The date was now August 3rd.
The dull sky gradually welcomed the bright radiance, like the enchanting autumn waters reflecting a warm and gentle maternal glow.
Today was the day of the Shohoku High vs. Sannoh Kogyo game.
Throughout Hiroshima, and even across the entire high school basketball community in Japan, an unusual atmosphere had settled, plunging the entire scene into an eerie, uneasy silence.
The reason for this was Shohoku's previous shutout victory.
And the main reason behind it was Aoi Kunisaku.
After Shohoku's game against Toyotama the previous day, the news had quickly spread like wildfire throughout the high school basketball world, after a night of fermentation.
Major sports media and newspapers soon reported related topics.
[Fateful Encounter: The Battle for the "Strongest High School Student"]
["Fastest High School Speed" vs "Strongest High School Strength," who will come out on top?]
[One man shuts down an entire team?! Sannoh's championship position may be in danger]
[Sannoh Kogyo Faces the Strongest Challenge, Shohoku Emerges]
[After today, the title of "Strongest High School Student" might change hands]
...
Various flashy, exaggerated headlines filled the media, leaving uninformed spectators and teams from other schools stunned.
These sensational reports caused the number of spectators planning to watch the Shohoku vs Sannoh game to skyrocket.
Even those teams who would only meet Sannoh in the semifinals had developed a strong interest in the game.
Teams from areas near Hiroshima had already made arrangements to watch the game, while those farther away woke up early and traveled to Hiroshima.
For a time, in various parts of Japan, one could see individuals or teams rushing toward Hiroshima.
At Chidori-sou Inn.
The Shohoku players had already gathered at the inn's entrance.
Upon closer inspection, it was quite the sight.
Starting from Akagi Takenori, then Mitsui Hisashi, Miyagi Ryota, and Rukawa Kaede, all of them had dark circles under their eyes, looking like half-evolved pandas, their eyes filled with bloodshot veins.
In contrast, Aoi Kunisaku, with his expressionless, laid-back demeanor, was the one who looked the most energized among them.
The reason for Akagi and the others' appearance was simple.
Ever since watching the game footage of Sannoh the previous day, the Shohoku players had been extremely worried.
Especially the starting players, who had tossed and turned all night in their beds, hardly getting any sleep.
Akagi Takenori's expression was serious, his gaze somewhat absent, looking overly excited.
He spoke to the team, "I won't introduce today's opponent too much, just make sure you give it your all. Even the bench players need to stay at their peak condition, because you may be called to play at any moment."
"Understood..." the first and second-year players quickly responded.
Ayako looked at the dark circles under Akagi and the others' eyes, sighed in worry, and whispered to Shimizu Kanon, "Do you think they're okay? They look so worn out."
Shimizu Kanon looked Akagi and the others over, then thought for a moment before replying, "Well... there is a big problem!"
As soon as she said this, Ayako immediately became anxious. "What? Really? What should we do?"
Ayako was deeply worried. If they lost because they hadn't rested enough, she was sure everyone would probably be in despair.
Seeing Ayako's anxious expression, Shimizu Kanon smiled slightly and reassured her, "Don't worry, their abilities are still strong."
"But you just said there's a big problem!" Ayako was confused, not understanding.
Shimizu Kanon explained, "What I meant was the state they're in right now. They're all too worked up. If they keep this up, it could affect their performance."
As the two were talking, Kogure Kiminobu checked his watch and then reminded, "It's almost time, we should head out."
Coach Anzai glanced around at everyone, then nodded. "Alright, let's go!"
...
On the other side.
The Sannoh team had also gathered.
Everyone was fully prepared, standing tall with calm expressions, exuding a solemn aura, as though they were warriors ready to head into battle, their presence radiating an energy waiting to burst forth.
Coach Domoto Goro slowly scanned each player and asked, "What day is it today?"
As the captain, Fukatsu Kazunari was the first to respond steadily, "Today is the day we face Shohoku."
Domoto Goro nodded slightly and then asked, "Do you know what our mission is today?"
Fukatsu Kazunari didn't hesitate and replied confidently, "To suppress the opponent, limit them, guide them, control them, and ultimately defeat them."
