Chapter Summaries

Hikoichi Aida mistook Hanamichi Sakuragi for a hidden Shohoku star and warned Moichi Taoka that Shohoku had become a serious threat. Taoka decided Ryonan needed to assess Shohoku before the prefectural tournament, and Coach Anzai announced a practice game that stunned the team.

• Hikoichi Aida introduced himself to Sakuragi as a Ryonan basketball player and investigator, and Sakuragi boasted that he would lead Shohoku to defeat Ryonan.
• Sakuragi claimed he had defeated Takenori Akagi and was Shohoku’s next captain, prompting Hikoichi to believe Shohoku had recruited another formidable player.
• At Ryonan, Moichi Taoka reflected on Kaede Rukawa’s arrival and how Sendoh had repeatedly beaten him in scrimmages and one-on-one games.
• Hikoichi told Taoka he had scouted Shohoku and found a mysterious player who claimed he would lead the team to victory, so Taoka agreed Shohoku needed to be evaluated.
• Coach Anzai announced a practice game, shocking the Shohoku players because the team had never played one before.

Shohoku prepared for an official practice game against Takezono, where Hanamichi Sakuragi would face Tatsumasa Oda and see Yoko again. As Yoko reflected on how Oda had changed since joining Takezono, Sakuragi refocused on proving himself, and Coach Anzai named the starting lineup.

• Ayako announced that Shohoku’s practice game would be against Takezono rather than Ryonan, and Coach Anzai told the team to travel there the next morning.
• Shirasawa reassured Hanamichi Sakuragi that the game gave him a chance to beat Oda and win Yoko back.
• Yoko watched Shohoku arrive and remembered how Oda’s popularity at Takezono had made him arrogant and left her isolated.
• Shirasawa urged Sakuragi to focus on defeating Oda, and Sakuragi vowed to show his talent in the game.
• Coach Anzai handed out the uniforms, gave Shirasawa number 9 and Sakuragi number 10, then named Shirasawa, Sakuragi, Akagi, Miyagi, and Kogure as the starters.

Shohoku opened its practice game against Takezono with Shirasawa directing the offense, setting up two quick Miyagi layups and disrupting Takezono’s guard. Oda got past Sakuragi with a fake, but Akagi blocked his shot, leaving Shohoku ahead and the game underway.

• Sakuragi argued with Takezono’s spectators, then restrained himself when Oda taunted him before the game.
• Sakuragi asked to take the jump ball and beat Oda to it, tipping the ball to Shirasawa, whose long pass set Miyagi up for a layup.
• Shirasawa stole the point guard’s ball and sent a precise bounce pass to Miyagi for another layup, putting Shohoku ahead 4-0.
• Takezono moved the ball to Oda, who faked out Sakuragi and attempted an underhand layup.
• Akagi swatted down Oda’s shot, and Sakuragi cheered him on.

Shirasawa’s passing kept Shohoku in control as Takezono struggled, and Sakuragi contained Oda while growing more confident. With seconds left in the first half, Shirasawa fooled the defense with a pass to Sakuragi, who dunked over Oda and knocked him to the floor.

• Shirasawa’s quick passing set up Akagi’s dunk and helped Shohoku repeatedly break through Takezono’s defense.
• Sakuragi used Akagi’s advice to block Oda’s position, but Oda scored through physical play and drew fouls on Sakuragi.
• Shirasawa orchestrated more baskets for Shohoku, including an Akagi layup, Kogure three-pointer, and Miyagi fast-break layup, as Shohoku led 63-37 late in the first half.
• Oda struggled to push past Sakuragi, who blocked his fadeaway and sprinted into Shohoku’s final possession.
• Shirasawa faked a pass toward Miyagi and sent the ball to Sakuragi, who caught it one-handed and dunked over Oda, knocking him down.

Shohoku dominated the first half against Takezono, with Shirasawa setting up Sakuragi’s first official-game basket and recording seventeen assists. After Oda struck Yoko in the hallway, Sakuragi intervened, and Shirasawa reassured him that his relationship with Yoko was moving in the right direction.

• Sakuragi dunked Shirasawa’s no-look alley-oop pass over Oda, giving Shohoku a dramatic boost before the first-half buzzer.
• Shirasawa’s seventeen assists helped Shohoku build a commanding lead, while Sakuragi discovered he had scored only two points.
• Oda left Takezono’s locker room and angrily blamed Yoko for his troubles before slapping her.
• Sakuragi seized Oda and nearly punched him, but Yoko stopped him because she did not want the team to discipline him.
• Oda ran off after accusing Yoko of disappointing him, and Yoko thanked Sakuragi before leaving.
• Shirasawa told Sakuragi not to rush his feelings and urged him to trust that things with Yoko were moving in the right direction.

