Sacred Radiance's Reform (II)

Is Sacred Radiance planning to rebuild?

Why had so many key players suddenly retired?

The third-years were one thing, but why were the second-years retiring too?

What exactly was Sacred Radiance trying to do?

Amid all the rumors and speculation outside, Sacred Radiance itself remained exceptionally calm. It did not question the choices of those retiring players, nor did it try to keep anyone, because it knew this was the best outcome.

The old era had ended, and a new storm was about to arrive. Sacred Radiance stood at the center of that storm.

The moment Kirihara Sunren officially stepped down as captain, the Basketball Club of Saint Radiance Middle School entered a new era.

With the unanimous support of every player, Chi Tong took up the burden of captain without any suspense.

Though he was only a first-year student, and though Sendoh was a year older and more experienced, not a single person objected. Sendoh himself was the first to voice his support—without hesitation or doubt.

When news spread that Chi Tong had become captain of Sacred Radiance's basketball team, the entire middle school basketball world was stunned speechless once again.

A first-year rookie becoming captain sounded like a joke, but that was reality. Chi Tong had personally shattered the shackles of age and seniority with his strength and record.

After Chi Tong became captain, the Basketball Club of Saint Radiance Middle School underwent unprecedented changes. With the authority of captain in hand, he immediately attempted to carry out a complete reform of the team.

Whether you were a rookie or a veteran, regardless of your grade, only strength mattered here.

The capable rose, and the defeated fell. There was no longer any seniority, connection, or favoritism on the training court—only sweat and strength.

Daily selection matches, scrimmages, and practical drills all followed an elimination system. Without the strongest skills, there was no qualification to take the court. Without the toughest mentality, there was no qualification to become a member of Sacred Radiance.

Faced with such a system, some shrank back, some refused to accept it, and some were furious. In the end, though, everyone could only comply, because Chi Tong had shut them all up with his strength.

Coach Nakamura stood to the side in silence the entire time, never interfering.

He watched the training system Chi Tong had established, watched the team's atmosphere become purer and sharper under the intense pressure, and felt a complicated mixture of emotions.

He realized that ever since Chi Tong had arrived at Sacred Radiance, his own presence as a coach had grown weaker and weaker.

Tactical arrangements, player assignments, training plans—work that had originally belonged to the coach was now entirely controlled by Chi Tong.

What left him unable to argue was that the system truly worked. In just one year, the team's strength had undergone earth-shaking changes.

At the National Tournament in the second year, Saint Radiance Middle School once again shook the entire middle school basketball world. With overwhelming power, they swept across the court like thunder, stunning everyone present.

No matter who their opponents were—whether they were last year's powerhouses or newly risen dark horses—Sacred Radiance crushed them by margins of at least fifty points.

Even teams that had reached the quarterfinals the previous year were paper tigers before Sacred Radiance, utterly unable to withstand a blow.

They cut through every obstacle and advanced without hindrance, like an invincible army on the battlefield—slaying whoever stood in their way.

And within this unstoppable team, Sendoh became the most dazzling presence.

Over that short year, his strength had grown to an astonishing level. In several games, he had even taken on all five opposing players by himself and dominated the entire court.

His drives were like the wind, his three-pointers like rain, his defense like iron, and his will like steel. Sacred Radiance's other players were no longer the green, immature team they had been last year either. Their overall strength had made a qualitative leap, their coordination was seamless, their offense and defense orderly, and their tactics and execution were top-tier.

Behind this team, Chi Tong had always played the role of the calmest and deadliest passer.

Sendoh's offense had become so powerful that Chi Tong no longer needed to score himself. He only needed to deliver that one pass that decided victory or defeat.

Others saw Chi Tong's passes and thought they were merely passes. But Sacred Radiance's players knew that every time they received one of his passes, it felt like a destined strike. That touch, that rhythm, that timing—it was as if it could raise the entire team's shooting percentage.

Sendoh understood this even more deeply. At first, he had been shocked by Chi Tong's passing accuracy and ability to anticipate the play. But now, he had completely grown accustomed to Chi Tong-style passes. Without Chi Tong's passes, he would even doubt whether he could still perform like this.

And so, Sacred Radiance charged into the finals with unstoppable force. Their opponent was once again Bright Marsh Middle School.

It was a fated showdown—the second direct confrontation between Chi Tong and Sendoh, and Sawakita Eiji.

A year apart, Sawakita's strength had also improved significantly. He had become more mature, and more terrifying.

But this time, Sacred Radiance was no longer the team plagued by internal and external troubles that it had been the year before.

Chi Tong's talent development had reached 40% to 50%. Their coordination had become even more perfected, his control had grown stronger, and his Words of Heaven and Earth had become steadier and more precise than before. Combined with Sendoh's near-divine offensive performance, their mutual understanding had long since reached a level where words were unnecessary.

Working together, they left Meisei with no ability to fight back. Sawakita Eiji was once again defeated time after time by Chi Tong and Sendoh's flawless coordination.

Thus, Saint Radiance Middle School won the National Tournament championship once again, successfully claiming their second consecutive title.

In a quiet corner of Saint Radiance Middle School, sunlight filtered through the shadows of the trees and spilled across the ground, mottled and tranquil. The air carried a weight that did not belong to their age.

I'm leaving.

Sendoh's voice was calm yet resolute, like a fallen leaf gently landing upon Chi Tong's starry lake.

He stood opposite Chi Tong, his gaze gentle, though it held a trace of reluctance.

Chi Tong remained as composed as ever, as though he had long anticipated this moment.

Do the others know?

His tone was calm. There was no surprise, nor did he press for details. He merely asked a simple question.

Sendoh shook his head. "I haven't told them yet."

Chi Tong gave a soft hum, his eyes still as calm as water.

"Hm?"

"Have you decided where you're going?"

"Some time ago, an older man wanted to recruit me." Sento raised his head and looked toward the distant horizon, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

"I haven't decided where to go either, but the place he mentioned sounds pretty good. It's in Kanagawa."

He paused, as though something had occurred to him.

"It's by the sea, and the scenery is nice too. I should be able to catch plenty of fish there, right?"

Chi Tong was slightly taken aback, one brow lifting. "That's why?"

Sendoh gave a soft laugh, his tone relaxed. "That's only one reason. The most important thing is my family's decision."

He looked at Chi Tong, his eyes carrying a trace of curiosity and probing.

"What about you?"

"Which school are you planning to attend after graduating from middle school?"

Chi Tong did not answer immediately. He fell silent for several seconds, his gaze deep as night. His voice was mild, yet it carried a distant aloofness that forbade approach.

"It's too early to think about that now."

"And before he could finish, that icy aura that kept strangers at a distance quietly surfaced around him again. That feeling had returned.