Chapter Summaries

Ryota Kudo saved Ryota Miyagi’s overthrown pass, drew a foul to complete an and-one, and put Shohoku ahead 20-19 with his eighteenth consecutive point. As Shohoku retreated on defense, Tetsuya Takao seethed at Kudo’s one-man performance and demanded the ball.

• Ryota Miyagi’s long pass sailed toward the baseline, but Ryota Kudo dove to save it before it went out of bounds.
• Kudo drove toward the unguarded basket and used a hesitation to draw Minami Shoyo’s foul while making the layup.
• The referee counted the basket and awarded Kudo a free throw, which he made to give Shohoku a 20-19 lead.
• Shohoku celebrated Kudo’s play as the crowd chanted “MVP,” while Kudo imagined earning the same acclaim in the NBA.
• Hakata Commercial captain Tetsuya Takao grew angry at Kudo’s dominance and demanded that his teammates give him the ball.

Tetsuya Takao abandoned Hakata Commercial’s team-oriented approach and scored a one-on-one jumper to put his team ahead, then challenged Ryota Kudo directly. Kudo accepted the challenge and prepared to answer Takao’s defense with a powerful isolation play.

• Tetsuya Takao ignored his teammates, beat Hisashi Mitsui with a burst of speed and sudden pullback, and made a jumper to give Hakata Commercial a 21-20 lead.
• Hakata Commercial’s head coach watched Takao’s solo attack and questioned whether his team-first philosophy had held back the players.
• Shinichi Maki and Dai Moroboshi discussed how Hakata Commercial’s system had suppressed Takao’s scoring instincts.
• Tetsuya Takao switched onto Ryota Kudo, declared that he would guard him, and challenged him to prove who the real genius was.
• Ryota Kudo signaled for Shohoku to clear the strong side and lowered his stance, preparing to face Takao one-on-one.

Ryota Kudo used physical defense and speed to outplay Tetsuya Takao, giving Shohoku a 24-21 lead. Takao lost his composure and repeatedly challenged Kudo, and the chapter ended with him showing off his dribbling beyond the three-point line.

• Ryota Kudo drove past Tetsuya Takao with a powerful same-side step and scored a midrange jumper to put Shohoku ahead 22-21.
• Tetsuya Takao angrily called for the ball and challenged Kudo one-on-one, but Kudo disrupted his dribble, stole the ball, and finished a tomahawk slam for a 24-21 lead.
• Humiliated by Kudo, Tetsuya Takao charged at him, but Yuki Nishiguchi and Haruhiko Kitajima restrained him while Hakata Commercial's coach chose not to call a timeout.
• After Hakata Commercial inbounded, Tetsuya Takao took the ball from Yuki Nishiguchi and charged at Kudo again, who calmly switched onto him and held his defensive position.
• Tetsuya Takao dribbled beyond the three-point line and began a flashy series of between-the-legs and behind-the-back moves as the crowd reacted.

Ryota Kudo’s fast-break dunk pushed Shohoku’s lead to 28-21 and forced Hakata Commercial to call a timeout. After Tetsuya Takao was substituted out, Hakata Commercial restored its team offense and kept pace with Shohoku, which led 45-33 at halftime.

• Ryota Kudo stopped Tetsuya Takao’s drive with his strength, took the loose ball, and scored a fast-break tomahawk dunk to make it 28-21.
• Hakata Commercial’s coach called a timeout as Takao remained shaken by the collision and dunk.
• The coach substituted Takumi Kimura for Takao and instructed him to defend Kudo through team rotations rather than one-on-one.
• Hakata Commercial resumed its coordinated offense and contained Kudo’s links to his teammates, though it could not stop his individual scoring.
• The teams traded baskets until halftime, when Shohoku led 45-33.

Hakata Commercial’s coach encouraged Tetsuya Takao to rely on his teammates against Ryota Kudo, and Takao returned to the court with renewed resolve. In the second half, Hakata Shodai focused its defense on Kudo, who passed to Kaede Rukawa for a missed shot before Hanamichi Sakuragi grabbed the offensive rebound.

• The coach told Tetsuya Takao how teamwork had helped him face stronger players, reminding him that Hakata Commercial would not give up easily.
• Tetsuya Takao removed his towel and returned to the court with a focused look as Hakata Commercial’s starters fixed their attention on Ryota Kudo.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi won the opening tip, but Hakata Shodai quickly retreated and set up a tight defense.
• Ryota Kudo drew a double-team from Tetsuya Takao and Haruhiko Kitajima, then passed to the open Kaede Rukawa, whose shot missed.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi leapt over Shuichi Todo and secured the offensive rebound.

Shohoku extended its lead over Hakata Commercial as Ryota Kudo's passing and his teammates' scoring overwhelmed their defense. Even down twenty midway through the second half, Hakata Commercial kept playing with focus and apparent enjoyment, leaving Kudo puzzled by their composure.

