Chapter Summaries

Ryonan faced Ichibon High School as the game began, with Uozumi winning the opening tip and Yueye Hongming scoring the first basket. Ryonan took a 3–0 lead, while Feng Jianche urged Nan Yun Kentaro to refocus for the next possession.

• Ichibon High School's coach watched Chi Tong give Ryonan's players a pregame talk and was struck by the first-year captain's veteran presence.
• Sasaki Shotai asked Uozumi about Ryonan's first-year captain, and Uozumi challenged him to prove himself on the court.
• Uozumi outjumped Sasagi Shota for the opening tip and tipped the ball to Ryonan's backcourt.
• Uekusa used Sendoh's screen to drive into the defense, then passed across the key to Yueye Hongming.
• Yueye Hongming made a three-pointer, putting Ryonan ahead 3–0, and Feng Jianche told Nan Yun Kentaro to move on from the mistake.

Ichibon High School ran a coordinated offense as Feng Jianche evaded Uekusa Tomoyuki and found Nanyun Kentaro for a three-pointer. Nanyun tied the game at 3:3, and Yueye Hongming realized Ryonan faced a much more dangerous opponent than expected.

• Aoi Tsubasa cut toward the corner while Sento and Ikegami Ryoji shut down Ichibon's passing options.
• Feng Jianche avoided Uekusa Tomoyuki's steal attempt, then used a passing feint and crossover to drive past him.
• Sasagi Shota drew Yu Zhu's attention in the paint as Nanyun Kentaro cut behind Koshino toward the opposite corner.
• Feng Jianche delivered a lead pass, and Nanyun Kentaro caught it in stride and made a three-point shot.
• The score became 3:3, and Feng Jianche high-fived Nanyun as Yueye Hongming's relaxed expression faded.

Ryonan and Ichibon High School traded three-pointers until Nanyun Kentaro’s shot missed, ending the barrage. Sasaki Shotai grabbed the rebound over Yu Zhu and dunked, restoring Ichibon High School’s momentum.

• Koshino Hiroaki answered Nanyun Kentaro’s taunt by making a three-pointer that put Ryonan ahead 6:3.
• Nanyun Kentaro and Koshino Hiroaki traded three-pointers as the score repeatedly tied at 9:9, 15:15, and 21:21.
• Nanyun Kentaro’s shot struck the rim and missed as his stamina began to falter.
• Sasaki Shotai beat Yu Zhu to the rebound and slammed in a one-handed putback dunk, lifting Ichibon High School’s morale.

Ichibon High School’s hopes of keeping pace with Ryonan faded as Ryonan’s organized offense widened the lead. During a timeout, Ichibon’s coach devised a plan to draw Yu Zhu away from the basket and create chances for Aoi and Miyazawa, leaving the team determined to continue fighting.

• Nanyun Kentaro apologized for rushing a shot, but Sasagi Shōtai and Aoi Itsuya encouraged him and the team to keep believing they could beat Ryonan.
• Ryonan exposed the gap between its mature team system and Ichibon High School’s reliance on coordinated outside shooting.
• Uekusa Tomoyuki launched a fast break, Sendoh sprinted ahead, Yu Zhu claimed position in the paint, and Sento scored an easy layup.
• Ryonan tightened its control of the game through Yu Zhu’s presence inside, Sento’s tempo, and Uekusa Tomoyuki’s orchestration, forcing Ichibon High School to call a timeout.
• Ichibon High School’s coach told Sasaki Shotai to draw Yu Zhu away from the basket and instructed Nan Yun, Fengjian, Aoi Itsuya, and Gongze Hideaki to create interior shooting opportunities.

Chi Tong predicted Ichibon High School’s planned offense and instructed Ryonan’s players to shut down its routes before the game resumed. Ichibon’s coach watched his tactics fail and began to suspect that Chi Tong had anticipated them.

• Chi Tong warned Ryonan that Ichibon would shift its attack toward the paint and assigned defensive responsibilities to the players.
• Ryonan’s players returned to the court and blocked Ichibon’s planned cuts, screens, and passing lanes.
• Ichibon’s players struggled to find an open route or pass as Ryonan’s defense sealed each option.
• Ichibon’s coach searched for an explanation, saw Chi Tong on Ryonan’s bench, and wondered whether the first-year captain had predicted his tactics.

