What First-Ranked Forward? This Genius Beat Him Until His Teeth Were Scattered All Over the Floor

The second round of matches against Meihou Industrial was quite evenly matched.

It's quite rare for two teams with limited bench depth to reach the semifinals.

The last seven minutes of the game were absolutely abysmal...

The players from Sannoh Industrial High School and Ryonan also left one after another, returning to the locker room to prepare for the game.

" Akagi, the national finals! We've made it to the national finals!"

On the bench, Kiminobu Kogure's eyes were filled with tears.

They made it through that grueling schedule!

Takenori Akagi successfully advanced to the semifinals again, and Hiroshi Morishige did not defeat him!

The miracle has been unfolding episode by episode since Kanagawa!

I'm really only one step away from that goal I've been longing for!

This daydreamer could hardly believe it; God was actually unwilling to let him wake up.

"Yes, our final year isn't over yet."

Takenori Akagi into a smirk as he extended his fist.

This is their last year, and also their longest.

The two brothers clashed fists together. The next game, their last game of high school, and the final battle of their dreams, they would give it their all!

Compared to these two brothers, the others didn't feel it as deeply; they were just uncontrollably happy and excited.

Even Hisashi Mitsui, who is also a third-year student, doesn't think as much as Akagi and Kogure.

If it weren't for the topic of third grade, he would always feel like he was still in first grade...

I'm so happy I look like a complete idiot...

If WeChat Moments existed right now, Mitsui would definitely post a picture of the problem kids team with the caption. "They're about to win the championship by accident (doge x3)."

" Shohoku! Shohoku!"

Led by Tetsuo Hotta's loudspeaker, the Shohoku fans in the stands chanted in unison.

These two words made them incredibly proud.

Two months ago, I was a little embarrassed to say that I was Shohoku fan.

To put it nicely, you're just following the trend; to put it bluntly, you're just ignorant and unsophisticated.

But today, the meaning of the name "Shohoku" has completely changed.

Representing the top two in the country!

even!

He could be the national champion!

Kainan fans used to be incredibly arrogant.

But now, our Shohoku has completely crushed you!

Even if we only get a runner-up trophy and go back to Kanagawa, that's still making history!

By siding with Shohoku, these fans made the right bet.

The entire team, including every player, deserves this fervor.

Just as the cheers erupted throughout the stadium, the referee's whistle finally blew.

This whistle marks both the end and the beginning of a new chapter.

Takenori Akagi sprang up from the bench and waved for everyone to gather around and form a circle.

Everyone stood shoulder to shoulder, their excitement impossible to hide.

"One two three--"

" Shohoku!!"

Only we ourselves know how many hurdles we've overcome to get to where we are today.

Uozumi stood in the middle of Ryonan's locker room, glancing at his teammates surrounding him. "We've sweated just as much as anyone else, now's not the time to rest. Let's take one more step forward, just one more!"

The significance of this game for the entire team is self-evident.

But for Uozumi, this might be the last official match of his life.

Even if we win, at most we'll have to fight one more match.

The words "inherit the family business" weighed heavily on his shoulders like an iron weight.

But now that they've come this far, Uozumi is determined to make it the most spectacular ending.

Or rather, he wanted to use his last bit of strength to help these brothers fulfill their big dream.

And—he absolutely has to have another fight with Takenori Akagi.

"There are no absolute ace players on the court. Everyone thinks Sannoh is incredibly strong, but we're not to be underestimated!"

Uozumi's gaze swept across everyone's faces, each pair of eyes seeming to be tempered with fire.

Let's go all out and do it!

"Yes! Let's go all out!"

They were ready to tackle the tough nut of Sannoh.

The semi-final series between Shohoku and Meihou Industrial is over.

Shohoku has officially broken into the top two in the nation.

At this point, only three teams remained in the national competition.

In about an hour, the last one will also be discarded.

At that time, Shohoku's opponent in the finals will be revealed.

The Shohoku fans in the stands were still chanting Shirasawa's name.

The result of this semi-final was not surprising, and it was pretty much as everyone expected: Shohoku won.

But the process was indeed a bit beyond my expectations.

From the very first basket of the game, Shohoku gave Meihou Industrial no chance to turn things around.

Throughout the entire match Meihou Industrial never took the lead or even tied once; they were completely dominated from start to finish.

Hiroshi Morishige didn't even manage to get two pairs.

But to say it's disappointing wouldn't be an exaggeration; on the contrary, it made more people realize just how formidable this thing is.

He's the kind of player that even Shohoku has to double-team the entire time.

While those explosive statistics from the previous matches were indeed somewhat inflated, there wasn't much exaggeration involved.

On the Shohoku side, Shirasawa continued with his insane stats.

The game lasted thirty-two minutes.

47 points, 23 assists, 8 steals, 5 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

He once again racked up his signature 40+20+5+5+5.

The question of who will be this year's Rookie of the Year is now completely settled.

The National Competition Best Newcomer Award can be delivered directly to Shirasawa.

Shirasawa became the first player, after Sawakita, to lead his team into the national finals as a rookie.

It's about carrying it, not just following along.

The value of this is obvious to anyone who knows.

Shohoku's grueling schedule has finally come to an end.

The entire team was now seated in the stands, waiting to watch the match between Ryonan and Sannoh Industrial High School.

Waiting for the final opponent to emerge.

" Akagi, I really hope Ryonan can win."

Kiminobu Kogure was already relaxed, wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a bunny pattern, exuding innocence and romance...

He genuinely wanted Ryonan to win this game.

Firstly, Ryonan is considered a brother team to them.