• Hanamichi Sakuragi grabbed a rebound and passed to Ryota Kudo, who drew a double-team and found Kaede Rukawa for a three-pointer that put Shohoku ahead 48-33.
• Shinichi Maki and Dai Moroboshi discussed Hakata Commercial's desperate double-teaming of Kudo, while Takenori Akagi declined Coach Anzai's offer to return, trusting his teammates to win without him.
• Tetsuya Takao abandoned his one-on-one approach, used screens to get open, and hit a three-pointer as Hakata Commercial returned to its team offense.
• Shohoku answered with baskets from Miyagi, Rukawa, and Sakuragi, gradually widening the lead to 68-48 midway through the second half.
• Kudo noticed that Takao and the other Hakata Commercial players remained focused and seemed to enjoy the game despite trailing by twenty points.

Shohoku defeated Hakata Shodai Affiliated High School 88–63 to win the national championship, and Ryota Kudo overcame his initial disbelief to celebrate with his team and family. Tetsuya Takao congratulated him and reflected on his role as a dependable team player before Ryota received the finals MVP trophy.

• Ryota Kudo kept playing at full intensity as Shohoku maintained its lead, while spectators increasingly cheered for Hakata Shodai Affiliated's resilience and teamwork.
• The final whistle confirmed Shohoku High School's 88–63 victory over Hakata Shodai Affiliated High School, leaving Ryota briefly dazed by the championship win.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi's shout sparked Shohoku's celebrations, and Ryota spotted Eri Fujisawa, his mother, and Shizuka Kudo cheering in the stands.
• Tetsuya Takao congratulated Ryota, accepted that Hakata had lost because it was not strong enough, and said he had found his place as a dependable team player.
• Ryota received the finals MVP trophy amid cheers, applause, and camera flashes.

Shohoku celebrated its national championship as Kazunari Fukatsu, Eiji Sawakita, Kaede Rukawa, Ryota Kudo, and Hiroshi Morishige were named to the First Five. After the team returned to the hotel, Coach Anzai gave Ryota Kudo an invitation to an Asian U18 training camp in Shanghai, beginning in five days.

• Kazunari Fukatsu, Eiji Sawakita, Kaede Rukawa, Ryota Kudo, and Hiroshi Morishige were announced as the tournament's First Five.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi complained that Kaede Rukawa had been selected, while Hisashi Mitsui and Ryota Miyagi reminded him that Shohoku had won the championship.
• Coach Anzai and Takenori Akagi raised the championship trophy as Shohoku celebrated its national victory.
• Shohoku rode back to the hotel, where the players prepared to return to Kanagawa the next morning.
• Coach Anzai stopped Ryota Kudo and handed him an invitation and itinerary for an Asian U18 training camp in Shanghai that began in five days.

After winning the National Tournament MVP, Ryota Kudo learned that he had been accepted into an elite Asia-wide basketball training camp in Shanghai. He celebrated with his family and Eri Fujisawa, then prepared to leave for the next challenge.

• Coach Anzai told Ryota Kudo that he had been accepted into an elite Asia Basketball Federation training camp in Shanghai and had three days to prepare his paperwork.
• Ryota Kudo met his family at a restaurant, where his mother proudly announced his MVP status and two diners asked to take a picture with him.
• Eri Fujisawa intervened when one of the young women linked arms with Ryota Kudo, then joined him at the table.
• Ryota Kudo told Eri Fujisawa he would soon leave for the closed training camp, and she reluctantly accepted that she could not go with him.
• Shizuka Kudo teased Ryota Kudo and Eri Fujisawa about their closeness, while Eri secretly resolved to keep an eye on her boyfriend.

Three days after the National Tournament celebrations, Ryota Kudo headed to Shanghai for an Asia U18 basketball training camp and unexpectedly met Hiroshi Morishige and Eiji Sawakita on the way. The three boarded the same flight, leaving for the camp together as Ryota looked forward to the challenges ahead.

• Ryota Kudo left for Tokyo International Airport alone to travel to Shanghai for a basketball training camp.
• Ryota Kudo ran into Hiroshi Morishige at the airport and learned they were both going to the same camp.
• Hiroshi Morishige admitted he knew little Chinese, and Ryota Kudo reassured him that he could help.
• Eiji Sawakita hurried onto the plane after nearly missing his flight and discovered Ryota Kudo and Hiroshi Morishige were also going to Shanghai.
• Ryota Kudo, Hiroshi Morishige, and Eiji Sawakita flew together toward the Asia U18 Training Camp.

Ryota Kudo, Eiji Sawakita, and Hiroshi Morishige arrived in Shanghai for the Asian youth training camp, where Kudo’s fluent Chinese helped them reach the base and settle in. At the training hall, they spotted Wang Zhizhi displaying an impressive three-point shot.

