Ryonan's Hundred-Point Rumor (2)

Mitsui Hisashi snorted coldly through his nose, casting a sidelong glance as his lips curled in disdain.

"Enough." Akagi suddenly spoke, his deep voice hitting the ground like an iron plate.

"It's too early to talk about Ryonan. Our priority now is defeating the opponents in front of us."

At Shoyo High School's Basketball Gym, the lingering light of the setting sun slanted through the high windows, dyeing the hardwood floor gold.

The rhythmic sound of dribbling echoed through the gymnasium.

Shoyo's players had just finished practice. Their jerseys were soaked with sweat, yet no one hurried to leave.

Teng Zhen stood at the sidelines, holding the match report the intelligence staff had just gathered.

"Ryonan 139, Yanashita High School 36," he murmured. "A hundred-point margin?"

His voice was not loud, but it made Hanagata Toru beside him stop stretching.

Hanagata slowly rose to his feet, his brows slightly furrowed as a defiant curve formed at the corner of his lips.

"Hmph. If it were Shoyo playing against opponents like that, a two-hundred-point lead wouldn't be a problem!"

His tone carried his usual confidence, even a hint of contempt.

Hearing that, Teng Zhen merely smiled faintly. He neither refuted nor agreed.

He raised his head and swept his gaze across the gymnasium. The net hanging in the air swayed slightly, the floor still bore the scuff marks left by the players, and a group photo from last year's national tournament hung on the wall.

"None of this means anything to us."

His voice was calm, yet it was like a drop of water falling into a deep pool, stirring silent ripples.

"No matter how wide the margin is, it's only a crushing victory over a weak team. A truly strong team isn't judged by how many points it can win