Just then, a rather peculiar sigh came from behind her.
"Sigh... It's really not easy for Akagi to get this far."
Most of the Shohoku fans in the audience wouldn't say that. After all, most of them had only recently become fans of Shohoku and Shirasawa; there were hardly any Shohoku fans.
Haruko turned around curiously and saw a thin face with a small mustache, looking to be over forty.
"You... you're the shopkeeper with the mustache?!" Haruko exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.
"Oh? Aren't you Akagi's sister? What a coincidence." The mustachioed shopkeeper chuckled.
The store manager Haruko mentioned owns a sneaker store in Kanagawa. He and Akagi were completely unrelated, but they happened to have a past connection.
Three years ago in the prefectural tournament, Shohoku was eliminated early, and Akagi, who was only a freshman, went to the gymnasium to watch Shoyo play against Kainan. At that time, his classmates Fujima and Shinichi Maki were already dominating in this level of competition.
Akagi could only sit on the bench, but he made a vow that one day he would stand on this field, at this height, and fight Kainan to the death! The young man's casual vow, however, drew sneers from a middle-aged man next to him.
The person laughing at him was none other than the mustachioed shop manager sitting in the stands.
At that moment, Akagi grabbed his face and said, "Remember this face! In one year, or two years, I will definitely defeat them!" After saying this, the hot-blooded young Akagi turned and left.
Little did he know that the middle-aged man had been secretly watching him ever since. The mustachioed shopkeeper truly remembered Akagi's face, and that memory lasted for three years.
Akagi did it too. He now stands on the highest stage in Kanagawa, having climbed up by stepping over Shoyo and over Kenji Fujima was once so glorious in front of him. At this moment, he finally stands truly opposite Shinichi Maki.
This left the middle-aged shopkeeper with a mustache feeling a mix of emotions.
Haruko, however, was unaware of this story. She knew the store manager by chance when she accompanied her brother to buy sneakers. Akagi had completely forgotten about him by then, but the store manager even gave him a discount on the shoes, leaving Akagi completely bewildered... He even thought it was because he looked too scary, and afterwards, he always had Haruko do things for him, too embarrassed to show his face again.
Therefore, Haruko was particularly surprised when this remark came from the mustachioed shopkeeper.
"Manager, do you know my brother?"
The mustachioed shopkeeper chuckled.
"I don't just know him, seeing him makes my face sting..."
In his heart, Akagi was a role model for young people who were single-minded and determined to see things through. He and Shinichi Maki stood side by side, representing two completely different paths.
Shinichi Maki was a player who reached his peak right from the start. He was scouted by Riki Takato and brought to Kainan, where he led the reigning champion team in his first year. He practically grew up surrounded by flowers and applause.
As for Takenori Akagi, he came from the most insignificant Shohoku and endured countless taunts and disdain. He had a lot of skills, but nowhere to use them. If it were anyone else, they might have already complained about their fate and given up on themselves.
But Akagi didn't. He had a ruthless streak in his bones, and he gritted his teeth and fulfilled one boast after another. Two completely different paths, after going around in circles, finally met today.
Shinichi Maki is still the prince who is surrounded by admirers.
But Akagi is no longer the poor boy who could only watch helplessly. Now, he is fully qualified to challenge the prince!
"If Shohoku wins this game," the mustachioed shopkeeper promised with a grin, "I'll give every member of the Shohoku team a pair of Jordan shoes. Authentic, of course."
This story made Haruko understand her brother's stubbornness even more. Even if he sprained his ankle, or even if his leg were broken, that poor boy who had climbed up from the very bottom would never let go of this opportunity to challenge the prince.
Wow! This kid's got something!
Suddenly, a chorus of exclamations erupted from the Kainan fans in the stands. What had elicited such a commotion from these seasoned and knowledgeable fans was Nobunaga Kiyota on the field.
Most of the players from both sides returned to the bench, waiting for the match to start. But Nobunaga Kiyota didn't go back!
He's fallen far behind in the race for Best Newcomer.
Nobunaga Kiyota knew perfectly well that he had to seize every opportunity to regain the limelight.
While both teams were making their final preparations on the sidelines, he quietly slipped back into the empty stadium.
He grabbed a ball, took a running start, pushed off the ground, and soared into the air!
He tucked his body in mid-air like a spring, then suddenly stretched out and slammed the ball into the basket!
It's worth noting that Nobunaga Kiyota was only 1.78 meters tall.
When someone that tall does a folding dunk, the visual effect is completely different; it really looks like they're flying.
No wonder even the Kainan cheering squad, who are used to big events, exclaimed in surprise.
Nobunaga Kiyota landed steadily, looking around with satisfaction at the cheering crowd, feeling incredibly pleased with himself. He had finally gotten to show his face.
"Remember this, all of you!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, almost carried away by his pride, "My name is Nobunaga Kiyota! I'm the best newcomer of the year at King of Kainan!"
He was so engrossed in shouting that he didn't even notice when Shinichi Maki walked up to him.
Thump!
A merciless chop to the head landed precisely and cleanly.
Shinichi Maki didn't bother to utter a single unnecessary word.
"If there's a next time," the Emperor of Kainan said calmly, yet with undeniable authority, "You can forget about representing Kainan in battle again."
Shinichi Maki's sternness was completely different from the captain-like reminders given by Akagi and the Akagi.
This is a warning.
And no one doubts that he will do what he says.
Nobunaga Kiyota immediately wilted, his previous arrogance vanishing without a trace. He hung his head and obediently followed Shinichi Maki back.
