Opening Scene — Nightfall, Tokyo Gym Rooftop
The team celebrates the Kenshin victory in the locker room below.
Above…
Hunter stands alone on the gym rooftop, shirt off, fists clenched, breathing heavy.
The city lights blink beneath him.
Narrator (low, slow):
> "Victory tastes sweet…
But silence after the roar?
That's when rage speaks loudest."
Hunter punches the air once.
Twice.
A scream leaves his throat—not of joy. But frustration.
Flash images:
Blocked at the rim.
Overshadowed by Maxwell's rise.
Laughed at in the hall by girls after the game.
His jaw tightens.
Hunter (to himself):
> "Everyone's cheering Max...
But I'm the muscle.
I'm the f***ing hammer."
---
Scene — Next Day: Training Grounds
Coach Rintaro calls for sprints.
Knight jokes. Maxwell warms up.
Hunter walks in late. Head down. Eyes burning.
Coach:
> "Hunter."
Hunter doesn't respond.
Coach (louder):
> "Hunter!"
Hunter snaps:
> "What?!"
Silence.
Coach nods slowly.
Coach:
> "Run."
---
Scene — Practice Match: First Scrimmage
They split into two teams.
Maxwell's on one side. Hunter on the other.
Hunter starts dominating.
Slams one over the second-string center.
Blocks Knight's layup into the stands.
Elbows out rebounds with fury.
But…
He won't pass.
Won't rotate.
Won't listen.
Maxwell (watching):
> "He's not playing…
He's breaking something."
---
Scene — Flashback: Hunter's Past (Middle School)
Rain pours.
Hunter, younger, soaked, sits outside a small home.
A woman's voice screams inside — arguing.
A bottle breaks.
Hunter whispers:
> "I'll be strong. Stronger than all of them."
Cut to: Hunter playing streetball.
Alone. No team.
Only fists. Only fire.
---
Scene — After Practice: Locker Room
Knight (wiping sweat):
> "What's with him? He's acting like he's the enemy."
Maxwell:
> "Because right now…
He is."
Hunter slams his locker shut.
Hunter (growling):
> "You all talk like you're better than me.
You ain't built like me.
You didn't bleed for this."
Maxwell steps forward.
Maxwell (low tone):
> "Then show us.
Not your rage.
Your purpose."
---
Scene — That Night: Hunter's Street Court, Alone
He returns to where it started.
Chains instead of nets.
Concrete cracked.
He plays 1v5 — random street players.
No mercy.
Just dunks. Blocks. Screams.
Narrator:
> "Rage can destroy.
But true strength…
Is rage in a cage."
Suddenly — someone approaches.
Coach Rintaro, watching from the shadows.
Coach:
> "They don't need your fists.
They need your fire.
But controlled fire… can melt ice, storm, and fear alike."
Hunter stands still.
Coach (gentler):
> "We play a ranked team next week. And we won't win with just talent. We'll need something else…"
Hunter:
> "What?"
Coach:
> "Heart. And a little hell."
---
Final Scene — Training, Two Days Later
Hunter arrives early.
Helps set cones.
High-fives Knight.
Silent nod to Maxwell.
During drills, he passes. He rotates.
But his dunks?
Still shake the floor.
Maxwell (smirks):
> "Looks like the beast grew a brain."
Hunter (grins back):
> "Nah.
The beast finally chose a pack."
---
Final Narration:
> "The court doesn't just test your game.
It tests your scars.
And sometimes…
The ones with the deepest cuts
Roar the loudest when they heal."
---
Episode 8 Ends.
Next Episode: "Tokyo Invitational"