Domoto Goro nodded with satisfaction and then turned his gaze to the other players. He asked loudly, "And what about you? What's your task?"
"Limit Akagi Takenori."
"Suppress Mitsui Hisashi."
"Watch Miyagi Ryota."
"Guide Sakuragi Hanamichi."
"Defeat Rukawa Kaede."
"Take down Aoi Kunisaku."
Their voices rose one after another, each more passionate than the last, filled with fighting spirit, confidence, and the long-awaited tension.
Domoto Goro nodded in satisfaction, a look of contentment in his eyes.
He then raised his voice again, asking, "Tell me, what is our ultimate goal?"
The Sannoh players shouted in unison, "Defeat Shohoku, win victory."
The sound was deafening, carrying an unstoppable momentum, as if it would break through all barriers, shaking the entire space.
Domoto Goro looked at the excited players, then turned, walking away without looking back. "Alright, from here on, there's only one thing we need to do: bring back victory."
"Yes..." the Sannoh players responded in unison, their voices filled with desire and belief in victory.
...
At noon.
Hiroshima Central Gymnasium.
There were about two hours left before the Shohoku High vs. Sannoh Kogyo game.
At this moment, the plaza outside the gym was already crowded, bustling with people.
Players from various high schools came and went, with constant chatter filling the air.
The lively scene was no less impressive than previous years' finals, and in some ways, even more spectacular.
After all, today's Shohoku vs. Sannoh game had attracted too much attention.
Almost all the sports journalists had arrived early, cameras and notebooks in hand, their eyes full of expectation, ready to capture every exciting moment of this highly anticipated game.
Just then, a group of about ten people slowly walked over from a distance.
When the crowd saw them, they stopped and turned to stare in unison.
"Look, it's Sannoh."
"They've finally arrived."
"Their presence is so strong! Is this what the strongest team in the country looks like?"
"I wonder how Shohoku will fare against Sannoh?"
"Maybe Sannoh will win again today."
...
The Sannoh players, under the intense gaze of the crowd, walked with heads held high, their strong presence radiating around them. They moved calmly, confidently, and their steps were firm, as though nothing around them could affect them.
Many people were awestruck by the powerful aura that Sannoh exuded.
Especially the players from other schools, who, after seeing this, gained an even deeper, more direct understanding of Sannoh Kogyo's "national number one" status.
Both the spectators and players from other schools couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence toward Sannoh Kogyo.
Thus, under the admiring, awed, and respectful gazes of the crowd, the Sannoh team entered the gymnasium, their figures gradually disappearing from sight.
Without Sannoh as the center of attention, the plaza soon returned to its previous lively atmosphere.
People continued to chat, discussing and eagerly awaiting the start of the game.
However, not long after, another group of about ten people appeared at the plaza in front of the gym.
Upon seeing this group, the surrounding crowd erupted into another round of exclamations and discussions.
"That must be Shohoku."
"I wonder which one is Aoi Kunisaku?"
"That red-haired guy looks so fierce."
"They have such a strong presence too. It doesn't feel like they are any weaker than Sannoh."
"Their aura is so powerful. It feels like they might actually be able to go up against Sannoh."
...
The crowd immediately buzzed with excitement, their eyes wide open like copper bells, staring fixedly at the Shohoku players. Their gazes were like scanners, carefully scrutinizing them from top to bottom, inside and out.
The Shohoku players, never having experienced such a spectacle, felt their expressions falter.
Normally, they were used to being watched during games, but that was always within the defined atmosphere of the court.
Now, they were simply on their way to the gym, but so many people were surrounding them.
This was a new feeling for them.
Except for Aoi Kunisaku, Sakuragi Hanamichi, and Rukawa Kaede, most of the others felt at least a little uneasy.
Rukawa Kaede, of course, was used to living in his own basketball world, with little care for anything around him.
Sakuragi Hanamichi was just his usual carefree self, seeing it all as a chance to show off, not feeling any pressure at all.
The most composed one was Aoi Kunisaku.
He simply ignored everything around him.
Yes, pure and utter disregard.
It was as if he were saying, "Let the winds blow from all directions, I remain unmoved."
Thus, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the Shohoku players walked with determination toward the gym, their figures slowly disappearing from view.