Chapter Summaries

Chi Tong dismantled Miuradai’s defense with precise steals, dribbling, and passes that repeatedly set up Sendoh for dunks. As Miuradai struggled to keep up, Chi Tong sent the ball through Cun Yu Jianwu’s legs toward the space behind him.

• Naito Tetsuya charged at Chi Tong, but Chi Tong evaded him and stole the ball.
• Chi Tong dribbled past Naito Tetsuya and secretly passed to Sendoh, who dunked for Miuradai’s basket.
• Chi Tong repeatedly fooled Miuradai’s defenders with unexpected passes, leaving them unable to contain his control of the court.
• Naito Tetsuya lunged at Chi Tong, who passed to Sendoh in the space he had vacated, and Sendoh drove in for another dunk.
• Cun Yu Jianwu tried to steal the ball from behind, but Chi Tong evaded his swipe and sent the ball through his legs.

Chi Tong’s precise, no-look pass led Yu Zhu to dunk, and his control of the game continued to break down Miuradai’s defense and morale. With Lingnan leading 116–44 and five minutes left, Chi Tong stopped just beyond the three-point line as Miuradai’s players froze, uncertain what he would do next.

• Chi Tong sent a no-look pass through Cun Yu Jianwu’s legs to Yu Zhu, who caught it and dunked.
• The crowd and players, including Fujima Kenji and Hanagata Toru, reacted with shock to Chi Tong’s passing ability.
• Akagi stopped Sakuragi Hanamichi and Rukawa from arguing as the game continued under Ryonan’s control.
• Chi Tong’s passes repeatedly dismantled Miuradai’s defense, while Naito Tetsuya failed to stop or steal the ball from him.
• With five minutes remaining and Lingnan ahead 116–44, Chi Tong stopped just beyond the three-point line as Miuradai’s players watched him in confusion.

Ryonan crushed Sanputai 145:44 as Chi Tong Lingyu’s passing left spectators and Hanagata Toru in awe. Ryonan then stayed to watch Gogen face Jinjiuwu, and Sendoh asked Chi Tong to predict their next opponent.

• Chi Tong’s passing set up Yueye Hongming’s basket as Ryonan overwhelmed Sanputai and Teng Zhen and Hanagata Toru left the stands.
• Mukai Yayo photographed Chi Tong’s play, while Sanputai’s defense fell apart and Ryonan finished with a 101-point victory.
• Hainan defeated Tsukubu by 52 points without Makoto taking the court.
• Ryonan stayed to watch Gogen play Jinjiuwu, which the team expected Jinjiuwu to win.
• Sendoh asked Chi Tong which team would become Ryonan’s next opponent, and the players fell silent to hear his prediction.

Chi Tong predicted the results of the tournament games and named Shohoku as the eventual Group D and tournament winner, despite Ryonan's doubts. Xiangtian Yanyi returned from watching the Group B matches and confirmed that Shoyo had beaten Kasuga Daiichi.

• Chi Tong correctly predicted that Kinku would defeat Wuyuan, whose injured captain Oda Ryusei fell during the match, and Kinku won 96–78.
• Dabe defeated Kusaka, completing that day's Group A and Group C matches.
• News spread that Ryonan had beaten Sanputai by 101 points, while Ryonan's players continued training instead of watching Shoyo's game.
• Chi Tong predicted that Shoyo would beat Kasuga Daiichi, Ono would beat Xiao Tianqie, Gori and Jiangbei would advance from Group D, and Shohoku would ultimately win Group D.
• Chi Tong named Hainan, Shoyo, and Shohoku as the eventual winners of Groups A, B, and D, and told the skeptical Ryonan players Shohoku was stronger than they thought.
• Xiangtian Yanyi returned to the Ryonan gym and reported that Shoyo had beaten Kasuga Daiichi without suspense.

Shohoku stunned spectators by defeating Nanyuan 122–42, while the results strengthened Ryonan’s belief in Captain Chi Tong and their hopes of reaching the national tournament. The chapter then set up the decisive Sweet Sixteen matchday, with reporters gathering for Ryonan’s game against Jinjiuwu.

• Shoyo beat Kasuga Daiichi 164–57, Kakuno defeated Odagiri, and Gori beat Zhenmoji.
• Shohoku overwhelmed Nanyuan 122–42, with Akagi, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Liu Chuanfeng, Mitsui Hisashi, and Miyagi Ryota leading the team’s performance.
• After Xiangtian Yanyi recounted Shohoku’s victory, the Ryonan players praised Chi Tong’s accurate predictions and expressed confidence in their chances of winning the championship.
• The final Sweet Sixteen matchday arrived, with teams facing elimination or competing for Elite Eight places under the round-robin rules.
• Mukai Minsheng and Nakamura Taizao arrived to cover Ryonan’s game against Jinjiuwu, a matchup that drew many reporters.

