The entire Shohoku team sat aboard the rapidly moving Shinkansen train. Not long after they settled in, Sakuragi Hanamichi—who had nearly been late—suddenly stood up again. Looking around, he asked loudly,
"Gorilla, why isn't Nango here?"
Excited for the upcoming National Tournament, Akagi was in too good a mood to argue about the nickname.
"Coach Anzai already spoke with him," Akagi replied. "Nango also left today, but he'll be arriving a bit later and will meet us directly at the hotel."
Sakuragi nodded suspiciously. "I wonder if that guy really trained seriously."
The simple-minded Sakuragi didn't quite understand the significance of Nittaidai. To him, Nango's one-month disappearance probably meant he had been off playing around—while Sakuragi himself had been training diligently, practically sleeping with a basketball for over a month.
Mitsui chuckled. "Idiot. Nango's training is way more serious than yours. You worrying about him is the funniest thing I've heard all day."
"Hahahaha!"
Mitsui's jab made everyone laugh. Humiliated, Sakuragi puffed up. "Mitsui! You—!"
Meanwhile, Miyagi leaned back in his seat, thoughtful. "I just wonder how strong he's gotten now… That's Nittaidai we're talking about."
Yes—training with a group of college players… just how much stronger had Nango become?
Rukawa rested his chin on his hand, staring blankly out the window. The scenery raced by in a blur, but his mind was elsewhere.
Nango stood beside Coach Kawasaki, who was smiling with satisfaction. His travel bag sat by his feet.
"Nango is leaving today to participate in the National Tournament," Coach Kawasaki announced. "Let's wish him and the Shohoku team the best of luck! If anyone wants to say a few words, now's your chance."
The group of college players exchanged glances, awkwardly silent. Eventually, Hyuga Yuichi stepped forward, grinning.
"You'd better beat Sannoh! Otherwise, don't go around saying you're my disciple, Hyuga Yuichi!"
His antics made everyone laugh, breaking the tension.
"Heh, I'll do my best," Nango replied with a smile.
Not long after he arrived, Hyuga Yuichi had shamelessly declared himself Nango's "master," but he had taught Nango diligently over the past month.
Endo stepped forward next, bumping fists with Nango. "Let's play together again when you have time. Nittaidai always welcomes you."
One by one, the others offered words of encouragement.
After a month together, the Nittaidai members had grown genuinely fond of this high schooler. Nango was talented, hardworking, humble, and easy to get along with—what wasn't to like? And since he wouldn't join Nittaidai for another three years, he wasn't a rival yet.
Nango bowed deeply. "Thank you, seniors, for your guidance this past month! I'll never forget it!"
After saying his goodbyes, he turned and left.
Coach Kawasaki watched him go, absentmindedly stroking his beard. He was more than satisfied with the results of this trial period.
In his mind, Nango was already half a Nittaidai player.
Even better, Nango's presence had acted like a catfish—stirring the waters and pushing everyone to train harder. No one wanted to be outdone by a high schooler, and as a result, the team's training intensity had skyrocketed.
Endo sighed. "Now that he's gone, it's going to feel kinda boring."
"Hey," Hyuga Yuichi said suddenly, "doesn't this count as us giving Sannoh a big favor?"
"Hmph," Endo smirked. "All the better. They've won three straight championships—it's about time someone knocked them off their throne."
Endo still held a grudge. After all, the first time Sannoh won the national title, it had been his team they defeated. Many of Nittaidai's players shared that bitterness; they always went all-out whenever they faced a team with former Sannoh players, taking it as a chance to settle old scores.
"Tch," Hyuga snorted. "If my teammates back then hadn't been so useless, there's no way Sannoh would've won."
"Heh," Endo rolled his eyes. A man whose team had been eliminated in the first round two years in a row had no right to say that.
Bored on the train, Akagi flipped through the latest Basketball Weekly he'd bought that morning. His eyes soon fell on the tournament bracket.
"Phew…" He exhaled in relief.
Across from him, Mitsui raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? You look oddly happy."
Akagi spread the magazine open on the table. "We're in a good division. We won't have to face Sannoh Industrial unless we make it to the finals."
Mitsui leaned forward to look. "Oh, nice. That gives us a solid shot at a good ranking."
He was satisfied with the bracket. If things went smoothly, Shohoku would get to play more games—more chances to show off his skills and maybe catch the eye of a university scout.
"Hmph! Have you forgotten our goal? Dominating the nation is the only ranking that matters!"
For a brief moment, Akagi himself had been content with just making the top eight—especially since Fukazawa Sports University had promised him a recommendation if Shohoku reached that stage. But he quickly corrected himself, steeling his resolve once more.
Mitsui sighed. Akagi's obsession with "dominating the nation" was like a cult mantra.
Sensing the tension, Kogure quickly stepped in to defuse it. "Akagi, our goal of dominating the nation won't change, but we should take it step by step, right? Look—who are our early opponents?"
Akagi nodded and checked the magazine. "We've got a bye in the first round. In the second, we'll face the winner between Toyotama High and Magunishi. We should go watch their game to scout our next opponent."
Kogure smiled. "Exactly—know yourself and your enemy, and you'll win every battle. Let's start by studying Toyotama and Magunishi!"
"Ugh—"
Kogure suddenly choked mid-sentence as someone grabbed him by the neck from behind. His face turned red as he gasped for air.
Mitsui immediately stood up. "Hey! Who the hell are you? Let go of him!"
Miyagi rose as well, his expression dark.
The man, expressionless and cold, released Kogure and said,
"I didn't expect to run into you here. You're from Shohoku, right?"
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