Chapter Summaries

The Kanagawa Representative Team’s arrival stirred awe among the other teams, while Sannoh Industrial High School focused on avenging its loss to Chi Tong and Ryonan. The Autumn National Sports Festival’s opening ceremony began with the teams assembled at Tokyo Gymnasium.

• Tu Chun recognized that Xiangtian Yanyi had made the Kanagawa Representative Team, and Toyotama High hoped another team could defeat Kanagawa.
• The Akita Prefecture Representative Team watched Chi Tong and resolved to challenge Kanagawa and avenge its defeat in the National Tournament final.
• Masashi Kawata, Nobe Masahiro, Matsumoto Minoru, Ichinokura Satoshi, and Sawakita Eiji voiced or reaffirmed their determination to fight Kanagawa without fear.
• The host announced the opening ceremony at Tokyo Gymnasium, and the teams lined up in alphabetical order with Kanagawa in the middle.
• The organizer’s representative began a speech that lasted more than half an hour.

After the opening ceremony, the Kanagawa Representative Team reviewed the Autumn National Sports Festival’s format and prepared for its first game against Shizuoka Prefecture. The next morning, Chi Tong and the team arrived at a packed Tokyo Gymnasium for the start of the competition.

• The players endured the long opening ceremony, then left the gymnasium and returned to their hotel.
• Takato Riki and Ayako told the team that their first game would be against Shizuoka Prefecture and urged them to rest and prepare.
• The team learned that the tournament began with a round-robin group stage before advancing teams entered single-elimination rounds.
• Akagi, Mu Shenyi, Fujima Kenji, Xiangtian Yanyi, and Chi Tong discussed the format and agreed that the team’s goal was to win every game.
• The next morning, Chi Tong and the Kanagawa Representative Team arrived at the crowded Tokyo Gymnasium for the first day of competition.

Kanagawa and Shizuoka opened the Autumn National Sports Festival amid a roaring crowd, with Kanagawa heavily favored and Shizuoka under pressure. Kanagawa surprised spectators by starting a rotated lineup to build team chemistry.

• The teams prepared for the opening game, and Chi Tong said Kanagawa would beat Shizuoka as it had at the National Tournament.
• Takato Riki led Kanagawa out of the locker room as the arena filled with cheers for Kanagawa and its star players.
• Shizuoka's players, including Tamakoshiba and Fu Jianyi Bo, looked dejected by the crowd's overwhelming support for Kanagawa and the gap between the teams.
• The referee started the game, and the giant screen revealed that Kanagawa had chosen Hanagata Toru, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Kiyota Nobunaga, Jin Soichiro, and Miyagi Ryota as its starting five.

Kanagawa’s alternate lineup dominated Toughsteel despite the opponents’ determined effort, taking a 47–31 halftime lead. Toughsteel’s second-half focus on protecting the paint briefly sparked a comeback, but Kanagawa adjusted by shifting its attack toward the perimeter and midrange.

• Kanagawa started Toru Hanayuki, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Kiyota Nobunaga, Jin Soichiro, and Miyagi Ryota against Toughsteel’s lineup led by Tamakoshiba.
• Kanagawa controlled the first half as Hanagata Toru scored inside, Kiyota Nobunaga attacked the basket, Jin Soichiro made threes, and Sakuragi Hanamichi dominated the boards.
• Kanagawa ended the first half ahead 47–31 after Sakuragi Hanamichi grabbed a rebound and launched a long pass to Kiyota Nobunaga for a layup.
• Toughsteel packed its defense into the paint after halftime, disrupted Kanagawa’s frontcourt, and scored six unanswered points to cut the deficit to ten.
• Takato Riki signaled Kanagawa to attack, and Miyagi Ryota moved the ball outside while Jin Soichiro and Kiyota Nobunaga drew defenders; Hanagata Toru scored from midrange and Sakuragi Hanamichi grabbed an offensive rebound.

Kanagawa defeated Jinggang 102:73 on the Autumn National Sports Festival’s first day, then prepared for a high-profile second-day game against Aichi. The chapter ended with Kanagawa’s players discussing how to handle Aichi’s powerful center, Mori Zhongkuan.