Shohoku overwhelmed Takezono in a practice game, with Shirasawa recording 27 assists and Sakuragi dominating his rivalry with Oda. After the final whistle, Shirasawa received rewards from the system, while Takezono's coach asked Coach Anzai where he had recruited Shirasawa.

• Shirasawa fed Sakuragi several scoring chances, and Sakuragi finally converted an alley-oop before Shohoku extended its lead.
• With eight minutes remaining and Shohoku ahead 97-52, Coach Anzai substituted out the starters except Sakuragi, while Takezono's players argued over their defeat.
• Takezono's coach recognized Shirasawa's 27 assists as the difference in the game, and Shirasawa checked his final stats while talking with Ayako.
• Sakuragi blocked Oda's attempted dunk late in the game and told him he had already lost at basketball.
• Shohoku won, and Shirasawa received 27 ability points and cash rewards from the system for his assists.
• Takezono's coach thanked Coach Anzai and asked where Shohoku had recruited Shirasawa.

After Shohoku’s game against Takezono, Sakuragi confided in Miyagi about Yoko, while Shirasawa spent the afternoon with Ayako and explained why he focused on passing. Outside a noodle shop, Shirasawa recognized Hisashi Mitsui among a group of delinquents, then gently removed Ayako’s hand from his shoulder.

• Coach Anzai dismissed Shohoku after the game, and Ayako asked Shirasawa to help carry supplies back to school.
• Sakuragi told Miyagi about his troubles with Yoko and Oda, and Miyagi agreed to ask Shirasawa for advice about Rena.
• Shirasawa and Ayako ate together, where Shirasawa told her he had no need to shoot during games.
• A group of delinquents passed Shirasawa and Ayako, and Shirasawa recognized Hisashi Mitsui, who had secretly discarded an unlit cigarette.
• Ayako thanked Shirasawa and rested her hand on his shoulder, but Shirasawa took her hand down and asked her to leave.

Shohoku learned that Ryonan had challenged them to a practice game before the prefectural tournament, leaving the team to wonder why the powerhouse had chosen them. Coach Anzai and Takenori Akagi urged them to face Ryonan confidently, believing Shohoku had grown strong enough to earn their attention.

• Tatsuhiko Aota waited at the school gates in his judo uniform, hoping to recruit Shirasawa and Sakuragi, but gave up after getting soaked in the rain.
• Shirasawa brought Ryota Miyagi to Kanagawa Prefectural Hospital, where Miyagi confessed to Rena and she accepted him.
• Shirasawa, Sakuragi, and Miyagi arrived hours late to practice, and Takenori Akagi struggled to choose a punishment they would take seriously.
• Coach Anzai announced that Shohoku would play a practice game against Ryonan, prompting the players to react with shock.
• Takenori Akagi declared that Shohoku had grown stronger, and Coach Anzai asked the team why Ryonan had chosen them as opponents.

Shirasawa discussed Sanae Nakagawa’s career and proposed a plan to help her adapt to changes in the media industry before Shohoku arrived at Ryonan for their practice game. The teams faced off in the gym as hostile stares greeted Takenori Akagi and Shirasawa.

• Hanamichi Sakuragi mistook his teammates’ admiration for recognition of his own genius, while Coach Anzai said the practice game would take place the next morning.
• Shirasawa checked his stats, then rode to Ryonan with Sanae Nakagawa, who explained that she was competing with Yayoi Aida for a promotion.
• Shirasawa advised Sanae to let Yayoi have the promotion and offered a plan for her future; Sanae agreed to trust him.
• Sanae greeted Yayoi warmly and decided not to compete for the promotion, while Yayoi wondered why Sanae was acting so amiably.
• Coach Moichi Taoka reassured Hikoichi Aida before Shohoku arrived, led by Takenori Akagi, Shirasawa, and Hanamichi Sakuragi.
• Two Ryonan players fixed hostile stares on Takenori Akagi and Shirasawa.

Shohoku and Ryonan prepared for their practice game, with Shirasawa and Kaede Rukawa focused on their rivalry and Akagi and Uozumi facing off in the paint. Uozumi won the opening tip, while Shirasawa blocked Uekusa's route as Ryonan began its first attack.

• Taoka and Anzai greeted each other, and Taoka learned that Shohoku's lineup included Sakuragi, Shirasawa, Akagi, and the returning Miyagi.
• Anzai told Shohoku to prioritize defense and trust Shirasawa to find offensive chances, while Taoka urged Ryonan to attack and build a large lead.
• Taoka named Rukawa as Ryonan's offensive leader, and Rukawa fixed his attention on Shirasawa.
• Sakuragi bragged before tip-off, prompting Akagi to hit him and Taoka to strike Hikoichi for cheering him on.
• Uozumi beat Akagi to the opening tip, and Shirasawa moved to block Uekusa as Ryonan started its possession.
• Taoka recalled how he had helped Uozumi overcome his struggles after entering high school, regain his confidence, and become Ryonan's captain.

