Ryota Kudo stood up, looking down at the dazzling boy who seemed to stand at the pinnacle of the world.
The shock of Eiji Sawakita's game-winning buzzer-beating three had yet to fade. Fierce fighting spirit mingled with the complicated emotions of a reunion after a long separation, surging through his chest.
He took a deep breath, suppressed every stray thought, and curved his lips into an equally sharp, challenging smile.
"Yeah, I saw it." Ryota Kudo's voice was steady and strong, his gaze piercing straight at Eiji Sawakita like an unsheathed sword. "Just wait, Eiji. I'll take the next victory with my own hands."
Their eyes met, and invisible currents seemed to crackle in the air.
The smile in Eiji Sawakita's eyes deepened with the excitement of finding a worthy opponent.
"Heh, I'll be waiting. I've waited a year, and this day has finally come!" With that, Eiji Sawakita turned and merged into the crimson sea of champions.
Ryota Kudo remained where he was, watching Sawakita walk away.
Sannoh's thunderous cheers and Kainan's dejected sighs filled his ears.
He slowly turned, his gaze sweeping over his teammates, who had been just as shaken by this clash at the summit.
The gravity in Miyagi's eyes, the exhaustion and fighting spirit on Mitsui's face, the cold fire beneath Kaede Rukawa's cap, Hanamichi Sakuragi's expression, a mixture of defiance and eagerness...
Next, it would be their turn.
They would face the seemingly unshakable champions who had just crushed Kanagawa's kings-Sannoh Industrial High School!
Even after he left the basketball arena, the immense pressure of Sannoh Industrial High School still weighed heavily on Ryota Kudo's heart.
Sawakita's effortless composure, Sannoh's flawless teamwork, and the empty spot left by his senior, Akagi...
Every thought was like a boulder. He shook his head, trying to clear