Ryonan and Kinku prepared for their Round of 16 showdown as reporters and rival teams filled the arena to watch. Both teams entered to roaring cheers, with Chi Tong drawing particular attention from the crowd.

• Mukai Yayo photographed the packed stands and spotted Hainan's A Mu, while Fujima Kenji and Hanagata Toru discussed his presence.
• Xiangtian Yanyi briefed Ryonan on Kinku's players, including center Nanxiang Guangyilang, and Chi Tong urged his team to take the win.
• Kawasaki Yimei warned Kinku about Uozumi, Sendoh, and Chi Tong before leading his team out of the locker room.
• Kinku entered the arena to loud cheers, but Ryonan's arrival brought an even greater roar from the crowd.
• Spectators focused on Chi Tong and discussed his performance, passing, and red hair.

Ryonan prepared to face Jinjiuwu, with Chi Tong choosing to stay on the bench and assigning Uozumi and Sendoh to contain the opposing stars. The game began with Uozumi and Koichiro Nansho jumping for the opening tip.

• Spectators and players discussed Chi Tong's extraordinary steals and assists from Ryonan's previous game as the teams entered the court.
• Chi Tong told Sendoh to guard Tomokazu Godai and Uozumi to handle Koichiro Nansho, while he remained seated during warm-ups.
• Fujima, Hanagata, and Shohoku's players questioned Chi Tong's decision not to play, while Rukawa watched him closely.
• At center court, Godai asked whether Chi Tong would play, and Sendoh said he probably would not.
• Nansho insulted Uozumi, who grew furious, but the referee stopped their exchange and warned Nansho to behave.
• The referee blew the opening whistle and tossed the ball as Uozumi and Nansho jumped for the tip.

Ryonan and Jinjiuwu opened their game with a clash of athleticism and fast offense. Jinjiuwu took an early lead, but Yu Zhu answered with a powerful dunk, leaving Ryonan one point behind.

• Yu Zhu and Koichiro Nansho contested the opening tip, and Jinjiuwu recovered the ball.
• Natsuki Hiroshi broke past Uekusa Zhizhi and passed to Koichiro Nansho, whose attempt near the basket was blocked by Yu Zhu.
• Muto Tadashi and He Quanlong moved the ball around Ryonan's defense, and Jin Soichiro hit a perimeter shot to put Jinjiuwu ahead 3–0.
• Yu Zhu quickly led Ryonan down the court and dunked over Koichiro Nansho, bringing the score to 2–3.
• Tomokazu Godai warned Koichiro not to underestimate Ryonan, and Koichiro acknowledged Yu Zhu's strength.

Jinjiuwu and Lin Nan traded baskets in a close first half, but Lin Nan’s defense gradually wore down Jinjiuwu’s offense and Tomokazu Godai. During a timeout, the coaches prepared adjustments, while Chi Tong sent Fukuda Kicchou onto the court to disrupt Jinjiuwu’s rhythm.

• Jinjiuwu and Lin Nan exchanged rapid attacks and defensive stops, with Yu Zhu blocking several of Nanxiang Koichiro’s attempts in the paint.
• With five minutes left in the first half, Jinjiuwu led 39–38, though Lin Nan’s targeted defense had lowered Jinjiuwu’s efficiency and Tomokazu Godai was visibly tiring.
• Kazumi Kawasaki called a timeout and told Tomokazu Godai to conserve energy, warning Jinjiuwu that Lin Nan’s captain and Sendoh had not yet shown their full strength.
• Chi Tong told Fukuda Kicchou to replace Chishang and seek chances to cut to the basket, disrupting Jinjiuwu’s offensive rhythm.

Ryonan’s defensive plan disrupted Jinjiuwu’s offense, while Fukuda Kicchou and Sendoh turned steals into fast-break dunks. Jinjiuwu’s forwards struggled to find openings as Ryonan continued to build its lead.

• Chi Tong instructed Yueye Hongming to wear down Wu Da Youhe and told Uekusa Tomoyuki to deny Xia Mu Bozhi’s passing lanes.
• Fukuda Kicchou intercepted Xia Mu Bozhi’s pass and sent the ball to Sendoh, who sprinted downcourt and dunked.
• Yueye Hongming continued to shadow Wu Da Youhe, while Fukuda Kicchou disrupted Jinjiuwu’s attempts to pass inside.
• Sendoh intercepted He Quanlong’s pass to Feng Jiantai and raced downcourt for another dunk.
• Fukuda Kicchou repeatedly blocked Feng Jiantai and He Quanlong’s routes into the paint, leaving Jinjiuwu’s forwards struggling to attack.

