The Enoden Line train moved slowly along the Shōnan Coast.
The wheels struck the rails with a rhythmic clank-clank.
Outside the window stretched the glittering sea.
Sunlight shattered across the surface like thousands of scattered gold leaves, while the distant outline of Enoshima appeared and disappeared within the drifting mist.
It should have been the perfect scenery—
the kind that makes you want to lean back with headphones on, listen to some City Pop, and crack open an ice-cold soda.
But at this moment, Makino Juro only wanted to jump off the train.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Gorilla! Look at that!"
"Is that Ryōnan High School over there?!"
"Hey, is that bald uncle fishing?!"
"One day this genius will bring Miss Haruko here to fish too!"
"Hey Rukawa Kaede, you stupid fox! Stop sleeping and come duel me!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi was practically glued to the train window.
His bright red head bobbed back and forth like a high-wattage lightbulb while he chattered nonstop, his voice loud enough to drown out the train announcements.
Passengers inside the carriage threw strange looks their way.
Some were annoyed.
Some were frightened.
Others stared with the curiosity of people observing a rare animal.
Akagi Takenori sat with his arms crossed.
The veins on his forehead had already formed the classic "井" shape.
His eyes were closed, as if he were desperately suppressing a murderous impulse.
Meanwhile, Makino Juro sat quietly in the corner.
He silently pulled his hoodie over his head, covering his entire face—
attempting to cut off all contact with the outside world through sheer physical isolation.
I don't know him… I don't know him…
Makino Juro chanted silently in his mind.
This trip to Ryōnan for a practice match was, to him, pure psychological torture.
To prevent Sakuragi from getting lost halfway—or worse, picking fights with stray dogs—
Akagi had deliberately arranged for Makino Juro to sit beside him and "keep an eye on him."
"Master! Master, look!"
"Is that the legendary bikini?!"
Sakuragi suddenly turned around, his huge face suddenly inches from Makino Juro's.
He pointed excitedly out the window.
Makino Juro sighed helplessly, lifting the corner of his hood and revealing a lifeless, dead-fish eye.
"Hanamichi… that's an old man doing morning exercises in a tank top."
"And also—since you're the 'secret weapon,' you need to maintain an air of mystery."
"Have you ever seen a secret weapon screaming before it launches?"
The words struck directly at Sakuragi's mental blind spot.
He froze.
Then his face lit up with sudden enlightenment.
He covered his mouth with both hands and nodded vigorously.
Finally, he struck what he believed to be a profound pose and stiffly sat back down.
The world finally became quiet.
Makino Juro slumped back into his seat.
From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Rukawa sitting diagonally across from him.
Now that guy was the real monster.
No matter how loud Sakuragi was, Rukawa simply wore his headphones and slept peacefully.
There was even a tiny bubble of snot inflating and deflating at the tip of his nose.
"This… is the mental fortitude of an ace?"
"His sleep quality is actually better than mine?!"
Makino Juro ground his teeth in jealousy.
As the train announcement sounded, the Shohoku group stepped off the platform.
The salty sea breeze rushed toward them.
Ryōnan High School was located between mountains and sea—its scenery absolutely beautiful.
But right now, the air seemed filled with a sharp killing intent.
At the school gate stood a short boy holding a notebook, peeking around nervously.
The moment he saw Shohoku's group, his eyes widened as if aliens had just landed.
"They're here—Shohoku is here!"
Aida Hikoichi gasped sharply, nearly dropping the pen in his hand.
His gaze passed over Akagi, who looked like a towering black fortress.
Passed over the cold-faced Rukawa.
And finally locked onto the lazy figure at the very back of the group—Makino Juro, who was yawning.
"So that's Makino Juro…"
"The man rumored to have defeated Rukawa instantly just to leave school early!"
Hikoichi's hand trembled as he scribbled rapidly in his notebook.
[Observation Log: Target — Makino Juro. Walking posture extremely relaxed. Possibly conserving stamina.]
[Eyes unfocused. Possibly observing weaknesses across the entire field (or… maybe he just hasn't woken up? Scratch that. No—this must be disguise!)]
[Danger Level: S!]
"Hey! You short guy over there—what bad things are you writing?!"
Sakuragi had instantly noticed Hikoichi's gaze and rushed over, glaring fiercely.
"Wahhh! Red-haired monster!"
"I—I'm a first-year from Ryōnan! My name is Aida Hikoichi!"
"I'm here to scout—ah, I mean—to welcome everyone!"
Hikoichi quickly took two steps back in fear.
"Hmph! Intimidated by this genius's aura, huh?"
Sakuragi smugly brushed his hair back.
"Let's go, Sakuragi."
Akagi barked the order and led the team straight through the gates of Ryōnan.
As Makino Juro passed Hikoichi, he paused slightly.
Tilting his head, he glanced at the notebook in Hikoichi's hand.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Nice handwriting."
With that, he shoved his hands into his pockets and lazily followed the team.
Hikoichi froze where he stood.
Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
"That look…"
"It was like he saw through everything!"
"Too terrifying! I have to report this to Coach Taoka immediately!"
Inside the Ryōnan basketball gym.
Under the massive dome ceiling, the polished floor reflected the glaring lights.
The two teams faced each other at center court.
On one side stood Ryōnan—wearing deep blue jerseys, radiating an imposing presence.
Leading them was the 202-centimeter captain, Uozumi Jun, like a moving mountain that exuded suffocating pressure.
Opposite them stood Shohoku in red uniforms.
Akagi stared directly at Uozumi without the slightest hesitation.
Their gazes collided in midair as if sparks might erupt.
"Akagi. Long time no see."
Ryōnan's coach, Taoka Moichi, walked over holding a folding fan, a half-smile hanging on his face.
"Coach Taoka."
Akagi bowed slightly.
"I hear you finally managed to gather a starting lineup this year?"
Taoka's eyes swept across Shohoku's roster with undisguised disdain.
"Rukawa Kaede… hmm, a pretty decent rookie."
"But…"
His gaze landed on Sakuragi Hanamichi and Makino Juro.
He couldn't help but let out a mocking chuckle.
"One red-haired delinquent…"
"And that one—"
Taoka pointed at Makino Juro, who was leaning beside Anzai Mitsuyoshi and looked ready to fall asleep at any moment.
"Is he here just to make up the numbers? He looks like he can barely even hold a basketball."
"Akagi, are you sure this is the lineup you're bringing to challenge us?"
"Don't lose too badly and claim Ryōnan bullied you."
Those words stabbed into the hearts of the Shohoku players like thorns.
"You damn old man! What did you say?!"
"This genius is the secret weapon! Do you even understand what a secret weapon is?!"
Sakuragi exploded instantly, rolling up his sleeves and preparing to charge forward.
"Stop it, Sakuragi!"
Akagi grabbed his head and held him down.
But even Akagi's own expression had turned dark.
"Coach Taoka, the game hasn't started yet."
Akagi's voice was deep and firm.
"Don't speak too soon."
"Shohoku… is different this year."
"Is that so?"
Taoka Moichi shrugged indifferently.
"Then let me see."
"Just how different you really are."