Chapter Summaries

Shohoku built a commanding lead by exhausting Akira Sendoh with double-teams, while Ryota Kudo drew the attention of a growing fan club in the stands. Kudo ended the first half by dunking over Jun Uozumi as the buzzer sounded.

• Ryota Kudo, Kaede Rukawa, and Hisashi Mitsui double-teamed Akira Sendoh, cutting him off from his teammates and wearing him down as Shohoku took a sixteen-point lead.
• Kiccho Fukuda scored against Hanamichi Sakuragi, but Ryota Kudo immediately raced downcourt and scored on a pass from Takenori Akagi.
• Nobunaga Kiyota shouted encouragement to Akira Sendoh and insults at Ryota Kudo, prompting Shinichi Maki to restrain him and apologize to Kudo.
• Eri Fujisawa, head of Ryota Kudo's Fan Club, and other girls heckled Nobunaga Kiyota until the Kainan Team moved to the opposite stands.
• With seven seconds left in the half, Ryota Kudo dribbled past Ryoji Ikegami and dunked over a hesitant Jun Uozumi as the buzzer sounded.

During halftime, Maki judged Sannoh stronger than Shohoku, while Shohoku learned that Anzai was out of danger and Sakuragi discovered that poor exam results could keep him out of the National Tournament. In the second half, Akagi scored against Uozumi, and Ryonan began taking more three-point shots whenever Shohoku double-teamed Sendoh.

• Maki told Fujima that Sannoh was stronger than Shohoku, though he acknowledged Shohoku might still pull off a miracle.
• Shohoku learned that Anzai had woken up and was out of danger.
• Kudo learned from Kogure that players who failed too many subjects could miss the National Tournament, and Sakuragi panicked after recalling his seven failed subjects.
• Akagi won the second-half jump ball and scored against Uozumi, who hesitated to challenge him for fear of fouling out.
• Kudo and Mitsui pressured Sendoh, who passed to Uekusa for a missed three-pointer; Sakuragi grabbed the rebound.
• Ryonan responded by having Uekusa, Ikegami, and Fukuda shoot threes whenever Shohoku double-teamed Sendoh, and some of their shots went in.

Shohoku defeated Ryonan to win the Kanagawa Prefecture championship, and Ryota Kudo received the MVP award. After Shohoku celebrated with Coach Anzai at the hospital, Coach Anzai asked Kudo to stay behind for a private conversation.

• Coach Taoka urged Jun Uozumi to play without fear of fouling out, and Uozumi blocked Takenori Akagi before fouling out after making three blocks.
• Shohoku defeated Ryonan 98-64, and Akira Sendoh congratulated Ryota Kudo while Kenji Fujima congratulated Shinichi Maki.
• Shohoku, Kainan, Ryonan, and Takezato finished first through fourth in the Kanagawa tournament, and Shohoku and Kainan qualified for the National Tournament.
• Ryota Kudo won the MVP award, and the Kanagawa All-NBA Team included Shinichi Maki, Soichiro Jin, Akira Sendoh, Ryota Kudo, and Takenori Akagi.
• Shohoku's players brought their awards to Coach Anzai in the hospital, where he thanked them and accepted the championship trophy.
• Coach Anzai asked Ryota Kudo to stay after the other Shohoku players left.

Ryota Kudo agreed to attend an Asian U18 basketball training camp in China, where he hoped to test himself against talented players from other countries. After Shohoku’s final exams, four teammates failed multiple subjects, and Takenori Akagi took them to ask for makeup exams, leaving Kudo worried that he would soon have to manage the Problem Children himself.

• Coach Anzai told Ryota Kudo about his experiences against strong Asian teams and offered him a chance to attend the Asian U18 Rising Star Training Camp in China.
• Ryota Kudo agreed to attend the August camp, where he hoped to meet Chinese players including Wang Zhizhi, Mengke Bateer, and Ma Yukun.
• At Shohoku, Satoru Kakuta and the other players passed their exams, but Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi, Kaede Rukawa, and Hanamichi Sakuragi failed multiple subjects.
• Ryota Kudo laughed at Hanamichi Sakuragi’s score of nine in math, prompting Sakuragi to chase him until Takenori Akagi stopped them.
• Takenori Akagi led the four failing players to the academic affairs office to request makeup exams, then scolded Sakuragi when he complained about Akagi’s pleading.
• Ryota Kudo realized that after Takenori Akagi and the other seniors retired, he would be responsible for looking after the Problem Children.

