Time passed, second by second.
The match between Kainan and Umamiya was gradually coming to an end.
Kainan had a significant lead, and their victory was already certain.
At the same time.
Shohoku locker room.
The atmosphere in the locker room was strange enough to send chills down one's spine.
Tension and unease hung in the air like a thick black fog, lingering in every inch of the space, impossible to dispel.
The entire room was filled with a sense of heaviness and unease that could not be shaken off.
Mitsui Hisashi was restless, frequently stepping out the door for no apparent reason.
But based on the previous match against Kainan, he was probably just going to the bathroom.
It made sense. If he had to run to the bathroom during the Kainan match, there was no reason not to do it now against Sannoh.
Miyagi Ryota, on the other hand, kept pacing back and forth in the hallway outside the door.
Even Sakuragi Hanamichi, with a basketball in hand, found a quiet spot to keep dribbling.
Each person behaved quite differently than usual.
The silence in the air was stifling, like the fake calm before the storm, just before a great battle.
The second-year and first-year substitutes huddled silently in the corners, not daring to make a sound, only secretly observing the others.
Ayako was almost driven mad by the tension in the locker room.
She wanted to say something, but for a moment, she didn't even know what to say.
At this moment, only Aoi Kunisaku appeared completely indifferent.
Sannoh locker room.
Coach Domoto Goro was briefing the players before the match.
Across from him, Sannoh's players sat in perfect order, listening attentively to the coach's instructions.
At first glance, the Sannoh players all looked remarkably similar. Besides their different heights and body types, most of them had short, buzzed haircuts.
From left to right, they were:
Point Guard, Fukatsu Kazunori, height 180 cm, weight 75 kg, number 4, third year. (Team Captain)
Shooting Guard, Matsumoto Minoru, height 185 cm, weight 72 kg, number 6, third year.
Center, Kawata Masashi, height 194 cm, weight 94 kg, number 7, third year.
Small Forward, Sawakita Eiji, height 186 cm, weight 75 kg, number 9, second year.
Center, Kawata Mikio, height 210 cm, weight 130 kg, number 15, first year.
Power Forward, Nobe Masahiro, height 198 cm, weight 83 kg, number 5, third year.
Shooting Guard, Ichinokura Satoshi, height 171 cm, weight 62 kg, number 8, third year.
...
This was the full lineup for Sannoh.
All of Sannoh's players were fully focused on Coach Domoto Goro's words, adjusting their mental and physical states in preparation for the match.
In stark contrast to the oppressive, tense atmosphere in Shohoku's locker room, Sannoh's locker room was filled with a solemn energy and a firm, unwavering resolve to win.
In every player's eyes, there was no hint of underestimating Shohoku, but rather a deep respect for the upcoming match.
Coach Domoto Goro's expression was serious as he scanned the room, then said, "Let me remind you one last time. Shohoku is very strong. Do not underestimate them. Do not hold back. Use everything you've got to crush them."
"Understood…" The Sannoh players responded in unison, their voices full of fighting spirit.
Domoto Goro paused for a moment, then fixed his gaze on Sawakita Eiji, seriously warning, "Sawakita, today your task is the most difficult. I've watched all of Shohoku's game footage, and I must say, Shohoku's number 9 has a talent stronger than yours. I'm not exaggerating."
At these words, the hearts of Sannoh's players were shaken.
Stronger than Sawakita Eiji's talent?
What kind of terrifying talent could that be?
After all, Sawakita's talent was already top-tier across the entire nation.
If someone were stronger than him, that must mean they were world-class.
In truth, they weren't far off.
Aoi Kunisaku's talent was based on the merged template of Aomine Daiki, placing him among the best of the best even in the world of Kuroko no Basket, and even more so in Slam Dunk.
Sawakita Eiji's eyes grew deep as a slight smile formed on his lips, a spark of excitement igniting within him, and he resolutely said, "That's fine by me. I can't wait to face him. I will give everything I have to crush him."
Coach Domoto Goro nodded with satisfaction, then added, "Aside from Aoi, keep an eye on Shohoku's Rukawa Kaede. His strength may not match Aoi's, but he's also a difficult opponent."
"Understood…" The Sannoh players replied in unison.
With all the instructions given, Coach Domoto Goro had nothing more to say and concluded, "Alright, it's time. Let's head out!"
...
On Shohoku's side, Coach Anzai Mitsuyoshi also showed no sign of slackening.
