Joining Shohoku is definitely not a good choice. Shohoku has the great Shirasawa, Miyagi hasn't played in the official league for many years and has only played in streetball. His strength is far inferior to Shirasawa's. Joining Shohoku would mean living in Bai Ze's shadow, at best becoming a character like Hisashi Mitsui, with little chance of advancement. Ryonan would offer more opportunities than Shohoku, not to mention other teams. Even if you don't win the championship, you'll still have plenty of highlights, which would be great for your future.
Based on these two points, Taoka genuinely didn't want Miyagi to go to Shohoku, but what was the reality?
"What's that brat Sota Miyagi doing?! Why didn't he even tell me first?!"
"That brat! He's incredibly stupid!"
Moichi Taoka was furious, worried about Ryonan's future and also anxious about Sota Miyagi's future.
" Coach Anzai, aren't you satisfied with having Shirasawa already?!"
What kind of spell did you cast on him?!
Hikoichi Aida watched from the side, barely daring to breathe. To be honest, he was quite happy that Sota Miyagi was going to Shohoku, after all, his idol Sakuragi was there. No wonder Taoka kept saying he wanted to send him to Shohoku.
The players from both teams were warming up on the field, while Coach Anzai and Sota Miyagi sat on the bench. Anzai did not plan to announce the signing in a high-profile manner, leaving everything to fate. Just like bringing him here today, if the media saw it, they would report it; if no one saw it, they would wait until the new season started to talk about it.
As for Taoka's concerns, Anzai had considered them as well, but in his view, they were not problems. First of all, Shohoku had no shortage of exposure, and secondly, if Miyagi wanted to quickly establish his influence, partnering with Shirasawa was the best choice.
Anzai understands Shirasawa better than anyone else. Miyagi will not be overshadowed by Shirasawa's aura. Back when he was a famous university coach, he knew that the criteria for selecting players in universities did not particularly emphasize paper data. Suitability and immediate combat ability were more important.
It is because of Shirasawa's existence that Takenori Akagi and Hisashi Mitsui are valued by the university powerhouses. If Miyagi cannot adapt to the high school league in a short time, partnering with Shirasawa is definitely the best choice. If Miyagi is still the genius boy he used to be, the two of them will complement each other and play a golden season that everyone will never forget!
The most crucial element has to be Shirasawa's management team.
Coach Anzai had a clear understanding of this team's potential; that's his mindset and vision.
Sota Miyagi joining Shohoku is the best future he envisioned.
What do the other teams think?
Coach Anzai simply said "Thank you for your kind words" and moved on.
As soon as the referee blew his whistle, the players from both sides scrambled to their benches.
The crucial match of this Four Nations Invitational is about to begin.
But after taking only two steps, Alex caught sight of Shohoku out of the corner of his eye, and he froze on the spot.
" Sota Miyagi?"
What's he doing in Shohoku?
He had been searching for Miyagi for days, only to find him right under his nose, and he was even with Shirasawa!
He went through all the video recordings of the first two rounds of matches, but couldn't find Miyagi anywhere. Even in today's match, his name wasn't on the player roster.
His eyes narrowed, and he wondered to himself: Was Shohoku trying to hide their true strength?
Actually, what angered him wasn't anything else, but he never expected that Miyagi was actually from Shohoku!
Throughout the entire Four Nations Invitational, Shohoku didn't even let Miyagi play a single game? He knew Shohoku's games carefully, and apart from Shirasawa, Miyagi's level was definitely top-tier on the team. He could play from point guard to point guard without any problem. With Shohoku's roster, they wouldn't miss any spot if they were missing anyone else, so how could it be that he wasn't good enough and was sitting on the bench?
After much thought, the only conclusion I can draw is that Shohoku is holding back a big move.
Miyagi, a former point guard, has an exceptionally keen sense of smell on the court; he immediately sensed Alex's piercing gaze.
He looked up and was completely dumbfounded—who was this person? He had no recollection of them at all!
