Sakuragi's choice was sound, but Sota Miyagi was no pushover either. He launched a surprise attack, sinking a three-pointer to make it 3-0 and give Miyagi the lead.
Sakuragi's face was grim, and he looked menacing.
You bastard!
Sota Miyagi smiled, his tone radiating confidence.
"You defended well, but I have a long-range shot, you know."
He wasn't being provocative; he genuinely saw through Sakuragi's defensive choices and wanted to make Sakuragi understand that this was what made one-on-one battles exciting. Sakuragi was incredibly stubborn. Even if Eiji Sawakita him, let alone just making a three-pointer, he could still argue that it wasn't that he couldn't beat him, but that he was just unlucky.
The one-on-one game was a quick-fire format, and Sakuragi didn't change the rules. He passed the ball to Miyagi and continued playing. After the restart, Miyagi used the triple threat to test the space. Sakuragi's defense was still mainly focused on preventing drives, but he strengthened his defense against shots, trying to prevent Miyagi from having a comfortable shooting opportunity.
This pleased Miyagi quite a bit. After a few attempts, Miyagi faked a shot and then drove forward, seizing a gap in the defense! Sakuragi didn't lose his position, but he still managed to get Miyagi moving. Once the ball handler moves, there are more offensive options, and the defensive pressure also increases.
Finally, Miyagi scored again by changing his rhythm with a sudden stop, making it 5-0. He won the round again, Sakuragi was very frustrated. The more techniques Miyagi revealed, the harder he was to defend against. He was impossible to catch, as slippery as an eel.
In the next possession, Miyagi drove hard, scoring despite Sakuragi's defense, making it 7-0. In the possession after that, Sakuragi increased his defensive intensity, making it harder for Miyagi to attack, and he finally missed a turnaround fadeaway shot, ending the offensive possession.
During the transition between offense and defense, Sakuragi was fully focused, abandoning his less effective offensive methods and using his body to protect the ball as he moved towards the basket. His newly developed mid-range shot was useless in this intense one-on-one situation; Miyagi wouldn't give him a comfortable scoring opportunity, and Sakuragi wasn't capable of shaking off the defender, so he wisely gave up.
It's good that he can recognize his shortcomings. Sakuragi used to dare to shoot three-pointers casually, but now he's become "professional." Their bodies collide with each other with loud thuds. Miyagi's physical strength is not as good as Sakuragi's, but it's not bad either. Sakuragi has to be careful to protect the ball at all times, or he'll get the ball stolen if he's not careful.
In competitive sports, things can change in an instant, and it's common to overlook one aspect while focusing on another. Sakuragi was keeping an eye on the ball and defending against Miyagi's cut, slowly infiltrating towards the basket. His idea was sound, but reality wasn't so ideal. In the end, he stopped the ball in the paint, not too far from the basket, which was awkward. He couldn't shoot, and he couldn't force it. The ball was dead in his hands. Nowadays, geniuses don't make the basic mistake of double dribbling.
This kid still had some sense of shame. After squeezing around a few times, Hanamichi Sakuragi reluctantly chose to force a shot. Although his shooting form was ridiculously crooked, at least he wasn't blocked. However, the outcome of the shot was decided the moment he raised his hand. With a thud, the basketball went straight for the backboard, not even touching the rim. Sota Miyagi easily caught the ball by turning over.
Sakuragi's offensive effort was in vain. Sota Miyagi even wanted to tell him, "Just pull up and shoot, I'm not sure I can block it." But Sakuragi didn't have time to think about that right now. His playing style was just like that: dunk if he could, passion above all else. His newly practiced mid-range shot was just to create some space for him in the game. That was Hanamichi Sakuragi's role and playing style.
Even if he is a genius, it's impossible for him to be an all-rounder on both offense and defense in a short period of time. And he's not the only genius. Shirasawa, Eiji Sawakita, Sendoh, and others are all geniuses. Besides talent, time is also needed to hone one's skills. Sakuragi's current level is already considered exceptionally talented. To improve further, talent alone is not enough. This is the plan that Coach Anzai and Kenji Fujima are going to arrange for him. Before Sakuragi graduates from high school, he will definitely make a big leap forward.
However, this one-on-one match was unfair from the start. Given Sakuragi's current abilities, one-on-one matches are mainly for practicing defense, and incidentally, they can improve the opponent's offensive capabilities. His own offense won't see much improvement. Good defense can boost his offense, but if his offense isn't very good to begin with, it will be difficult against good defense. Without guidance, he won't learn anything. Usually, when he plays one-on-one matches at Shohoku's Base Camp, Kenji Fujima is there to direct Sakuragi, and the effect is much more obvious.
With a whoosh, Sota Miyagi scored another point, making the score 9-0 and giving him match point to decide the game. It looked like a shutout, but the process was definitely not as easy as the result suggested. Sota Miyagi had taken off his jacket at some point, so it would be strange if he hadn't exerted himself.
"It's the last shot," Sota Miyagi said. "Don't forget our promise. If I win, you have to take me to Ryota Miyagi." He was afraid Sakuragi would cheat, so he made sure to confirm this again before the last shot.
"You win first! Let me tell you, this genius has only used thirty percent of his ability. If you're so smug now, you'll regret it!" Hanamichi Sakuragi roared, clenching his fist. That thirty percent was pure nonsense, but he refused to accept it. He was absolutely certain he wouldn't lose; that was from the bottom of his heart. The word "defeat" didn't exist in a genius's dictionary, and even if he lost, he wouldn't admit it. As for whether he'd take Sota Miyagi to find Ryota Miyagi after winning, Sakuragi hadn't completely decided yet. Anyway, even if I didn't take you, what could you do? Hit me? That's not necessarily who would beat whom. The match isn't over yet; we'll talk about it later!