Ryonan shut down Kinku’s outside shooting and interior offense, turning a close game into a decisive first-half lead. Kawasaki suspected Chi Tong had devised the counters, and the half ended with Ryonan ahead 64–54 as Shoyo’s Hanagata Toru and Fujima Kenji recognized them as a serious threat.

• Yueye Hongming smothered Tomokazu Godai, while Koshino, Fukuda Kicchou, and Yu Zhu closed off Kinku’s remaining routes to score.
• Kinku’s players grew disorganized as their shots and passes failed, and Ryonan steadily widened the gap.
• Kawasaki Yimei realized Chi Tong might have anticipated his tactics and felt powerless against Ryonan’s defensive adjustments.
• The first half ended with Ryonan leading Kinku 64–54.
• Hanagata Toru and Fujima Kenji discussed Ryonan’s improvement and its growing threat to Shoyo.

Ryonan continued to dominate Jinjiuwu, while observers recognized that Chi Tong’s tactics had shut down all of Jinjiuwu’s scoring options. In the locker room, Jinjiuwu’s players struggled with the crushing first half, but their captain and Nanxiang urged the team to keep fighting.

• Fujima Kenji watched Sendoh’s improved play and grew wary of Chi Tong’s tactical influence on Ryonan.
• Miyagi Ryota and Mitsui Hisashi discussed Ryonan’s strength, and Kogure Kiminobu revealed that Ryonan had beaten Shohoku by fifty points in a practice game without Akato Reiu playing most of it.
• Mukai Yayo explained to Nakamura Taizao that Ryonan had tactically blocked Jinjiuwu’s perimeter, interior, and mid-range scoring options after the timeout.
• Nanxiang Koichiro vented his anger over Yu Zhu repeatedly blocking him as Jinjiuwu’s players sat dejected in the locker room.
• Jin Soichiro insisted that Jinjiuwu still had a chance, and Wu Da Youhe and Nanxiang Koichiro joined him in urging the team to fight back in the second half.

Jinjiuwu regained its fighting spirit during halftime, while Chi Tong decided to play for Ryonan to prevent a comeback. As the second half began, rival players wondered why Ryonan’s red-haired captain had entered the game and where they had seen him before.

• He Quanlong, Muto Tadashi, and Natsuki Hiroshi vowed to fight back, and Kazumi Kawasaki urged Jinjiuwu to keep believing in a comeback.
• Chi Tong prepared to enter the game and told Ryonan that he would snuff out Jinjiuwu’s final spark.
• Tiangang Maoyi accepted Chi Tong’s decision as necessary for Ryonan to become a stronger team.
• Chi Tong joined Ryonan on the court for the second half, surprising spectators and players from other schools.
• Fujima Kenji suspected Chi Tong had entered to eliminate any chance of a Jinjiuwu comeback, while Maki Shinichi and Kiyota Nobunaga tried to remember where they had seen him.

Ryonan’s first-year captain Chi Tong made his presence felt as the second half began against Jinjiuwu, while Hainan’s players watched closely. He took the ball past half court and began a sharp crossover past Natsuki Hiroshi, with his next move left unrevealed.

• Hainan’s players discussed Chi Tong’s presence, and Mu Shenyi warned them that Ryonan’s number 4 was no ordinary player.
• The second half began, and Yu Zhu dominated the jump ball against Koichiro Nansho after Chi Tong had told him to use his full strength.
• Yu Zhu passed the ball to Chi Tong, whose slow dribbling drew doubt from spectators and close attention from Maki Shinichi, Fujima Kenji, and Mu Shenyi.
• Natsuki Hiroshi stepped forward to challenge Chi Tong as he crossed half court.
• Chi Tong stopped, crossed the ball from his right hand to his left, and slipped past Natsuki Hiroshi before whipping his arm forward.

Ryonan overwhelmed Kinku at the start of the second half with fast breaks, dunks, and Chi Tong’s suffocating defense. Chi Tong stole the ball from Natsuki Hiroshi three times in one minute as Kinku’s comeback hopes faded.

• Fukuda Kicchou passed to Yueye Hongming, who made a three-pointer to put Ryonan ahead 67–45.
• Chi Tong blocked Natsuki Hiroshi’s drives, and Sendoh intercepted his pass before scoring with a dunk.
• Chi Tong returned on defense early, then stole the ball from Xia Mu Bozhi and passed behind his back to Yu Zhu.
• Yu Zhu lofted the ball to Fukuda Kicchou, who finished the play with an alley-oop dunk.
• Chi Tong stole the ball from Natsuki Hiroshi three times in a row within one minute.

