Hainan vs. Shohoku

Ahead was a deep-blue bus bearing the name Hainan, with Shohoku's red bus following closely behind.

The moment the doors opened, the waiting crowd around them fell noticeably quieter, all eyes focusing in unison on the buses.

Hainan's players got off first. Maki Shinichi walked at the front with an upright posture, while Jin Soichiro and Kiyota Nobunaga followed on either side, their faces bearing the steadiness unique to a championship team.

Next, Shohoku's players filed out as well. Akagi clenched his fists, his expression resolute and his gaze firm.

Mitsui Hisashi and Liu Chuanfeng walked side by side, while Sakuragi Hanamichi deliberately straightened his back, unwilling to lose in presence.

The moment both teams had found their footing, they looked toward each other in unspoken agreement. There were no words and no unnecessary movements; they simply faced one another across several meters.

Yet the instant their gazes met, the air seemed to tighten. It was as if two invisible bolts of lightning shot out from Hainan's calm aura and Shohoku's unyielding spirit, crashing fiercely together in midair with neither side willing to yield an inch.

However, that tense feeling did not last long. The intertwined lightning soon quietly faded, as though that silent contest had never happened.

Both sides withdrew their gazes and, without lingering, headed for the gymnasium entrance.

Amid the excited chatter and awestruck looks of the surrounding crowd, they walked steadily into the gymnasium, one after the other.

The crowd immediately erupted.

Wow!

Hey, did you guys see that just now?

Hainan and Shohoku both had such an incredible presence!

Shohoku didn't back down at all against Hainan!

Looks like the upcoming match will be really worth watching!

Yeah, I can't wait to see the game!

All kinds of discussions rose and fell through the crowd,