Secondly, there's a bit of selfishness involved— Shohoku winning against Ryonan gives them a psychological advantage!

If we face Ryonan again in the finals, our chances of winning are at least 90%...

But then again, can they really win?

Just based on what Kogure himself said, "I hope Ryonan wins."

The word "hope" has already revealed the true nature of Kogure's heart.

This can be considered everyone's prediction for this game.

Even if it were Shohoku instead, few people would think that Sannoh would lose.

"The results will be in a minute. I believe neither Ryonan nor Sannoh will have an easy time in this game."

Takenori Akagi, true to his meticulous nature, said, "We also need to keep our eyes peeled and prepare for battle."

He's about to face the strongest center, and Uozumi speaks volumes about his own abilities.

We'll soon see just how big the gap is.

After a brief commotion in the stands, the doors to the player tunnels on both sides swung open with a whoosh.

Players from both Ryonan and Sannoh Industrial High School stepped onto the field!

Uozumi was more imposing than ever before, leading the Ryonan behind him, clearly in a do-or-die situation!

Sannoh was clearly much more tense than before; you could tell just by looking at the players' faces.

Behind Kazunari Fukatsu stood Eiji Sawakita and Masashi Kawata, two figures known as the best in the country.

They don't need to exude any domineering aura, because their presence is innate.

Cheers erupted one after another, but only a small group of fans belonged to Ryonan.

It was destined from the start that they were playing away from home, and they had to bear this pressure until the end of the game.

The players from both teams began warming up in their respective halves of the field.

"Look, look!"

What are they trying to do?

Whoosh--

Sannoh Industrial High School pulled off a stunt, and everyone's eyes were glued to it.

When it comes to pre-game warm-ups, the normal approach is for each player to occupy half the court, spread out, and casually shoot some hoops, or for a few people to get together and stretch or dribble.

It only lasts about ten minutes, mainly to let the players get used to the field and find their rhythm.

But the Sannoh team turned their warm-up into a performance.

All the players, including the substitutes, lined up in a row outside the left three-point line.

Kazunari Fukatsu.

He dribbled the ball, drove into the paint, and sent the ball onto the backboard.

The ball bounced back, and the second player arrived just in time to catch it in mid-air, then smashed it back onto the board.

The third, the fourth, one after another, like parts on an assembly line, without any unnecessary movements.

The ball hit the paddle in exactly the same place, down to the exact same landing point.

This group of people were so in sync, it was clear they were telling everyone – there wasn't a single person in the Sannoh who was just there to fill a spot, and there wasn't a single pushover among them.

From Fukatsu Kazunari to Sawakita Eiji, no one received special treatment.

However, before Eiji Sawakita even started running, the stadium erupted in cheers.

He smirked, hopped a little in place before taking a step. Stepping into the three-second zone, he leaped into the air.

Minoru Matsumoto slammed the ball onto the paddle with one hand, with even more force than before.

Eiji Sawakita caught the rebounding ball and swung it in a wide, windmill motion—his arm drawing a circle in the air.

With a thud, the ball slammed into the basket.

The audience erupted in chaos.

"Tch, who is this? Always showing off."

Hanamichi Sakuragi pouted, his face full of resentment.

He didn't care whether Sannoh's actions were routine or had some hidden meaning; in his eyes, it was just showing off, and the whole team was putting on a show for that number 9.

" Sakuragi, that's Eiji Sawakita, currently the number one high school student."

Ryota Miyagi smirked. "But, in a couple of days, that title will belong to Xiao Bai."

Hanamichi Sakuragi nodded; he had no objection to it.

"That's right, who does he think he is? Just like that Ken Hoshino, what a top striker, he still got beaten to a pulp by this genius, hahaha--"

"I think this Sawakita is no match for even Sendoh."

"He's just a complete novice who can dunk."

Sakuragi got more and more excited as he spoke, adopting an air of authority.

Don't worry if you don't have any words in your head; just use the things others say when they criticize you.

" Sakuragi, you'd better cheer Kaede Rukawa on. If we're going to match up, Kaede Rukawa should go up against Sawakita first."

Shirasawa chuckled beside him.

Sakuragi's face immediately changed color.

"Hmph, now that you mention it, Sawakita looks much better."

"Haven't seen you for a long time."

"Yes, who would have thought we'd meet here again."

On the court, Eiji Sawakita and Sendoh met at the center line.

The two last met two years ago.

But both of them knew in their hearts that ever since then, they had both been thinking about what it would be like to meet again.

The current time and place are probably just what they want.

Last time, it was a one-on-one match.

This time, it's the national finals.

Winning or losing is everything.

"It's really a shame I haven't had the chance to fight you again."

Sendoh smiled and spoke.

I hope you can give me a surprise this time.

Eiji Sawakita also laughed.

"Speaking of which, an even more troublesome fellow has emerged, but I don't intend for you to meet him."

As soon as Sendoh said that, Sawakita understood.

That person naturally refers to Shirasawa from Shohoku.

Shirasawa is already waiting on the other side of the finals. No matter which of them makes it in, he will be the one standing on the other side.

Sendoh's words were tantamount to issuing a challenge and making a harsh statement.

"I have to get to that person, Sendoh, you can't stop me."

Eiji Sawakita had a smile on his lips, a smile full of confidence.

"I'm not the only one on our team stopping you; there's another guy waiting for you."

See you on the field, Kitazawa.

Sendoh waved his hand, turned around and followed the team to the bench.

Eiji Sawakita became interested and glanced at the benches in Ryonan.

"You mean number 11, right? The Ryonan Twin Stars. They seem interesting."

He chuckled to himself, then suddenly realized something was wrong.