Kamishiro Ruki's Feelings: The Final Four Are Decided (2)

Shendai Liufei found it hard to imagine who could truly defeat Chi Tong in this state.

He was like a treasure chest filled with secrets. Just when you thought you had seen everything, you would always discover a deeper power within him at some unexpected moment.

That was why he firmly believed that this boy with crimson hair and mismatched eyes would surely lead Ryonan, and himself, step by step to the very summit.

The next day, sunlight streamed through the gymnasium dome, casting bright patches of light across the floor.

Today was the quarterfinal round, and the air was thick with a tension far stronger than before.

Ryonan's opponent was Gori High School. Gori had been a Final Four team last year, famed for their steady defense and rapid transition offense. Their strength was on par with Jinjiuwu's.

Ryonan's players all appeared relaxed, without the slightest trace of gravity on their faces.

Ever since Chi Tong had joined them, this team seemed to have been infused with an invisible confidence. They subconsciously forgot the very meaning of pressure. It was as if, as long as Chi Tong was there—whether he was on the court or sitting on the bench watching—there was no game they could not win.

There were four quarterfinal games in total. The morning session featured Hainan vs. Kakuno, followed by Xiangyang vs. Dabe. The afternoon session featured Ryonan vs. Takezato, followed by Shohoku vs. Jinjiuwu.

The games began on schedule. Hainan vs. Kakuno was first, and there was little suspense from the very beginning. Although Kakuno High School had unexpectedly reached the quarterfinals, their strength was at best at the level of a Round of 16 team. They had made it this far largely through luck, since their previous opponents had all happened to be weak