Chi Tong’s defensive adjustments completely shut down Ichibon High School after the timeout, giving Ryonan a 57–27 halftime lead. As Ryonan prepared to keep up the pressure in the second half, Ichibon’s coach tried to rally his defeated players and looked toward Nan Yun Kentaro and Hojo.

• Chi Tong’s instructions helped Ryonan trap Ichibon High School’s players and prevent them from scoring after the timeout.
• The halftime buzzer sounded with Ryonan leading Ichibon High School 57–27.
• Taoka Moichi praised the Ryonan players and marveled at Chi Tong’s precise predictions and countermeasures.
• Chi Tong substituted Xiangtian Yanyi and Fukuda Kicchou into the lineup and ordered Ryonan to crush Ichibon’s comeback effort.
• Ichibon High School’s coach urged his exhausted players to steady themselves for the second half, then looked toward Nan Yun Kentaro and Hojo.

Ryonan defeated Ichibon High School 148:47 after Ichibon abandoned its tactics for an all-out attack, then continued its dominant run through the qualifiers. Ryonan became the first team to qualify for the Round of 16, while other Division A teams also secured places.

• Coach Kita refused Nanyun Kentaro's request to return to the game, and Sasagi Shota urged him to listen.
• Ichibon High School launched a desperate multi-pronged attack, but Chi Tong's prediction proved accurate as Ryonan kept up its suffocating defense.
• Yu Zhu dunked in the closing seconds, and Ryonan defeated Ichibon High School 148:47, winning by 101 points.
• Ryonan beat Chita High School 176:15 and Kamakura High School 111:53, ending its streak of hundred-point victories but becoming the first former top-eight team to lose in the qualifiers.
• Ryonan advanced to the Round of 16, while Kainan University Affiliated High School, Odagiri High School, Gohara Academy, and Kōkyū High School also qualified from Division A.

After the Top Sixteen reseeding, Ryonan and Shohoku learned their groups would use a round-robin format, setting up difficult matchups for both teams. The chapter ended with Shohoku’s players reacting to a group that included Gori.

• Kanagawa’s expanded preliminaries produced a reshuffled Top Sixteen, and organizers announced a three-day break before reseeding results were revealed.
• Xiangtian Yanyi brought Ryonan the new schedule, which separated last year’s Final Four teams into different groups.
• Uekusa Tomoyuki noted that Group C was crowded with strong teams, while Chi Tong remained unconcerned about the opponents.
• Xiangtian Yanyi announced that the Top Sixteen would use a round-robin format, requiring each team to play at least two games.
• Chi Tong recognized several Group C schools as opponents Shohoku had faced in the original anime and welcomed the challenge.
• Shohoku’s players studied their schedule, and Mumu Gongyan and Shiozaki Tetsushi worried about the unfamiliar teams and Gori joining their group.

As the 16-to-8 tournament began, teams and reporters focused on Ryonan’s opening game against Miuradai, a seasoned top-eight team. Akagi and Fujima both chose to watch Ryonan, while the chapter left the game yet to begin.

• Akagi’s team discussed their group schedule, and Akagi decided they should watch Ryonan’s first match to see what the team might reveal.
• At Shoyo, Fujima Kenji warned Hanagata Toru that the tournament had too many variables and invited him to watch Ryonan play.
• The 16-to-8 tournament began, drawing crowds to Ryonan versus Miuradai and Hainan versus Gengji High School.
• Reporter Mukai Yayo explained to Nakamura Taizo that she had chosen Ryonan’s match because Hainan’s expected victory offered little suspense.

Miuradai and Ryonan entered the arena amid a roaring crowd before their game, while players from Shoyo and Shohoku arrived to watch. The teams began warming up, with Miuradai loud and fired up and Ryonan remaining quiet.

• Mukai Minsheng was about to predict the winner when Miuradai's players emerged, and Mura Yujian vowed to avenge last year's humiliation and defeat Hainan.
• Chi Tong Lingyu, Yu Zhu, Sendoh, and the rest of Ryonan entered to a loud reception and silently faced Miuradai.
• Teng Zhen and Hanagata arrived from Shoyo and took seats near the railing.
• Ayako, Kogure Kiminobu, Kakuta Gatsu, Akagi, and the Shohoku team found seats to watch the matchup.
• Miuradai warmed up with loud passes and shouts while Ryonan practiced in near silence.