• Kanagawa overcame Jinggang’s defense and won its opening game by 29 points.
• The other first-day games ended with Miyazaki, Akita, and Qiyu also claiming victories, while Akita won by 61 points.
• The second day drew a packed crowd for the Group A matchup between Kanagawa and Aichi, whose standout players included Morishige Hiroshi and Zhu Xingda.
• In Kanagawa’s locker room, Sakuragi Hanamichi recalled being knocked down by Mori Zhongkuan, while Uozumi remembered being dominated by him at the National Tournament.
• Fujima Kenji and Gongcheng Liangtian discussed exploiting Mori Zhongkuan’s inexperience and foul trouble, as Takato Riki quietly considered his tactics.

Kanagawa coach Takato Riki chose Akagi to start at center against Aichi, assigning him to contain Morishige Hiroshi while Mitsui and Jin led the scoring. In Aichi’s locker room, Morishige and Zhu Xingda prepared to avenge their National Tournament defeat as coach Nomoto Risan urged them to bring down Kanagawa.

• Taoka Moichi recommended that Akagi start because his adaptability and help defense suited Aichi’s offense, and Takato Riki agreed.
• Takato Riki named Akagi, Liu Chuanfeng, Mitsui Hisashi, Fujima Kenji, and Jin Soichiro as Kanagawa’s starters.
• Takato Riki assigned Akagi to contain Morishige Hiroshi and rebound, Mitsui and Jin to score, and Liu Chuanfeng to guard Zhu Xingda.
• Morishige Hiroshi recalled his defeat by Ryonan and vowed to crush Kanagawa, while Zhu Xingda resolved to avenge his National Tournament loss.
• Nomoto Risan encouraged Morishige Hiroshi and Zhu Xingda, telling them their strength inside and on the perimeter could secure Aichi’s victory.

Kanagawa and Aichi prepared for their highly anticipated game, but Aichi's Zhu Xingda and Mori Zhongkuan bristled at Kanagawa's lineup and challenged their opponents. The chapter ended with Takenori Akagi and Mori Zhongkuan facing off at center court as the referee prepared to start play.

• Aichi's players left the locker room fired up, and both teams entered the gym to loud cheers and tense anticipation.
• Kanagawa and Aichi revealed their starting lineups, and Aichi's Zhu Xingda and Mori Zhongkuan were displeased that Zhi Tong was absent.
• Zhu Xingda accused Kanagawa of disrespecting Aichi with its lineup, and Fujima Kenji defended the coach's decision while Mitsui Hisashi exchanged insults with Zhu Xingda.
• Mori Zhongkuan confronted Takenori Akagi, taunted him about his size, and challenged him to withstand a charge.
• Akagi stood his ground against Mori Zhongkuan as the referee approached with the ball to begin the game.

Kanagawa and Aichi began their game, with Aichi taking the opening tip and Zhu Xingda scoring a three-pointer before mocking Mitsui Hisashi. Kanagawa answered with an Akagi dunk, but Zhu Xingda then shook Mitsui again, leaving Mitsui off balance as Aichi continued attacking.

• Morishige Hiroshi outjumped Akagi to win the opening tip for Aichi.
• Takeuchi Yusi brought the ball up and passed to Zhu Xingda, who crossed past Mitsui Hisashi and made a three-pointer.
• Zhu Xingda taunted Mitsui Hisashi, and Fujima Kenji warned Mitsui not to let the provocation affect him.
• Fujima Kenji used Akagi's screen to draw Sun Zhongkuan and lobbed the ball to Akagi, who dunked for Kanagawa.
• Takeuchi Yusi passed to Zhu Xingda again, and Zhu Xingda's dribbling and step-back left Mitsui Hisashi staggering.

Aichi’s offense accelerated as Zhu Xingda outplayed Mitsui Hisashi on the perimeter and Morishige Hiroshi overwhelmed Akagi in the paint. Kanagawa’s defense faltered and the score gap widened, leaving Mitsui struggling against Zhu Xingda.

• Zhu Xingda hit another three-pointer and taunted Mitsui Hisashi, who grew furious and resolved to score.
• Fujima Kenji set up Liu Chuanfeng with a subtle signal, and Liu used Akagi’s screen to catch a lob and score over Fukuda Kentai.
• Sun Zhongkuan repeatedly powered past Akagi for dunks, while Aichi fed him the ball and punished Kanagawa’s attempts to double-team.
• Aichi’s interior attack wore down Akagi and opened scoring chances for its other players, widening the gap against Kanagawa.
• Zhu Xingda continued to dominate Mitsui Hisashi, hitting another three-pointer and looking down on him with contempt.

Aichi held a nine-point lead over Kanagawa at halftime as Zhu Xingda repeatedly exploited Mitsui Hisashi’s frustration. Takato Riki kept Chi Tong and Mu Shenyi on the bench, and the second half began with Akagi challenging Morishige Hiroshi more aggressively.