After Shohoku’s four Problem Children passed their makeup exams, Ryota Kudo traveled with Shinichi Maki to Aichi Prefecture to watch Aiwa Academy face Meihou Industrial High School. The game showcased Dai Moroboshi’s scoring and Hiroshi Morishige’s overpowering play, and continued with the two teams still trading baskets.

• Tatsuhiko Aota teased Takenori Akagi about Shohoku’s failing students before asking a teacher for another chance for himself.
• Takenori Akagi arranged five days of study for the four Problem Children, and Hanamichi Sakuragi, Kaede Rukawa, Ryota Miyagi, and Hisashi Mitsui all passed their makeup exams.
• Ryota Kudo traveled to Aichi Prefecture with Shinichi Maki, who planned to cheer for his friend Dai Moroboshi and show Kudo strong teams from other prefectures.
• Dai Moroboshi greeted Shinichi Maki and Ryota Kudo from the court, then scored repeatedly for Aiwa Academy.
• Hiroshi Morishige powered through two Aiwa Academy defenders for a dunk, hung on the rim, and received a technical foul.

Hiroshi Morishige dominated Aiwa Academy after Dai Moroboshi was injured and carried off the court, then deliberately fouled out. Morishige challenged Ryota Kudo to arrange a friendly against Shohoku, while Moroboshi returned to the court despite his injury.

• Moroboshi repeatedly drove into the paint against Morishige, who blocked him and helped Meihou Industrial High School take an 18-point lead.
• Morishige dunked through the defenders, sending Moroboshi flying into the basket support and injuring his leg.
• Maki and Kudo comforted Moroboshi as he was carried away, and Meihou Industrial High School continued dominating without him.
• Morishige hung on the rim after another dunk, received his fifth foul, and left the game despite his coach's anger.
• Morishige approached Kudo and asked for a friendly between Meihou Industrial High School and Shohoku, but Kudo declined to commit to it.
• Moroboshi returned to the court despite his injury, drawing cheers from the stands.

After returning from Aichi, Ryota Kudo helped Hanamichi Sakuragi practice midrange shots before Shohoku began a week of intensive training. Kaede Rukawa’s increasingly selfish play caused a confrontation with Hisashi Mitsui, who challenged him to a one-on-one game.

• Meihou Industrial High School defeated Aiwa Academy 74-68 to win Aichi Prefecture, while both teams qualified for the National Tournament.
• Kudo returned to Kanagawa, stopped at Shohoku’s gym, and learned that Sakuragi had shaved his head after losing a bet about his midrange shooting.
• Kudo helped Sakuragi practice, and Sakuragi briefly made three midrange shots in a row before continuing to struggle after Kudo left.
• Shohoku’s basketball team began a week of intensive training, during which Rukawa repeatedly ignored teammates and focused on scoring alone.
• Rukawa intercepted Mitsui’s pass during a scrimmage and dunked through Kakuta and Sasaoka, prompting Mitsui to challenge him to a one-on-one game.

Kaede Rukawa beat Hisashi Mitsui in a one-on-one, then defeated Hanamichi Sakuragi, leaving Sakuragi dejected. Rukawa’s drive to become the best in All Japan stemmed from Coach Anzai advising him to delay his plan to go to the United States, while Ryota Kudo returned home to find two strangers waiting for him.

