Chapter Ninety-Seven: Seirin vs Shohoku
After hanging up, Yagami stared at the darkened phone screen for a moment before turning back toward the restaurant.
"Must be nice. Uozumi-senpai got injured too, but nobody's worried about him—ow!"
Aida Hikoichi's complaint was cut short by Uozumi's fist.
Yagami returned to his seat. Facing the team's teasing looks, he kept his expression neutral and picked up his chopsticks, grabbing a piece of fried pork cutlet.
"What are you all staring at? Aren't you full yet?"
"Hmph, we're plenty full," Ikegami said sourly. He didn't understand it—he was at least in Ryonan's top three for looks. Why didn't anyone pay attention to him?
"We've got other business, so we'll head out first." Kasamatsu stood up. "It's a shame we couldn't face you guys this time."
"I feel the same way, Kasamatsu-senpai." Sendoh politely rose to his feet.
"You'd better perform well in your upcoming matches," Kise said. "Tokyo teams are really strong. Whether it's Little Midorima or Little Aomine, when they get serious they're both scarier than I was back then."
"That's pretty honest of you to admit," Yagami glanced at him.
"Haha, well it's the truth." Kise said casually. "As for settling things between us—let's save that for the Winter Cup."
"Don't think you're sitting comfortably on Kanagawa's throne just yet."
"Of course. Kaijo's challenge is always welcome." Yagami stood as well. "Ryonan couldn't ask for anything better!"
---
Since the afternoon was just for scouting, Coach Taoka hadn't imposed strict time requirements. He only told the team to rest well and conserve their energy.
The Ryonan players didn't gather at the venue entrance until fifteen minutes before tip-off, flowing in with the crowd toward Court A.
Inside the arena.
"Senpai! I just thought of a brilliant angle for this Shohoku versus Seirin matchup!" Nakamura's eyes suddenly lit up as he watched both teams warming up.
"Oh." Aida Yayoi adjusted her equipment without looking up. "Let's hear it."
"Look at this—" Nakamura flipped open his notebook, which was densely packed with information. "Shohoku and Seirin's rosters have one extremely similar element!"
"Oh." Aida Yayoi showed zero anticipation.
"That would be Sakuragi Hanamichi and Kagami Taiga. They're both first-years, they both have red hair, and most importantly—" Nakamura paused for dramatic effect.
"Keep going," Aida Yayoi finally looked up. The kid was finally showing some promise.
"They both wear number 10!"
"Smack!"
Aida Yayoi chopped the top of Nakamura's head with her hand. "Are you joking?"
"Uh... they're also both power forwards?" Nakamura froze, glancing cautiously at his senior.
"You finally said something that's not completely useless." Aida Yayoi rolled her eyes irritably.
"Sakuragi Hanamichi and Kagami Taiga are indeed worth watching. They both possess top-tier jumping ability. But Sakuragi's jumping talent shows more on the boards, while Kagami's is in offensive dunking."
"This is a classic 'spear versus shield' matchup."
"However, Sakuragi only started playing basketball in high school, while Kagami learned excellent basketball skills in America. Sakuragi alone probably isn't enough to match up comparatively with Kagami."
"Ohhh, I see!" Nakamura exclaimed. Hearing his senior explain it like that, it did seem to have more depth than his own observation.
"And that's not all," Aida Yayoi added. "If the audience focuses on the rookies, then Rukawa Kaede and Kuroko Tetsuya's impact on this game can't be ignored either."
"One serves as his team's finisher, leading Shohoku with spectacular offense. The other has thin presence, connecting Seirin through his passing."
Nakamura nodded thoughtfully. "I think I understand now. Thank you for the guidance, senpai!"
"Get ready to take good notes, Nakamura." Aida Yayoi smiled, adjusting her equipment again. "I have a feeling this will be an extremely exciting game—both for the audience and for Ryonan as they scout potential opponents."
"Yes!"
---
The referee's whistle cut through the air. The match between Shohoku and Seirin was about to begin.
"Please take care of us!"
Shohoku's starting lineup: Point guard Miyagi Ryota (168cm/59kg), shooting guard Mitsui Hisashi (184cm/70kg), small forward Rukawa Kaede (187cm/75kg), power forward Sakuragi Hanamichi (190cm/83kg), center Akagi Takenori (197cm/93kg).