Over the years, he's met all sorts of people, of all skin colors and skill levels, so he can't possibly remember their faces. But when it comes to ball skills, someone of Alex's level couldn't possibly be unfamiliar to him; it's just that this guy hasn't played against him in the same game.
Their eyes met, Miyagi scratched his head: Why is this guy staring at me? I didn't do anything to him.
Is he jealous that I'm more handsome than him? No, if anyone should be jealous, it should be Shirasawa, that guy is way more handsome than me.
Miyagi's reaction was practically screaming "Who do you think you are?", which instantly ignited Alex's anger!
"Damn it! I considered you a rival, went to all that trouble to find you, and you don't even know me? So I'm not even a name to you?"
Shohoku is arrogant enough, Miyagi, you're even more arrogant!
"Damn it!" Alex gritted his teeth in anger, pointing a finger at Miyagi with a fighting spirit in his eyes, wishing he could go on stage and beat Miyagi to a pulp to vent his anger.
Miyagi was even more confused. Why was this guy getting so worked up?
" Sota, do you know him?"
Anzai, standing beside him, also frowned and asked.
Miyagi immediately shook his head. "I don't know him. He must have mistaken me for someone else."
Judging from his expression, he seems really eager to play. Maybe I can help him out when I get a chance to play?
Miyagi was still grinning, making Alex want to rush up and punch him.
The players from both sides quickly returned to the bench, and the head coach gave final instructions.
" The Cheetah Team are no pushovers; they're the toughest opponent you've ever faced. One mistake could cost you the game."
"From the moment the whistle blows, give it your all, hold back every last bit of energy."
Anzai usually a man of few words, and he didn't shout much today either. He just chatted quietly, like they were having a casual conversation.
But it's this calm and collected attitude that's more effective than shouting yourself hoarse— Anzai wasn't just saying it as encouragement, he was stating the facts! Shohoku is the strongest!
" Shohoku!"
"We are the strongest!"
After the national tournament, Shohoku finally shouted this slogan again. The first time they shouted it was when they played against Kainan University Affiliated High School.
When Shohoku first proclaimed, "We are the strongest," how many people thought it was pure wishful thinking? Some even criticized them as frogs in a well—just because they won a few games in the group stage? How dare they call themselves the strongest in the country?
However, as the season progressed, Shohoku first defeated Kanagawa's king, Kainan, to win the Kanagawa championship. Then, they were drawn into the group of death in the national tournament, defeating Toyotama, Aiwa, and Hakata Shodai Affiliated High School all the way to the semifinals. After that, they easily crushed the dark horse Meihou Industrial. Finally, in the finals, they faced the universally recognized strongest Sannoh.
It wasn't until Shirasawa delivered several resounding blocks to Eiji Sawakita that Shohoku finally lifted the national championship trophy!
When he said that, no one thought he was bragging anymore. After all, he had silenced his doubters with solid achievements.
Now that Shohoku has shouted this slogan again, the fans in the stadium have instantly gone wild.
The strongest team is undoubtedly Shohoku!
That's right! This time, no one doubted it anymore; everyone believed in Shohoku, in this champion team!
So what if they're Cheetah? They're the strongest Shohoku!
The starting lineups of both teams took to the court one after another. The five tigers of Shohoku were: Shirasawa, Ryota Miyagi, Hisashi Mitsui, Hanamichi Sakuragi, and Takenori Akagi.
This strongest starting lineup of Shohoku will be playing their last game since they came together, and it will also be the final game of Shohoku's inaugural year.
The five of them stood ramrod straight, feeling no pressure whatsoever; their minds were filled with a sense of cherishing what they had.
Let's look at the Cheetah ' starting lineup: PG Alex, SG Nate, SF Otto, PF Blatche, C Robinson.
This lineup is exactly the same as the previous two rounds; it's the core of their squad used in the league.
The shortest starter is SG Nate, who is 1.9 meters tall, while PG Alex is only 1.93 meters tall, making him the second tallest starter.
