Chapter Fifty-Three: Kanagawa's Top Four
June 5th, Kanagawa Prefectural Gymnasium would welcome the prefecture preliminary top-four matches.
Morning: Ryonan High School versus Kainan High School
Afternoon: Shohoku High School versus Kaijo High School
However, before this, these four teams would gather in the venue. Regardless of prefecture rankings, they would all represent Kanagawa in the regional selection tournament twenty days later.
8:00 AM. Two hours remained before the first match.
"My, spectators arrived so early already!" Weekly Basketball's veteran reporter Aida Yayoi led editorial newcomer Nakamura Heisuke into the venue. "Looks like everyone has considerable expectations for this year's top four teams."
"Just a prefecture top-four match attracting so many spectators this early... this situation really is rare." Nakamura looked at the extremely lively stands, quietly sighing.
"What are you saying, Nakamura?" Aida turned her head, tone carrying a veteran practitioner's certainty. "Kanagawa has always been a national basketball powerhouse! In recent years, teams representing our Kanagawa in competition have achieved quite impressive results even on the national stage."
"Especially Kainan University Affiliated—not only consecutively representing Kanagawa in national tournaments for sixteen years, but firmly occupying a veteran powerhouse position at the national top-eight level."
"Eh? Kanagawa is really that strong?" Nakamura said with surprise.
"Huh? You didn't research these basic backgrounds in advance?" Aida's brow furrowed. "I should have written this quite clearly in the materials I gave you!"
"S-sorry! Senpai!" Nakamura hastily apologized.
"Honestly," Aida sighed, helplessly shaking her head. "Moreover, today has another eye-catching highlight—Kanagawa's highly anticipated 'Three Great First-Years' this year will face off for the first time in official competition!"
"Th-three great first-years?"
"You don't even know this?!" Aida's voice rose an octave. "Today's newcomers are too ridiculous!"
She suppressed her anger, pointing at the teams gradually entering.
"Anyway, watch the court carefully."
"Kanagawa's basketball situation might, with these three brilliant new stars' rise, herald an intense collision and new era."
"They're here! Coming out!"
Walking at the front, Kainan players led by captain Maki Shinichi advanced with steady, powerful steps, radiating unquestionable champion's bearing. The instant they appeared, the stands erupted with mountain-and-sea-like cheering:
"KAINAN!! ALWAYS VICTORIOUS—!!"
On the other side, the other three teams appeared successively, their cheering momentum considerably weaker.
"RYONAN!! BRAVE AND FIERCE!!"
"SHOHOKU!! SELF-IMPROVEMENT!!"
"KAIJO!! STRIVING UPWARD!!"
"HAHAHAHA!! This year's Kainan is the strongest in history!!"
Yagami's attention was drawn by noisy sounds. Following the voice, he saw from Kainan's group a figure wearing a headband and number 10 jersey swaggering to center court as if it were his personal stage.
"Do you know what the reason is?" He stood with hands on hips, voice filled with undisguised pride.
"Ugh... where'd this idiot come from." Yagami yawned, looking unenergetic.
Last night studying Kainan footage, he'd lost track of time and didn't sleep until past midnight.
"That's because this year I, top recruit Kiyota Nobunaga, joined! Hahaha!!"
"What's that kid doing?"
"Real idiot. Where'd this arrogant brat come from?"
The spectator seats responded with quiet discussions and complaints.
"Sorato, look quick!" Aida seemed to discover a new continent, tugging Yagami's jersey. "That guy's also number 10 like you, and he actually dares call himself top recruit!"
Hearing this, Yagami expressionlessly extended his hand, covering Aida's still-chattering mouth.
"Hikoichi," he said with flat tone. "Your valuable intelligence-gathering ability should be used on more worthwhile targets."
"Mmph, ungersthnd (understood)," Aida responded incoherently.
Though most competing players weren't interested in Kiyota, there were exceptions—like Sakuragi Hanamichi, who stood behind him holding a basketball.
"Stop being arrogant, you self-important guy!"
"Heh, I knew you'd come over, Sakuragi!" Kiyota snatched the ball from Sakuragi's hands.
"What are you doing, stinky monkey!"
"Sakuragi, one thing I need to make clear first!"
Kiyota lowered his center of gravity, the basketball pounding rapidly under his control at a rhythm so fast Sakuragi momentarily didn't know where to start.
"Such fast dribbling!" Nakamura at courtside noticed the commotion, exclaiming. "Is this the so-called 'top recruit's' ability? Kainan truly lives up to its reputation!"
"Your Rukawa Kaede doesn't deserve being called best recruit." Kiyota grabbed the basketball single-handed, practically shoving it in Sakuragi's face, tone full of provocation.
"You guy—" Sakuragi stared seriously at him.
"You're right!"
"Huh?" Kiyota suddenly froze.
Taking advantage of his daze, Sakuragi snatched the ball back, rapidly circling it around his waist until the ball's shadow was barely visible.
"Rukawa Kaede doesn't count as anything. Kanagawa's best recruit is me, genius Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
"Wow!! My god, Shohoku's guy is also amazing!" Nakamura watched dumbstruck. "Senpai, are these the best recruits we should focus on?!"
"Idiot, you're looking at the wrong place!" Aida knocked his head hard. "Kanagawa's three great first-years are over there!"
"Ah?"
Nakamura rubbed his head, looking where Aida pointed.
Those two players he truly recognized—recently hot-performing recruits, Shohoku's Rukawa Kaede and Kaijo's Kise Ryota—who'd coincidentally walked near Ryonan's group.
Both players' gazes simultaneously locked onto Yagami Sorato standing quietly in place with a harmless expression.
"Hey," Rukawa spoke first, words concise. "This time I won't lose."
Kise glanced at Rukawa but didn't take him seriously, similarly saying to Yagami: "See you in the finals. The only person who can beat you is me."
"Hmm?"
Yagami seemed to just notice the two, raising his eyes to look at these two uninvited opponents with slight confusion, asking with flat tone: "You're talking to me?"
"Yagami—!"
"If I remember correctly, you two are actually today's opponents, right?" The corner of Yagami's mouth curved up, showing a kind smile. "Do your best. I wish you victory."
"Then earn the qualification to lose to me."
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