"I won't terminate it prematurely because I have great faith in those children."
" Kitano, I told you many years ago that there's a limit to run-and-gun offense, but you didn't believe me."
"You've faced plenty of setbacks these past few years, haven't you? I didn't expect you to still be so persistent."
Kitano smiled faintly.
"Because I have the same confidence in those kids."
In the courtyard of the guesthouse.
" Akagi, to be honest... I'm a little nervous."
Kogure and Akagi sat on the veranda, waiting to soak in the hot spring.
There's only one pool, Shirasawa and the others have been splashing around in it for ages...
They either pushed Yasuda into the water, or they shoved Shiozaki or Kuwata into the water.
They're a bunch of bullies from Shohoku.
Even Kakuta didn't dare to get close, but Hanamichi Sakuragi simply pulled him over.
Then, press it into the water...
The group had a blast.
The other teammates also really wanted to join, but they weren't good enough to beat the others.
They're currently gathering enough men to launch a full-scale attack on the Problem Children Army...
Seeing how much fun they were having made Kogure even more nervous.
He tends to overthink and is prone to anxiety and insecurity.
I'm always afraid this happiness won't last long.
"It's normal to be nervous," Akagi said, then chuckled to himself. "This is too difficult for us. Who else would be as carefree as them?"
However, it was precisely because of these carefree guys that his tension gradually dissipated.
Akagi's nervousness wasn't due to fear of Toyotama.
It felt more like receiving an award at an awards ceremony in Kanagawa.
Excitement and anticipation were mixed with a touch of tension.
"If we win the first match tomorrow, things should be fine... Never mind, Akagi, let's go relax!"
Kogure pointed to the hot spring pool, clearly wanting to join the battle.
Takenori Akagi smiled slightly, stood up, and pointed with an imposing gesture:
"You lot, don't be so arrogant!"
"Captain! Captain, come quick!"
"Even if the Gorilla came, it wouldn't make a difference!"
"Hahaha, that's arrogant enough! Kogure, go!"
The first day of the national competition.
The guesthouse area was much quieter this morning, without the hustle and bustle of yesterday.
In just one day, the number of participating teams dropped from 59 to 32.
Today, all 32 teams are competing.
Compete for a spot in the top 16 nationwide!
Central Gymnasium.
The match between Shohoku and Toyotama is about to start in an hour.
This time, Shohoku didn't have the same prestige as they did in Kanagawa; not all the viewers came for them.
However, quite a few of their own fans still came.
If they win this match against Toyotama, even more people will probably come to cheer them on.
As the number one figure among Shohoku fans, Tetsuo Hotta was of course present. He brought a few of his brothers, along with Yohei Mito's group, and made a special trip from Kanagawa.
Support the team!
There are forty minutes left before the match starts.
Audience members gradually entered.
The number of fans on both sides of the Shohoku Toyotama sides was about the same, with some locals mixed in who were just there for the spectacle.
Since I'm just killing time anyway, I might as well shout for whichever side I like.
" Yohei!"
Haruko and Yoko arrived as well.
Haruko didn't tell her brother Akagi as soon as she arrived, as she had promised her mother.
On the contrary, I had a great time shopping with Yoko yesterday, and Akagi is still completely unaware of it.
"This way, the view is better."
Yohei waved to the two girls. He was always a very gentlemanly person, and the girls around him had a good relationship with him and trusted him completely.
However, Yohei with love doesn't seem to be very good. He has made quite a few female friends, but none of them seem to have developed into romantic relationships.
" Haruko, the Gorilla's expression when it sees you is going to be priceless."
Nozomi Takamiya grinned.
"I bet twenty bucks that the Gorilla will definitely beat up Sakuragi to vent his anger."
Yoko was a little confused. "What does this have to do with Sakuragi? Why would you beat up Sakuragi...?"
Yohei chuckled and replied, "Don't worry, Sakuragi's already used to it..."
As they were talking and laughing, a few people suddenly walked over from the side.
"Hey beautiful, how about a date?"
A blond-haired boy approached Haruko Akagi with a grin, his eyes darting around.
Several of his companions joined in the jeering.
"Hey beautiful, don't just sit there, come join us!"
Suddenly, Haruko and Yoko became the targets of their teasing.
The two girls quickly grabbed each other's hands and moved closer to Yohei.
Yohei answered crisply and concisely.
His eyes were already blazing with anger.
These people were the leaders of the delinquent fans on Toyotama's side.
Upon seeing Haruko and Yoko, they decided to come over and have some fun.
As for Yohei and his gang, they didn't take them seriously at all.
"Kid, this is none of your business. While I'm in a good mood, get lost, or I'll let you taste my fists."
The blond-haired man raised his fist and shook it, quite confident in his skills.
"It seems this matter can't be resolved peacefully?"
Yohei smiled calmly, which surprised the group of blond-haired men.
They also Yohei's group, apart from Tetsuo Hotta looks a bit fierce, the others all have fairly ordinary appearances.
That's why they dared to come and cause trouble directly.
But Yohei demeanor made them a little uneasy.
It's just a matter of playing drums; at most, it's like encountering a tough nut to crack, but once it's cracked, it's over.