Even the shortest one would definitely be the tallest player in the Shohoku lineup.
The two big men, Robinson and Blatche, are 2.08 meters tall and 2.05 meters tall respectively. They are both tall, strong, and imposing, like iron towers. They look intimidating.
Sakuragi and Takenori Akagi are going to have to suffer from their height disadvantage again.
Kiminobu Kogure, speaking from the sidelines, was stern and immediately served as a warning to everyone:
" The Cheetah are all athletic monsters. In the previous two games, especially the one against Changwon, almost every player had more than three blocks. They're not to be underestimated."
He paused, then continued, "Their pace is ridiculously fast. If we try to match their pace, Shohoku might suffer."
Upon hearing this, the substitutes' bench gasped in shock.
Shohoku's greatest strength throughout their journey has been their offensive rhythm— Shirasawa orchestrates the offense, Miyagi and Sakuragi charge forward at breakneck speed, Mitsui sets up his three-point barrage, and even Akagi is one of the most athletic centers in the country.
When Shohoku gets going, even Toyotama -scoring team like Toyotama gets completely overwhelmed.
But now Kogure says that competing on tempo will put you at a disadvantage?
The substitutes were apprehensive: These guys on the field were already athletic prodigies, but were the Cheetah even more incredible? Was this a game even for ordinary people?
Everyone turned to look at Coach Anzai, hoping he would give them some reassurance.
Unexpectedly, Coach Anzai chuckled and poured cold water on everyone's enthusiasm:
"That's true."
As the head coach, he had long since thoroughly studied the Cheetah.
If we're talking about advantages, Shirasawa is the only one who can barely create opportunities. In other aspects, Shohoku really doesn't have any advantages—even Sakuragi's physical talent isn't noticeable in front of the Cheetah.
Coach Anzai never believed that physical strength could determine victory or defeat. Just like the last time he played against Chariot, it seemed like there was no chance of winning, but Shohoku still managed to turn the tide and win big.
He felt that the advantages weren't nonexistent; rather, the disadvantages overshadowed them.
The competitive arena is ever-changing; there are no absolutes. Weak teams like Changwon are exceptions. When Shohoku and Cheetah are locked in a fierce battle, it's truly impossible to predict who will win. That's the charm of competitive sports.
Actually, Coach Anzai didn't set any specific goals for this match. Winning or losing wasn't the most important thing; the final match was the core of today's game.
Even if we lose by 30 points, as long as the players have a good time, that's fine.
He never thought failure was a bad thing, especially for Shohoku, which was facing the departure of players. Everyone has a long road ahead of them, and cherishing the present and this starting point is more important than anything else.
Shohoku might be the final highlight of a player's career. Enjoying the game and enjoying the moment—that's Anzai's coaching philosophy.
He's seen more of life than any player has ever walked a path; he's long since seen through all of this.
At certain points, victory is no longer the only goal, but that doesn't mean Shohoku will give up on this game.
These guys are planning to use the most effective and powerful methods to fight this so-called showdown of the century.
Coach Anzai wanted Sota Miyagi to see not those fancy tactics, but the spirit of Shohoku —not just Shirasawa, but the soul of the entire team.
Both teams' players were on the field. Moichi Taoka was right. No one had the tension of a final battle. Instead, they were more relaxed than when playing practice matches.
But this relaxed demeanor wasn't the arrogant attitude of Shohoku, who were used to big games. It was because they had come to terms with it: this was the final battle, and they wanted to enjoy it.
Ryota Miyagi, Shirasawa, Hisashi Mitsui, and Hanamichi Sakuragi each called out to Takenori Akagi, who was standing at the center line.
Takenori Akagi turned and glanced at them, a smile actually appearing on his usually hard face.
He got to where he is today entirely thanks to his brothers—he found the true essence of basketball in them, and he's no longer just Gorilla focused solely on winning.
He owes his current position to the contributions of these individuals at every step.