He carefully explained the key points to focus on when facing Sannoh, and afterward, he encouraged his team. Once that was done, there was nothing else to say.
The players stood up, each walking towards the court with steady, determined steps.
At this moment, on the court.
Only 3 minutes remained until the Kainan vs. Umamiya game ended.
The teams from Shohoku and Sannoh walked out of their respective player tunnels one after another.
At the same time, the crisp sound of the referee's whistle rang out, signaling the end of the Kainan vs. Umamiya game.
Shohoku and Sannoh exchanged a silent stare from across the court.
There was no flashy energy clash, no tense atmosphere like how storm winds might rage.
It seemed as if both sides intentionally reined in their energy, everything unnervingly calm.
Akagi Takenori was the first to look away. He spoke steadily, "Let's go!"
As his words fell, Shohoku's players took synchronized steps towards the center of the court.
On Sannoh's side, Deeply focused, Fukatsu Kazunari also issued the command, "Let's head up too!"
The two teams, seemingly in agreement, walked onto the court simultaneously and began their warm-up.
"Shohoku… Shohoku… Shohoku…"
"Sannoh… Sannoh… Sannoh…"
In an instant, two completely different chants rang out from the stands.
While the voices cheering for Shohoku didn't outnumber those for Sannoh, they weren't completely drowned out by Sannoh's cheers.
At this point, the audience stands were completely full, even the press area was packed, with some unable to find a seat.
Ayako and Shimizu Kanon had arrived early and were already waiting there.
Ayako held up her camera and snapped picture after picture, capturing the players from Shohoku and Sannoh who were warming up.
This match was of great significance—it could be called the most exciting showdown of the year.
During warm-ups, both teams maintained their calm, appearing unaffected on the surface.
But, unknown to anyone, a silent rivalry began to unfold.
Sakuragi Hanamichi made the first move. He grabbed a basketball and, like a predatory beast, rushed toward the basket, leaping high, and then slammed the ball down with tremendous force, sending it straight through the hoop.
After the dunk, he turned around and provocatively called out to Sannoh, "Don't worry, genius here is just saying hello."
Sannoh was quick to respond.
Kazunari threw the ball toward the hoop and said, "Sawakita, go say hello too!"
Hearing this, Sawakita Eiji's form immediately blurred and he moved like a ghost, chasing after the ball.
In the blink of an eye, he had reached the ball, securing it in his hand. He then shot like a missile, launching himself towards the basket and slamming it down with full force.
Boom…
Crash…
The loud noises echoed throughout the arena.
However, unexpectedly, another basketball flew in, not missing by an inch, and hit Sawakita's hand directly.
The ball bounced off forcefully, flying off the backboard.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden twist.
All eyes turned to Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was standing innocently in place.
It was him, who, at the crucial moment of Sawakita's dunk attempt, had thrown his own ball towards him.
This was no accident.
The Sannoh players now wore dark expressions.
Had it not been for the game, they might have already rushed over to tie Sakuragi Hanamichi up and give him a good beating.
Sawakita Eiji landed, gritting his teeth in pain, swinging his right hand forcefully, cursing inwardly, "Damn, that annoying guy."
Shohoku's bench players held their breath, not daring to make a sound.
But Akagi Takenori and the others secretly applauded in their hearts, thinking that Sakuragi Hanamichi's move was clever.
Time passed slowly, and soon, the much-anticipated Shohoku vs. Sannoh game was about to begin.
Both teams' starting players lined up at center court, preparing for the referee's signal.
Shohoku's starting lineup:
Center, Akagi Takenori, #4, 3rd Year (Team Captain)
Point Guard, Miyagi Ryota, #7, 2nd Year
Shooting Guard, Mitsui Hisashi, #14, 3rd Year
Small Forward, Rukawa Kaede, #11, 1st Year
Power Forward, Aoi Kunisaku, #9, 1st Year
Sannoh's starting lineup:
Center, Kawata Masashi, #7, 3rd Year
Point Guard, Kazunari Fukatsu, #4, 3rd Year (Team Captain)
Shooting Guard, Ichinokura Satoshi, #8, 3rd Year
Small Forward, Sawakita Eiji, #9, 2nd Year
Power Forward, Nobe Masahiro, #5, 3rd Year
Whoosh…
At that moment, the referee's whistle blew sharply through the air, and the basketball was tossed high into the air at center court.
The Shohoku High School VS Sannoh Kogyo game officially began.