Match day.
Seiho was still scheduled for the finale of today's match day.
Many fans came today; the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium was packed.
They expressed that Seiho was indeed strong this year, but they hadn't seen how fierce the Lion King was in the last game, so they wanted to come see today.
At dusk.
Amidst the cheers of Seiho's loyal supporters, Yuuto draped the Seiho jacket over his shoulders and led the team onto the court.
That tsunami-like shouting made Seirin envious.
"When can we be cheered by fans like this when we come out?"
"Idiot, don't think about such superfluous things."
Junpei Hyuga told his teammates to focus on the game.
Want to gain fan recognition?
This takes time to accumulate. Seiho, Shutoku, Senshinkan, and Touou.
They all started in a state like Seirin, making a name for themselves with their own hands and feet.
Their basketball culture had already formed; Seirin was still too far away from them.
After entering the court, Yuuto walked toward the Seirin bench.
Junpei Hyuga saw the famous Lion King walking toward him and instantly perked up.
However.
Yuuto passed him and went behind him.
"In my memory, this is the second time we meet like this."
"Hi, Captain... No... Yuuto!"
"Nice look in your eyes. Seems you found a very good team."
"I am also very happy to come to Seirin and become a member here."
Kuroko smiled.
Although Seirin wasn't as famous as Teiko Middle School and Homi Academy.
But here, he truly enjoyed the fun basketball brought.
This was exactly what he pursued.
"That's good. You know my temper; I won't go easy even on old teammates."
"I wouldn't have it any other way!"
Kuroko suddenly held out a fist toward Yuuto.
In one year at Homi Academy, he hadn't bumped fists with Yuuto even once.
Yuuto had never become the "Light" shining on him; at Homi Academy, he connected more with Haizaki.
This time.
Still not getting a response, Yuuto reached out, rubbed his head, and turned back.
"Let's do our best together, everyone from Seirin."
Only after Yuuto left did the Seirin people come back to their senses.
"Just like Kuroko said, he seems like a pretty nice person."
"Yeah, not at all like Kaijo or Shinkyo; those guys didn't put us in their eyes at all."
"Feels great to be taken seriously for the first time!"
"Great my foot!"
Riko Aida slapped the team members on the head one by one.
"Did you guys not notice? That guy found Kuroko at first glance!"
At first, she didn't react either, just thinking the other party came to greet an old teammate.
But...
Kuroko's presence was at a level where even Kise couldn't find him.
Yuuto found him at a glance!
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed belatedly, inexplicably feeling a chill down their spines.
"Do you understand now?"
"Don't treat this guy as a player of Shinkyo's level, or even Kaijo's!"
Although Kagetora Aida didn't state it clearly, she could feel a bit.
Her old dad didn't think her team could win at all.
Now looking at the state of the Seiho players.
The whole team lacked the contempt Shinkyo had for them; everyone was very serious.
Truly bad news!
Not that she loved being abused or looked down upon.
But if the opponent underestimated the enemy, they would have more chances.
"Too different. The temperament of the team has undergone earth-shaking changes."
This Seiho was completely different from the one she knew last year.
Warm-up ended quickly.
Both sides returned to the bench for final preparations.
Yuuto habitually pulled the wristband from Sora up to his elbow.
"I'll briefly repeat the plan for the upcoming game."
"Seirin is a very fast team. Whether help defense or double-teaming, be fast, accurate, and ruthless. Return to defense immediately upon losing possession..."
The game plan had been repeated many times these days. Shio Yamashita just briefly recapped a segment, then focused his gaze on Yuuto.
"Yuuto, do you have anything to add?"
"No."
"Then say a few words."
Say a few words?
Yuuto paused, seeing everyone's eyes focused on him.
Then say a few words.
"I've been at Seiho for a while now. Not a long time, but enough for me to determine one thing: Seiho's championship window has officially opened!"
"This is not just because of me. I am strong! Heaven knows, you know, I know. But what one person can do is limited, unless he is God."
"Unfortunately, I am not God. Fortunately, I am not alone. I have you guys behind me. Add us together, and we are the God of the National Tournament for the thousands of participating teams!"
"Those Kyoto people (Rakuzan) have sat on the throne for too long. A year ago, I vowed to take down the damn Teiko, and I did it."
"Now I promise you again, we will definitely pull the damn Rakuzan off the throne!"
"But before that, we need to clear away the guys blocking our way."
"In the next 40 minutes, we will work together. We will use defense to swallow their will and souls, making them feel difficulty even breathing..."
A passionate speech made the Seiho players feel as if they really saw the scene of Seirin suffocating under their iron-blooded defense.
This made their fighting spirit for the upcoming game even higher.
Then, Yuuto had them gather in a circle, fists together, roaring.
"SEIHO!"
"VICTORY!"
Seirin over there had long been ready, waiting on the court.
They witnessed the entire process of Yuuto encouraging the team.
Boosting morale before the game—many teams did such things.
But most people talked about ideals, friendship, bonds—words fitting for this age.
Yuuto wasn't like that.
The sentence "Add us together and we are God" was shockingly powerful.
Even as opponents, they couldn't help but praise Yuuto.
This man understood a man's romance too damn well!
The referee entered with the ball; both sides greeted each other at the center circle.
The game was about to start.
Wearing white jerseys was Seirin.
Starting five from point guard to center: Izuki Shun, Hyuga Junpei, Kuroko Tetsuya, Kagami Taiga, Mitobe Rinnosuke.
As for the Iron Heart Teppei Kiyoshi, he was currently still in the rehabilitation stage.
Wearing black jerseys was Seiho High School.
Starting five from one to five: Kasuga Ryuhei, Tsugawa Tomoki, Yuuto, Omuro Yoshikazu, Iwamura Tsutomu.
In terms of average height, Seiho led a bit in every position, but mobility was similar.
Riko Aida saw this clearly with her own eyes.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"