That Afternoon
Ryonan High School, Basketball Gym.
The Ryonan players were in the middle of their regular training session.
Bang! — the gym's main door suddenly burst open from the outside.
Aida Hikoichi rushed in, breathing heavily.
Seeing it was him, the Ryonan team immediately stopped what they were doing and gathered around.
"Hikoichi, you're back!"
"So? What happened? How did the games go?"
"Come on, tell us—who won?!"
Excited voices rose one after another. Everyone's eyes were locked on Hikoichi, eager for his report.
Surrounded by the team, Hikoichi took a deep breath and began sharing the results of his scouting.
Group B Results
In the match between Shoyo and Kasuga Daiichi, Shoyo won without any suspense.
This time, however, Shoyo abandoned their usual calm playstyle and went all-in on offense, overwhelming Kasuga Daiichi completely.
The final score was 164 to 57.
Shoyo became the second team—after Ryonan—to win by over a hundred points.
In the match between Kakuno and Odagiri, Kakuno took the victory.
It was a fairly even game, nothing particularly exciting or worth going into detail about.
Group D Results
In Takezato vs. Jinmoji, Takezato claimed an easy victory.
No one was surprised. As one of the top four teams in the prefecture, Takezato beating the lesser-known Jinmoji was expected.
But then came the real shock—Nanbara vs. Shohoku.
In the end, Shohoku won.
That result caught everyone off guard.
It wasn't that Shohoku was considered too weak to beat Nanbara.
Most people simply believed the two teams were roughly on par. Even if Shohoku had lost, it would've been understandable.
But the performance Shohoku showed in that game shattered everyone's expectations.
Shohoku's Strength Revealed
Shohoku's center, Takenori Akagi, is one of the top centers in Kanagawa, ranked among the top three in the prefecture.
He dominates the paint like an iron tower, serving as both the team's defensive wall and a key offensive anchor.
Power forward Sakuragi Hanamichi, though still inexperienced, possesses exceptional physical ability—explosive power, incredible jumping, and stamina far beyond average.
Despite his rough edges, his unpredictable bursts of energy often lead to astonishing plays, especially in rebounding.
Small forward Rukawa Kaede is a well-known rookie, easily one of the most promising freshmen in Kanagawa. (Though of course, not counting Ake.)
He's technically skilled, versatile, and dangerous from anywhere on the court. His style is calm, efficient, and remarkably mature for his age.
Shooting guard Mitsui Hisashi was once a junior high MVP.
Even after a two-year hiatus, his skills remain sharp.
Though his stamina isn't what it used to be, his deadly three-point shooting ranks among the best in the prefecture.
When Shohoku needs a game-changer, his long-range shots can shift the entire momentum.
Point guard Miyagi Ryota may be short, but his ball-handling is precise and lightning-fast—earning him the nickname "Lightning Flash."
He's quick, confident, and can slice through defenses in an instant to create scoring opportunities.
Shohoku's Rise
On the court, Shohoku's five players worked in perfect sync—sometimes fluidly moving the ball around, other times launching sharp, decisive attacks.
The rivalry between Sakuragi and Rukawa, their constant competition and bickering, somehow produced unexpected chemistry that made the team even stronger.
Against Nanbara, Shohoku displayed the presence of a true powerhouse.
Their offense was solid and efficient.
Sakuragi's chaotic rebounding duels and Rukawa's sudden explosive drives repeatedly broke down Nanbara's defense, leaving them helpless.
When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read.
Nanbara 42 – 122 Shohoku.
Although the gap wasn't over a hundred, an 80-point difference was still unprecedented in Kanagawa's high school basketball history.
With that game, Shohoku instantly became the talk of the prefecture.
From a team that no one had paid attention to, they suddenly rose to the center of everyone's focus.
Listening to Hikoichi's report, the Ryonan players stood frozen.
No one spoke for a long moment.
Then, as they remembered Ake's earlier prediction, their respect for him deepened once again.
Captain Ake's foresight was too accurate.
While the final rankings for each group hadn't been officially announced yet, everything he had said so far had proven true—down to the smallest detail.
It felt almost miraculous.
Even the core players were amazed, let alone the substitutes.
Their gazes naturally turned toward Ake, who was still quietly training in the corner.
And a single thought emerged in everyone's mind:
"As long as Ake is here, Ryonan will definitely reach Nationals… maybe even go beyond what anyone expects."
Uozumi watched Ake from a distance, a rare smile softening his face.
"Making him captain was probably the best decision I've ever made," he said quietly.
Koshino nodded firmly. "This year… we might really break out of Kanagawa."
Ikegami's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Do you think… we actually have a shot at the championship?"
"Definitely." Uekusa's voice was steady, his conviction unshakable. "With Captain Ake, we can do it."
Sendoh didn't say anything—he just smiled faintly, memories flashing through his mind.
He could still see those days back in junior high, when he and Ake fought side by side, winning back-to-back championships.
The same unspoken trust, the same sharp edge—it was all still there.
The Next Day
A new day dawned quietly.