• Ryota Kudo used his Chinese to guide Eiji Sawakita and Hiroshi Morishige from the airport to the Asian Basketball Confederation Training Base.
• The staff checked the three boys in early and assigned them a room in the athletes’ residence.
• Ryota Kudo, Eiji Sawakita, and Hiroshi Morishige visited the huge gymnasium and watched young players from across Asia practice.
• Eiji Sawakita pointed out a tall boy making a smooth three-pointer on a distant court.
• Ryota Kudo recognized the boy as Wang Zhizhi, the future Chasing the Wind Boy.

Ryota Kudo, Eiji Sawakita, and Hiroshi Morishige saw Wang Zhizhi’s versatile scoring and Li Nan’s sharp shooting at the training camp, then steadied their nerves and began warming up. Their practice was interrupted when a group of Korean players demanded their court, and Ryota refused in fluent English.

• Wang Zhizhi beat two defenders with a pump fake and spin before finishing with a one-handed dunk, leaving Hiroshi Morishige shaken by the center’s skill.
• Li Nan caught a pass after a smart off-ball cut and sank a quick three-pointer, impressing Eiji Sawakita and Ryota Kudo.
• Eiji Sawakita and Hiroshi Morishige worried that they might not measure up, but Ryota Kudo encouraged them to face the camp’s strong players with confidence.
• The three Japanese players took the remaining half court and warmed up with shooting and layup drills, drawing attention from nearby players.
• Five or six Korean players arrived and demanded that Ryota Kudo, Eiji Sawakita, and Hiroshi Morishige give up their court.
• Ryota Kudo moved Eiji Sawakita behind him and firmly told the Korean group in English that they had arrived first and would keep warming up.

Ryota Kudo and his teammates challenged the South Korea Team to a half-court game for the right to use the court. The game began with both sides scoring, and Kudo set up Hiroshi Morishige for an alley-oop that put their team ahead 4-3.

• Ryota Kudo refused to give up the court and accepted the blond Korean player's challenge to play three-on-three, first to fifteen.
• Wang Zhizhi, Li Nan, and Gong Xiaobin gathered with other onlookers to watch the game begin.
• Kudo assigned Eiji Sawakita to guard the blond and Hiroshi Morishige to protect the paint as the South Korea Team took the opening possession.
• Morishige grabbed a rebound after the Korean power forward missed, and Kudo passed to Sawakita for a finger-roll basket that made it 2-0.
• The South Korea Team used screens to free its buzz-cut shooter, who hit a three-pointer and gave them a 3-2 lead.
• Kudo beat the Korean power forward off a pick-and-roll and tossed a behind-the-head pass to Morishige, who dunked to put their team ahead 4-3.

Ryota Kudo led Eiji Sawakita and Hiroshi Morishige to a 15-10 win over the South Korea Team, impressing the Chinese players and coaches at the training camp. After the Korean players left without responding to Kudo’s demand for an apology, the blond player’s anger and humiliation grew as Kudo turned to celebrate.

• Ryota Kudo anticipated a pass, forced the ball out of bounds, and set up Eiji Sawakita to score and put Japan at game point.
• Kudo shut down the buzz-cut shooter, whose rushed fadeaway missed, and Hiroshi Morishige grabbed the rebound.
• Kudo beat the blond with a behind-the-back dribble and sank the game-winning three, giving Japan a 15-10 victory.
• Kudo told the South Korea Team to leave and reminded them that respect had to be earned, and the players departed amid whispers and mocking laughs.
• Chinese players and coaches praised Kudo, Sawakita, and Morishige, while Coach Gong Xiaobin ordered his assistant to watch the Japanese players during upcoming sessions.
• As Kudo turned to celebrate with his teammates, the humiliated blond clenched his fists and trembled, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

Gong Xiaobin stopped a fight between Ryota Kudo’s group and the South Korea Team, then warned both sides against further confrontations. After the Korean players left, Ryota Kudo approached Wang Zhizhi to ask whether he and his teammates could join a game, surprising Wang with his fluent Mandarin.

• A blond-haired South Korea Team player tried to hit Ryota Kudo from behind, but Hiroshi Morishige caught his fist and pushed him off balance.
• The Korean players rushed toward Ryota Kudo, Eiji Sawakita, and Hiroshi Morishige, who prepared to defend themselves.
• Gong Xiaobin and the Chinese staff intervened, and Gong threatened to disqualify anyone who caused more trouble.
• The blond-haired player apologized, and Gong told both teams to focus on basketball and avoid further confrontations.
• Ryota Kudo led Eiji Sawakita and Hiroshi Morishige to Wang Zhizhi’s court and asked to join a game.
• Wang Zhizhi nearly choked on his water when Ryota Kudo spoke fluent Mandarin and asked if he was Chinese.

