"He… who is he?"
"What did he just say? Did I hear that right?"
"Isn't Uozumi Ryonan's captain?"
"This guy says he's the captain? He's got to be kidding!"
The Shohoku players erupted in murmurs, their voices overlapping in disbelief.
The team manager, Ayako, stood off to the side, her usually composed face frozen in shock. Her wide eyes blinked rapidly, and her full lips parted slightly in disbelief.
As Shohoku's intelligence officer, she was responsible for gathering all information on their opponents—and yet she had never heard that Ryonan had changed captains.
'What's going on here?'
All eyes shifted toward Ake.
The entire gym fell eerily silent, as though even the air had turned still.
To break the tension, Coach Taoka Moichi stepped forward, a hint of pride tugging at his lips.
"This is our basketball team's new captain," he announced slowly. "He's just a first-year student, so it's normal you haven't heard of him."
"What?!"
The Shohoku team froze in collective shock.
Sakuragi Hanamichi's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He pointed at Ake with disbelief. "This first-year guy is the captain? Doesn't that make him just like me?"
The words barely left his mouth before a thought hit him—
'If a first-year can be captain… maybe I can too.'
His face shifted from confusion to giddy excitement, the corners of his mouth curling into a foolish grin.
'Hahaha Yes I just have to beat the gorilla'
The rest of the Shohoku players, however, were far less amused.
A first-year as captain? That was unheard of.
"This guy… is only a first-year?" Kogure Kiminobu adjusted his glasses, his eyes widening behind the lenses.
Yasuda Yasuharu stood frozen, mouth slightly open, unable to process it.
And Takenori Akagi's gaze hardened, locking onto Ake. His expression was no longer just surprise—it was deep, thoughtful, and wary.
He slowly turned to Uozumi, who stood among the Ryonan players—the man who should have been captain.
'Uozumi… what's going on here?'
Meanwhile, Coach Anzai quietly adjusted his glasses, studying Ake with a calm, penetrating gaze.
Then, after a long pause, the corner of his mouth lifted into that familiar, gentle smile. "Truly remarkable," he murmured softly.
Under Coach Taoka's direction, Shohoku's players were soon led to their locker room, while the Ryonan team began warming up for the match.
Ake stood near the bench, hands in his jacket pockets, eyes steady as he addressed his teammates.
"I won't be playing for now," he said evenly. "Uekusa—you'll be point guard."
"Me?" Uekusa Tomoyuki blurted out, his eyes widening. He hadn't expected to start; with Ake around, he assumed he'd be benched indefinitely.
Coach Taoka stood silently nearby, not interfering. He had made his decision to trust Ake completely.
Ake continued calmly,
"Center, Uozumi.
Power forward, Ikegami.
Small forward, Sendoh.
Shooting guard, Koshino.
That's the lineup."
"Wait a second!" Koshino raised his hand, frowning. "If Sendoh's small forward, then where is he? He hasn't shown up yet."
Just as he finished, a lazy, familiar voice called out from the entrance, "Hey, everyone."
They turned to see Sendoh, one hand in his pocket, the other waving casually, a trademark relaxed smile on his face.
"It's Sendoh—he finally showed up," Uekusa said.
"Seriously, you're the only one who wasn't here," Ikegami sighed helplessly.
"My bad, my bad." Sendoh scratched his head, chuckling as he strolled in.
Ake didn't even flinch. "Good. Then there's no problem with the lineup."
Everyone exchanged looks, quietly amazed.
How did he know Sendoh would show up just now?
No one had contacted him, yet Ake had arranged the lineup as if he'd known all along.
Their respect for him deepened.
Coach Taoka couldn't hold back any longer. "You idiot! Where the hell were you? Showing up now of all times!"
"Sorry, Coach," Sendo said honestly. "I overslept."
"Over… slept?" Coach Taoka's mouth twitched violently. "Damn it! He's so honest I can't even get mad!" He grumbled under his breath, stealing a glance at Ake. 'And that guy—why isn't he saying anything? Shouldn't he be scolding him as captain?'
Sendoh approached Ake and greeted him casually. "Hey, Ake."
Ake didn't frown or question him. His expression remained calm as he replied, "We'll talk after the game. Go change—you're up soon."
"Got it." Sendoh nodded, smiling faintly before strolling toward the locker room.
Shohoku Locker Room
The room was silent.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Kogure muttered.
"Yeah," Yasuda agreed. "That new captain of theirs… he's not simple."
Sakuragi snorted, flopping onto the bench. "What's so special about him? He's just a first-year like me! Why's everyone acting like he's some kind of monster?"
Rukawa glanced at him coolly. "You're a first-year too."
"What did you say, you damn fox?!" Sakuragi jumped up, yelling.
Takenori Akagi frowned, irritation flickering in his eyes. "Enough. We'll find out his strength on the court."
Coach Anzai nodded and opened his notebook. "Now, for our starting lineup…"
"Center: Akagi, number 4.
Point guard: Yasuda, number 6.
Shooting guard: Shiozaki, number 8.
Small forward: Kogure, number 5.
Power forward: Rukawa Kaede, number 10."
"Wait a minute!" Sakuragi shouted. "Why isn't my name there, Gorilla?!"
Takenori Akagi sighed. "Idiot. Even if you're not starting, you'll get your chance later."
"But that still makes me a substitute!"
Their argument echoed loudly through the walls.
Outside, the Ryonan team paused, exchanging confused looks.
"Uh… are they fighting in there?"
"Sounds like it."
"What the hell are they doing?"
Ake, hearing the commotion, allowed a faint smirk to tug at the corner of his lips.
Moments later, Shohoku emerged, dressed and ready.
When they saw Ryonan's lineup, their faces stiffened.
Their eyes quickly shifted toward the bench—where Ake sat calmly, arms crossed.
"He's… not playing?" Kogure whispered.
Ayako clenched her fists. "Are they underestimating us?"
Takenori Akagi said nothing, though his eyes darkened with thought.
Sakuragi, oblivious to the tension, marched right up to Sendoh, grinning. "Sendoh! I'm going to take you down!"
The entire gym fell silent.
"Does he even know what he's saying?" Ayako groaned, covering her face.
Takenori Akagi's forehead throbbed. "This idiot…"
Aida Hikoichi opened his mouth but chose to say nothing.
Koshino smirked. "Big words."
Sendoh simply smiled, extending his hand. "Please take care of me."
Sakuragi grinned wider, shaking his hand firmly. "You got it."
Their palms met— and the game was about to begin.