Tetsuo was also present, essentially an unofficial member of the team. With this group around, Sanae was probably the safest girl in the world... No outsider dared to even glance at her.
After today's practical experience, the team members have gained a deeper understanding of Fujima's abilities. The one who felt it most deeply was Kaede Rukawa, who personally realized that playing basketball is not just about physical strength, but also about intelligence.
Without Fujima's tactical arrangements, even if we had won today, I would probably be exhausted. Moreover, with such excessive exertion, the outcome would have been uncertain, given Nobunaga Kiyota's far stronger willpower than anyone imagined.
At the dinner table, Shirasawa finalized the selection for the second person to participate in the battle.
The strongest hybrid, Michael Okita.
He still planned to put himself in the back of the list to whet everyone's appetite. After all, in a competition, it's not enough for the defending champion to be good; the challenger also needs to be outstanding, otherwise a lot of the audience will definitely leave.
In everyone's mind, Shirasawa's opponent is either Shinichi Maki or Sendoh. Anyone else would be a complete pushover and not worth watching. And between Shinichi Maki and Sendoh, everyone is definitely looking forward to Shinichi Maki the most. Everyone remembers that head-on clash in the county tournament. If there were no rules to restrain him, the scene would be unimaginable, no different from a gladiatorial arena!
So there's no need to speculate; right now, the most anticipated matchup is definitely between Shirasawa and Shinichi Maki. Unless an unexpected dark horse emerges, this suspense will have to be kept under wraps, ensuring the hype surrounding this 100-Point Battle only intensifies.
Michael Okita was incredibly excited when he heard this. His skills had improved a lot recently, and he just needed an opportunity to prove himself. He was sure he could seize this opportunity! Otherwise, he would feel ashamed to just enjoy the benefits in the team without making any contributions.
"Then I'm finally free. You'd better be prepared." Kaede Rukawa took a sip of his drink and said in a flat tone. He was one of the more talkative members of the group, and he had long considered this place his second home. As for these people... were they neighbors he wouldn't have to deal with for the time being? He himself was reluctant to admit it, but some of them had already quietly squeezed into his heart.
Fujima knew exactly how everyone saw him, so he picked up the conversation with a touch of self-deprecation. " Michael's in a worse situation than you; he has nowhere to run." This remark immediately drew a burst of laughter. Unconsciously, this group was starting to resemble a cohesive unit.
The next day, at Shohoku High School.
The atmosphere at school was clearly off. Despite it being a bright sunny day, it felt like dark clouds were looming overhead. Everyone wore a worried expression because today was the day the final exam results would be posted. This was especially bad news for the club members who were aiming for the national competition! All high school leagues had a strict rule: if you failed more than three subjects in the final exams, you couldn't even think about participating in the national competition.
For this matter, Takenori Akagi and Kiminobu Kogure prayed for three whole days... Shohoku has finally made it this far, please don't let it fall apart because of this! Those guys, we can't do without any of them!
" Kogure, I haven't been this nervous in a long time..."
"Me too, I barely slept a wink last night. They were all so confident when they finished their exams, but I just felt... it wasn't very reliable." Kogure pushed up his glasses, looking worried.
Takenori Akagi snorted coldly, his superior academic aura impossible to conceal. "Hmph, studying isn't that simple! Look at their usual behavior, their faces practically scream 'ignorant and incompetent'..."
As they were talking, Shirasawa was the first to stroll into the stadium.
"How's it going, Xiao Bai! How many rounds did you pass?!" Kogure was the first to rush up. Shirasawa was of utmost importance; if he couldn't make it to the national tournament, Shohoku could be considered finished.
Even Takenori Akagi nervously swallowed. Haruko had said that she saw Shirasawa less often in class than she saw the principal... Unless he was a hidden academic genius, otherwise...
Under the expectant gazes of the two, Shirasawa's lips curled into a smile.
"The team leader isn't the only top student."
"I passed everything."
Upon hearing this, Akagi and Kogure's eyes widened in surprise.
" Xiao Bai, you can't joke like that! You really passed everything?!" Kogure's voice trembled.
Shirasawa slapped the report card into Kogure's hand. "How could this be fake? It's just an exam; anyone can do that."
Kogure hurriedly checked the papers, and it was true! All five subjects were barely passing! The scores weren't high, but that was enough! What's the difference between passing and a perfect score?
"That's great! I failed two subjects myself, and I was so worried!" Kogure breathed a sigh of relief, feeling like he had escaped a disaster. Shirasawa had passed, so what about the others...? He looked towards the door with anticipation.
However, he didn't know that Shirasawa's passing was inevitable. Shirasawa had brought too much honor and benefits to Shohoku, and his name had been on the honor roll for a whole semester. If he were to fail the exam now, wouldn't the school be slapping itself in the face? The school wouldn't do something so stupid.
