Victory Was Survival

Mumu Gongyan pushed up his glasses. Beneath the lenses, his brows furrowed into a deep crease, and he lowered his voice to almost a whisper.

"Akagi, I have a bad feeling about this."

Takenori Akagi said nothing. He merely stared fixedly at the opposite court, an inexplicable unease stirring in his heart.

On Shohoku's bench, the others also keenly noticed Ryonan's abnormality.

Ayako stared at the Ryonan team on the court, which seemed like an entirely different team from before the timeout. Her face was full of astonishment as she murmured, "What's going on?"

"Why have Ryonan suddenly become so cautious?"

Oda Takeshi frowned tightly, his voice far from calm. "They're leading by so much, yet they aren't letting up in the slightest. Is this Qian Sixiang's current strength?"

An Xiguang slowly opened the eyes he had kept narrowed. His gaze was deep and still as an ancient well, yet it reflected the killing intent filling the entire court.

At last, he spoke. His voice was low and clear, as though it had come from the depths of time.

"Ayako, find an opportunity to gather information on Ryonan's current captain."

"Ah?" Ayako was stunned at first, then quickly caught on and hurriedly replied, "Coach, you mean Ryonan's current changes are all because of that captain?"

Anxi Guangyi did not answer immediately. He merely nodded lightly, his gaze still fixed on the red-haired youth sitting quietly on the opposing bench.

After a long while, he slowly said, "Their captain is no ordinary person."

After a pause, he continued, "Although we haven't seen his true ability yet, becoming the captain of a team as a first-year isn't something mere skill can accomplish."

Hearing her coach say this, Ayako revealed a thoughtful expression as well.

She lowered her head slightly, her fingers unconsciously