"Kid, looks like I'll have to teach you how to be a decent human being first."
"Come out with me."
After finishing his sentence, Huang Mao turned and left, beckoning Yohei with his finger.
Haruko, terrified, grabbed Yohei's sleeve. " Yohei, don't go..."
Yohei smiled easily. "It's alright. Takamiya, Noma, you two stay here and protect Haruko and Yoko."
" Okusu, A-De, come with me."
After giving a brief explanation, Yohei followed.
Okusu and Tetsuo Hotta were both excited and didn't care at all when they were pushed a few times.
"Hehe, the match hasn't even started yet, but the fans from both sides are already having a blast! This appetizer is pretty good!"
Nozomi Takamiya excitedly pumped her fist.
"Huh? Are they Toyotama fans?"
Haruko asked in disbelief. She was a seasoned football fan and had seen fans from both sides argue, but she had never seen fans start fighting before the match even began...
The tension is palpable...
However, Haruko forgot that she herself was the source of this fire.
In any case, supplies must be prepared before troops can move.
The fan leaders on both sides have already taken the lead, firing the first shot in this already highly charged match!
Amid cheers,
The players from Shohoku Toyotama also entered the field and began their pre-match warm-up.
" Shohoku! Shohoku!"
" Toyotama! Toyotama!"
Even without their leaders, the fans on both sides spontaneously engaged in a fierce competition, with cheers rising and falling, neither side willing to concede defeat.
This time, before Minori Kishimoto forward to provoke them,
Hanamichi Sakuragi swaggered over to Toyotama's half of the court first.
He had his hands in his pockets, grinning arrogantly.
"If you still harbor any illusions about winning, then let me, a genius, give you some advice,"
You'd better watch me like the plague.
"Hmph, even so, it's no use."
"Who's that red-haired kid?!"
"You bastard! What did you say?! I'll kill you, you believe me?!"
" Kishimoto! Teach him a lesson! Let this bastard know how Toyotama is!"
As soon as Sakuragi uttered those arrogant words, the Toyotama stands erupted in chaos.
A barrage of foul language rained down on Sakuragi and the Shohoku Team.
Sakuragi, on the contrary, seemed to enjoy it, squinting his eyes and finding the feeling of being the center of everyone's hatred just right.
He almost couldn't resist the urge to imitate Shirasawa's past actions and bow to the other side.
The Shohoku fans couldn't stand to see their own people suffer, and the verbal battle immediately escalated. The fans on both sides argued so fiercely that they almost ripped the roof off.
After arguing for a while, both sides realized that the leader seemed to be missing.
Otherwise, how could we have lost the battle!
" Sakuragi! Go for it! I'm here!"
Yoko in the stands was so anxious that she kept stamping her feet. Seeing her beloved being surrounded like this, her heart was clenched. She shouted at the top of her lungs, afraid that Sakuragi wouldn't see her.
Upon hearing the voice, Sakuragi's face instantly lit up with a smile, and he turned his head to wave frantically in the direction of the Yoko.
His dramatic movement caught a glimpse of another familiar figure in the stands from Takenori Akagi the basket.
Akagi was stunned.
That... that's Haruko, isn't it?!
Seeing her brother's bewildered expression, Haruko quickly put her hands together, bowed to him, and plastered a flattering smile on her face.
"Go for it, brother! I came here especially to cheer you on!!"
Akagi was in a very complicated state of mind, feeling both happy and furious.
But since she's already here, what else can he do? He can only think about whether he can discuss with the coach after the game and let Haruko stay in a guesthouse with available rooms.
But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he rejected it.
No way! There are too many "bad people" in the guesthouse!
Thinking of this, he felt a surge of anger that he couldn't vent, so he swung his fist and punched Sakuragi was still grinning foolishly, in the back.
"You idiot! Go back and warm up!"
In the stands, Yoko blinked, looking a little confused.
Haruko nervously tapped her fingers, explaining softly, " Yoko, don't mind him... My brother is actually a really nice person..."
Wow! What a sight!
"Fans fighting before the game, that's really rare!"
The entire Ryonan team arrived at the neutral stands at this time, Hikoichi Aida looked around excitedly.
"Look! It's Maki! Maki's here too!"
Following the direction he pointed, Sendoh and the others also saw Shinichi Maki and Nobunaga Kiyota, who was making a lot of noise next to him.
"I've been hearing a lot lately that Maki is giving Kiyota special training; it seems it's true."
Jun Uozumi crossed his arms, his tone tinged with emotion.
" Sendoh, Rukawa, you'd better watch out for Kainan next year."
After he finished speaking, he felt inexplicably empty inside.
Look at Maki Shinichi Maki, even after leaving the team, there are still people to train him. What about me? When I leave, all I'll probably get is a "goodbye".
The referee's whistle blew.
Both teams' players returned to the bench for final adjustments.
Five minutes later, the match officially began.
Coach Anzai didn't bother to find out where Coach Kitano was sitting; whether he was there or not, he would keep his promise.
"Hehehe... This old man has nothing else to say."
He held his thermos and looked at his teammates with a smile.
" Akagi, Xiao Bai, the game is in your hands now."