Seihō's Winter Cup draw wasn't nearly as favorable as it had been at the Inter-High.
During the Inter-High tournament proper, their only major opponent had been Kaijō.
After defeating the top seed from Kanagawa, their path to the finals was practically clear sailing—they didn't face another serious challenge until Akashi and his Rakuzan in the championship.
But in the Winter Cup—
"Both Seirin and Yōsen are in our bracket."
When they learned the bracket results from Yuuto, the Seihō players' expressions grew serious.
Seirin was no longer the same team from the Inter-High.
Their victory over Tōō proved how much they'd improved.
Kagami Taiga especially had displayed abilities against Tōō that rivaled Aomine's.
They were definitely championship contenders—an opponent Seihō couldn't ignore.
Beyond that—
Yōsen was their primary concern.
That streetball game had lasted less than one quarter, but the abilities Himuro Tatsuya and Murasakibara Atsushi had displayed left a massive impression.
Two players at Generation of Miracles level—the team's strength was obvious.
"Based on the bracket, we'll most likely face Yōsen in the quarterfinals."
Coach Yamazaki Shirou mapped out their advancement path.
Their first three games wouldn't pose much of a challenge, but starting from the quarterfinals, the real tests would come one after another.
If everything went smoothly, Seihō would first face Yōsen's ambush in the quarterfinals, then Seirin's challenge in the semifinals.
Then the finals.
Looking at the other half of the bracket, their finals opponent would be either Rakuzan, Shūtoku, or Kaijō.
"In other words, starting from the quarterfinals, we can't afford to slip up in a single game."
This schedule was far more grueling than the Inter-High.
At the Inter-High, after the Round of 16, Seihō had gotten plenty of rest time.
Coach Yamazaki had rotated players extensively throughout their matches, ensuring everyone was fresh for the finals.
Now that wasn't possible. From the quarterfinals on, every game would be a war. They'd need to manage their stamina carefully.
"No problem. Like the captain said—they're the challengers, not us."
Some second-years and first-year reserves were brimming with confidence.
They were Seihō's future—likely next year's starters.
And they had absolute faith in Yuuto—even more than they had in themselves.
To Seihō, Yuuto was their god.
"That's right. We're the champions. We're never the ones who should be worried."
"Keep training. Remember our goal: the Grand Slam!"
"Yeah!"
After reviewing the bracket, everyone resumed daily practice.
The Winter Cup, huh.
That means Kagami's coach should be arriving soon.
And that Nash guy—I should be able to encounter him in the next few simulations.
Yuuto palmed the basketball, his gaze drifting past the gym walls to the scenery outside.
After that conversation, Coach Yamazaki had spoken with Yuuto again.
Realizing Yuuto absolutely wouldn't wait two more years, Yamazaki had no choice but to contact schools in America and send over Yuuto's game footage.
The other side had expressed strong interest in Yuuto.
So after the Winter Cup, Yuuto would be leaving. No need to trouble Kagami's teacher anymore.
Then let's have one more good run—Generation of Miracles, and Seirin.
...
One week remained until the Winter Cup opening ceremony.
During this time, every team was conducting their final targeted training.
Coach Aida Riko had even recruited her father to help with special training.
Aida Kagetora took Seirin out to the wilderness, having them play cops-and-robbers in the mountains.
He called it Fartlek training—effective for building overall conditioning.
Rakuzan, meanwhile, summoned former alumni. Each player had been carefully selected to best simulate Seihō's characteristics.
Rakuzan's Winter Cup mission: revenge against Seihō.
Kaijō was similar.
They'd arranged joint training sessions with Tōō.
Coach Takeuchi Genta hoped to improve his players' overall abilities in this final stretch.
Especially their ace, Kise Ryouta.
He believed that among all the Generation of Miracles, Kise had the best chance of defeating Yuuto.
Shūtoku and Yōsen each used their own methods for final preparations.
Amid this tense atmosphere—
The Winter Cup finally began.
...
"The National High School Basketball Selection Tournament—Winter Cup—now begins!"
On the court.
All participating teams lined up. At the front stood Seihō and Rakuzan.
They were positioned at the very front, flanked by teams from the Tokyo region, Kanagawa region, Kyoto region, and other major areas.
...
"This is incredible. The Inter-High venue was already impressive, but this one seems even bigger."
"It's a commemorative tournament after all. Who knows how many years until they hold another one this scale—it's even bigger than the Inter-High."
The Seirin players, reaching the knockout rounds for the first time, were visibly nervous.
"Be confident. We beat Tōō to get here."
Easy to say, but Hyuuga Junpei's heart was racing faster than ever.
"They look pretty nervous. Will they be okay?"
"Our first time at the Inter-High, we weren't any better."
Iwamura Tsutomu chuckled, remembering his own past.
...
They wanted to ask Yuuto how he'd felt at his first national tournament, but discovered he'd vanished right after the opening ceremony.
"Where's Yuuto?"
"He said he ran into someone he knows. Went to chat."
"The game's about to start. Go find him and bring him back."
"Yes!"
A first-year team member immediately left the group to search outside.
As for Yuuto?
He'd found Haizaki Shōgo outside the arena.
"Didn't you say you had no regrets left? So what's this about?"
"Oh, it's you, Yuuto."
Haizaki had noticed Yuuto long ago. As champions, Seihō had been positioned at the front of the procession—they were the center of national attention, impossible to miss.
He just hadn't expected Yuuto to notice him.
"I thought you wouldn't spot me until after your games started."
"Actually, I noticed you back in May."
Yuuto walked over and lightly punched Haizaki's chest.
They were old comrades—they'd taken down Teikō together.
"So? What brings you back?"
"Nothing much. Just bored. Saw you guys on TV looking like you were having fun. Plus my new girlfriend's into basketball, so I came."
Haizaki was still the same—saying one thing, meaning another.
"Is that so? Well, if you're that bored, why not join Seihō?"
"Huh?"
...
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