The National Sports Festival is scheduled to be held in October, so it is also called the Autumn National Sports Festival.
This is a comprehensive sports event covering more than 40 sports, including basketball, football, and volleyball, with basketball being the most popular.
The National Sports Festival Basketball Tournament is organized by county, with no preliminary rounds, which means it brings together the nation's top basketball players.
This National Sports Festival basketball tournament was held in Osaka and used a knockout system, with a total of 47 teams participating, including strong teams from Kanagawa, Akita, Aichi, Fukuoka, and Osaka.
Everyone is eagerly anticipating the start of the conference.
The new semester has just begun at Takezato High School, and the teachers and students, who have just finished their summer vacation, all have smiles on their faces.
Coach Akai, who had just come out of the principal's office, couldn't manage a smile.
He went into his office, closed the door, and slammed the Takezato basketball development plan he was holding onto the table.
"Damn Kainan and Shoyo!"
He came to the principal's office early in the morning to report on his work, but the principal was distracted the whole time and didn't take it seriously at all.
After listening to Coach Akai's work report, the principal didn't mince words. He first casually asked about the basketball team's recent situation, and then went straight to the point.
"Is Aoki doing well studying in Takezato?" the principal asked bluntly.
Coach Akai paused for a moment, then quickly replied, " Aoki is quite satisfied!"
"He told you that himself?" the principal asked again.
Of course! Akai agreed without hesitation.
There's more news: I received calls from Kainan and Shoyo yesterday. The principal then changed the subject.
Coach Akai's heart skipped a beat; he sensed something was wrong.
Both schools wanted to recruit Aoki and asked if he could transfer to their schools. The principal said slowly.
"Absolutely not! "Akai shouted.
This was exactly what he had been most worried about. He had specifically asked Aoki before, Aoki had clearly stated that he would never transfer schools, which put him at ease. But he never expected that this matter would still come knocking on his door.
"Akai, don't rush to make a decision," the principal waved his hand.
These two schools promised to provide our school with a lot of educational resources in order to recruit Aoki. I think it's a win-win situation. What do you think?
"Principal, Aoki is the captain of the Takezato basketball team! I absolutely will not let him transfer to another school!" Akai said angrily.
The principal smiled and said, "Akai, don't get excited. Actually, it depends on Aoki's own choice. Our school also believes in democracy."
But as soon as he spoke, Akai wanted to argue, but the principal interrupted him.
However, if people from Kainan and Shoyo want to see Aoki, we can't stop them, understand?
"But..." Akai swallowed his words.
"That's settled!" the principal declared.
Knock, knock, knock! There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," the principal replied.
The door was pushed open, Yo Aoki walked in.
Coach Akai immediately put on a smiling face and spoke to Aoki upon seeing Aoki.
"Teacher, what can I do for you?" Aoki asked.
Here's what happened. Coach Akai opened a drawer, took out an envelope, and handed it over. "This is an invitation from the Kanagawa National Sports Festival Basketball Team. You've been selected to represent Kanagawa in the basketball competition."
Aoki wasn't too surprised. He opened the envelope and took out the letter, which read, " Yo Aoki Takezato High School. In view of your demonstrated sense of honor, team responsibility, and competitiveness on the court, the Kanagawa National Sports Festival Delegation sincerely invites you to join the Kanagawa National Sports Festival Basketball Team! We look forward to your acceptance of the invitation and joining us on the court!"
The registration location was indicated at the end: Kainan University Affiliated High School; the registration date was: September 7, 199X.
That is, the day after tomorrow. Aoki put the letter in his pocket.
Coach, I'm counting on you to take care of the team's training during this time!
Akai hummed in agreement, then looked hesitant, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Aoki asked curiously, "Teacher, is there anything else you want to tell me?"
Akai gritted his teeth and said, " Aoki, I heard something from the principal today, and I need to tell you."
What's up?
Kainan and Shoyo have already called the principal; they want to recruit you to their schools.
Aoki chuckled. "So that's all there is to it?"
"Don't worry, teacher, I definitely won't transfer schools!" Aoki patted his chest confidently.
Akai looked worried. " Aoki, those two schools will definitely offer you exceptionally generous terms."
"Teacher, my dream is to lead Takezato to national domination! I won't go anywhere until that happens!" Aoki said firmly.
" Aoki..." Akai was a little excited at this moment.
Aoki smiled and said, "Teacher, you have to have faith in me!"
Inside the Shohoku High School basketball gym, Coach Anzai was announcing the roster for the National Sports Festival Basketball Team to his players.
"That's fantastic! Five of our Shohoku made the cut!" Kogure exclaimed happily.
Haruko turned to Sakuragi and asked, " Sakuragi, are you alright?"
"Haruko, don't worry!" Sakuragi exclaimed, instantly becoming arrogant. "This injury is nothing!"
Speaking of Sakuragi's injury, we should mention that he fell and injured his back while trying to steal the ball during the game against Sannoh Industrial High School.
However, thanks to the modern training methods that Aoki taught Sakuragi, he was able to train all his muscle groups, and his muscles became more protective of his body.
So Sakuragi's back injury wasn't as serious as it was depicted in the manga; he recovered completely after a few weeks of rest!
Coach Anzai continued, "This training camp will be held at Kainan High School. Everyone must behave and not fight!"
"Yes, teacher!" Akagi and the others replied in unison.
"Haha, old man, don't worry! I, Sakuragi, am a pacifist!" Sakuragi shouted, putting his arm around Akagi's shoulder.
"Idiot!" Kaede Rukawa, standing next to Sakuragi, suddenly blurted out.
