In the Grade 3, Class 6 classroom, Akagi and Kogure were sitting side by side, enjoying their lunch together.
"Akagi, this year looks really promising!"
Kogure said happily as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"Just think about the current Shohoku team—it's not just the two of us anymore. We've got talents like Kaede Rukawa and Oliver. And even though Sakuragi lacks experience and technical skills, his physical abilities are off the charts!"
Akagi nodded in agreement.
"Yeah... it's just a shame about Miyagi. I wonder when he'll be discharged from the hospital after what happened earlier. If we had him back, we might actually be able to reach our goal this year."
A rare smile spread across Akagi's face as he chewed on a rice ball.
He thought back to when he had first joined the basketball club. Back then, even basic dribbling had been a challenge for him, and his free throws were completely off.
Shohoku hadn't been a strong team in those days. The only player with real ability had been Hisashi Mitsui.
"..."
Remembering Mitsui caused a slight shadow to fall over Akagi's face. He sighed.
"What's wrong?"
Kogure immediately picked up on the change in his friend's expression.
"It's nothing," Akagi replied, his voice low. "Just thought of someone who lacked perseverance."
Clearly irritated, Akagi wolfed down the rest of his rice ball and clenched his fists.
"This is our final year. We must achieve our goal. We will dominate the national stage!"
"Yes! We have to win this year, no matter what!"
Kogure echoed his determination, pumping his fist in the air.
Suddenly, Akagi looked to the left, a hint of unease creeping into his eyes.
"Is it okay to talk about this so openly? Every time we bring up this topic, that idiot always seems to pop out of nowhere..."
Da-da-da-da...
Bang!
As if on cue, the classroom door burst open with a loud crash. A muscular young man stormed in, exuding aggression.
"I heard someone's dreaming about dominating the country?! Stop kidding yourselves! I, Aota Tatsuhiko, will be the one to dominate the nation!"
The man pounded his chest with pride and marched straight up to Akagi, who could only sigh and shake his head.
"Seriously? Every time we talk about this, you appear out of nowhere. You're in the class next door! Do you have some kind of superhuman hearing?"
Akagi stood up, now face-to-face with Aota.
Though Akagi was nearly two meters tall and powerfully built, Aota had the solid, compact frame of a trained martial artist. The energy between them was explosive—two alpha personalities radiating tension.
The room seemed to shrink under the pressure.
"So? What do you want this time? Did you really run over here just to mock me?"
Akagi asked with a frown.
"Hmph... Do I look like I have that much free time? You think I rush over here just because I'm bored? Don't flatter yourself!"
Aota waved dismissively, but his awkward expression gave him away. He coughed twice, avoiding eye contact.
"Well... I saw Haruko at the school gate earlier... She's gotten even cuter these days..."
"Forget it," Akagi interrupted with a scowl. "Haruko would never fall for a guy like you. And as her brother, I'll never allow it. So just drop it."
Akagi's cold rejection made Aota groan in frustration.
"What cruel fate! Haruko's so adorable, yet she ended up with you as her brother! I feel sorry for her!"
"You're clearly here to pick a fight, aren't you?"
Akagi growled, his veins bulging with anger.
Just as things were about to get physical, Kogure quickly stepped between them, patting Akagi on the back.
"Alright, alright, calm down."
"Hmph, I didn't come just to chat," Aota said smugly. "This year, the Judo Club is going to win the national championship! Why? Because we've found a rare gem among the first-years!"
Aota crossed his arms and smirked with satisfaction.
"With this guy joining us, there's no team in Japan that can stop us!"
"Oh? That impressive? Who's caught your eye?"
Kogure asked, trying to defuse the tension with curiosity.
"Heh... curious, are you? Want to know?"
Aota narrowed his eyes, clearly enjoying the suspense.
"No. Nobody's interested."
Akagi waved him off.
"You're just pretending you're not curious!"
Aota pointed a finger at Akagi's nose.
"You do know this super rookie I'm talking about!"
"He's none other than... Sakuragi Hanamichi from Class 7, Grade 1!!"
"WHAT?!"
Akagi and Kogure shouted in unison, stunned.
"This guy is a physical monster! Strength, speed, explosiveness—he's got it all! He's a born fighter!"
"I want him to quit the basketball team and join the Judo Club!!"
"No way! Absolutely not! I won't allow it!!"
Kogure leapt up and turned to Akagi.
"Akagi, say something! Stop this madness!"
"AKAGI!!!"
Before Akagi could respond, Aota raised his voice again.
"Don't you think you're being unfair?"
"...Unfair?"
Akagi furrowed his brow, confused.
"I, Akagi Takenori, have never done anything despicable!"
"Oh really?"
Aota sneered.
"Then what do you call using Haruko to lure Sakuragi into the basketball team? Is that how a brother behaves?"
"Stop spouting nonsense!!"
Akagi snapped, his face red with rage.
"There's no way I'd use Haruko for something like that—"
"But isn't that what happened?" Aota interrupted. "Didn't Sakuragi join the team because of Haruko?"
Akagi opened his mouth to protest but stopped short.
Because... Aota was right.
If not for Haruko, Sakuragi would never have joined the basketball club.
"Hey... Akagi, think about it," Aota said. "Does Sakuragi really love basketball? Or is he just chasing a girl?"
"...…"
Akagi was silent, visibly conflicted.
"It looks like you're out of arguments," Aota said smugly. "So let Sakuragi choose for himself!"
Aota casually walked over and sat down in Akagi's chair, smirking.
"I'm going to recruit him into the Judo Club!"
"Hmph... do what you want."
Akagi turned away, his voice cold and indifferent.
"Wait! Akagi! What are you saying?!"
Kogure was shocked by Akagi's attitude.
"Sakuragi is already part of our team! Didn't we just say he could become one of our key players? We can't just let him go like this!"
Seeing Akagi remain silent, Kogure rushed to stand between Aota and the door.
"I don't agree! As vice-captain, I do not agree with this decision!!"
"Your captain already gave his approval. What does it matter if the vice-captain disagrees?"
Aota leaned back in his chair, looking completely at ease.
"I heard that Sakuragi Hanamichi is a wild one—someone who doesn't respond to the usual methods. If you want a guy like that to follow you, you have to beat him first!"
"That's why I've already sent the Judo Club's three strongest members to 'welcome' him!"
"WHAT?! You... you better not hurt him!!"
Kogure slammed the table, making a loud thud.
But Aota didn't even flinch.
"Relax, Vice-captain. He won't be a member of your basketball team much longer anyway…"
Swish—
The classroom door suddenly opened again.
Three burly students appeared, but they looked far from victorious. Their clothes were disheveled, their faces swollen, and they stood at the doorway with teary eyes and massive lumps on their heads.
Steam seemed to rise from their bruised bodies.
"I'm sorry... we failed..."
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