Clatter...
The small door on the rooftop creaked open. A group of rough-looking boys filed in, surrounding the others in an instant. Their eyes burned with hostility as tension spread like wildfire.
"Nani Nani? W-what's going on…?" Haruko's voice trembled. It was her first time witnessing such a confrontation, and fear was written all over her face.
Standing closest to her, Oliver instinctively moved in front of her, shielding her from danger. He kept a wary eye on the incoming group.
This isn't right, Oliver thought.
In his memory, this event wasn't part of the original Slam Dunk storyline. Why had the plot changed so drastically?
Ding!
The system's familiar chime rang in his mind.
> "Due to the host's entry into the Slam Dunk world, the butterfly effect has been triggered. Events may now deviate significantly based on the host's actions."
So it really was because of me...
Oliver narrowed his eyes and did a quick headcount of the gang.
One... two... fifteen in total?
He mentally calculated his odds. With his current stats, his Bull Charge skill—known for making him "unstoppable"—would only last about five seconds. But he'd already used up one of those seconds to intercept Sakuragi and Rukawa earlier.
And to make matters worse, his left arm was still injured.
Even if he used the remaining four seconds to knock out one enemy per second, that still left at least ten standing. And of course, they wouldn't just wait their turn politely.
"This is going to be rough..." Oliver muttered, smacking his lips.
The leader of the gang stepped forward, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "Which one of you punks took out Norio and the others?"
"Norio?" someone muttered.
"That guy over there," the leader said, pointing with his chin toward the unconscious brute lying nearby.
"Ah, that was me," Rukawa said flatly, blood still dripping down his face. He staggered slightly but stood tall.
"You, huh?" The gang leader smirked. "Tell me your name, kid."
"Kaede Rukawa, first-year," Rukawa replied coldly. "He disturbed my sleep. He had it coming."
The gang leader picked up a mop and stalked toward him.
Rukawa clenched his fists and prepared to fight.
"Rukawa-kun!" Haruko cried out, her voice shaking. She couldn't hold back her tears as she watched blood continue to flow down his face.
"Hold it."
Oliver stepped in and grabbed Rukawa by the shoulder.
"You've done enough. You're in no condition to keep going."
"Leave me alone," Rukawa growled, shrugging off Oliver's hand. "He asked for me. It's none of your business."
"You're seriously stubborn..." Oliver sighed.
Without warning, he bent his knees and struck the inside of Rukawa's legs, causing him to collapse forward. He caught Rukawa in one smooth motion and passed him to Haruko.
"I'm leaving him to you, Haruko-kun. He's pushing himself past his limit."
"Okay!" Haruko nodded quickly. "Rukawa-san, let me wipe off the blood—"
"Don't nag," Rukawa snapped, brushing her hand aside. He tried to stand again, but Haruko immediately stepped in front of him with her arms outstretched.
"Don't go! You're already hurt so badly!!"
"Move."
"No!!" Haruko's voice cracked as she stood her ground, arms wide, blocking his way.
"I'm not letting you go!"
"Pffft! Hahahaha!!" The gang members burst into laughter.
"What is this, a soap opera? You knock out our guys and now hide behind some weak girl? Man, I thought you were tough. What a joke!"
"A weak girl…?" Sakuragi's expression twisted in rage.
"How dare you call Haruko-san a weak girl!! I'll—"
BAM!!
Before Sakuragi could reach them, the gang leader crumpled to the ground with a sickening thud, clutching his stomach and twitching in pain.
"Oliver!!" Everyone stared in shock.
"You called her a weak girl?" Oliver glared down at the gang leader. "Big mistake. Watch your mouth."
He flexed his hand, shaking it out as he stood tall over the fallen thug.
If these punks thought they could walk all over Shohoku, it was time to teach them a lasting lesson.
"Damn, Oliver's seriously tough!" Mito grinned as he and the rest of Sakuragi's gang stepped forward.
"I think we'll get along just fine," he added.
Sakuragi grinned wildly, cracking his knuckles. "Let's go!!"
The thugs snarled and charged.
"You first-years have no idea who you're messing with! Time for a lesson from your seniors!!"
Shohoku's rooftop exploded into chaos.
Ohkusu, Takamiya, and Noma each picked out opponents and dove into the brawl. Mito weaved between attacks from three different guys, landing swift counters in the gaps.
The most ridiculous scene? Sakuragi.
Despite being surrounded by five enemies, he managed to kick one clean off the rooftop—figuratively speaking. The others didn't fare much better, all collapsing after being struck by Sakuragi's signature headbutts.
Meanwhile, Oliver faced off against three gang members, all furious after seeing their boss taken out.
"Think you're some kind of hero, punk?!" Bad Guy No. 1 lunged with a right hook.
"Sonic Dash, activate," Oliver muttered.
His body blurred as he ducked under the punch and smashed a fist into the thug's gut.
"Bull Charge, activate."
WHAM!!
The punch landed with a solid thud, dropping the guy instantly.
Three seconds left.
"Bastard!!" Bad Guy No. 2 swung. Oliver slipped backward, then twisted his hips and fired a hook punch right into his opponent's chin.
Two seconds left.
"RAAHHH!!!" The last thug charged in a blind fury.
But Oliver didn't dodge.
He dashed forward, boosted by Sonic Dash and Bull Charge, and drove his knee hard into the thug's chest.
Bull Charge: Time expired.
Oliver: 3 vs. 1 – Victory.
The dust settled.
Everyone around stared at Oliver, wide-eyed.
"Incredible... I didn't know this guy was such a monster," one of Sakuragi's gang whispered.
Sakuragi's boys—street-fight veterans—had handled themselves easily, leaving all fifteen opponents on the floor.
Mito narrowed his eyes, studying Oliver.
That guy wasn't just strong. He was smart, precise… dangerous.
Once the rooftop cleared, Sakuragi rushed to Haruko.
"Haruko-san! Are you okay?!"
Haruko nodded shakily, brushing her hair behind her ears. "Y-yeah, I'm fine... Thank you, Sakuragi-kun."
The intense fight had clearly shaken her. She wasn't used to this kind of violence.
"Tch."
Kaede Rukawa turned with a scowl and headed down the stairs.
"Rukawa-san!" Haruko called, taking a step.
"Don't follow me. You're annoying," Rukawa muttered without looking back.
Haruko froze, her hand still raised toward him.
Down in the stairwell, Rukawa leaned heavily against the wall, breathing hard.
"Damn… it really hurts…"
Blood trickled down his temple. He winced as he touched the wound.
"I should probably go to the hospital…"
He glanced back toward the rooftop, his expression unreadable.
"Sakuragi Hanamichi…" he muttered softly.
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