After the final exams, the school gave us a five-day break.
For the players of the Shohoku Basketball Team, these five days were a rare respite and a chance to regroup.
But for Kawamoto Kazuki, it was just another cycle in his work schedule.
"Another long-distance sea voyage is planned, this time it will last three days."
Boss Matsusaka stood beside his fishing boat and spoke to Kawamoto and Boss Kobayashi, who had come to join him.
He held a new nautical chart in his hand, his expression more serious than usual. " Kobayashi, Kawamoto- kun, this time we're going to a slightly deeper area. The fishing is good, but the weather is unpredictable. If you find it too difficult—"
"I'm fine, Matsusaka."
Boss Kobayashi readily agreed.
Kawamoto nodded, indicating that there was no problem.
Although going to sea is hard work, the income is several times that of working a regular job.
Moreover, the Boss Matsusaka is fair and never defaults on payments.
As the three were talking, a series of heavy footsteps came from the other end of the dock.
Kawamoto looked up and saw an extremely burly figure striding towards him.
The man was over two meters tall, his shiny bald head gleaming in the morning sunlight, and he wore a pair of large sunglasses.
He wore only a sleeveless black tank top, revealing two thick, muscular arms like the gnarled roots of an old tree, his bronze skin gleaming metallicly in the sunlight.
"Oh, Yoko, you're here." The Boss Matsusaka greeted him with a smile.
"Yes, Matsusaka- san, Kobayashi, good morning."
The bald giant's voice was deep and resonant.
He took off his sunglasses and his gaze fell on Kawamoto.
"Who is this?
Yoko Minamino looked at Matsusaka with high eyes.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce him. This is Kawamoto Kazuki. Don't let his young age fool you, he's incredibly strong. I told you last time, it was thanks to Kawamoto's help that we were able to catch so many large skipjack tuna."
The Boss Matsusaka introduced him, then said to Kawamoto, " Kawamoto- kun, this is Yoko Minamino, an old crew member from my previous ship. He's incredibly strong, and I specially invited him back to help out."
"Mr. Minamino, please guide me."
Kawamoto bowed slightly.
Yoko Minamino looked Kawamoto up and down, then nodded in return.
He recalled that the Boss Matsusaka had mentioned Kawamoto's feat before.
To tough guys who make a living at sea, such rumors are often exaggerated, especially when the subject is a teenager.
Yoko Minamino grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, his tone laced with a hint of disdainful provocation. "Kid, making a living at sea isn't that easy. Don't complain about being tired once you're on the ship."
"I'll try."
"Snort."
Yoko Minamino a noncommittal snort, then easily slung a large bundle of heavy fishing nets over his shoulder and turned to walk towards the boat.
"This guy, he's still as straightforward as ever."
Boss Kobayashi smiled helplessly and whispered to Kawamoto, "Don't mind him, he's just a straightforward person. Only capable people can earn his respect. Let's go, get on the boat."
The Matsusaka Maru departed the dock and headed towards the designated fishing grounds.
The clear blue sky foreshadowed a peaceful voyage.
However, the peace was soon shattered.
It started as just routine preparations.
Yoko Minamino- handed strength to lift a heavy anchor component, casually placed it in the designated spot, and then glanced intentionally or unintentionally at Kawamoto, who was tidying up the cables.
Kawamoto didn't say anything, and walked to another, heavier spare anchor chain.
With a low shout, he single-handedly lifted it off the deck and steadily moved it to the stern, without even breaking a sweat.
Yoko Minamino's eyes twitched slightly.
The real contest begins after the first net is cast.
Yoko Minamino and launched the first attack.
He walked to the fullest basket of fish, lifted it high over his shoulder, and then steadily walked towards the refrigerated compartment.
He turned to look at Kawamoto, his eyes filled with clear provocation.
Kawamoto didn't speak. He took a deep breath and steadily lifted the two baskets of fish.
Then, with Yoko Minamino's, he walked towards the refrigerated compartment.