Ryonan faced Miuradai as the teams began their game, with Miuradai captain Cun Yu Jianwu taunting Ryonan’s absent first-year captain, Chi Tong. Ryonan won the opening tip and started its first attack, which ended with a white-clad player slipping beneath Miuradai’s basket as Uekusa Tomoyuki passed the ball.

• Chi Tong watched from the sidelines while Teng Zhen sensed an unusual danger in her calm presence.
• Shohoku’s players discussed Chi Tong, and Ayako stopped their argument as the game was about to begin.
• Ryonan and Miuradai announced their starting lineups, and Cun Yu Jianwu mocked Ryonan for having a first-year captain.
• Yu Zhu won the opening tip over Cun Yu Jianwu and tipped the ball to Uekusa Tomoyuki.
• Uekusa advanced into Miuradai’s half, and a white figure slipped beneath the basket before Uekusa swept the ball forward.

Ryonan overwhelmed Miuradai with steals, fast breaks, and outside shooting, taking an 18:0 lead in the first five minutes. Miuradai drew a defensive foul on Mura Yujian, and Ryonan made one of two free throws as the game continued.

• Sendoh opened the scoring with a one-handed dunk after cutting through Miuradai's defense.
• Uekusa Tomoyuki stole the ball from Araki Kazuo and passed to Yueye Hongming, who scored a three-pointer.
• Ryonan kept stealing Miuradai's possessions and scoring on fast breaks and three-pointers, building an 18:0 lead.
• Ayako reacted to the score, while Mumu Gongyan noted that Chi Tong had not yet taken the court.
• The referee called Mura Yujian for a defensive foul after Uekusa Tomoyuki was left with scratches on his wrist.
• Ryonan made the first free throw and missed the second, then play continued.

Miuradai used dirty fouls to disrupt Ryonan and injure its players, but Ryonan still led 54:32 at halftime. Chi Tong prepared to respond by putting Uekusa in for the second half, and Uekusa realized that the captain might play himself.

• Gao Jinghong elbowed Koshino during a shot, but the referee called only an ordinary defensive foul.
• Miuradai repeatedly harassed and fouled Ryonan players, disrupting their offense and narrowing the gap before Ryonan finished the half ahead 54:32.
• In the locker room, Ryonan players voiced their anger, and Uekusa pointed out the bruising on Yu Zhu's arm.
• Chi Tong told Koshino that complaining would not change the referee's judgment, then ordered Uekusa to prepare for the second half.
• Uekusa asked whether Chi Tong was going to play, and the team turned toward their captain.

After Miuradai fell twenty points behind Ryonan, Naito Tetsuya offered to play, but Cun Yu Jianwu kept him in reserve to face Hainan. Chi Tong entered the game at the start of the second half, drawing the attention of both teams and the spectators, and ignored Cun Yu Jianwu’s taunt as he passed.

• Miuradai’s players discussed their twenty-point deficit, and Cun Yu Jianwu urged them to keep targeting Ryonan’s play.
• Naito Tetsuya volunteered to take the court, but Cun Yu Jianwu told him to save himself for the reigning champions, Hainan.
• At halftime, Shohoku’s players criticized Miuradai’s dirty tactics and wondered how Ryonan would respond.
• Chi Tong entered the game for Ryonan, surprising the crowd and sharpening the focus of Shohoku’s players, including Sakuragi Hanamichi and Liu Chuanfeng.
• Cun Yu Jianwu mocked Chi Tong as he approached, but Chi Tong walked past without looking at him.

Chi Tong silenced Cun Yu Jianwu’s taunts and led Ryonan into the second half against Miuradai. Chi Tong’s steal set up another fast break, leaving Miuradai scrambling as the chapter ended.

• Chi Tong told Cun Yu Jianwu that his noisy posturing showed insecurity, and Cun Yu Jianwu threatened to teach him a lesson on the court.
• Yu Zhu won the jump ball and sent it back to Chi Tong, who quickly passed to Ikegami Ryoji for a fast-break basket, making the score Lingnan 56:3, Miuradai 32.
• Miuradai inbounded, and Araki Kazuo dribbled toward Chi Tong, who stole the ball with a precise swipe.
• Chi Tong drove into Miuradai’s half while Araki Kazuo chased him and Miuradai’s players remained out of position.