• Kaede Rukawa beat Hisashi Mitsui by one basket after using a reverse layup and answering Mitsui’s pull-up jumper.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi challenged Kaede Rukawa to a one-on-one, and Kiminobu Kogure and Ryota Kudo cleared the gym so Sakuragi could lose without an audience.
• Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Kudo, and Ryota Miyagi discussed Kaede Rukawa’s recent behavior as Rukawa’s private conversation with Coach Anzai revealed that he wanted to play in the United States, but Anzai told him to first become the best in All Japan.
• Kaede Rukawa emerged from the gym and confirmed he had given his all against Hanamichi Sakuragi, who later came out looking dejected.
• Ryota Kudo decided not to confront Kaede Rukawa himself and, upon reaching home, found a middle-aged man and a tall young man waiting to see him.

Ryota Kudo rejected Fukuzawa Sports University’s attempt to tie Takenori Akagi’s recruitment to Kudo’s own future enrollment, while promising Shohoku would reach the national quarterfinals. The next morning, Hanamichi Sakuragi discovered his basketball shoes had fallen apart, and Haruko Akagi took him to a sporting goods shop.

• Kazuo Karasawa and Shota Sugiyama visited Ryota Kudo and offered Takenori Akagi a special recruitment spot if Kudo agreed to attend Fukuzawa Sports University.
• Ryota Kudo refused the condition, and Kazuo Karasawa said Akagi would still receive serious consideration if Shohoku reached the national quarterfinals.
• Ryota Kudo learned that universities favored tall interior players and worried Hisashi Mitsui might struggle to get recruited, but he decided to wait until the National Tournament before helping.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi found that the basketball shoes Ryota Kudo had given him were torn and unwearable, so he left home in ordinary sneakers.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi met Haruko Akagi at an outdoor court, told her about his ruined shoes, and followed her to a sporting goods shop.

Hanamichi Sakuragi bought his first pair of basketball shoes from a grateful shop owner before arriving late to Shohoku practice. Ryota Kudo began focusing more on scoring after advice from Shota Sugiyama, and his aggressive play impressed Takenori Akagi.

• Hanamichi Sakuragi tried on the shop owner's treasured Air Jordan 1 shoes, accepted them for 100 yen, and left with Haruko Akagi.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi arrived at the gym and learned that Takenori Akagi had sent Mari Kawai and her camera crew away from the closed practice.
• Ryota Kudo changed his approach after discussing his role with Shota Sugiyama and attacked Kaede Rukawa decisively during the scrimmage.
• Ryota Kudo drove past Kaede Rukawa for a dunk, then stole the ball from him and scored again on a fast break despite a foul.
• Kiminobu Kogure questioned Ryota Kudo's ball-hogging, while Takenori Akagi said Kudo seemed strongest playing that way.

Shohoku traveled to Shizuoka for a training camp and friendly games, while Hanamichi Sakuragi stayed behind for special shooting training with Coach Anzai. On the train, Ryota Kudo ran into Ryonan manager Eri Fujisawa, who said she had come to cheer him on and sat beside him.

• Coach Anzai announced Shohoku's week-long training camp and three friendly games against Jousei High School, and Ayako Inoue told the players to pay 36,700 yen each.
• The Sakuragi Gang worked through the typhoon to earn money for their trip to Hiroshima, but Hanamichi Sakuragi borrowed all their earnings to pay for camp.
• Coach Anzai kept Hanamichi Sakuragi in Kanagawa for midrange shooting training while Coach Suzuki led the rest of Shohoku to Shizuoka.
• On the train, Ryota Kudo admired the passengers and thought about his relationship with Shizuka Kudo.
• Eri Fujisawa appeared on the train and told Ryota Kudo she was traveling to cheer for him, then took the seat beside him as Ryota Miyagi watched.

Ryota Kudo told Eri Fujisawa he preferred long-haired girls and discussed keeping in touch with Shizuka Kudo, while Eri agreed to help him buy a phone. At Jousei High School, Shohoku clashed with the arrogant ace Mikoshiba, and their friendly began with Ryota Kudo facing him.