"Damn you, Kaede Rukawa! What did you say?!" Sakuragi snapped.
Akagi ignored the two clowns and turned to ask Anzai, "Teacher, who else is joining this training camp?"
Coach Anzai glanced at the roster. "It includes Shinichi Maki, Takasago, Jin, and Kiyota from Kainan."
" Sendoh, Fukuda, and Uozumi from Ryonan!" Anzai added.
" Uozumi?" Akagi chuckled. "He's back?"
" Sendoh, I'm definitely going to beat you!" Upon hearing Sendoh's name, Kaede Rukawa and Sakuragi instantly felt united in their hatred.
"And there's Fujima and Toru Hanagata Shoyo."
"And Yo Aoki from Takezato!" Anzai added finally.
"That guy was terrifying! At least we don't have to run into him this time!" The Shohoku team all breathed a sigh of relief.
On the morning of September 7th, a light drizzle suddenly began to fall in Kanagawa. In early autumn, the rain was quite refreshing.
Kanagawa had been experiencing a prolonged heatwave, so this rain actually felt quite refreshing.
Aoki, dressed in sportswear and carrying a suitcase, left home.
Although Yo Aoki was looking forward to the start of the Autumn National Sports Festival, he didn't care at all about the recruitment efforts of Kainan and Shoyo. After all, Shinichi Maki and Fujima were about to graduate, and those two schools were in a panic.
Kainan is doing alright, with Soichiro Jin and Nobunaga Kiyota holding them up, but Shoyo is in a terrible situation. With Fujima gone, the remaining players simply can't handle Shohoku, Ryonan, and Takezato. Rather than waiting for next year's rookies, it's better to recruit a few tough guys now to keep things going, so Yo Aoki and Kaede Rukawa became the targets.
Yo Aoki is a time traveler and knows the details of each team. He didn't need to transfer schools to join Kainan Shoyo back then; there was no need for him to go through all that trouble. Now Takezato he's brought Takezato to a strong position, he's confident he can lead Takezato to the national championships next year, so he won't be seen as a defector.
Inside the Kainan basketball stadium, the players all wore tense expressions, occasionally huddling together to whisper amongst themselves. The huge court was devoid of its usual shouts, save for the muffled thud of basketballs bouncing on the floor. Despite the strange atmosphere, Kiyota leaned against the wall, swinging his legs nonchalantly.
Kosuge leaned closer and asked, "Why is it so boring today?"
Kiyota rolled his eyes. "The people from Shohoku and Ryonan are gathering today, maybe it's for this."
Kosuge clapped his hands. "That's right! The Autumn National Sports Festival! I can't wait to see Maki team up with Sendoh, Aoki, and Rukawa!"
Kiyota retorted, "I'm Kanagawa's number one newcomer, I'm definitely better than them!"
Kosuge smiled obsequiously, "Yes, yes, you're the best."
The doors were suddenly pushed open, Takenori Akagi led Sakuragi and Rukawa in, all five mouths shouting at the same time, "Excuse me!"
The arena erupted instantly. Someone shouted, " Shohoku!", someone said, "I heard they beat Sannoh!", and someone else muttered, "They're so intimidating."
Sakuragi's booming voice suddenly rang out. "Haha, come and welcome this genius!"
Kiyota immediately bristled, ran over, pointed at Sakuragi, and shouted, " Red-haired Monkey! Kainan is the second best in the country, why should you be the one to greet us!"
Sakuragi pouted. "Second place is nothing, it's not like I'm first!"
Akagi, unable to bear it any longer, punched Sakuragi on the head. "Idiot! You have no manners!"
Kaede Rukawa added, "Two idiots."
Kiyota was so angry he jumped up and down, stretching his neck and shouting, " Kaede Rukawa! I'll definitely beat you! Just you wait!"
Shinichi Maki walked over unnoticed and smacked Kiyota on the back of the head. "Be quiet."
Maki turned to Akagi and extended his hand. " Akagi, welcome to Kainan."
Akagi also reached out his hand. " Maki, I'd love to team up with you."
The two shook hands, Coach Takato walked over. " Akagi, you've arrived."
Akagi bowed. " Takato- sensei, I apologize for disturbing you."
Takato laughed, "I look forward to your performance."
As they were talking, the door rang again, Uozumi, Sendoh, Fukuda Fujima from Ryonan, and Fujima and Hanagata from Shoyo, followed Coach Taoka in.
Takato forward to greet him, " Taoka -senpai, welcome."
Taoka forced a smile, "Excuse me."
Shinichi Maki and Fujima exchanged a glance: " Fujima." " Maki."
The team members in the gym started chattering again: "That's Sendoh! Fujima! And Uozumi!" "Seeing so many stars today, we've hit the jackpot!" "To be able to watch training for a month, that's awesome!"
Taoka glanced around the room and asked, " Takato, is everyone here?"
Takato glanced at his watch. "We're still missing Aoki from Takezato. Takezato is far away, and it's not time to meet up yet."
The words had barely left his mouth when the door was flung open, and Yo Aoki rushed in, panting, "Sorry I'm late!"
The Kainan Team ' faces immediately darkened—this was the guy who ended Kainan's 16-year undefeated record! Although they had all been thrashed by him countless times, no one didn't look forward to playing with him.
Sendoh's lips curled up slightly. "Teaming up with this guy should be interesting."
Fujima laughed too, " Aoki, it would be interesting to fight side by side."
Coach Takato grinned.
" Aoki, it's still early before the assembly point. You're not late, so there's no need for empty apologies."
Coach Taoka raised his hand.
"Everyone's here, line up!"
Coaches Takato Taoka stood before the crowd.