The two renowned coaches from Kanagawa, Moichi Taoka of Ryonan and Riki Takato of Kainan, exchanged a glance from a short distance.
Moichi Taoka stood with his arms crossed, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, his expression one of bitterness and resentment, as if the whole world owed him a few star players.
In contrast, Coach Riki Takato from Kainan seemed much more relaxed.
He gently waved his paper fan, exuding an air of elegance.
But this ease is more of a manifestation of years of experience and cultivation as a champion.
He too was harboring inner turmoil.
Their troubles, though different in origin, both stemmed from graduation season.
Taoka has been running around like crazy lately, searching everywhere for promising young centers.
Jun Uozumi had been fooled by his own actions, endured three years of basketball career, but ultimately had to give way to the path of becoming a chef, a family business.
Defensive stalwart Ryoji Ikegami will also be leaving the team.
Even with the talented Akira Sendoh and the offensively formidable Kiccho Fukuda, Ryonan's defensive system, especially its interior defense, will suffer a significant vacuum in the Ryonan.
Hiroaki Koshino and Tomoyuki Uekusa, these two "wild grass brothers," are neither good at attacking nor good at defending, and in Taoka's view, they are not up to the task.
The thought that Ryonan might become a crippled team with a strong offense but weak defense next year made Taoka feel a tightness in his chest.
Riki Takato's troubles are more insidious yet more deadly.
Kainan's dominant position over many years brought him unparalleled glory and resources.
But all of this is built on the myth of Kainan's invincibility.
As a seasoned coach, he knew better than anyone that Kainan's strength largely depended on Shinichi Maki.
Maki is a true king who can carry the team forward in dire straits.
If Maki is out of form or leaves after graduation, Kainan's seemingly deep roster may expose its vulnerability to over-reliance and inability to win tough matches.
Soichiro Jin's shooting requires system support, while Nobunaga Kiyota's vitality needs veteran players to provide a solid foundation.
Takato needs to plan ahead and find the next core member who can inherit the heart of a king.
Both individuals had their own reasons for being present today.
Taoka is because of Hikoichi Aida's big mouth.
Tsukubu, Hikoichi noticed that his coach, Tsukubu, was looking downcast, so he patted him on the shoulder and said, "Why are you so disappointed, Coach Taoka?"
After hearing Taoka's complaint that " Kanagawa has no center forwards," Hikoichi mysteriously revealed, "Who says there aren't? Tsukubu's number 15 rookie Koichiro Nango, shone brightly today, his all-around offensive skills were astonishing."
Taoka was skeptical at the time.
After receiving affirmative answers from Uozumi and Sendoh, he immediately set off for Tsukubu, like a drowning man grasping at a straw.
But he learned that the inside gem he had been looking for had transferred to Shohoku!
At that moment, Taoka felt a wave of dizziness and almost vomited blood.
It's Shohoku again!
That Mitsuyoshi Anzai, he was indeed a national champion when he was young, but now he's just a fat old man who's always smiling!
What gives him the right?
What makes them so good at attracting these monstrous newcomers?
Riki Takato received an urgent report from Maki.
The fact that even the usually composed Shinichi Maki mentioned him with such seriousness, and even stated that he could absolutely replace Shohoku's number 15, immediately drew Takato's extreme attention.
Maki never speaks recklessly, but Takato believes in seeing is believing.
He came today to personally assess the true worth of Kawamoto Kazuki.
If what Maki said is true, it might even be stronger...
So, we must find a way to bring him to Kainan no matter what!
While Kaede Rukawa, Hisashi Mitsui, and Nango are strong, they are merely top-tier generals.
What Takato needs is a leader who can command the entire team and bear the name of a champion.
He is a true ace who possesses both strength and leadership qualities, can inspire his teammates, and determines the team's ceiling.
The battlefield of youth is about the present moment, about victory and defeat.
In the adult world, people calculate interests and weigh the future.
On the Shohoku bench, Anzai stood smiling to the side, handing over the final tactical arrangements before the game entirely to Kawamoto Kazuki.
This is both a silent trust and a deliberate test.
Kawamoto amidst his teammates, his gaze calmly sweeping over each face.
Akagi's fortitude, Mitsui's burning passion, Rukawa's coldness, Miyagi's pride, Sakuragi's eagerness, and the anticipation of Kogure, Kakuta, and others.
Nango then ran to the side and showered Ayako with attention.
He suddenly realized that the team's beautiful female manager was actually quite impressive.
Unlike Haruko's innocence, she possesses a mature and sexy charm.
Kawamoto ignored Nango, and as for the glances from Kogure, Kakuta, and the others, he could only choose to disregard them.
There's no way around it, the team has to win.
Kawamoto spoke.
"Although Shoyo was second in the county last year."
"But they don't have an absolute powerhouse like Maki from Kainan who can single-handedly defeat opponents, nor do they have as many varied offensive weapons as our Shohoku."
" Toru Hanagata is a technically skilled center, but his physical strength is not as good as the captain's. Hasegawa, Takano, and Nagano have commendable spirit, but their skills are rough. Their greatest strength is Fujima, who uses speed and passing to combine everyone's strengths and play fluid team basketball."
"So the most important thing in a game is momentum, disrupting their rhythm, and destroying their confidence. Every single one of us from Shohoku is no weaker than them, and may even be stronger!"
"For the first basket, let's go for a half-court three-pointer."
Kawamoto made a startling statement.
"Captain, give me the ball."
"After I receive the ball in the backcourt, your immediate priority is to sprint towards the opponent's interior and establish position."
"If we can get in smoothly, that would be great. If not, we'll prepare to try again."
"Next, Fujima should be the main defender against me. I'll focus my attacks on Fujima."
He looked at the crowd, his eyes expressionless, yet he uttered the harshest words:
"I want to make him feel powerless on both offense and defense."
"Smash their trump card."
"The match is over."
His calm tone concealed a chilling aggression and confidence.
This is not arrogance, but rather the most direct strategy for victory formulated based on absolute strength and calm analysis.
Akagi patted Kawamoto heavily on the shoulder, everything understood without a word.
Mitsui licked his lips, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
Although Kaede Rukawa didn't say anything, his eyes became much more serious.
Hanamichi Sakuragi was overjoyed. "Leave everything to this genius!"
Kawamoto nodded and announced the starting lineup.
Miyagi paused, startled. "Wait, Kawamoto, what about me?"
Kawamoto comforted him, saying, "The first goal required the team's height support, but you'll get more playing time next, Miyagi- senpai."
Miyagi, recalling Kawamoto's plan to score three points in midfield, nodded in sudden realization.
Miyagi's words also gave Kawamoto a vague sense of unease.
As the team develops more and more strong players, the distribution of ball possession will become the biggest challenge facing Shohoku.
But all that is for later; right now, the most important thing is to win the game.
"Beep--!"
The referee signaled for both teams to enter the field.
The Shohoku players formed a circle, their hands clasped together.
" Shohoku--!"
"Victory is certain!"
On the Shoyo side, after several days of discussion, they have also come up with some countermeasures.
However, whether it actually works or not is unknown.
Ito didn't warm up like he usually does.
Fujima must start against the current Shohoku team, otherwise they will have no chance at all.