Seirin's starting lineup: Point guard Kuroko Tetsuya (168cm/60kg), point guard Izuki Shun (174cm/64kg), shooting guard Hyuga Junpei (179cm/68kg), power forward Kagami Taiga (190cm/82kg), center Mitobe Rinnosuke (186cm/78kg).
After both teams took their positions at center circle, Seirin's players looked noticeably smaller by comparison.
"You're not a fan of mine who dyed your hair red, are you?" Sakuragi eyed Kagami suspiciously.
"Don't be ridiculous—this is natural!" Kagami said flatly. "And who are you anyway? I've never even heard of you."
"Pfft." Miyagi couldn't help but laugh.
"You bastard! You don't even know the genius Sakuragi Hanamichi?!" Sakuragi's face reddened. "That's fine then—I was worried you were my fan and I'd feel bad crushing you!"
"Damn, you've got a big mouth," Kagami said, baffled.
"Tweet!"
The referee's whistle stopped their bickering, signaling both sides to prepare for the jump ball.
Both teams positioned themselves around center circle.
To everyone's surprise, Seirin's jumper wasn't their center Mitobe Rinnosuke, but rather Kagami Taiga.
"Gorilla!" Sakuragi rushed to center circle with quick steps, slapping Akagi's back forcefully. His face was full of impatience. "Let this genius handle it! Let me face him!"
"Idiot! Don't fool around! Get back to your position!" Akagi scolded quietly.
"Just once! I definitely won't lose to that arrogant guy!" Sakuragi employed his usual stubbornness, staring intently at Kagami across from him.
"Shohoku, please confirm your jumper quickly!" The referee had no choice but to intervene, his tone brooking no argument.
Seeing Sakuragi's determined attitude, Akagi glared hard at him before reluctantly stepping aside.
"Ohhh! They're going head-to-head right from the start!"
"These two redheads look interesting!"
The crowd erupted with excited discussion, their anticipation instantly maxed out.
Inside center circle, Kagami and Sakuragi locked eyes. The air between them seemed to crackle with invisible sparks. Both tall figures leaned forward slightly, muscles tensed, ready to explode.
"Hmph!"
Two simultaneous snorts filled with disdain and fierce competitive spirit.
"Tweet!"
The crisp whistle pierced the air. The referee tossed the ball straight up.
Almost by instinct, both figures burst upward like compressed springs suddenly released, charging toward the orange basketball with explosive power!
"So high!"
Their jumping height drew gasps from the stands. Their airborne figures seemed temporarily freed from gravity.
In that split second, Kagami's more precise timing allowed his fingertips to touch the ball first, tipping it toward Seirin's half.
"That guy—?"
Kagami was secretly shocked. Sakuragi had jumped later than him, yet they'd reached the peak almost simultaneously! This was the first time he'd seen anyone match his jumping ability!
"Idiot."
Rukawa muttered an irritated curse. Shohoku's players quickly retreated on defense.
Izuki caught the ball, pushing forward steadily.
Miyagi defended him. Kagami came up for a screen. Izuki drove into the paint.
Rukawa and Sakuragi both stepped up to help.
"Swish!"
Izuki passed to the perimeter. Hyuga caught it and took the three without hesitation!
Mitsui jumped to contest.
"Swish!"
Nothing but net!
[Seirin 3 - Shohoku 0]
"Nice shot!"
"Great pass, Izuki!"
Seirin quickly retreated on defense.
Change of possession. Shohoku's offense.
"This guy's better than he looks. Pretty good court vision." Miyagi pushed past halfcourt, sizing up Izuki. "But—"
"Swish!"
Miyagi lobbed the ball high toward the right side of the rim. Akagi jumped to receive the alley-oop—
"Smack!"
"What?!"
"So high!!!"
Miyagi's eyes widened in disbelief as Kagami intercepted the ball in mid-air. "What the hell? This guy jumps way too high!"
"Fast break!"
"Get back!"
After landing, Kagami whipped the ball out. Shohoku's players suddenly noticed with surprise that Seirin's number 11 had somehow appeared near center circle!
"Swish!"
The ball barely paused in Kuroko's hands before flying precisely into Izuki's hands as he drove to the basket.
"?!!"
"Swish!"
Izuki scored the easy layup.
[Seirin 5 - Shohoku 0]
"Was that a pass just now? So fast!!" Aida Hikoichi exclaimed.