Sakuragi's words were exactly what Sota Miyagi had expected. After knowing the red-haired boy for so long, he had long since figured him out. This matter probably had to wait until after the match to be discussed. Regardless of the outcome, this one-on-one match was worthwhile; it had been a long time since he had experienced such a high-intensity confrontation.
Just as the two stood still, preparing to shoot the final shot that would decide the game, the gym door clicked open. This abrupt sound interrupted their attention, and they both looked towards the entrance. The first thing they saw was a fluffy mushroom haircut, which froze both Hanamichi Sakuragi and Sota Miyagi on the court.
Ultimately, this whole situation, and even this meeting, revolves around this mushroom-headed guy! " Sakuragi? What are you doing?" After entering, Ryota Miyagi Sota Miyagi at first, but quickly glanced at Sakuragi. After all, it wasn't uncommon for strangers to come to the Shohoku basketball gym.
As soon as he finished speaking, Ryota Miyagi's heart skipped a beat. His gaze immediately returned to Sota Miyagi. For some reason, this man gave him a strangely familiar feeling, a feeling that couldn't be more familiar. Thump, thump, thump, Ryota Miyagi's pupils widened, and he could even clearly hear his own heartbeat.
A person's hairstyle and physique may change over time, but the feeling in their eyes and brows will not. At first glance, Ryota Miyagi felt that this person looked very familiar, and after looking again, he was speechless. He was sure he wasn't mistaken; wasn't this Sota Miyagi! His closest older brother who had disappeared in a shipwreck seven years ago!
Standing on the other side, Sota Miyagi's expression and eyes were similar to Ryota Miyagi's. At this moment, he was 100% certain that Ryota Miyagi was his younger brother! Many past memories surged into his mind in an instant, and that blurry face slowly became clear. The two brothers stood facing each other, their eyes involuntarily reddening.
"Sou... Sota..." Ryota Miyagi's voice trembled. "It's me." Sota Miyagi's voice was also choked with emotion. The words "separation by death" sound particularly painful, but the one who truly feels this pain is always the one who is alive; for the dead, it's more like a relief. That's basically the situation with the Miyagi brothers. When Sota Miyagi perished...
The most agonizing days of Sota Miyagi's life were those few days adrift at sea. When he thought he couldn't go on, he simply closed his eyes, and all the pain and regret vanished with him. Although he didn't lose his life in the end, the sea washed away all his memories, as if he were reborn.
But Ryota Miyagi is different. That pain that has been etched in his heart for seven years has never faded. During that time, he was either hoping for his brother to come back, or he was disappointed again. As time went by, his personality became more and more stoic. Fortunately, basketball is there to support him, otherwise, I really don't know what kind of state he would be in now, or what kind of life he would be living.
At this moment, Sota Miyagi stood right in front of him. It felt unreal, yet undeniably real. Ryota Miyagi had imagined the scene of their reunion countless times, what he should say, what he should do, but now that the moment had arrived, he couldn't utter a single word, and even trembled all over—fearing that this was a dream, and that it would shatter at the slightest movement.
Sota Miyagi sniffed, his voice a little hoarse. " Ryota, these past years..." He had only remembered he had a younger brother this morning, but the thought of finding him made him forget everything else, even turning down Moichi Taoka's invitation. He had unconsciously returned to the position of the older brother in his memories. Now that he was actually seeing his brother, those memories of the two brothers surged up, but he could imagine how his brother had endured these past seven years. It wasn't something that could be erased with a simple "I'm back," and he didn't know what to say.
Even Hanamichi Sakuragi, standing nearby, was affected by the atmosphere. He had originally wanted to ask a lot of questions, but when he saw the two brothers' red eyes, he immediately swallowed his words and obediently stood as a background figure, secretly happy for Ryota Miyagi —if only his own father could suddenly appear, hehe, don't even think about it, it's just a dream.
Sota Miyagi composed himself and smiled at Hanamichi Sakuragi, "Genius, thank you." There were several layers of meaning in his words, the most sincere being that he thanked Sakuragi for treating Ryota like a brother, which was something an older brother should say. Regardless of whether Sakuragi understood or not, he had to say thank you.
Hanamichi Sakuragi scratched his head, looking completely bewildered. "Huh? Huh?" He had no idea what the thanks meant and didn't know how to respond. After saying that, Sota Miyagi walked towards Ryota Miyagi, putting away his sadness and putting on a smile again—as the older brother, he had to stand up for himself.
He reached out and placed his hand on Ryota Miyagi's head, just like when they were children. At that moment, Ryota Miyagi finally broke down, tears streaming down his face, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "You, you're really back?" Seven years of pent-up emotions finally overwhelmed him, and he roared at the top of his lungs, "Brother!!!"
Sota Miyagi responded softly, "You're back." Life is a mix of joy and sorrow; no matter how capable you are, you can't escape it, and no matter how unlucky you are, you still have to live with it. Ryota Miyagi never imagined that seven years later, his brother would actually stand before him. His obsession with Number 7 finally came to an end—not that he had let go, but that the real Number 7 had returned.
Even Hanamichi Sakuragi was astonished that he had witnessed such a bizarre event. The match point game, which was supposed to continue, was naturally canceled. What's more important than winning or losing than the reunion of brothers? The guys from Shohoku all understood this.
The next day, at the Shohoku basketball gym, Sota Miyagi came again, but unlike yesterday, he came as Ryota Miyagi's older brother. When the teammates found out, the scene almost blew the roof off the gym.