Ryonan defeated Jinjiuwu 113–57 and advanced to the quarterfinals after Chi Tong’s steals and assists crushed Jinjiuwu’s momentum. Hainan also advanced with a win led entirely by its substitutes, and the day’s results determined the quarterfinalists.

• Chi Tong stole the ball from Natsuki Hiroshi three times and assisted Sendoh, Fukuda Kicchou, and Yu Zhu on fast-break scores.
• Ryonan’s bench players finished the game as Ryonan defeated Jinjiuwu 113–57 and advanced to the quarterfinals.
• Hainan beat Dabe 78–56 using only its substitutes, while its starters watched from the stands.
• The remaining round-of-sixteen games concluded, and the quarterfinalists were determined: Hainan, Dabe, Xiangyang, Kakuno, Ryonan, Jinjiuwu, Godai Yuka, and Shohoku.

The tournament quarterfinal matchups were set, with the remaining teams preparing for single-elimination games and Shohoku viewed as a possible source of an upset. At Lingnan, Shendai Liufei finished an article praising Chi Tong’s impact on Ryonan and hurried to see him, reflecting on her admiration and what she had learned about his Eye of Heaven.

• The committee reshuffled the eight remaining teams and set the quarterfinal matchups for two days later, with the final four to compete in a round robin.
• The chapter described Shohoku’s rise as a dark horse and highlighted the strengths of its players ahead of the knockout round.
• Shendai Liufei finished her article, “Ryonan's Rise,” documenting the team’s tournament and Chi Tong’s influence.
• Shendai Liufei packed the article and photographs and headed to Lingnan’s practice, hoping Chi Tong would read her work.
• As she walked to the gym, Shendai Liufei recalled how Chi Tong had drawn her into learning about basketball and how discovering his Eye of Heaven had shocked her.

Ryonan overwhelmed Takezato without Chi Tong playing, advancing to the Final Four alongside Hainan and Shoyo. The chapter ended with Shohoku and Jinjiuwu trading blows in a close quarterfinal.

• Hainan crushed Kakuno 108:53, securing a Final Four spot.
• Shoyo defeated Dabe 114:36 and advanced to the Final Four.
• Chi Tong stayed on the bench as Ryonan dominated Takezato and won 146:36.
• Shohoku and Jinjiuwu exchanged scores in a competitive game, with Tomokazu Godai hitting three-pointers for Jinjiuwu.

Shohoku defeated Kinku 110:78 to reach the Kanagawa Tournament final four, while a report about Chi Tong Lingyu's junior-high championships and rise as Lingnan's captain spread across Kanagawa. Mukai Yayo realized the report was a campus-club exclusive and that Chi Tong had been Sendoh's teammate at Sacred Radiance Middle School.

• Shohoku overcame Kinku in the second half, and Tomokazu Godai was ejected after arguing with the referee.
• Shohoku won 110:78 and joined Kainan University Affiliated High School, Xiangyang High School, and Lingnan High School in the final four.
• A report described Chi Tong Lingyu's back-to-back junior-high national titles, departure from Sacred Radiance's team, and rise to captain of Lingnan.
• Basketball fans recalled Sacred Radiance Middle School's championships and learned that Chi Tong and Sendoh had been teammates there.
• Mukai Yayo recognized the report as an exclusive by Lingnan High School News Club reporters Shendai Liufei and Mukai Minsheng.

A report revealed that Chitong Lingyu had led Sacred Radiance Middle School to two consecutive championships and had once been Sendoh's teammate, prompting Kanagawa's top teams to reassess Ryonan. The chapter left Kainan, Shoyo, and Shohoku aware of the threat but without further firsthand knowledge of Chitong.

• Mukai Minsheng realized Kamishiro Liufei might know more about Chi Tong's retirement and Ryonan's recent improvements.
• At Kainan, Kiyota Nobunaga recalled that his middle school team had been crushed by Sacred Radiance, while Maki Shinichi suggested Chitong may not have played in that game.
• Jin Soichiro warned Kainan that Chitong's passing and ability to connect the team made him a serious opponent.
• At Shoyo, Fujima Kenji judged Chitong a troublesome, understated player, and Hanagata Toru warned that his chemistry with Sendoh threatened their zone defense.
• At Shohoku, Mumu Gongyan, Ayako, Rukawa, and Miyagi discussed the report, but none had firsthand knowledge of Chitong's middle school career.