Chapter Fifty-Four: The Champion's Throne
After the opening ceremony concluded, the morning match between both teams immediately followed.
Ryonan and Kainan remained on court for warmups while Shohoku and Kaijo also didn't leave—both teams' logistics staff had already secured the spectator section's best positions.
Clearly, in their view, watching this game was more important than a short morning's practice.
"ROAR—!"
Uozumi caught the ball under the basket, leaping for a two-handed dunk. A power-filled roar echoed through the venue.
The basket frame trembled slightly. Ryonan's morale ignited instantly.
"Senpai, Ryonan's Uozumi is truly a terrifying player," Nakamura couldn't help shrinking his neck, saying quietly. "When I walked past him earlier, his intensity felt nothing like a high school student."
"After all, he's Kanagawa's tallest center. Speaking purely of strength, he might also be number one." Aida Yayoi said.
"So even champion Kainan struggles handling Ryonan's interior, right?" Nakamura asked curiously.
"Correct. After all, Kainan isn't a tall team. Theoretically, without height advantages, Kainan faces tremendous interior pressure."
Aida paused, adding: "In fact, pre-tournament predictions had many believing Shoyo, possessing an elite interior combination, was this year's team most likely to defeat Kainan."
"Looking at it this way, this game shouldn't be easy for Kainan either."
"However," Nakamura looked toward the court, "during warmups, Kainan's players show absolutely no tension..."
Unlike Ryonan's power-filled warmups, Kainan's half-court presented a different scene.
After completing two sets of basic passing layups, Kainan members distributed throughout various mid-range spots for jump shots. The basketballs traced different arcs yet consecutively swished through cleanly.
Next, Jin Soichiro started shooting three-pointers from the corner.
"One, two, three... nine, ten!" Kainan's cheering section counted one by one.
"WOOO!"
From left corner to 45-degree angle to the arc, finally to right corner—Jin shot two balls from each position. His rhythm was relaxed yet flawless.
All made!
"Truly worthy of Jin-senpai!" Kiyota shouted excitedly.
"Looks like today's touch is pretty good." Jin smiled gently.
"That's Kanagawa's scoring king, Jin Soichiro." Nakamura's mouth opened slightly. "Though appearing effortless, one feels an inexplicably intimidating edge."
"Is this the so-called champion's bearing?" Kise leaned on the second-level stands' railing. "Seems pretty strong."
"You sound somewhat dismissive?" Kasamatsu kicked his butt.
"Not really," Kise's eyes carried a nostalgic feeling. "Just that the person I know—three-pointers are his greatest strength."
"Another 'Generation of Miracles' member?"
"Correct, but no need to rush. We'll meet at regional selection anyway." Kise wore a slightly frivolous smile. "For now, the only person I want to defeat is—Yagami Sorato."
"Take it seriously. Though Shohoku lacks reputation, Akagi Takenori and Rukawa Kaede possess genuine ability." Kasamatsu said. "If you want to meet Ryonan in the finals, don't be careless against other teams."
"Of course!" Kise said confidently.
"Three minutes remaining for warmups!"
Hearing the sideline call, Kiyota's eyes flashed with brilliance. He'd been waiting for this moment.
"Good! Time to draw all attention here!"
Kiyota moved to the 45-degree three-point position, suddenly slamming the basketball hard against the floor before him.
"BANG!"
The basketball's floor impact produced a massive sound, indeed drawing curious gazes from the stands.
"It's that arrogant Kainan first-year!"
"What's he trying?"
"Tch, stinky monkey—really loves showing off." Sakuragi folded his arms, disdainfully curling his lip.
Under everyone's gaze, Kiyota suddenly launched from beyond the three-point line, charging into the paint like a cheetah, rising skyward one step inside the free throw line.
At this moment, the basketball he'd slammed reached its highest bounce. Kiyota timed it perfectly, extending his body mid-air, steadily catching the bouncing ball single-handed and smoothly pressing it down!
"BOOM!"
A performance-filled one-handed tomahawk dunk violently hammered the ball through the rim!
"!!!"
The entire venue erupted in shocked exclamations.
"That first-year has something!"
"He's Kainan's recruit? Amazing moves!"
The stands buzzed with discussion. Kiyota successfully drew full attention with this flashy dunk.
"Sorato, want to try one?" Sendoh watched this scene, proposing with interest.
"No, not interesting." Yagami didn't raise his head, continuing his stretches.
"Sendoh, I'll do it." Fukuda beside him showed burning fighting spirit.
"Sure."
Sendoh smiled slightly, casually tossing the ball toward the backboard.
"BANG!"
The basketball hit precisely on the backboard's white square and bounced back.
"Ooh, Ryonan's responding too?"
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Fukuda leaped with full strength. After catching the rebounding basketball mid-air, both hands pulled the ball behind his head, executing a power-filled windmill motion—
"BOOM!!"
Accompanied by a massive sound, he violently slammed the basketball through the rim.
"AHHH!!"
"Also made it! Such violent dunking!"
The spectator seats again erupted with enthusiastic cheers.
Fukuda closed his eyes, savoring this moment.
"Fukiyoshi..." Jin looked at that familiar yet strange figure on court, his expression complex.
"TWEET—!"
At this moment, the warmup-ending whistle sounded.
"Jin, gather up!"
"Right!"
"Please take care of us!" Both teams lined up to bow.
The two coaches shook hands at center court. Sparks immediately flew through the air.
Kainan's coach Takato Riki narrowed his eyes slightly, tone carrying unquestionable confidence: "Taoka, I'll unceremoniously accept this game's victory."
Coach Taoka snorted coldly, showing no retreat: "Hmph, old Takato, your face remains as thick as ever."
"Eh? Coach, you know each other?" Aida's intelligence system activated at this "critical moment." He leaned forward, quietly asking: "Looks like you have history?"
"That's all ancient history from high school days." Coach Taoka's face showed reminiscence. "In my second year, a formidable recruit appeared in Kanagawa—became the team's ace as just a first-year."
"And I was also my team's ace, called 'Kanagawa's Tiger Taoka.'" He straightened his back, trying to recreate past glory. "We two were rivals then. For comparison, I was like Sendoh while Takato was Rukawa..."
"Pfft—" Yagami was first unable to hold back, laughing aloud.
"What?" Coach Taoka glared at him with displeasure.
"Lying!" Ryonan players shouted in unison, faces written with "don't believe it" expressions.
"It-it's true!" Coach Taoka rarely showed insufficient confidence, his face slightly flushing.
"Absolutely lying!"
"...Whatever." Coach Taoka waved his hand, abandoning explanation.
He quickly collected himself, his gaze becoming sharp and resolute again. "Forget the past. But at least one thing I can confirm—regarding strict team requirements, I, Taoka Moichi, as Ryonan's coach absolutely won't lose to Takato!"
He surveyed these disciples before him, saying seriously: "This year, we've trained the hardest. It must also be the year we harvest abundant results!"
"You've already done excellently," his gaze swept across Sendoh, Uozumi, Yagami, Fukuda—every face. "So today, right here—"
"We'll take over the champion's throne of Kanagawa!"
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