Shirasawa’s playmaking helped Shohoku seize the opening momentum against Ryonan, while Rukawa scored against Kogure and the rivalry between Akagi and Uozumi intensified. The game continued with Rukawa holding the ball on the wing as Sakuragi remained unsure what to do with Sendoh.

• Uozumi matched Akagi in the opening jump ball after training hard to face him again.
• Shirasawa pressured Uekusa into a turnover, then assisted Miyagi with a fast-break pass for Shohoku’s first basket.
• Rukawa drove past Kogure and scored a floater over Akagi’s help defense, prompting Uozumi to boast that Ryonan would build a lead.
• Shirasawa sent a fast, low pass through the defense to Miyagi, who caught it beneath the basket and scored a reverse layup.
• Taoka recognized Shirasawa’s passing as a serious threat, while Sendoh praised the assist and Rukawa walked away silently.
• Rukawa received the ball on the wing as Akagi and Uozumi battled for position and Sakuragi watched Sendoh stand casually nearby.

Shirasawa repeatedly outmaneuvered Kaede Rukawa and helped Shohoku keep a narrow lead, while Ryonan struggled to involve anyone besides Rukawa. Coach Taoka substituted Rukawa for Ikegami, hoping to change the game as Sendoh remained reluctant to take the practice match seriously.

• Kaede Rukawa tied the score with a layup, then Shirasawa beat him with a behind-the-back dribble and faked out Uozumi to assist Akagi's dunk.
• Uozumi ordered Sendoh to take responsibility on offense or defense, and Sendoh finally began pressuring Shohoku as Rukawa kept attacking.
• Kogure refused Shirasawa's offer to switch defensive assignments, but Rukawa continued scoring and tied the game again.
• Shohoku and Ryonan traded baskets, with Shohoku leading 17-15 as Rukawa carried Ryonan's offense and grew exhausted.
• Miyagi knocked the ball out of bounds, and Coach Taoka substituted Ikegami for Kaede Rukawa.

Shirasawa led Shohoku against Ryonan, while Sendoh exposed Sakuragi’s inexperience and Ryonan pulled ahead. With the first half nearly over, Shirasawa directed Shohoku’s final possession.

• Taoka rested Rukawa and sent Ikegami back onto the court, signaling Sendoh to become more active.
• Sendoh fooled Sakuragi with a shot fake, drove past him, and scored; Akagi urged Sakuragi to take the matchup seriously.
• Shirasawa escaped a double-team with a behind-the-back pass to Sakuragi, whose shot was blocked by Sendoh and then Uozumi before Ryonan scored on a fast break.
• Taoka concluded that Sakuragi was a novice and recognized that Shirasawa had exceeded his expectations, while Ryonan continued to target him with pressure.
• Shirasawa slowed Shohoku’s offense and created chances for his teammates as Ryonan took a 49–46 lead with less than 30 seconds left in the half.

Shirasawa’s impossible elbow pass set up Kogure’s three-pointer, leaving Shohoku and Ryonan tied 49–49 at halftime. Coach Anzai then announced that Shohoku’s starters would sit out the second half, leaving Shirasawa disappointed about losing the chance to add more assists.

• Shirasawa drove past Uekusa and used his elbow to redirect a behind-the-back pass to Kogure, who scored a three-pointer.
• Miyagi stole Koshino’s final shot attempt as the first half ended with Shohoku and Ryonan tied 49–49.
• Ikegami explained that Shirasawa had passed the ball to his own elbow and used it to send the ball toward Kogure.
• Ayako showed Shirasawa that he had recorded eighteen assists in the first half, and he shared an elbow-pass gesture with Sanae in the media seats.
• Akagi and Kogure reflected on how far Shohoku had come, while Akagi warned the team not to become complacent.
• Coach Anzai told Shohoku that none of the starters would play in the second half, regardless of the result.

Shohoku rested its starters in the second half and lost its practice game against Ryonan, though the first half had shown the teams were closely matched. Shirasawa improved his shooting after the game, and the next morning the team learned Akagi had missed practice to compete in a math contest.

• Coach Anzai and Moichi Taoka rested their starters for the second half, and Ryonan gradually pulled ahead against the substitutes.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi jabbed Moichi Taoka with a finger-gun prank, earning a technical foul and an apology after Akagi forced him to bow.
• Ryonan beat Shohoku 87–72, and Kaede Rukawa told Shirasawa he would not lose next time.
• Shirasawa used the eighteen ability points he earned to raise his shooting stat from 60 to 72.
• Kogure told the team that Akagi had missed practice to take part in a math competition.

Tetsuo, Hisashi Mitsui, and their gang invaded Shohoku’s gym to attack Ryota Miyagi, who tried to take responsibility and keep the team out of trouble. Shirasawa stepped in, ready to face them, and anticipated that the confrontation could bring Mitsui back to basketball.