Yagami's body involuntarily leaned forward. Seeing it in person was indeed more remarkable than his memories. Even he hadn't noticed when Kuroko had run to halfcourt.
"Worthy of being part of the Generation of Miracles. Pretty interesting indeed." Even Sendoh couldn't help but praise.
Yagami recalled someone once comparing Kuroko's passing to the NBA's "White Chocolate" Williams. Perhaps they achieved similar effects—both caught opponents completely off-guard.
But the most crucial difference was that Kuroko didn't handle the ball.
Williams was a standard ball-handling playmaker. Well, duh, Yagami thought to himself. What kind of offense organizer doesn't handle the ball?
So just from that alone, Kuroko was special enough.
---
Change of possession. Shohoku's offense.
"Stay calm. Let's just score first." Miyagi was speaking to his teammates but also reminding himself.
He slowly advanced to the frontcourt. After reading the situation, he passed to the "open" Sakuragi.
Sakuragi was about to charge to the basket when he suddenly found a small figure blocking his path. Kuroko stood in front of him with both hands raised, looking completely serious.
"???"
"Are you serious, shorty?" Sakuragi looked at him strangely. He only had to raise the ball and Kuroko couldn't touch it.
Kuroko didn't respond, stubbornly staring at Sakuragi.
"Sakuragi, what are you spacing out for!" Miyagi shouted.
Sakuragi jumped for the shot. Kuroko jumped simultaneously—his hand barely reaching Sakuragi's elbow level.
It didn't interfere at all.
"Clang!"
"Aahhh!"
But Sakuragi missed anyway.
"What an idiot," Rukawa looked disgusted.
"Smack!"
Akagi jumped and tipped the ball in for the putback.
[Seirin 5 - Shohoku 2]
Change of possession. Seirin's offense.
After Izuki crossed halfcourt, Kagami called for the ball on the left side. Rukawa was defending him.
After several crossovers, Kagami accelerated from the right side into the paint. Akagi stepped out to help. After entering the restricted area, Kagami grabbed the ball and jumped!
One-handed dunk over the defender!
"He's even higher than Akagi?!" Mitsui was shocked.
"Smack!"
Sakuragi leaped from the side, swatting the ball away!
"What?! Kagami got blocked?!"
Now it was Seirin's players who were stunned.
The ball was grabbed by Hyuga on the left side. Mitsui immediately defended him.
"No shot opportunity..."
Just as Hyuga found himself stuck, Kuroko suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Swish!"
After two passes, the ball appeared in Izuki's hands as he cut to the basket. Miyagi rotated back on defense.
"Swish!"
Izuki hit the mid-range jumper.
[Seirin 7 - Shohoku 2]
"What's going on?"
"Seirin's offense looks weird..."
"Wait, wasn't that another assist from number 11? Did Shohoku lose their man again?"
"Hmm?" Coach Anzai watched the court intently.
---
Change of possession. Shohoku's offense.
This time Miyagi could see clearly—Kuroko stayed near Sakuragi's side. He probably only stepped out to take position when Sakuragi caught the ball.
"Akagi!"
Miyagi fired a direct pass into the paint from the left side.
Akagi caught it and backed down in the post. Mitobe was pushed back repeatedly.
After establishing deep position, Akagi jumped easily for the floater.
[Seirin 7 - Shohoku 4]
"Damn, that guy still hasn't come back. It's too hard for Mitobe to hold down the paint alone," Hyuga frowned.
Change of possession. Seirin's offense.
Izuki steadily dribbled across halfcourt. As Miyagi defended, Kagami quickly came up from the wing for another screen.
Shohoku reacted extremely fast—Rukawa and Miyagi switched seamlessly, with Rukawa picking up Izuki.
Under Rukawa's oppressive pressure, Izuki retreated repeatedly, but he didn't panic. Using a behind-the-back dribble, he passed the ball back to the top of the key.
Kagami cut hard to the basket. Miyagi looked confused, helping back toward the perimeter.
"Him?"
Kuroko caught at the top, pushing the ball forward without hesitation with an open-palm strike that sent it directly into the paint.
Kagami received on the left side of the free throw line. Open mid-range jumper!
"Swish!"
Two points!
[Seirin 9 - Shohoku 4]
"I see." Coach Anzai stood up from the sideline and called out: "Mitsui, from now on you'll defend number 11!"