Akashi's expression remained calm as he watched the results of the morning game. Shohoku had lost to Kainan by a narrow margin—just as in the original timeline. No surprise, no deviation, no drama.
A faint glint of contemplation appeared in his eyes.
Logically, Shohoku should have been stronger today. Their teamwork, mentality, and experience had all been tempered by the battle against Ryonan. Yet, their full potential never surfaced.
His gaze swept across Kainan's players, finally resting on Shinichi Maki. Maki's constant vigilance, his tight coordination with Kiyota Nobunaga and Jin Soichiro, and his unwavering intensity had prevented Shohoku from unleashing their true strength.
The answer crystallized. Shohoku's resilience had been offset by Kainan's full effort. The outcome was the same as the original trajectory. Akashi's mind quickly adjusted, calculating: if Shohoku could force Kainan into such careful play, then Ryonan—the team that had defeated Shohoku—would become an even greater challenge.
He rose from his seat, calm and composed. "Let's go."
Ryonan's team followed suit, leaving their seats and heading toward the exit.
Across the room, Shoyo's players noticed. Hanagata Toru pushed up his glasses and quietly said to Fujima Kenji, "Ryonan has left. Let's go as well."
Fujima nodded, scanning the emptying corridor. "Time to prepare for the afternoon game."
The thought of facing Ryonan stirred a mixture of awe and tension in Fujima's chest. Shohoku had pushed Kainan to the edge this morning; Ryonan—calm, calculating, and seemingly untouchable—promised an even fiercer test. His eyes hardened with resolve. We must win.
Back in the locker room, Akashi began preparing Ryonan for their match against Shoyo.
"For today," he said, "Fukuda, you'll start."
Fukuda Kiccho's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded. "Yes, Captain!"
"To Ikegami and Uekusa," Akashi continued, "you can rest. Your height puts you at a disadvantage against Shoyo's 180cm average. Sit this one out."
The remaining players—Akashi, Sendo, and Uozumi—were automatically included in the rotation.
Then came the tactical briefing. Unlike the extensive plans against Shohoku, this one was concise.
"Shoyo is a very balanced team. Average height, average strength, average tactics. Ordinary. Easy to target."
Akashi's gaze fell on Fujima. "I'll guard him. He's the core. Without him, Shoyo loses its offensive rhythm."
Turning to Uozumi, he said, "Hanagata is yours."
Uozumi nodded, accepting the responsibility.
Sendo and Koshino were next. "Sendo, scoring is yours. With Fujima and Hanagata contained, it should be simple."
Sendo raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Simple, huh?"
Akashi's eyes bore into him. "If you don't perform, substitutions will follow. Consider yourself warned."
Sendo's grin faded into a resigned smile. "Understood."
"Koshino," Akashi continued, "Shoyo's number 6 is solid on the perimeter but unremarkable elsewhere. Contain him. Prevent assists. That's your task."
Koshino nodded firmly, understanding the clear objective.
Finally, Akashi concluded: "That's it."
Sendo blinked. "That's… it?"
Yes. Shoyo, unlike Shohoku, was straightforward. Only Fujima and Hanagata were noteworthy. The rest were competent but ordinary. Shohoku had multiple standout players—Akagi's strength, Mitsui's threes, Rukawa's versatility, Sakuragi's jumps, Miyagi's speed. Shoyo lacked such depth.
Akashi's calm smile was all it took to convey absolute confidence. "Compared to Shohoku, Shoyo is easier to deal with."
The locker room fell silent. Even seasoned players exchanged glances, incredulous at the simplicity of their captain's plan.
Shoyo, meanwhile, had regained focus. Fujima Kenji, steady and determined, addressed his team: "Time's up. Let's go. We defeat Ryonan."
The team responded in unison, their voices carrying conviction.
In the arena, spectators buzzed with speculation. Could Ryonan win? Shoyo? Opinions were divided.
Shohoku's Kogure Kiminobu asked Akagi quietly, "Who do you think will win?"
Akagi's frown deepened slightly. "I don't know."
Mitsui Hisashi, after a moment's reflection, shook his head. "I'm not sure. Could go either way."
Kainan's Shinichi Maki, however, stayed silent, deep in thought. His mental simulation suggested a familiar pattern: Shoyo would lose to Ryonan, and Ryonan would claim victory.
Then, the heavy metallic clang of the player tunnels echoed through the arena.
Clang… Clang…
Two massive doors slowly opened, their friction reverberating like a prelude. Thumps followed—footsteps announcing the arrival of the teams. The chatter of spectators vanished instantly, replaced by a tense silence.
The afternoon game between Ryonan and Shoyo was about to begin.