• Zhu Xingda scored over Mitsui Hisashi repeatedly, while Mitsui’s rushed shots were disrupted and Aichi extended its lead.
• Aichi ended the first half ahead of Kanagawa 52–43 as Morishige Hiroshi limited Akagi and Aichi’s defense pressured Jin Soichiro.
• Takato Riki considered sending in Chi Tong and Mu Shenyi but decided to let the current lineup continue and urged the players to defend more solidly.
• Chi Tong agreed that Akagi and Mitsui Hisashi needed to face their struggles themselves rather than rely on substitutions.
• When the second half began, Akagi planted himself in front of Morishige Hiroshi and stopped his advance with a forceful collision.

Kanagawa’s defensive pressure and the three-point shooting of Mitsui Hisashi and Jin Soichiro erased Aichi Prefecture’s first-half lead and took control of the game. Aichi’s two aces kept producing, but their weaker supporting players could not stop Kanagawa’s attack, and Aichi’s comeback failed.

• Akagi contained Sun Zhongkuan with physical defense while Liu Chuanfeng denied Zhu Xingda the ball, freeing Mitsui Hisashi and Jin Soichiro to shoot.
• Fujima Kenji found gaps in Aichi’s defense and created open shots as Mitsui Hisashi and Jin Soichiro hit repeated three-pointers.
• Jin Soichiro made a corner three off Teng Zhen’s pass to tie the score at 62-62.
• Aichi’s passing and defense deteriorated under Kanagawa’s sustained offense, while Ye Ben Lisan struggled to change the momentum.
• Kanagawa subdued Aichi despite Morishige Hiroshi’s strong interior performance and Zhu Xingda’s scoring, and Aichi’s attempted comeback failed.

Kanagawa defeated Aichi 104:88, then overwhelmed Okayama in its final group-stage game, finishing Group A with three victories and a 103-point blowout. The group stage concluded with Kanagawa firmly established as the group leader and ready for the knockout rounds.

• Mitsui Hisashi, Jin Soichiro, and Rukawa powered Kanagawa past Aichi, while Akagi made a final block before the buzzer confirmed a 104:88 victory.
• Coach Takato Riki said Kanagawa would rotate its lineup against Okayama so the starters could rest for the knockout stage.
• Kanagawa opened against Okayama with a 16:4 lead and went into halftime ahead 66:34.
• Okayama's players lost their resolve in the second half as Kanagawa's substitutes continued scoring against their ineffective defense.
• Kanagawa finished the game with a 179:76 victory, crushing Okayama by 103 points and completing its group-stage campaign.

Kanagawa and seven other teams advanced from the group stage, then learned their quarterfinal opponents after a day of intense preparation. The quarterfinals began with Kanagawa set to face Hiroshima.

• Kanagawa finished the group stage undefeated and claimed first place in Group A.
• The top two teams from each group advanced, leaving Kanagawa, Aichi, Gunma, Gongqi County, Akita Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Qiyu County, and Hiroshima Prefecture in the tournament.
• The advancing teams spent their rest day studying opponents and preparing tactics before the quarterfinal draw was announced.
• The announced quarterfinal matchups included Kanagawa versus Hiroshima, Osaka Prefecture versus Gunma Prefecture, Aichi versus Miyazaki Prefecture, and Akita Prefecture versus Hiroshima Prefecture.
• The quarterfinals began amid a tense, excited atmosphere, with Kanagawa scheduled to play Hiroshima on the first morning.

Kanagawa entered its quarterfinal against Hiroshima as the overwhelming favorite, while the hostile crowd left Hiroshima’s players struggling with pressure. The teams completed warm-ups, and the match began with Chi Tong in Kanagawa’s starting lineup.

• Spectators packed the arena to cheer for Kanagawa and its star players Chi Tong, Sendoh, and Liu Chuanfeng.
• Kanagawa’s strength and Hiroshima’s early exit from the National Tournament led spectators and commentators to expect an easy Kanagawa victory.
• Hiroshima’s players felt isolated and tense as the crowd’s cheers for Kanagawa drowned out their supporters.
• Kanagawa’s players remained composed, with Chi Tong’s steady presence helping the team stay grounded.
• Both teams finished warming up, and the referee started the quarterfinal with Chi Tong in Kanagawa’s starting lineup.