I thought this little incident was over.
But the supporters on Shohoku's side weren't having it!
What are you so smug about? Trying to outjump us?
We can't afford to lose in terms of opening momentum!
Deduct one! Deduct one! Show them!
Well, the pressure has instantly shifted to Shohoku.
The Shohoku Team on the sidelines were also holding back their anger. Although Shinichi Maki had indeed taught Kiyota a lesson, he had still managed to ignite Kiyota's temper.
If no one responds to these chants from their own fans, it will be very demoralizing. The game hasn't even started yet, and they've already lost ground in terms of morale.
Besides, it's not like Xiao Bai lacks the ability!
So, the team members all turned their attention to Coach Anzai without prior arrangement.
Coach Anzai was truly composed. Usually always smiling, he was now picking up his tactical board and drawing something with a focused expression... seemingly completely immersed in his own tactical world, oblivious to the shouts from the sidelines.
This performance makes the answer all too obvious.
Go ahead, but don't let me, the coach, tell you. Afterwards, Captain Akagi, please clean up the mess...
Everyone will just laugh it off and it will all be over.
Takenori Akagi shook his head helplessly.
But we must fight for this pride.
"Go ahead, Xiao Bai," he said in a deep voice, "The competition hasn't even started yet anyway."
"We must win," Akagi added solemnly.
Shirasawa smiled and, under the spotlight, stepped onto the court.
Before the epic battle even begins, a dunk contest serves as a warm-up, undoubtedly igniting the audience's emotions!
Even the screams and cheers coming from the second venue outside the stadium could be faintly heard through.
"Wow! Shirasawa is here! Show off! You represent us..." Ichiro Katsumi was so excited that he was waving his arms and legs, but before he could finish speaking, Michael Okita next to him covered his mouth.
"Idiot! Do you want to make the manager angry right now?!" Michael Okita growled in a low voice, at that moment he missed the ever-quiet Kaede Rukawa terribly.
Shirasawa picked up the basketball at the zero-degree angle.
He dribbled a few big steps, rushed to the side of the backboard, gathered the ball, and jumped!
What move will he use for this dunk? Everyone in the audience was racing to guess.
Is it a windmill dunk? A spin dunk? Or a folding dunk like Kiyota's?
No one could be sure which action could outweigh the visual impact Kiyota had just delivered.
Shirasawa on the field soared higher and higher.
Kiyota's advantage lies in his short stature, which makes his jumping ability appear astonishing.
Shirasawa's actual height in the air was visually no less than Kiyota's!
His forehead looks like it's about to become flat!
Just then, Shirasawa, in mid-air, held the ball in his left hand and spread his legs apart.
The basketball obediently passed between his legs and was switched to his right hand.
At the same time, he bent his body, his head almost grazing the bottom edge of the rim, caught the ball with his right hand, and with his back to the basket, slammed the ball in!
Crossover dunk, back dunk!
The ball goes in, the player lands. Shirasawa, with his excellent core strength, stands firmly without pausing.
The entire stadium erupted!
The fans jumped and shouted wildly, a cacophony of exclamations and profanities filling the air.
When people are extremely excited, it seems that only the most straightforward words can express their emotions.
The sound was deafening, both inside and outside the venue!
The result doesn't need any judgment.
Just look at Nobunaga Kiyota's face, so contorted with rage, and you'll understand everything.
Shohoku regained all their lost ground in one fell swoop.
Takenori Akagi the right moment, hooked his arm around Shirasawa's neck, and nodded slightly apologetically toward the Kainan substitutes' bench.
It's just a formality, giving each other a way out.
This dunk ignited the audience's passion and provided the media with an excellent topic for hype.
This also made Shinichi Maki's fighting spirit spread as if it were a tangible thing.
That feeling of hunger instantly spread throughout his body; he couldn't wait to fight Shirasawa right away!
He wasn't angry; he was utterly excited!
On the sidelines, Coach Riki Takato smiled calmly.
" Maki," he said slowly, fanning himself with his folding fan, "I'm entrusting Shirasawa to you."
Shinichi Maki nodded slightly; his eyes said it all.
The referee blew the whistle.
The starting lineups for both teams enter the field.
Taking advantage of the lingering cheers, Takenori Akagi suddenly raised his fist and let out a deafening roar:
The five key players from Shohoku strode onto the court, their eyes blazing with fury.
The Kainan doesn't need to shout any slogans; their dark blue team uniforms are their trademark.
Shinichi Maki, Kazuma Takasago, Soichiro Jin, Tadashi Muto, Nobunaga Kiyota, the starting five for Kainan, also entered the field.
The referee tossed the ball into the air.
Akagi and Takasago jumped up at the same time.
Both sides wanted that first goal!
Akagi forcefully overtook Takasago and passed the ball to his teammate.
Shohoku gained possession of the ball.
After landing, Akagi ran straight to the front without looking back.
Kogure on the sidelines, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He personally re-tied Akagi's ankle; while he couldn't guarantee anything else, he was very confident in this kind of care.
Judging from how Akagi runs, his ankle should be fine.
But Kogure also knew in his heart that Akagi probably wouldn't be able to last forty minutes in such a high-intensity match.
He has to keep a close eye on things; if anything goes wrong, he must report it to Coach Anzai immediately.
Shirasawa controlled the ball and initiated Shohoku's first attack.
Not a single Shohoku fan in the stands sat down.
I don't know who started it, but everyone tacitly agreed on a rule—everyone stands and cheers until Shohoku scores their first dunk.