For every team in the tournament, today's games carried special weight—this was the day that would decide the Top 8.
Half the teams would be eliminated by the end of the day.
For those who had already suffered one loss, the atmosphere was tense.
One more defeat meant the end of their journey.
For the teams that were still undefeated, morale was high—they were fired up and ready to push for a spot among the elite eight.
Tournament Schedule
Matches were being held simultaneously in two venues.
Unlike before, each would host four games—two in the morning, two in the afternoon.
Morning
Venue 1 (Group A)
Game 1: Kainan vs. Daihoku
Game 2: Sarashina vs. Kusaka
Venue 2 (Group C)
Game 1: Ryonan vs. Tsukubu
Game 2: Miuradai vs. Takenozono
Afternoon
Venue 1 (Group B)
Game 1: Shoyo vs. Kakuno
Game 2: Kasuga Daiichi vs. Odagiri
Venue 2 (Group D)
Game 1: Takezato vs. Shohoku
Game 2: Mojibon vs. Nanbara
Since the Round of 16 used a round-robin format, the rules were simple:
Teams that won two straight games advanced to the top eight.
Teams that lost two in a row were eliminated.
Those with one win and one loss would play an extra match to decide their fate.
Because of that, the stadium area was much busier than usual today.
Spectators packed the entrances, and reporters crowded every corner, their cameras and notebooks ready.
The Journalists Arrive
Sports reporters and basketball journalists had gathered in full force.
Among them were Aida Yayoi and her assistant, Nakamura Taizo.
Their focus today was crystal clear: Ryonan vs. Tsukubu.
In fact, most reporters were here for that same reason.
While Tsukubu might not be as famous as Ryonan, they were still one of Kanagawa's "Elite Eight," and last year, they'd almost made it to the semifinals if not for their early matchup with Shoyo.
This game wasn't just another elimination match—it was a clash at a top-four level.
The venue was already packed before tip-off.
Spectators filled every seat, and the press area bristled with camera tripods all aimed at center court.
Aida Yayoi scanned the crowd and couldn't help but murmur, "Wow… it looks like everyone's attention really is on this Ryonan–Tsukubu match."
She raised her camera, snapping photos of the stands.
"Even players from other schools came to watch!" she said in surprise. "I see Takezato's team… Shohoku's too… and even Shoyo!"
Then her camera lens froze on a familiar face.
"Wait—is that… Kainan's Maki?"
Sure enough, Maki Shinichi sat calmly in the back row, quietly watching the court.
His presence radiated composure and strength.
Even Kainan's captain had come to watch—proof of just how important this match was.
In the Stands
Maki's arrival didn't go unnoticed.
His calm yet commanding presence drew countless glances—even from Shoyo's
Fujima Kenji and Hanagata Toru.
"I didn't expect Maki to come too," Fujima murmured.
Hanagata adjusted his glasses, analyzing coolly. "He must be confident Kainan will win their match—that's why he has time to spectate."
Then he snorted lightly, a faint trace of disdain in his tone. "How arrogant."
Fujima smiled faintly, eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.
"That's not arrogance… it's confidence. And honestly, with Kainan's strength, he's earned it."
Ryonan Locker Room
Inside, Aida Hikoichi held a notebook and systematically went over Tsukubu's player data.
"Godai Tomokazu—captain, number 4, shooting guard, 180 cm, 78 kg. Known for his deadly accurate three-point shot."
"Izumi Takashi—small forward, number 5, 172 cm, 75 kg."
"Mine Kenta—power forward, number 8, 174 cm, 68 kg."
"Natsume Hiroshi—point guard, number 7, 160 cm, 55 kg."
"And finally, Nango Koichiro—first-year, center, number 15, 192 cm, 83 kg. Great physique, strong inside presence, and surprisingly good ball-handling."
When he finished, the room fell silent again.
All eyes turned to Ake, waiting for his words.
But as usual, Ake didn't say much.
He simply swept his gaze across the room, meeting each teammate's eyes briefly before speaking in his calm, steady voice:
"Let's go. Let's win this."
"Yeah!" the team replied in unison.
Tsukubu Locker Room
Meanwhile, in Tsukubu's locker room, the atmosphere was heavy.
Coach Kawasaki Kazumi stood before his players, his tone serious.
"There are three players from Ryonan we must pay special attention to."
"First, Uozumi Jun, their center—202 cm, 90 kg. A top-tier big man with excellent dominance inside."
"Next, Sendoh Akira—you all know him already, so I won't go into detail. Just remember, he's even stronger this year."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"Lastly, Ake Ryu—Ryonan's new captain, a first-year who replaced Uozumi this season."
At that name, everyone's expressions grew tense.
"There isn't much data on him," Kawasaki went on, "but in the match against Miuradai, he showed terrifying court awareness. His passing was near flawless. Don't underestimate him."
He spent the next few minutes going over Ryonan's likely strategies, reminding his players to stay sharp on transitions.
Finally, he straightened up and declared loudly:
"Alright—this is it. Win or lose, it all comes down to this!"
"Let's win" the Tsukubu players roared in unison.