Hiroshima Central Gymnasium.
In front of the large tournament schedule board in the plaza.
The Shohoku basketball team stood there, eyes fixed on the bracket posted on the board.
They had already looked over the schedule thoroughly on the train, so no one was particularly surprised now.
"So it's you guys!" A familiar voice suddenly called out from behind.
Everyone turned their heads and saw the players of the Kainan basketball team approaching.
Leading the way was Maki Shinichi, exuding his usual powerful aura.
Maki-san smiled slightly, a hint of teasing in his tone. "Didn't expect you to end up in the same bracket as Sannoh and Aiwa."
Kiyota Nobunaga chimed in gleefully, "Having you deal with Sannoh is perfect for us."
Sakuragi Hanamichi instantly exploded with rage and snapped, "What did you say, you stupid monkey?!"
Kiyota-san sneered with a smug grin. "Just because you beat us doesn't mean you'll beat Sannoh. Don't be surprised if you're on the next train home."
Then he broke into an arrogant laugh.
Hahaha…
Sakuragi Hanamichi ground his teeth, fuming, ready to launch his head like a battering ram at any moment.
Akagi Takenori stepped forward, his voice firm and serious. "No matter who the opponent is, we'll give it everything we've got. Even Sannoh is no exception."
Maki-san nodded slightly, then smiled meaningfully. "I'm looking forward to it. Let's see how far the rising Shohoku can go."
He glanced around the group, then asked curiously, "Where is he?"
Hmm?!
Akagi glanced behind him instinctively. Aoi Kunisaku was nowhere in sight. He replied, "Who knows where that guy wandered off to? Probably lagging behind somewhere."
"Tch. What a joke." Suddenly, a sneering voice rang out from the distance.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Approaching from not far away was a group of players—none other than Toyotama High School's basketball team, who had clashed with them on the train.
The speaker was none other than the ponytailed Kishimoto Minori.
He stared at Shohoku with a face full of contempt. "Them? What a joke. Just because they made it to Nationals, they think they're hot shit. What a laugh."
"You again?!" Sakuragi Hanamichi growled, face full of fury.
Akagi quickly held him back. "Ignore them."
Kishimoto turned toward Maki-san and said with a mocking tone, "Looks like one corner of the Final Four has already collapsed."
The Kainan team's faces changed instantly, glaring at Kishimoto with obvious hostility.
Maki Shinichi held eye contact with Kishimoto for a moment, then said calmly, "Sorry, and you are?"
Hahaha…
That line set off another round of laughter from Kiyota Nobunaga and Sakuragi Hanamichi, who doubled over cackling.
Kishimoto's face turned beet red, veins bulging on his forehead, his expression dark as storm clouds.
Then, from within Toyotama's group, a thin boy with center-parted short hair stepped forward, full of arrogance. He snapped, "Oi! Are you trying to start something?!"
Sakuragi glanced over, his smile fading into a cold stare. "Oh? You looking for a fight?"
Then another Toyotama player stepped out—a tough-looking kid with a square jaw and rough features. He bellowed, "You guys wanna throw down?!"
Tension instantly exploded in the air. The atmosphere was thick enough to cut, like something was about to erupt. A brawl seemed inevitable.
Aha…
Suddenly, a yawn echoed through the tense air.
"Move."
A cold voice pierced through the rising pressure, breaking the deadlock.
Everyone turned instinctively toward the sound.
Aoi Kunisaku and Shimizu Kanon had appeared behind the Toyotama group without anyone noticing.
The two Toyotama players who'd been shouting happened to be standing right in their way.
That thin boy with the short hair glared at Aoi Kunisaku and asked, "Who the hell are you?"
The rough-faced one joined in, shouting, "You lost or something? Better get outta here while you can."
To Aoi Kunisaku, these two were nothing but small fry. He didn't even bother registering them.
With a calm tone, he repeated, "Move."
As he spoke, his gaze casually swept past them.
Just that—one fleeting glance.
He didn't release any pressure, nor did his eyes show any emotion.
But that single glance made the two who'd just been shouting fall completely silent.
For a moment, a chill crept up from their spines, like a wild beast had suddenly locked onto them.
They stood frozen, like their souls had been sucked out.
Aoi Kunisaku walked forward.
Without thinking, the two of them stepped aside, dazed and expressionless.
In the stunned silence of everyone watching, Aoi Kunisaku passed cleanly between them.
Shimizu Kanon followed right behind.
Only after a long moment did the two Toyotama players snap back to their senses. They looked at Aoi Kunisaku with confusion and a bit of fear.
Had they imagined that?
Shohoku, Kainan, and even Toyotama's players stood there bewildered. None of them had a clue what had just happened.
What was that just now?
It felt like something had happened... but also like nothing did.
Kishimoto Minori finally snapped out of it. When he saw what Aoi Kunisaku did, his eyes widened in rage. He opened his mouth to yell, "You bastard, stop right there—"
He recognized Aoi Kunisaku. He'd even cursed at him back on the train.
"Kishimoto..."
But before he could finish, a sharp voice cut him off.
From Toyotama's team, a tall boy with short, neat black hair stepped forward. He had sharp eyes under thick brows and strong, clean features.
It was Minami Tsuyoshi, captain of the Toyotama High basketball team.
"We're not here to pick a fight," Minami Tsuyoshi said calmly.
Then his gaze moved to the Shohoku team, finally landing on Aoi Kunisaku. "Let's see who's stronger—tomorrow."
He had sensed something strange about Aoi Kunisaku.
He'd noticed everything just now.
After that, he turned to his team. "Let's go."
As Toyotama walked off, Maki Shinichi turned to Shohoku and warned, "That guy Minami Tsuyoshi… be careful around him."
Ayako nodded quickly and asked, "Because of the dirty fouls, right?"
Maki looked surprised for a second but nodded.
Sakuragi Hanamichi thumped his chest and laughed, "Relax! Kanon's already dug up all their info. Those idiots have no clue what's coming. We'll crush them so hard they won't know which way is up!"
Hahahahaha!
He threw his hands on his hips and burst into loud, proud laughter.
"Kanon, let's go. Ignore that moron," Aoi Kunisaku said coldly.
The rest of Shohoku clearly agreed. No one paid Sakuragi any attention. They all just walked off.
"Hey! You guys—" Sakuragi shouted, both embarrassed and pissed, chasing after them.
Shohoku slowly disappeared from sight, leaving Kainan still standing there.
Maki Shinichi narrowed his eyes, recalling the presence Aoi Kunisaku had just shown.
"That guy… he's getting harder and harder to read."
Then Sakuragi's earlier words echoed in his head.
"…Team… manager…"
Suddenly, he glanced over at the girl walking with Aoi Kunisaku.
Could it be her?
His eyes narrowed again as the thought took root.
"Looks like Shohoku's not as simple as they seem. Maybe… just maybe this year, they really might…"
"Captain Maki… what are you mumbling about?" Kiyota Nobunaga cut in, snapping him out of it.
Maki shook his head. "It's nothing. Let's go."