The weekend, Shohoku High School's basketball gym.
Although Shirakawa had arrogantly rejected Shoyo's invitation for a practice match, it had not dispelled Kenji Fujima's curiosity about this "newborn" Shohoku team.
"Are we really doing this, Fujima? This is a little too..."
Outside the basketball gym, Shoyo's vice-captain and center, Toru Hanagata, looked troubled as he glanced at the casual clothes he and Fujima were wearing.
They were actually sneaking into their opponent's school to spy on their training. If word got out, would Shoyo have any dignity left?
"All warfare is based on deception." Kenji Fujima adjusted the baseball cap on his head, his eyes gleaming shrewdly behind his lenses. "That Shirakawa guy has to be more than ordinary if Coach Anzai trusts him so much. Seeing it for ourselves is better than relying on rumors."
"But..."
"No buts. Move."
Without giving Hanagata another chance to object, Fujima grabbed him and led him around to the side entrance of the gym with practiced ease.
There was a small window here, positioned high up, but for Hanagata, who stood over six feet three, all he needed was to rise onto his toes to see inside. Fujima, meanwhile, stood on a small stool Hanagata had prepared beforehand.
Like a pair of thieves, they craned their necks and peered into the gym.
Inside, the Shohoku Players were engaged in a scrimmage.
Fujima and Hanagata immediately locked their eyes onto the white-haired figure.
Yet what they saw next left them utterly dumbfounded.
The fierce, sweat-soaked battle they had imagined never appeared.
Shirakawa had both hands in his pockets, strolling along the sideline like an old man and occasionally barking out lazy commands.
"Sakuragi, you idiot! How many times have I told you? Box out when you go for rebounds! Use your ass to shove