When it was lowered, the deck seemed to tremble slightly.
Boss Kobayashi and Boss Matsusaka were dumbfounded, then looked at each other and smiled wryly.
Well, these two human-shaped cranes have gotten into a fight.
The next few hours turned into a weightlifting competition between the two.
If you carry a basket weighing 100 kilograms, I'll have to carry one weighing 200 kilograms.
If you use five parts of your strength in one go, I'll use seven parts in the next go.
You speed up, I speed up my pace.
Only the heavy footsteps of the two of them and the splashing sound of the catch being carried into the hold remained on the deck.
Yoko Minamino's bronze skin was covered in bulging veins, and his bald head and forehead were covered in beads of sweat.
Kawamoto's work clothes clung tightly to his body, outlining the contours of his rock-hard muscles.
The Boss Matsusaka went from initial worry to astonishment, and finally to excited amusement. "Good heavens! These two bulls! I think we can save half the loading and unloading fees for this ship today!"
While helping with other chores, Boss Kobayashi watched anxiously, worried that someone might accidentally strain their back.
The contempt that Yoko Minamino had vanished, replaced by shock and an ever-growing fighting spirit.
This kid wasn't just strong; his stamina, endurance, core strength, and power generation techniques were terrifying, completely exceeding his understanding of high school students.
Just as the two were locked in a fierce competition, the fishing boat sailed into the depths of the target fishing grounds and began a new round of net casting.
The sky, which had been clear all along, suddenly changed its face without warning.
On the distant horizon, thick, leaden-gray clouds surged in at an alarming speed.
The calm sea began to stir, with waves rising higher and higher.
The sea breeze, carrying a howling sound, suddenly became fierce and cold.
"Oh no! It's a rainstorm!"
Boss Matsusaka's expression changed drastically. He rushed to the bridge to check the radar and weather instruments, his voice filled with anxiety. "Everyone, secure the cargo! Prepare for wave action! Quickly, secure everything that can be moved on deck! Hurry!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a bolt of lightning tore through the dark sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.
The torrential rain poured down like a celestial river, instantly merging the sky and earth into a curtain of water.
The gale whipped up huge waves that crashed violently against the hull of the Matsusaka Maru.
The fishing boat, weighing several tens of tons, suddenly began to rock and sway violently like a leaf.
"Pay close attention!"
Yoko Minamino shout, but a sudden surge of waves caused him to stumble and nearly fall.
On the deck, unsecured empty fish boxes, buckets, and tools were being tossed around and rolled about.
One of the heavy iron toolboxes slid towards Boss Kobayashi.
"Watch out, Kobayashi!" Matsusaka exclaimed.
At this critical moment, Kawamoto took two steps in front of Boss Kobayashi and suddenly exerted force with his right foot.
A clean and crisp side kick landed precisely on the side of the rolling toolbox.
"Bang!"
The heavy toolbox was deflected by the immense force and slammed heavily against the reinforced hull side with a loud bang.
Before everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, the fishing boat suddenly sank in the trough of the waves, as if its bow had hit something, followed by a loud creaking sound from the hull.
One of the steel cable hooks securing the main fishing net and some heavy fishing equipment broke due to aging at the connection point.
The snapped steel cable lashed wildly across the deck like a runaway python, emitting a terrifying whooshing sound.
"Oh no! The cable has snapped!"
The Boss Matsusaka was ashen-faced.
"We need to hold it in place!"
Yoko Minamino's eyes widened in fury, and he wanted to pounce on him, but the bumpy, slippery deck and the wild steel cables made it impossible for him to get a foothold.
"Mr. Minamino! Cooperate with me!"
Kawamoto's roar pierced through the wind and rain, carrying clearly.
He had already rushed to the vicinity of the swinging steel cable, secured himself with a safety rope around his waist, and kept his eyes fixed on the trajectory of the cable's swing.
How to do it?
Yoko Minamino shouted without hesitation, now completely regarding Kawamoto as a trustworthy partner.