• After Tetsuo Hotta came to him beaten, Hisashi Mitsui recruited Tetsuo and his followers to attack Shohoku’s basketball team.
• Tetsuo and Mitsui’s gang entered the gym, where Mitsui challenged Ryota Miyagi and declared he intended to destroy the basketball club.
• Hanamichi Sakuragi and Kiminobu Kogure confronted Mitsui, while Miyagi pleaded with him to leave and protect the team from trouble.
• Mitsui kicked Miyagi, but Miyagi stopped Sakuragi from fighting and insisted he would handle the matter himself.
• Shirasawa put a hand on Miyagi’s shoulder and stepped forward, believing the fight could lead to Mitsui returning to basketball.

Shirasawa, Miyagi, and Sakuragi fought Tetsuo Hotta’s gang after Mitsui provoked a confrontation, while Yasuda, Ayako, and the other Shohoku players were drawn into the violence. With Yohei Mito and the Sakuragi Gang joining the fight, the Shohoku side gained the advantage, and Kogure stopped Yohei from continuing to beat Mitsui.

• Shirasawa punched Tetsuo Hotta and seized Mitsui, prompting Miyagi and Sakuragi to charge into the fight.
• Shirasawa took a club strike while protecting Yasuda, then fought Tetsuo as Ryu knocked down Miyagi and Mitsui attacked the Shohoku players.
• Yohei Mito and three members of the Sakuragi Gang jumped into the fight, helping Miyagi recover and turning the battle in Shohoku’s favor.
• Shirasawa knocked Ryu down after he threatened Ayako, then stopped when Ayako assured him she was unharmed.
• Yohei beat Mitsui as Mitsui repeatedly charged at him, until Kogure put a hand on Yohei’s shoulder and told him to stop.

After the brawl, Mitsui confronted the teammates and coach whose basketball dreams he had abandoned three years earlier. He admitted he wanted to play again, and Coach Anzai welcomed him back to the Shohoku team.

• Kogure stopped Yohei from continuing to beat Mitsui and reminded Mitsui that three years had passed.
• Akagi arrived, blocked the school staff from entering, and slapped Mitsui before Kogure revealed Mitsui’s history as Shohoku’s former basketball hope.
• Kogure confronted Mitsui for abandoning the team and threatening the dream Akagi had sustained for three years.
• Tetsuo told Mitsui he knew Mitsui still wanted to play basketball, while Mitsui struggled to deny it.
• Coach Anzai entered the gym, and Mitsui broke down and said he wanted to play basketball again.
• Coach Anzai welcomed Mitsui back to the team, completing Shohoku’s lineup.

After the fight at Shohoku, Hisashi Mitsui returned to the basketball team and proved his skill in a one-on-one against Takenori Akagi. He and Shirasawa reconciled, leaving Shohoku united and ready to pursue the nationals.

• Yohei Mito and Tetsuo Hotta took responsibility for the incident, allowing Hisashi Mitsui and the Shohoku Basketball Team to be treated as victims; they received disciplinary action and several days of confinement.
• Coach Anzai gave Shohoku three days off to recover, then spoke privately with Mitsui, who emerged with renewed determination.
• Basketball Weekly featured Shohoku's practice game against Ryonan, drawing attention to Shirasawa's eighteen assists and his rivalry with Sendoh.
• Mitsui returned to practice, announced his goal of helping Shohoku conquer the nationals, and challenged Takenori Akagi to a one-on-one.
• Mitsui displayed his shooting and ball-handling skills but lost 9–11 to Akagi after tiring; Kogure revealed that Mitsui had been the junior high MVP.
• Mitsui and Shirasawa shook hands and reconciled after Coach Anzai asked them to put everything toward the team.

Takenori Akagi led Shohoku into the Kanagawa prefectural tournament, where Coach Anzai benched Shirasawa, Miyagi, Mitsui, and Sakuragi as punishment for their fight. Shohoku faced Miuradai with an unexpected starting lineup, and Akagi won the opening tip as their first game began.

• Akagi rallied Shohoku by declaring that they were the strongest, and Ayako revealed that their bracket placed them against seeded Shoyo if they advanced far enough.
• Ayako named Miuradai as Shohoku's first opponent, and Akagi told the team to focus on winning that game.
• Coach Anzai announced that Akagi, Kakuta, Kogure, Shiozaki, and Yasuda would start while Shirasawa, Miyagi, Mitsui, and Sakuragi sat out as punishment for fighting.
• Miuradai captain Kengo Murasame dismissed Shohoku and urged his teammates to build an early lead, while Ryonan's Taoka, Sendoh, and Hikoichi came to watch.
• Akagi led Shohoku onto the court as spectators noticed the unusual lineup, and he tipped the ball into Shohoku's half to start the game.