Chi Tong repeatedly stole the ball from Araki Kazuo and scored on fast breaks, widening Ryonan’s lead over Miuradai. Hanagata Toru dismissed Chi Tong’s performance as ordinary, while Fujima Kenji watched him with growing unease.

• Chi Tong stole the ball from Araki Kazuo and scored to put Ryonan ahead 58:32.
• Cun Yu Jianwu questioned Araki Kazuo about the turnover and warned him to focus.
• Araki Kazuo tried to evade Chi Tong, then passed toward Cun Yu Jianwu, but Chi Tong intercepted the ball.
• Chi Tong raced downcourt and scored again, extending Ryonan’s lead to 60:32 and leaving the arena stunned.
• Hanagata Toru called Chi Tong’s skills excellent but dismissed the rumors about him as exaggerated, while Fujima Kenji felt uneasy.

Chi Tong stole the ball from Kengo Murasame and escaped Miuradai’s double-team by passing to Koshino Hiroaki, who scored a three-pointer. The scoreboard showed Ryonan leading Miuradai 61–32, leaving Kengo and Kawasaki stunned.

• Kengo Murasame replaced Araki Kazuo as Chi Tong’s defender after Araki struggled to track him.
• Kengo tried to drive past Chi Tong, but Chi Tong effortlessly stole the ball and sprinted toward Miuradai’s basket.
• Kengo chased Chi Tong and attempted a concealed shoulder check, but missed and fell farther behind.
• Kawasaki Akio joined Kengo to trap Chi Tong, who flicked a pass to the open Koshino Hiroaki.
• Koshino caught the pass and made a three-pointer, extending Ryonan’s lead to 61–32.

Chi Tong drove Ryonan’s lead over Miuradai to 32 points and exposed Cun Yu Jianwu’s inability to resist his play. The chapter ended with the gymnasium stunned into silence as Chi Tong held the ball again.

• Chi Tong’s three-minute stint helped Ryonan build a 10-0 run and extend the score to 64:34.
• Cun Yu Jianwu demanded the ball and decided to teach Chi Tong a lesson on Miuradai’s next possession.
• Chi Tong read Cun Yu Jianwu’s movements and stole the ball as Miuradai charged forward, bringing the attack to an abrupt halt.
• Chi Tong raced down the court and scored, increasing Ryonan’s lead to 66:34.
• The gymnasium fell silent as the basketball returned to Chi Tong’s hands.

Chi Tong’s dazzling ball control and pass set up Sento for a powerful dunk as Ryonan extended its lead over Miuradai. Miuradai then sent its unrevealed weapon, Naito Tetsuya, onto the court, and he surged into Ryonan’s paint with surprising speed.

• Chi Tong evaded Cun Yu Jianwu’s defense with elaborate dribbling and sent an unseen low pass to Sento.
• Sento drove past Miyamoto Hecheng and finished with a one-handed tomahawk dunk, putting Ryonan ahead 75:32.
• Miuradai called for a substitution and brought Naito Tetsuya onto the court as its secret weapon.
• Xiangtian Yanyi told Ryonan’s bench that Naito was 196 centimeters tall, weighed 155 kilograms, and had no prior game footage.
• Naito received the inbound pass and charged across half-court into the edge of the paint, startling Ryonan with his speed.

Naito Tetsuya overwhelmed Ryonan with powerful drives, dunks, and a sharp pass, helping Miuradai regain momentum. With Yu Zhu and Ikegami Ryoji unable to contain him, Chi Tong took over the defensive assignment and faced Naito on the next possession.

• Naito Tetsuya knocked Ikegami Ryoji aside and dunked over Yu Zhu, then introduced himself arrogantly to Ryonan.
• Naito Tetsuya sent Ikegami flying again before passing to Zhaoxiong for a one-handed dunk.
• Naito Tetsuya repeatedly drove into the paint, scoring or passing as Miuradai steadily closed the gap.
• Yueye Hongming questioned how Ryonan could defend Naito, and Chi Tong told Ikegami Ryoji to switch assignments with him.
• Chi Tong stood in front of Naito Tetsuya as Naito brought the ball toward the basket and sneered at him.