop, but it struck the rim instead of going in.
• The rebound hit Sakuragi Hanamichi in the face, and he lost his balance and slammed onto the court.
• Sakuragi Hanamichi lay motionless while the arena watched in stunned silence.
• A spectator snorted, and laughter spread through the gym as people mocked Sakuragi Hanamichi's failed dunk.

After Sakuragi Hanamichi failed spectacularly at a free-throw-line dunk, Shohoku and Ryonan reacted with embarrassment and laughter. Sakuragi insisted on trying again, but Takenori Akagi knocked him down, leaving him protesting on the floor.

• Sakuragi Hanamichi’s failed dunk attempt left him sprawled on the court as Ryonan players laughed and Shohoku’s players froze in embarrassment.
• Mitsui Hisashi, Miyagi Ryota, Rukawa, Mumu Gongyan, and Akagi reacted with frustration, shame, or anger at Sakuragi’s stunt.
• Sakuragi Hanamichi recovered, declared that his attempt did not count, and announced he would try the dunk again.
• Takenori Akagi struck Sakuragi Hanamichi on the back of the head, knocking him to the floor and sending the basketball rolling away.
• Sakuragi Hanamichi complained to Akagi that he had been about to succeed.

Shohoku and Ryonan began their game with Yu Zhu and Akagi locked in an unprecedented series of jump balls. Akagi finally tipped the ball to Miyagi Ryota, giving Shohoku the first possession as its players moved into Ryonan's half.

• Sakuragi Hanamichi's pregame antics left Shohoku's players embarrassed before the timeout ended.
• The referee introduced the starting lineups and began the game with a jump ball between Yu Zhu and Akagi Takenori.
• Yu Zhu and Akagi failed to claim the ball during the first two jump-ball attempts, forcing the referee to restart each time.
• On the third attempt, Yu Zhu and Akagi repeatedly leaped and tipped the ball until Akagi reached it first and sent it toward Miyagi Ryota.
• Shohoku secured possession and its players advanced into Ryonan's half to begin their attack.

Shohoku opened the game with a three-pointer from Mitsui Hisashi, then Ryonan counterattacked as Chi Tong passed to Koshino Hiroaki for a shot. Koshino released the ball before Mitsui could block him, leaving the outcome of the attempt unresolved.

• Miyagi Ryota avoided Chi Tong's defense and drove into Ryonan's paint.
• Miyagi feinted a pass toward Liu Chuanfeng, then sent the ball to Mitsui Hisashi on the wing.
• Mitsui made a three-pointer to give Shohoku a 3–0 lead.
• Uozumi warned Ryonan to stay alert as Chi Tong began their counterattack.
• Chi Tong passed to Koshino Hiroaki, who released a shot before Mitsui could reach him.

Ryonan tied the score with Koshino’s three-pointer, but Shohoku regained the lead through a Miyagi layup. The game continued with Sendoh shutting down Rukawa’s drive, and An Xiguang noticed something different about Chi Tong.

• Koshino made a three-pointer that tied Ryonan and Shohoku at 3–3.
• Ayako noted that Ryonan played with more composure, while An Xiguang watched Chi Tong and wondered what had changed about him.
• Akagi and Yu Zhu fought for position in the paint as Rukawa tried to get past Sendoh.
• Sendoh blocked Rukawa’s drive, and Rukawa passed the ball to Miyagi.
• Miyagi used Akagi’s screen to get past Yu Zhu and scored a layup, putting Shohoku ahead 5–3.

Ryonan tied the score at 5–5 when Sendoh evaded Liu Chuanfeng and scored a pull-up jumper over Shohoku’s defense. Akagi urged Shohoku to stay composed, and Mitsui Hisashi faced off against Yueye Hongming as Shohoku began its next attack.

• Chi Tong passed to Sendoh, who drove past Liu Chuanfeng and pulled up before Akagi could contest his shot.
• Sendoh’s jumper went in, bringing the score to Ryonan 5, Shohoku 5.
• Akagi told Shohoku to stay focused, avoid rushing, and keep its rhythm.
• Miyagi Ryota crossed midcourt and passed the ball to Mitsui Hisashi.
• Mitsui Hisashi taunted Yueye Hongming, who mocked Mitsui for having been away from the court for two years.

Mitsui Hisashi and Yueye Hongming traded baskets as Shohoku and Lingnan stayed even in a fast-paced opening. With the score tied at 20-20, Chi Tong decided to change the pace by targeting Shohoku’s ace, Liu Chuanfeng.

• Mitsui Hisashi taunted Yueye Hongming, then shook him with a crossover and spin before scoring a three-pointer.
• Yueye Hongming used a screen from Fukuda Kicchou while Koshino drew Mitsui Hisashi aside, then hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 8-8.
• Shohoku and Lingnan continued exchanging points, reaching ties at 12-12, 16-16, and 20-20.
• Sento praised Shohoku’s improvement, while Chi Tong said they were getting carried away and chose to test Liu Chuanfeng.
• Chi Tong passed the ball to Sendoh, who understood and welcomed the plan to challenge Shohoku’s ace.

Sendoh broke through Shohoku’s defense and scored to put Ryonan ahead 22–20, then the game’s growing focus on his clashes with Rukawa continued. Rukawa demanded the ball on Shohoku’s next possession and drove into Ryonan’s half, where Sendoh met him outside the three-point line.

• Sendoh crossed into Shohoku’s half and used a crossover and spin to get past Rukawa.
• Akagi and Sakuragi Hanamichi closed in, but Sendoh switched the ball behind his back, created space with a stepback, and scored.
• The scoreboard changed to Ryonan 22, Shohoku 20, and Sendoh jogged back to defend.
• Fans and substitutes began to sense that the increasingly frequent Sendoh–Rukawa duel was tilting toward Sendoh.
• Rukawa demanded the ball on Shohoku’s next possession and drove toward Ryonan’s half, where Sendoh stopped him near the three-point line.