"Wow, it's a normal Little Green. So magical."
Momoi also walked over at this time, face carrying emotion, as if a disappointing child finally grew up.
Before the final, there was a third-place playoff.
But it was held in the morning; their Tōō won third place in the Nationals.
Momoi was in a good mood today, joking with them as soon as she came up.
"Long time no see, Little Kise, and Senior Kasamatsu."
"Long time no see, Tōō's team manager, and the Ace of the Generation of Miracles, Aomine Daiki."
"Tch."
Aomine appeared quite cold. At this point, what Ace or not Ace?
He had already lost to Yuuto.
"Didn't expect everyone to watch the game together. If only Little Murasakibara were here too."
"Little Murasakibara has probably returned to Akita Prefecture already. Should be eating snacks at home right now."
Momoi's guess was absolutely correct.
Murasakibara was indeed lying on the sofa at home munching on chips, still complaining.
"You can watch the game anywhere; why come to my house?"
Murasakibara was unhappy; he felt his happy time was ruined.
"You didn't come to find us, so we could only come to find you ourselves."
"Yeah, for watching games, it's livelier with more people."
They spoke righteously. Even coach Masako Araki sat in the living room holding a shinai (bamboo sword).
"So I'm asking, why did you have to come to me..."
"What's with that 'these people are so troublesome' look on your face?" Masako Araki raised the shinai in her hand.
"I didn't."
Murasakibara denied it; he didn't want to be hit.
While speaking, cheers came from the TV.
Everyone shifted their gaze and saw both sides of the match walking out of the tunnel.
On one side was Rakuzan High School wearing white-based jerseys. Akashi walked at the very front of the team with his jacket draped over his shoulders.
Instantly, sounds of "Emperor," "Rakuzan," "Victory" were endless.
On the other end.
Yuuto also walked at the very front, followed by the muscular men of Seiho.
"Seiho~"
Clap clap clap clap~
"Seiho~"
Clap clap clap clap~
Shouts accompanied by rhythmic beats, like welcoming a King's travel.
Put down backpacks, take off jackets.
Both sides warmed up meticulously in their respective half-courts, but fans on both sides shouted across the air, constantly trying to suppress the other side with their voices.
Soon.
Under the eager gaze of fans, the warm-up of both sides ended.
Yuuto and Akashi walked towards each other invariably, reaching out across the center line to shake hands.
"Hmm? Yuuto represents Seiho to shake hands?"
His action attracted many people's attention.
Normally, such a segment is carried out by the team captain, showing the team's demeanor and friendship.
In previous matches, Iwamura had always been Seiho's representative.
Today, this person changed to Yuuto.
"In other words, has the transfer of power in Seiho been completed?"
"Choosing this time... Seiho's determination is high."
"Another first-year captain!"
Shinji Koganei exclaimed.
In Japan's current national conditions, such things rarely happen.
A basketball club captain position isn't given to whoever is strong, but through seniority.
Normally, when the third-year captain steps down, they hand the baton to a second-year player to inherit the basketball club.
So many basketball club captains in Japan are actually in office for only one year.
Cases like Yuuto and Akashi are extremely rare.
But thinking of those two's leadership ability, personal charisma, and powerful strength, indeed no seniority is needed to make the basketball club trust them completely.
Team members are willing to follow such strong people.
"Congratulations, Yuuto." Akashi paused for a moment, then laughed again. "We have been looking forward to playing against you."
He said "we"; this "we" didn't refer to Rakuzan, but the two people in his body.
"I'm looking forward to it too."
"Looking forward to the second victory in my life."
Yuuto's aura was fully open. He was confident to the point of arrogance, bringing immense pressure to people.
"Then I wish you good luck."
Akashi didn't yield, talking with the posture of a superior.
Implying that Seiho needed luck to defeat Rakuzan; strength wasn't enough to challenge Emperor Rakuzan.
Even the primary personality Akashi still embraced confidence and pride.
Fans looked at the two, involuntarily swallowing saliva.
The atmosphere was already so intense before the match started. Those two geniuses, different from other Generation of Miracles, gave a heart-pounding feeling.
A commotion on the scene; fans on both sides shouted even more fiercely.
They simply couldn't remain calm because this was the final decisive battle.
This was the most important match of the year; no flaw could be tolerated.
Beep~
A hum came from the broadcast, meaning the match was about to start.
"Next will be the final of the 88th National High School Boys' Basketball Tournament..."
"Opposing sides, Seiho High School from Tokyo District, and Rakuzan High School from Kyoto District..."
The match was about to begin.
The Nationals have been held until now, exactly the 88th edition this year.
For Yuuto, this was a lucky number.
The referee entered with the ball.
The referee in charge of blowing the whistle today was heard to be a famous local referee invited from the professional league. It could be seen that this match indeed attracted considerable attention.
"...Both sides, bow!"
"Please advise!" X2
As both sides shouted with full breath, fans welcomed the arrival of this feast with applause.
"Finally starting."
"Who do you think will win? How will it end?" This was a question many people had, discussing it all these days, but the result would be out soon.
"I think Rakuzan has a better chance. After all, their lineup looks stronger, balanced in all aspects. In contrast, although Seiho is known as the Iron Wall, the offensive end lacks variety, without enough tactical support."
This was the voice of many. Seiho's defense was, if not number one in the country, at least TOP level. But relatively, the offensive end was criticized for years.
This year's Seiho relied extremely on Yuuto's performance on the offensive end.
"Not necessarily. Although Seiho's current offense looks simple, they have Yuuto. In so many past matches, Seiho hasn't had a single game with less than triple-digit points. Yuuto has long proven that he can kill the game alone!"
Triple-digit average points. Such attack power is actually very high at this age group.
Many teams only score 70-80 points in a game; 90 points is already considered high.
And Yuuto, he could even provide such super-high firepower alone.
People discussed animatedly, starting from the lineup for detailed analysis.
However, most of these analyses were just wishful guessing.
Some thought Rakuzan had a higher chance of winning. Their lineup was too perfect; adding the Generation of Miracles leader Akashi Seijuro this year was like getting the most desired heart. No weaknesses anymore.
Their lineup, even in Emperor Rakuzan's history, was the strongest, bar none.
On the other hand, Seiho also received the most needed reinforcement.
Strong defense weak offense, they got the strongest junior high student in the country last year, Lion King Yuuto. The lineup strength also reached Seiho's historical strongest.
"In other words, this is the duel between the strongest and the strongest!"
Before the match even started, people were already extremely expectant.
...
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