"S-so many people!" Kakuta and the others stared, dumbfounded.
"So this is... the real stage of the National Tournament," Yasuda said with feeling.
Coach Anzai adjusted his glasses. "Go on in, boys. The stage is ready for you."
When the Shohoku Team stepped through the Players' Tunnel onto the court, an enormous roar engulfed them in an instant.
The spotlights shone on the polished wooden floor, reflecting a dazzling brilliance.
At the other end of the court, Sannoh Industrial High School, dressed in dark blue uniforms, was already warming up in an orderly fashion.
Fluid passes, accurate shots, powerful dunks-every movement displayed the pedigree of champions and their formidable strength.
That composure was an invisible pressure in itself.
Seeing Shohoku enter, the Sannoh players all turned their gazes toward them, sharp as blades.
Just then, a figure broke away from Sannoh's ranks and strode toward Shohoku.
His dark blue No. 14 jersey stood out under the lights-Eiji Sawakita!
Everyone on Shohoku instantly tensed.
Kaede Rukawa's eyes turned cold and sharp in an instant, his body leaning slightly forward like a cheetah about to pounce.
Hanamichi Sakuragi went straight into "monkey face" mode, baring his teeth. "Stinky Fox! What are you doing?! You're not planning to start a fight right now, are you?"
But Sawakita looked straight past them, his gaze locking precisely onto Ryota Kudo.
With an easy smile, he walked straight up to Ryota, slung an arm around his shoulders, and pulled him aside with familiar ease.
"Hey, Ryota!" Sawakita's voice carried undisguised teasing and excitement as he laughed and pointed toward the south stands. "Look over there! A surprise for you!"
Ryota Kudo followed the direction of his finger, and his heart gave a sudden jolt.
In the south stands, an enormous banner with a pinkish-purple background fluttered