Kanagawa dominated Hiroshima in the quarterfinal under Chi Tong’s control, building an 80:31 halftime lead before both teams replaced their starters. Kanagawa won 144:73 and advanced to the final four of the Autumn National Sports Festival.

• Kanagawa started Chi Tong alongside Rukawa Kaede, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Yu Zhu, and Jin Soichiro, alarming Hiroshima.
• Chi Tong controlled the game from the opening whistle, leading Kanagawa to an 80:31 halftime score with 35 assists and 15 steals while scoring no points himself.
• Hiroshima’s coach withdrew all the starters for the second half, and Takato Riki responded by sending in Kanagawa’s reserves.
• The reserves played out the second half, and Kanagawa defeated Hiroshima 144:73 to reach the final four.

The quarterfinals ended with Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, and Akita advancing, and Kanagawa’s semifinal against Osaka was set for the next morning. During the rest day, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei went shopping for gifts before planning to visit her parents and their Tokyo homes.

• The quarterfinals concluded, sending the Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, and Akita teams to the semifinals.
• The organizers announced that Kanagawa would face Osaka in the morning and Aichi would face Akita in the afternoon.
• Chi Tong left the hotel with Shendai Liufei to enjoy the rest day, while Takato Riki and Taoka Moichi approved his choice.
• Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei selected gifts, including tea snacks and nutritional supplements for elders.
• Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei agreed to visit her parents in Tokyo and stop by their own Tokyo residences.

Chi Tong visited Shendai Liufei’s family, where her parents warmly welcomed him, then returned with her to his home before they went back to their hotel. The next day, Kanagawa’s battle for a place in the basketball tournament’s final four began against the Great Axe Representative Team.

• Chi Tong accompanied Shendai Liufei to her family home, where her parents welcomed him and Mrs. Shindai prepared a lavish meal.
• Mr. Shindai praised Chi Tong’s role in Kanagawa’s success, and Shendai Liufei admitted she had written many of the flattering news reports herself.
• After dining with the Shindai family, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei returned to the Chitong home and shared a second meal to honor the butler’s efforts.
• Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei chatted briefly, then took a private car back to their hotel.
• The next day, Kanagawa began its battle for the final four against the Great Axe Representative Team.

Kanagawa faced the Great Axe Representative Team in the Autumn National Sports Festival semifinal, with Maki Shinichi starting in place of Chi Tong. Kanagawa controlled the game from the opening whistle, while Chi Tong noticed that Great Axe’s key players were performing below their best.

• Kanagawa and Great Axe faced each other on the court, and Minami Retsu, Kishimoto Minori, and their former Toyotama teammates showed resentment and fear toward Chi Tong, Sendoh, and Yu Zhu.
• Chi Tong left the confrontation without concern and headed to Kanagawa’s bench.
• Takato Riki and Tiangang Maoyi agreed to start Maki Shinichi instead of Chi Tong against Great Axe.
• Kanagawa’s starting lineup featured Yu Zhu, Toru Hanayuki, Sendoh, Jin Soichiro, and Maki Shinichi.
• Kanagawa took control as soon as the game began, and Chi Tong noticed that Minami Retsu, Anben Shili, and the others were not playing at their best.

Kanagawa overwhelmed Big Axe 123–79 to reach the Autumn National Sports Festival final. Akita Prefecture then defeated Aichi as expected, setting up a final between Kanagawa and Akita.

• Chi Tong watched Big Axe struggle with fear and hesitation as Kanagawa controlled the semifinal.
• Kanagawa defeated Big Axe 123–79, ending Big Axe’s tournament and advancing to the final.
• Spectators turned their attention to the afternoon semifinal between Aichi and Akita, widely expecting Akita to win.
• Akita Prefecture defeated Aichi with steady play and overwhelming strength, securing the other place in the final.

Kanagawa prepared to face Akita’s Sannoh Industrial High School in the Autumn National Sports Festival final, while Chi Tong privately believed his evolved ability made victory certain. On final day, Aichi and Osaka Prefecture played the third-place game as the crowd gathered for the afternoon showdown.

• Kanagawa’s players and coaches worried about facing Sannoh Industrial High School, while Chi Tong remained composed and confident.
• Chi Tong recalled that his personalities had merged during the National Tournament final, awakening an extraordinary ability.
• Kanagawa and Akita spent a day preparing before the Autumn National Sports Festival final arrived.
• Fans filled Tokyo Gymnasium, where Aichi and Osaka Prefecture began the morning third-place playoff.
• The Aichi–Osaka game proceeded as a conventional contest while most spectators looked ahead to the final.