• Ryota Kudo told Eri Fujisawa he preferred girls with long hair, and she said she would grow hers out and help him buy a portable phone.
• Eri Fujisawa asked about Shizuka Kudo, and Ryota Kudo said they spoke often and that she planned to watch his games.
• Shohoku arrived at Jousei High School, where Takumi Fujiwara welcomed the team and Mikoshiba provoked Takenori Akagi.
• Takenori Akagi and Mikoshiba exchanged a tense handshake, while Kiminobu Kogure tried to calm the players before collapsing from fear.
• Takenori Akagi won the opening tip, and Ryota Kudo ran into Mikoshiba's close defense during Shohoku's fast break.
• Ryota Kudo received Ryota Miyagi's pass after Mikoshiba ran past him, then warned Mikoshiba that showing off would get him put in his place.

Ryota Kudo opened the game with a dunk, then was provoked by Mikoshiba and struggled to stop his scoring. After ignoring an open Kaede Rukawa, Ryota Kudo entered ZONE and dunked over Shuji Fujisawa.

• Ryota Kudo blew past Mikoshiba and opened the game with a tomahawk dunk as Mari Kawai arrived to film.
• Mikoshiba used a signature move to score over Ryota Kudo, and the ball rolled around the rim before dropping in.
• Ayako Inoue rallied Shohoku and ordered the substitutes to cheer after Mari Kawai mocked the team.
• Takenori Akagi passed the ball to Ryota Kudo, who chose not to pass to the open Kaede Rukawa.
• Ryota Kudo entered ZONE, drove past Mikoshiba, and dunked over Shuji Fujisawa with his head above the rim.

Ryota Kudo entered ZONE and overwhelmed Jousei High with steals, blocks, and dunks before shifting to playmaking and leaving the game at halftime. On the sidelines, he tried to work out what had triggered his first entry into ZONE.

• After Ryota Kudo's spectacular dunk, Mikoshiba and Ryota Miyagi realized how far his speed and athleticism surpassed theirs, while Mari Kawai and Ryota Kudo's fan club cheered for him.
• Ryota Kudo stole the ball from Jousei High and dunked over Shuji Fujisawa again, then dominated the court with steals, blocks, and fast breaks.
• Within five minutes, Ryota Kudo had scored thirty-five points while Jousei High had scored none, before he slipped out of ZONE and nearly fell from exhaustion.
• Ryota Kudo shifted into a playmaking role as Shohoku continued to control the game, while Mikoshiba avoided him and scored through his teammates' screens.
• At halftime, Ryota Kudo was subbed out and wondered whether his anger and refusal to pass had triggered his entry into ZONE.

Shohoku defeated Jousei High School decisively in their friendlies, while Ryota Kudo failed to enter ZONE again and focused on building team chemistry. As Shohoku prepared to leave camp, Coach Anzai told Takenori Akagi that seeded Meihou Industrial High School had challenged them to a friendly at Jousei.

• Mari Kawai brought Ryota Kudo water, but Eri Fujisawa challenged her and Ayako Inoue ordered Kudo to drink team-provided water instead.
• Shohoku beat Jousei 143-72, and Jousei's coach worried that the defeat had hurt his players' confidence.
• At Jousei's coach's request, Ryota Kudo limited his minutes in the next two friendlies; Shohoku won all three games by more than thirty points.
• Ryota Kudo tried to enter ZONE during a friendly but failed, then eased off and used the game to build team chemistry.
• Ryota Miyagi summoned Takenori Akagi to the phone, where Kiminobu Kogure handed him a grave message from Coach Anzai.
• Coach Anzai told Takenori Akagi that Meihou Industrial High School had challenged Shohoku to a friendly at Jousei High School.

Shohoku and Meihou Industrial High School began a friendly at Jousei High School, where Ryota Kudo and Hiroshi Morishige immediately provoked each other. Kudo opened the game with a coast-to-coast dunk and set out to push Morishige into becoming a formidable opponent so he could try to enter ZONE.

• Takenori Akagi told Shohoku's players about the friendly against Meihou Industrial High School, and the team eagerly prepared.
• Mikoshiba dismissed Meihou, while his teammate warned that first-year center Hiroshi Morishige had become a serious threat.
• Hiroshi Morishige arrived and challenged Ryota Kudo, who answered that Shohoku would conquer the nation.
• Morishige beat Takenori Akagi in the opening tip, but Ryota Kudo anticipated the play, intercepted the ball, and dunked at the other end.
• Ryota Kudo hung from the rim to provoke Morishige, hoping to draw out his strongest play and get closer to entering ZONE.

