Prefectural Gymnasium.
A wave of heat surged through the air. The crowd roared like a living storm.
Today marked the fifth day of the Kanagawa Prefectural Qualifiers—also the key battle that would determine the Final Four.
The massive stands, capable of holding thousands, were completely packed. Even the aisles were filled with standing spectators.
The air carried a strange mixture of sweat and popcorn—
A scent that could only be described as "intense battle."
From Groups A, B, C, and D, the qualifying teams would clash today to decide the final four spots.
And in Kanagawa, only the two teams that reached the finals would earn tickets to the Interhigh (National Tournament).
Last year, those two precious tickets had been firmly held by the "King" Kainan University Affiliated High School and Shoyo High School.
"Shoyo! Shoyo! Shoyo!"
"Shoyo! Shoyo! Shoyo!"
The synchronized chants crashed across the arena like a tsunami, shaking the very dome of the gym.
On one side of the stands, a sea of green had completely taken over.
That was Shoyo High School's cheering squad.
Hundreds of students, dressed in uniform, held plastic megaphones in their hands.
Under the command of their cheer captain, they shouted in perfect rhythm, their voices deafening.
It didn't feel like they were watching a basketball game.
It felt more like a religious ritual—or an army marching off to war.
In comparison, Shohoku's side…
Was so pitiful it almost brought tears to the eyes.
Aside from a few scattered family members and students, there were only the lonely figures of the Sakuragi Army.
"W-Whoa… this… isn't this a bit too much…?"
Takamiyа Nozomi dropped his bag of chips onto the floor, staring blankly at the green formation across the arena.
"So this is the presence of a seeded team…?"
Ohkusu swallowed hard.
Even if the few of them shouted themselves hoarse, their voices would be instantly drowned out.
"This feels like a professional team…"
"Playing in this kind of atmosphere… the pressure alone is enough to make your legs go weak," Mito Yohei muttered, frowning slightly.
Sitting beside them, Akagi Haruko clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, her small face pale.
"Big brother… Sakuragi-kun… everyone…"
She looked at that overwhelming green tide, as if it could swallow everything whole—
Her heart filled with worry.
…
Backstage, in Shohoku's locker room.
The cheers from outside penetrated even the thick walls, still clearly audible—like distant thunder rumbling.
The air felt frozen.
Akagi Takenori sat on a bench, arms crossed, eyes closed.
Though he tried his best to remain calm…
The slight twitch of his eyelids and the fine beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his inner tension.
This was his final year.
And also Shohoku's strongest year.
If they lost here—
Everything would be over.
"Bang!"
The restroom door was suddenly flung open.
Mitsui Hisashi walked out with a pale face, flicking water droplets from his hands as he went.
"That makes five times already, doesn't it, Mitsui?"
Miyagi Ryota sat on the floor, rapidly spinning a basketball between his fingers. The ball whirled so fast it produced a faint humming sound.
"Shut up!"
"I just… drank too much milk this morning. It's a bit diuretic, that's all."
Mitsui shot him a glare, trying to salvage his dignity.
"Oh yeah?"
Miyagi curled his lips.
In truth, his own legs were trembling slightly too.
Even a delinquent who fought every day couldn't help his heart racing in a moment that would decide everything.
And yet—
Amidst this tension so tight it felt ready to snap…
There were two completely out-of-place notes.
On a bench in the corner—
Rukawa Kaede leaned against the wall, headphones on, sleeping soundly. A small bubble of snot inflated and deflated at the tip of his nose.
Across from him—
Makino Juro was even worse.
He had pushed several chairs together and was lying across them, completely stretched out.
A towel covered his face, his chest rising and falling steadily.
"Zzz… zzz…"
A faint snoring sound could even be heard.
Kogure Kiminobu pushed up his glasses helplessly and gave a wry smile.
"I really envy those two… such nerves of steel. To be able to sleep at a time like this…"
"So this is what they call… genius?" Yasuda Yasuharu said, his face full of admiration.
"Alright! Everyone, get up!"
Akagi suddenly opened his eyes, stood up, and roared—his voice shattering the silence.
"It's time!"
"We're heading out!"
Makino Juro jolted from the shout.
Half-asleep, he pulled the towel off his face, revealing a pair of dull, sleepy eyes.
"Man… Gorilla, why are you shouting so loud…"
Makino Juro yawned, stretched lazily, his joints cracking loudly one after another.
"So it's finally starting?"
"Let's finish this quickly and call it a day…"
…
"Now entering—Shohoku High School!"
As the announcer's voice rang out—
The Shohoku players filed out of the tunnel one after another.
For a brief moment, the noisy arena faltered.
"Sohoku? Isn't that the team full of delinquents?"
"I heard they knocked someone out in their first game?"
"Tch, just luck. Now that they're facing Shoyo, they're done for."
Doubts. Mockery. Whispers.
Voices poured in from all directions.
Walking in the middle of the team, Sakuragi Hanamichi felt the veins on his forehead throb violently as he listened to the jeers.
"These damn spectators…"
He was just about to explode—
When suddenly, a familiar shout rang out from a corner of the stands.
"Hey!! Hanamichi!!"
Mito Yohei leaned over the railing, hands cupped around his mouth as he yelled at the top of his lungs:
"Don't foul out again today!!"
"If you get kicked out like an idiot again, we're not treating you to ramen!!"
"Hahaha! The King of Ejections! Do your best!" Takamiya and Ohkusu joined in, laughing loudly.
The entire arena burst into laughter.
Sakuragi's face instantly turned the color of liver—red with extreme rage.
"Yohei!! You bastards!!"
"This genius will NOT get ejected today!! Absolutely not!!"
He waved his fists at the stands, roaring.
At that moment—
A clear, gentle voice cut through the noise.
"Sakuragi-kun! Do your best!!"
Sakuragi froze.
He turned toward the voice—
And saw Akagi Haruko, standing in the stands, waving her arms with a bright, radiant smile.
"I believe in you! Rebound King Sakuragi!"
The furious bull from moments ago—
Melted instantly.
His fierce expression turned into a lovestruck grin.
His face flushed like a ripe tomato, his entire body twisting awkwardly.
"H-Haruko-san…"
"She called me the Rebound King… hehehe…"
Just as Shohoku was still caught in this comedic chaos—
The other side of the arena suddenly erupted with even louder cheers.
"Shoyo! Shoyo! Shoyo!"
Amid the overwhelming roar—
Shoyo High School's players ran onto the court.
At that instant—
Every member of Shohoku felt their pupils shrink slightly.
They were tall.
Too tall.