Ryota Kudo and his teammates joined Wang Zhizhi and other Chinese prospects for a full-court game before a crowd of players. After Hiroshi Morishige won the opening tip, Ryota drove toward the basket and turned his attempted dunk over Wang Zhizhi into an alley-oop for Morishige, who scored with a two-handed slam.

• Ryota Kudo invited Wang Zhizhi and the other young Chinese players to play a full-court game, and Wang agreed.
• The players formed two teams, with Ryota Kudo, Eiji Sawakita, Hiroshi Morishige, Li Nan, and a Chinese youth-team point guard on one side against Wang Zhizhi's team.
• A referee started the game, and Hiroshi Morishige outjumped Wang Zhizhi to tip the ball to Ryota Kudo.
• Ryota passed to his point guard, moved to the left wing, then beat his defender with a shot fake and explosive first step.
• Ryota challenged Wang Zhizhi with an attempted dunk, but changed course midair and tossed an alley-oop to Morishige, who slammed it in for a 2-0 lead.

Ryota Kudo took over playmaking duties and helped his team build an 8-4 lead with precise passes to Li Nan and an open point guard. Wang Zhizhi answered with a three-pointer to make it 8-7, leaving Hiroshi Morishige with a difficult defensive assignment.

• Wang Zhizhi spun past Hiroshi Morishige and scored a floater to tie the game at 2-2.
• The Chinese point guard handed Ryota Kudo control of the offense, and Kudo passed to Li Nan for a three-pointer that put their team ahead 5-2.
• Wang Zhizhi's team scored a baseline layup, cutting the score to 5-4.
• Ryota Kudo found his open point guard teammate in the corner, and the teammate made a three-pointer to extend the lead to 8-4.
• Wang Zhizhi made a three-pointer over Hiroshi Morishige to cut the score to 8-7, and Ryota Kudo urged Morishige to trust the team's help defense.

Ryota Kudo’s team held a narrow halftime lead as Eiji Sawakita and Li Nan scored off Kudo’s playmaking, while Wang Zhizhi repeatedly challenged Hiroshi Morishige. After Wang Zhizhi’s team tightened its defense in the second half, Kudo answered with a reverse layup, and Wang Zhizhi followed with a powerful and-one in the post.

• Eiji Sawakita hit a midrange jumper after Ryota Kudo passed out of a drive, and Wang Zhizhi’s team answered with a free throw.
• Wang Zhizhi used his skill and strength to disrupt Hiroshi Morishige’s post offense, stripping the ball and starting a fast break.
• Ryota Kudo found Li Nan for a layup with a long pass, and Kudo’s team led 28-25 at halftime.
• Wang Zhizhi’s team disrupted Kudo’s passing options and cut the lead to 28-27 with a midrange jumper.
• Ryota Kudo beat his defender and evaded Wang Zhizhi for a reverse layup, extending the lead to 30-27.
• Wang Zhizhi powered past Hiroshi Morishige in the post, scored through contact, and earned an additional free throw.

Ryota Kudo’s team beat Wang Zhizhi’s team 50-45 in a hard-fought scrimmage, with Kudo directing the offense and Hiroshi Morishige contributing rebounds. After the game, Morishige struggled with doubts about how far his strength alone could take him against elite technique.

• After Wang Zhizhi tied the score at 30-30, Ryota Kudo encouraged Hiroshi Morishige and answered with a three-pointer.
• Ryota Kudo, Eiji Sawakita, Li Nan, and their teammates combined to score while Morishige focused on rebounds and finishing feeds.
• With two minutes left and his team ahead 48-45, Morishige grabbed a defensive rebound, and Kudo assisted Sawakita for a layup that made it 50-45.
• Wang Zhizhi’s team missed a rushed three, Morishige secured the rebound, and Kudo held possession until his team won.
• After the game, Morishige watched his friends receive praise and wondered whether his strength could measure up to elite technique and basketball IQ.

Ryota Kudo encouraged Hiroshi Morishige after his difficult matchup with Wang Zhizhi, and Morishige regained his determination to improve. At the training camp’s ability tests, the Japanese players impressed the coaches with their physical gifts, while Kudo’s ballhandling and passing stood out.

• Ryota Kudo reassured Hiroshi Morishige that losing to Wang Zhizhi was a chance to recognize his weaknesses and work on his skills.
• Morishige took Kudo’s advice to heart and vowed to train harder.
• At the training camp’s opening tests, Morishige, Eiji Sawakita, and Ryota Kudo recorded striking physical measurements and athletic results.
• Sawakita excelled in speed and jumping, Morishige showed exceptional size and strength, and Kudo demonstrated a notably balanced set of abilities.
• During the skills tests, Kudo handled the ball with ease and delivered precise passes, impressing the staff, Wang Zhizhi, and Li Nan.