Hiroshi Morishige overpowered Takenori Akagi and Ryota Kudo inside, while Kudo answered with a fast-break layup and tried to keep Morishige from receiving the ball. After Morishige knocked Kudo down with a putback dunk, the game stopped so Eri Fujisawa and Mari Kawai could check on him.

• Hiroshi Morishige backed down Takenori Akagi and dunked through Ryota Kudo's attempted block.
• Ryota Kudo caught Ryota Miyagi's long pass and scored a twisting layup after faking a three-point shot.
• Shuji Fujisawa watched Morishige dominate and worried about facing him at the National Tournament.
• Ryota Kudo and Takenori Akagi double-teamed Morishige, forcing Meihou Industrial High School's power forward into a missed midrange shot.
• Hiroshi Morishige shoved Ryota Kudo aside, grabbed the rebound, and dunked, knocking Kudo to the floor.
• Eri Fujisawa treated Kudo's sore back while Mari Kawai checked on him, and Kudo stood up feeling better.

Kaede Rukawa challenged Hiroshi Morishige at the rim and was knocked down, forcing him to leave the game despite insisting he could continue. Shohoku High School then intercepted a pass to Morishige and scored on a fast break, leaving Morishige frustrated during the timeout.

• Ryota Kudo recovered from his collision with Hiroshi Morishige and stayed in the game while easing back into play.
• Kaede Rukawa ignored Ryota Kudo's warning, attempted a double-clutch layup against Hiroshi Morishige, and was blocked and knocked hard to the floor.
• The team doctor found no serious injury, but Takenori Akagi and Coach Suzuki had Kaede Rukawa sit out, with Kiminobu Kogure replacing him.
• Ryota Kudo intercepted a pass intended for Hiroshi Morishige and launched a long fast-break pass to Ryota Miyagi, who scored a layup.
• Meihou Industrial High School called a timeout, and Hiroshi Morishige kicked over a stool in frustration at Shohoku High School's defensive strategy.

Shohoku continued to dominate Meihou Industrial High School by containing Hiroshi Morishige and scoring from the perimeter, building a 72-43 lead by halftime. Ryota Kudo blocked Morishige’s final shot, while Meihou Industrial High School’s coach feared reporters had exposed the team’s dependence on Morishige.

• Hiroshi Morishige fouled Ryota Kudo after growing frustrated, and Hisashi Mitsui praised Kudo for his defense.
• Ryota Kudo drew the defense toward him and passed to Hisashi Mitsui, who made a three-pointer.
• Mikoshiba confidently claimed that he and Shuji Fujisawa could stop Hiroshi Morishige, though the chapter noted his confidence was misplaced.
• With Shohoku leading 72-43, Ryota Kudo stayed close to Hiroshi Morishige during Meihou Industrial High School’s last possession of the half.
• Hiroshi Morishige grabbed a high lob and tried a floater, but Ryota Kudo blocked it as time expired.
• Meihou Industrial High School’s coach regretted arranging the friendly because reporters had recorded the team’s weaknesses, including its reliance on Hiroshi Morishige.

Hiroshi Morishige changed his approach in the second half, but Shohoku still beat Meihou Industrial 143-102. After the game, Morishige accepted his defeat and vowed to face Kudo again in the finals.

• Morishige refused his coach’s suggestion to sit out the second half and insisted that he had not given up.
• Mitsui’s exhausted hands shook too badly to open a drink, so Coach Suzuki told him to rest at the start of the second half.
• Morishige set a screen and followed it with a roll to the basket, beginning to use team play as Meihou Industrial’s offense changed.
• Shohoku extended its lead and defeated Meihou Industrial 143-102, even with Mitsui and Rukawa on the bench.
• Morishige shook Kudo’s hand, admitted that he had lost, and said he would make the finals and wait for him there.