Even if Shirasawa submitted a blank paper, the system would still have to make up the score for him. To make it seem more realistic, the scores for each subject were deliberately kept just below the passing mark. The "academic superstar" persona doesn't need to be forced, but the school's star student should at least be a role model of "well-rounded development"...
Of course, Shirasawa's success only represents his personal achievements. The school can make some minor adjustments, but it absolutely cannot turn a blind eye on a large scale, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the public!
Soon, Ryota Miyagi and Hisashi Mitsui shuffled into the stadium with their heads down, pouring a bucket of cold water on Kogure's burning enthusiasm.
Immediately after, the genius Hanamichi Sakuragi also sneaked in furtively. This guy, who was usually so flamboyant, was now trying to hide himself. It wasn't that he had any sense of shame; it was mainly because he knew all too well how serious the consequences would be.
The three brothers stood in a neat row, perfectly embodying the vow of "no brothers, no failing grades"—if anyone failed a single subject, that would be considered unsociable.
Takenori Akagi's vision went black, and he almost fainted... Shohoku's journey to the national tournament hadn't even begun before they'd already lost half their strength!
From then on, Shirasawa became the epitome of "look at other people" in Takenori Akagi's words.
Takenori Akagi unleashed a torrent of abuse on Hanamichi Sakuragi others, hurling insults and kicks at them, creating quite a scene. Once he'd vented his anger, he calmed down and started thinking about what to do.
So, he steeled himself and led the three to the principal's office. Akagi adopted the sincere demeanor of a good student and pleaded with the principal in a humble voice.
"Principal, please be merciful and let them off the hook!" Akagi pleaded earnestly. "I guarantee with my life that I will make sure they reform themselves! The national tournament is crucial to Kanagawa's honor; the team can't afford to be short-handed."
The principal sat there, a smile on his face. He knew perfectly well what was important and what was less important; how could he not tell?
Compared to exam scores, the tangible benefits brought by the national competition are what the school values. A few students with good grades might only elicit a few words of praise from outsiders; but what these kids win in the competition is real money, enough to renovate the basketball gym.
To put it bluntly, this exam is just a formality. The school can offer some leniency, but they have to maintain appearances and can't make it too obvious.
So they only let Shirasawa go. As for the rest... the school's intention was simple: arrange make-up exams, just a formality, and they'd pass no matter what. Actually, even if Akagi hadn't come, the principal was planning to talk to him anyway.
" Akagi, you've come at the perfect time..." The principal had just started to speak when the office door was suddenly pushed open with a "bang".
"Hmph, Akagi, your basketball team is really something, so many people failed." A familiar voice came from the doorway, "You're a terrible captain!"
Akagi didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
" Aota, stop making sarcastic remarks!" Akagi immediately retorted, "And how good can your judo club be?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Tatsuhiko Aota, who had been so aggressive just moments before, suddenly knelt down in front of the principal with a thud.
"Principal! Please!" Aota cried, tears streaming down his face. "Our judo club also needs to compete in the national tournament! I can't miss it...!"
Even kneeling so humbly, Aota still secretly glanced at Akagi out of the corner of his eye, his eyes full of smugness.
In his view, Akagi was a bad captain and dragged his teammates down; while he himself set a good example—he was the only one in the entire Judo Club who failed!
"What are you all standing there for?" Aota turned and shouted towards the door, "Come in and kneel down together! The principal is soft-hearted, he'll definitely make an exception!"
He's trying to drag everyone down with him; the law won't punish everyone.
"Who's like you!" Takenori Akagi scoffed. "We don't kneel."
Aota's outburst disrupted the principal's plans. He had originally intended to work behind the scenes with the basketball team; but as for the judo club... even if they won the world championship, it wouldn't mean much to the school.
"Alright then," the principal cleared his throat, "You'll have one day to prepare, and there will be a make-up exam tomorrow."
"The rules remain the same: failing no more than three subjects is considered passing."
To appear fair, the principal simply included Tatsuhiko Aota as well, arranging a make-up exam in name only.
As everyone was leaving, the principal called Akagi back and winked at him.
" Akagi, you guys better play your best in the National Tournament!"
The principal's words were meant to imply to Akagi: the make-up exam is just a formality, don't worry, you'll definitely pass. Focus on training, don't waste time actually studying.
Unfortunately, Akagi completely failed to grasp this meaning.
He bowed deeply to the principal and solemnly vowed, "Rest assured! Even if I have to stay up all night, I will make sure they pass the make-up exam!"
The principal felt a pang of heartache upon hearing this...
" Akagi, don't let training be delayed."
"Thank you for your concern, Principal!" Akagi replied firmly, "It's not too late to train after I pass the exam! I'm prepared for that!"
headmaster. "...?"
Tatsuhiko Aota, standing next to him, was ecstatic. He had failed four subjects, but now, with just a little effort, he was sure to pass. This opportunity to retake the exams was a godsend for him.