Autumn sunlight streamed through the cool breeze, gently spilling over the land of Kanagawa.
Golden rays danced between the leaves, as if draping this land that had just written a new legend in a glow of honor.
After the end of the Autumn National Athletic Meet, the mission of the Kanagawa representative team officially came to a close.
The next morning, the team that had stirred a storm on the national stage quietly disbanded. The players returned to their respective schools and resumed their usual training and daily routines.
But the impact they left behind was far from over.
In that match, Aoi Kunisaku dominated the entire court by himself, completely suppressing Akita without giving them any chance to fight back.
In that match, Kanagawa's overall strength stunned everyone watching.
Not only Shohoku, but Ryonan High School was also brought into the national spotlight.
Kainan High School had long been a regular in national tournaments and was already well-known across the country. It wasn't surprising they stayed under the spotlight.
But if Kainan represented the "veteran powerhouses," then the most talked-about, most impossible-to-ignore school now was Shohoku High School.
Shohoku High School today was completely different from what it used to be.
Once obscure and overlooked, it had now transformed into one of the most attention-grabbing schools in the country.
And all of that change revolved around one person—Aoi Kunisaku.
From the Summer Inter-High Tournament to his overwhelming performance in the Autumn National Meet, Aoi Kunisaku's name had already echoed throughout the nation.
He wasn't just the pride of Kanagawa anymore. He had become a living legend in high school basketball across all of Japan.
Now, nearly every basketball player in high school—or anyone even slightly following high school basketball—had heard the name "Aoi Kunisaku."
That name had exploded like a bomb, shaking the entire basketball scene in Japan.
Not just high school. Even university basketball programs and the professional league teams in Japan had taken notice of this player who defied expectations.
The strength Aoi Kunisaku had shown was terrifying.
He didn't just prove his dominance again and again in matches. He made everyone realize something even more incredible—
He was still just a first-year high school student.
To have someone like that appear in the high school scene was like having a cheat code walking among mortals.
Every time he ran, drove, and scored on the court, that beyond-human speed and instinct made people feel like they were seeing a future superstar.
If he weren't still just in his first year, there would already be elite universities trying to recruit him.
On this day—
Shohoku High School's campus was buzzing with people as usual.
Students in Shohoku uniforms moved between the academic buildings and the field, laughter and energy filling the air with youthful spirit.
But unlike before, the students' conversations were no longer just about grades or club activities.
Their attention was now heavily focused on the school's basketball team.
From their surprise breakout in the Summer Inter-High to their utter dominance in the Autumn National Meet, Shohoku's basketball team was no longer a forgotten side group.
They had become a national focal point.
And because of this change, the school leadership finally changed their attitude toward the basketball club.
They realized at last that this team was not just a regular school team.
It was a team that could bring the school glory, fame, and endless potential.
Resources began pouring in. Training conditions improved rapidly. Even the cafeteria began offering special nutrition meals for the basketball team.
The coaching staff were given greater authority. Training became more scientific. The team got more and more chances to play in outside competitions.
Shohoku's basketball team was visibly growing stronger by the day.
At this point, Shohoku's basketball club had completely transformed. They were reborn.
Not only was the training system upgraded, but even the gym that carried so many dreams and sweat from past players was completely renovated with school funding.
The inside and outside of the gym had been completely repainted.
The walls were as white as snow.
The floor gleamed like a mirror.
Even the "Shohoku Basketball Club" sign at the entrance had been replaced with a brand-new metal plate that shimmered under the sunlight.
The old, worn-out, weathered look was gone.
What stood now was a fresh new beginning, full of energy and honor.
In this revitalized campus, the four members of Sakuragi's gang were walking side by side along the tree-lined path.
Their steps were relaxed. Their expressions, mixed.
As they walked, they listened to the chatter of people around them.
"Did you watch the Autumn National Meet? Aoi Kunisaku was insane!"
"Damn, how did he even score 50 points in 5 minutes? That's not human…"
"Shohoku's basketball team is on fire right now. I heard even college scouts have come by several times."
…
Almost every sentence circled back to basketball.
The four exchanged glances.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across their bodies.
Ohkusu Yuji slumped lazily against the rail by the path, his voice listless.
"So boring…"
His tone was filled with deep frustration.
Takamiyama Nozomi also looked unmotivated and sighed.
"Sakuragi spends less and less time with us now."
Noma Chuichirou nodded heavily, totally agreeing.
"Yeah, he's completely obsessed with basketball now. We barely even see him."
The three of them grumbled one after another.
It sounded like complaints, but also like they were missing the good old days of causing trouble together.
Standing nearby, Mito Yohei listened to them quietly.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
He looked at the three of them and spoke calmly, his tone carrying meaning.
"Isn't this a good thing? At least he's finally found something to aim for."
He paused, then swept his eyes over them.
"And you three? Isn't it time to start thinking about your own goals too?"
The moment the words fell, the air seemed to freeze.
Silence.
Total silence.
Three sets of eyes turned toward Mito Yohei at once.
Like he had hit a nerve.
The silence lasted a few seconds.
Then…
Ohkusu suddenly pointed at Mito Yohei, lips twitching.
"You're one to talk. Do you even have a goal?"
Takamiyama jumped in, sharp-eyed.
"Exactly. Why don't you go first?"
Noma nodded like crazy from the side, his face unusually serious.
The three of them stared hard at Mito Yohei.
It felt like an interrogation—or maybe like they were waiting for an answer.
Mito Yohei was stunned.
He froze on the spot, eyes drifting.
He opened his mouth, like he was about to say something, but in the end, said nothing.
Silence fell again.
The four of them stood at a corner of the campus.
No one said a word.
The autumn breeze rustled the trees.
They glanced at each other.
Back and forth.
In that moment, it was like they understood something.
Or maybe they didn't understand anything at all.
After a while, all four of them suddenly burst into laughter.
Like the heavy mood earlier had never even happened.
Just like always, they threw arms over each other's shoulders and walked on.
Mito Yohei spoke first, casually.
"Come on. Let's go see what Sakuragi's doing now."
Ohkusu immediately chimed in.
"Bet he's still practicing the basics!"
Takamiyama rolled his eyes.
"Tch. That guy's probably lost his mind by now."
Noma roared with laughter.
"Hahahaha… Then let's go roast him good. No way we're letting him off easy this time."
Their laughter echoed through the campus as their footsteps faded into the distance.
…
Nearby, boys and girls passing by all stopped in their tracks.
They looked totally confused as they stared at the four loud, arm-in-arm guys walking down the path.
They were wearing Shohoku High School uniforms, sure.
But not one of them looked like a serious student.
One was whistling.
One was laughing and smacking shoulders.
Another one walked along mimicking Sakuragi Hanamichi's shooting form, totally exaggerated.
Of course, this scene caught everyone's attention.
"What are they even doing?"
"Those four… are students at our school?"
"They're so weird…"
…