"Next time it swings this way, I'll catch it! You get right on top of that, wrap the spare cable around it as fast as you can, and tie the tightest knot possible!"
"Clear!"
The two stood firm on the deck amidst the raging wind, rain, and turbulent waves, like the most coordinated warriors.
Yoko Minamino grabbed a large bundle of heavy, seawater-soaked spare ropes from the side, his muscles bulging.
The steel cable swept in again with tremendous force!
"Now!"
The moment Kawamoto saw the change in the steel cable's trajectory, his core strength erupted from his waist and abdomen. In the instant the steel cable swept past him, his hands shot out like iron clamps and grabbed the wrist-thick steel cable carrying enormous kinetic energy!
"Ugh-ah!!!"
The immense impact caused Kawamoto's entire body to tremble violently, his arm muscles instantly tensing to their limit, and his bones emitting a faint cracking sound.
He slid his feet backward half a meter on the deck, leaving two water streaks.
If it weren't for the safety rope securing him, he probably would have been thrown off.
But in the end, he withstood it and firmly gripped the raging steel python in his hand.
"Mr. Minamino!"
Kawamoto forced out two words through gritted teeth.
"They're here!"
With Yoko Minamino charged forward like a human tank, completely ignoring the waves crashing against him.
He quickly wrapped the heavy spare rope around the steel cable that Kawamoto had secured, then tied several complex and secure sailor's knots, finally fastening the end of the rope tightly to the ship's strongest mooring bollard.
"Alright!"
Yoko Minamino to make sure it was secure.
Kawamoto then slowly released his grip, temporarily securing the steel cable and the heavy components.
Although it is still shaking, it will not cause fatal damage.
Both men were panting heavily, exhausted, with cold rain and sweat mingling and streaming down their resolute faces.
The storm is still raging, but the most dangerous moment has passed.
The Boss Matsusaka and Boss Kobayashi quickly maneuvered the boat, adjusted its course, and struggled to make their way towards the edge of the storm.
After an unknown amount of time, the wind and rain gradually subsided, the dark clouds dispersed, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds.
The deck was a mess.
Yoko Minamino and Kawamoto Kazuki leaned side by side against the ship's railing, watching the sky turn azure again and the sea gradually calm down.
Yoko Minamino turned his head and, with his bold and ambitious eyes, carefully examined the slightly tired young man beside him once more.
Then, he stretched out his large, fan-like hand and patted Kawamoto's soaked shoulder heavily.
"Good lad!"
Yoko Minamino was filled with undisguised admiration. "Your strength—I, Yoko Minamino, acknowledge it!"
He paused, then grinned, revealing a ferocious smile, "I misjudged you before! You're not just strong, you're a real tough guy! You're good enough for both sea and land! If you ever need anything in Kanagawa, just come find me! I've made you my friend!"
Kawamoto looked at Yoko Minamino's rugged yet sincere face, and a smile finally appeared on his own.
He reached out and firmly grasped Yoko Minamino's large, calloused hand.
"Likewise, Mr. Yoko."
Without many words, the understanding between men sometimes only requires fighting side by side in a storm, a clash of brute force, and the trust to entrust one's life.
The Boss Matsusaka and Boss Kobayashi laughed at the sight.
Although we encountered a storm on this voyage, resulting in some loss of catch and time.
But witnessing such a contest and seeing the two men forge a friendship seems like a worthwhile experience.
The Matsusaka Maru, carrying a ship full of weariness and chaos, but also newfound trust and strength, sailed homeward, breaking through the waves.
Back at the port, I exchanged phone numbers with Minamino, Boss Matsusaka generously gifted me a large amount of fish.
Kawamoto followed Boss Kobayashi back towards Hiratsuka.
As he approached the Heike's residence, he saw several speeding motorcycles stuck in the middle of the road, among which a blue Suzuki GSX stood out.
The rider wasn't even wearing a helmet; it was none other than that scoundrel, Koichiro Nango.