While Ryonan crushed Miuradai, the game between Kainan and Sarashina had also concluded.
As expected, Sarashina was no match for Kainan. The final whistle blew: 93–41. A decisive 52-point victory.
Even more remarkable—Shinichi Maki, Kainan's core player, hadn't played a single minute.
That afternoon, Ryonan didn't return immediately. Instead, they stayed to watch the next game—the winner of which would be their next opponent.
Takenozono versus Tsukubu.
In Ryonan's eyes, Tsukubu demanded attention. Like Ryonan, they were one of the top four teams in Kanagawa Prefecture. Takenozono, while skilled, was at most an Elite Eight team. The possibility of their winning seemed slim.
Before the game began, Akashi led Ryonan into the gym. Spectators recognized them immediately; the place erupted in whispers.
"Look, it's Ryonan!"
"The winner of this game will face them next."
"The red-haired captain—his passing this morning was incredible."
Akashi, as always, seemed indifferent to the chatter. Calm and composed, a faint smile played on his lips as he led the team to an empty spot and sat down.
"Who do you think will win this one?" Aida Hikoichi asked, camera ready.
"Definitely Tsukubu," Koshino Hiroaki replied without hesitation.
Ryoji Ikegami nodded. "They're one of the top four. Takenozono has skill, but nothing outstanding. Though their center is strong, one player can't carry a team. Tsukubu will win."
The players for both teams entered the court. Akashi's heterochromatic eyes swept over them with the precision of a predator, analyzing condition, posture, and movement in mere moments.
Sendo leaned closer. "Akashi… who will be our next opponent?"
The Ryonan team instantly fell silent. When Akashi spoke, it was never guesswork. His judgment was precise—always had been.
Without turning his head, Akashi said calmly, "Tsukubu. Takenozono cannot beat them."
"You're that sure?" Sendo blinked, skeptical.
Akashi's gaze lingered on Takenozono's center and captain, jersey number 9—Oda Tatsumasa. Every detail of his posture, every subtle movement of his right ankle, was recorded in Akashi's mind. A subconscious protective stance betrayed an old injury.
That ankle would be the deciding factor. Though Takenozono could match Tsukubu in strength, Oda's injury sealed their fate.
The game began. Early on, it was tight. Both teams exchanged points, the score climbing alternately. But gradually, Tsukubu gained control, suppressing Takenozono. Oda Tatsumasa, forcing drives despite his ankle, worsened the injury, eventually collapsing under the strain.
The final whistle confirmed Akashi's prediction: Tsukubu 96–78 Takenozono.
Akashi rose slowly. "Let's go." Ryonan followed, their admiration for his predictive ability growing even further.
He had said Tsukubu would win—and they did. He had noticed Oda's injury—and it manifested exactly as he predicted. To the Ryonan team, Akashi seemed less like a human than a hidden deity walking among mortals.
Elsewhere, Group A matches had concluded, with Daikita defeating Kusaka. With today's games done, news of Ryonan's 101-point demolition of Miuradai reverberated through Kanagawa high school basketball. The impact was devastating.
Teams of similar strength to Miuradai were now tense, wary, and unsettled. Kainan and Shoyo had already set the bar high, but Ryonan's sudden rise and unstoppable momentum left everyone questioning what had changed this year.
Back at Ryonan High School, training proceeded methodically.
"There's a Shoyo game today—aren't we watching?" Tomoyuki Uekusa asked during stretches.
Ryoji Ikegami glanced at Akashi, practicing calmly, then shrugged. "Captain doesn't plan to go. If you want, go by yourself."
Uekusa hesitated. "Alone… wouldn't that seem odd?"
Koshino reassured him, "Hikoichi already left. You can still catch up if you go."
"Never mind, I'll stay," Uekusa sighed.
Sendo, observing Akashi, asked thoughtfully, "Today should be Group B and D matches. Your thoughts?"
Akashi paused, then replied without hesitation:
"Shoyo will defeat Kasuga Daiichi. In Kakuno vs. Odagiri, Kakuno has the advantage. In Group D, only Takezato and Shohoku will ultimately win."
Shohoku? The Ryonan team exchanged confused glances. Shohoku had been weak in previous encounters—they couldn't understand why Akashi predicted their victory.
He continued, calmly:
"Ultimately, Group A will be won by Kainan, Group B by Shoyo, Group C is still undecided, and Group D by Shohoku."
Boom. Once again, the Ryonan team felt their hearts tremble.
Sendo couldn't contain his question: "Kainan and Shoyo make sense—but Shohoku?"
"Exactly," Ikegami added. "Takezato should be far stronger than Shohoku."
"Facts will prove everything," Akashi said, calm as ever. "Shohoku is not as weak as you think. You will see, once the results are out."
He didn't need to explain further. When the games concluded, his predictions would speak for themselves.