A Modest Rise to Fame (2)

Mukai Yayo looked at Sendoh's red, swollen palm, then at the calm expression she was forcing onto her face. She was utterly awestruck and murmured, "This is truly unbelievable!"

Outside the gates of Ryonan High School, the Shohoku group had just walked out. After taking a few steps, Kogure suddenly stopped, slowly turned around, and looked at the quietly standing Ryonan High School sign.

"Ryonan is truly a powerful opponent."

He spoke softly, his voice holding no resentment, only deep shock and clarity.

"Yeah!"

Akagi stood beside him, staring fixedly at those four words. His fists were clenched, but an unprecedented determination burned in his eyes.

The crushing fifty-point defeat had not broken him. Instead, it was like a fire that rekindled his competitive spirit.

Rukawa said nothing. He stood to one side with his hands in his pockets, looking toward Ryonan while the scenes from the game replayed endlessly in his mind.

Chi Tong's placid eyes, Sendoh's unhurried smile, and those elusive passes and counterattacks, one after another.

His fists quietly clenched, his nails digging into his palms.

"Damn Ryonan!"

"Damn Sendoh!"

"Damn Chi Tong!"

Sakuragi Hanamichi suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at the sign like an enraged beast.

"Just you wait! Next time, I'll definitely beat you!"

"Ha ha ha!"

A low, familiar laugh rang out softly. It was Anzai Mitsuyoshi.

He stood in the middle of the group, wearing his signature benevolent yet profound smile.

Hearing the players' roars and vows, he neither reprimanded nor comforted them. He simply smiled quietly.

"Failure is not frightening. What is frightening is losing your fighting spirit after failure."

What he saw now was a group of boys who had been knocked down but refused to stay down.

"It is already very good that you can