---
"Oh, they're still practicing…"
A gentle voice sounded at the entrance of the gymnasium. An elderly man with a kind smile, round face, and neatly combed white hair stood quietly with his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes gleamed with warmth and nostalgia as he watched the players running drills with full concentration on the court.
Ayako and Haruko, who were still chatting by the side, turned to see the man at the door. Ayako immediately stood straighter, her voice ringing out clearly.
"Coach Anzai!"
At the same time, Akagi spotted the elderly man as well. His expression shifted instantly into one of respect and seriousness.
"Everyone! Line up!"
He barked the command, and the basketball team immediately gathered and bowed in unison.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning!!" Ayako added brightly, joining them.
"Good morning, everyone," the old man said kindly, waving one hand. "It's alright, Akagi-san. Carry on with your training. I'm just here to take a look."
Coach Anzai smiled as he walked into the gym, his slow, deliberate steps revealing his calm demeanor.
"Hey, who's this old guy?" Sakuragi Hanamichi stepped forward with his usual exaggerated sense of authority. "No outsiders are allowed in the gym!"
"Wait, you—!"
Before anyone could stop him, Sakuragi reached out and began poking Coach Anzai's soft, round chin. His fingers bounced off the older man's face repeatedly.
Boing, boing, boing…
"Umm… excuse me, but… who are you exactly?" Coach Anzai blinked in confusion.
"Old man, you should really lose some weight!" Sakuragi said without hesitation. "Your chin feels like a rubber ball. That's not good for your health!"
He then shamelessly started patting Coach Anzai's belly.
"You idiot!!"
BANG!
Akagi's iron fist landed squarely on Sakuragi's head.
"You absolute moron! Do you even know who this is!?"
Akagi immediately bowed deeply.
"Coach Anzai, I sincerely apologize. I will discipline him strictly!"
"Hahaha, it's alright, Akagi-san," Coach Anzai said with a chuckle, waving his hand again. "Ignorance is forgivable."
"C-Coach?" Sakuragi clutched his head, stunned. Ayako walked over with a grin.
"Yep. That's our basketball team coach, Anzai-sensei. He occasionally comes by to observe practice."
"Him? This big, chubby guy is the coach?" Sakuragi said incredulously.
BANG!
Akagi's fist struck again.
Ayako stuck out her tongue. "That's what you get."
"Believe it or not, he used to be a star on the national team when he was younger. Five years ago, when he coached at the college level, he was known as the 'White-Haired Devil.'"
"White-Haired Devil?" Sakuragi repeated, rubbing his head.
"Yep! But now, everyone calls him the 'White-Haired Buddha.' He's mellowed out since then," Ayako explained with a warm smile.
---
Meanwhile, Oliver was silent—but his eyes were wide.
Coach Anzai!
He couldn't believe it. He had finally come face-to-face with the legendary man who had been the heart and soul of the Shohoku team in his favorite anime.
Coach Anzai wasn't just a coach. He was a guide, a mentor, and the emotional anchor of the entire team. Through countless games and emotional moments, he had been there to support the players.
Maybe… he can help me grow stronger too, Oliver thought to himself.
Akagi stepped forward and saluted proudly. "Coach, we've had some great new freshmen join the team this year. I believe this will be our strongest year yet. We're aiming to dominate the country."
"Hahaha, that's good to hear," Coach Anzai nodded kindly.
"Oh, and by the way," he added. "I've arranged a practice match for you. It's against Ryonan High School."
The moment the name left his lips, the gym exploded with shocked gasps.
"Ryonan!?"
"The same Ryonan that's ranked in the top four of the prefecture?"
"Are you serious? We're going to scrimmage against them?!"
Even Oliver's eyes sparkled. It's finally starting!
The plot of the story was now aligning with his childhood memories. This was the moment everything started—the first real challenge for Shohoku's new generation.
Coach Anzai scanned the court.
"Oh? Looks like all the new freshmen are here."
He nodded again.
"Let's have a warm-up match. First-years versus the second and third-years."
"What?! A game already?" Sakuragi practically jumped in excitement. "Alright!! Watch and be amazed by the power of this genius, Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
Akagi stepped over to Coach Anzai and whispered, gesturing toward Oliver.
"Coach, I request that Oliver be placed on our side."
Coach Anzai raised an eyebrow and then smiled.
"Alright. We'll do as Akagi-san suggests."
"Thank you, Coach!" Akagi bowed respectfully.
---
Akagi had already assessed the team formations earlier. The first-year team had three notable players—Oliver, Rukawa, and Sakuragi.
Rukawa alone was a tough opponent. If both he and Oliver were on the same side, there'd be no hope for the upperclassmen to win.
Even Sakuragi, though still a beginner, had surprising physical abilities—great jumping power and raw energy.
Shohoku really is getting stronger, Akagi thought with satisfaction.
"Oliver, you're with us," Akagi said, extending a hand.
"Oh? The gorilla wants me on his team?" Oliver smirked, taking the uniform.
"Say that again!?"
"Oops! I mean—Captain! Captain!"
Seeing Akagi raise his fist, Oliver corrected himself immediately.
"Hey! Gorilla! I don't want to team up with him!" Sakuragi pointed at Rukawa, fuming.
"I want to join your team too!"
"Hmph. It's not like I want to be on the same team as you either," Rukawa replied coldly, turning away.
"No switching teams," Akagi said firmly. "This match is to evaluate the first-years' skills. We can't change the lineups."
"Then why does Oliver get to switch sides!?"
"Because we already know his level. He doesn't need to be evaluated. And besides—this balances the teams."
"Tch! You just want to win, you damn gorilla!!"
---
Meanwhile, Mito and the others entered the gym and found seats on the bleachers.
"Oh? Looks like Hanamichi's first official match after joining the team," Mito observed.
"Hey, Mito-kun! Over here!" Haruko waved.
"Someone you know?" Ayako asked.
"Yeah," Haruko smiled. "Mito is a good friend of both Oliver and Sakuragi-kun."
Back on the court, the teams were lined up. Oliver stood beside Akagi and Kogure in the upperclassmen's group, while Rukawa and Sakuragi stood among the first-years.
Haruko tilted her head in confusion.
"Huh? Why is Oliver playing with the upperclassmen?"
Ayako chuckled. "Because if Oliver and Rukawa were on the same team, the match would be a complete blowout. This way, it's fairer."
Her eyes gleamed as she added, "Akagi and Oliver vs. Rukawa and Sakuragi… This is going to be good."
Kogure, standing next to Oliver, glanced over at the younger player.
Having Oliver on their side was comforting. His presence was stabilizing, even for the third-years.
Meanwhile, on the opposite team…
"Hey! Don't mess this up, you stupid fox!" Sakuragi shouted.
"Big idiot…" Rukawa muttered.
Oliver and Rukawa stepped toward the center for the jump ball.
"It's been a while since we've faced each other," Oliver said calmly.
Rukawa didn't respond, but his eyes locked with Oliver's—full of silent fire.
Ding! Random mission triggered: Shohoku Team Practice Match!
It's finally here!
Oliver's heart pounded with excitement. These matches were where he could grow, where the story would unfold.
Beep!!
The referee's whistle blew.
The game had begun.
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