[Please vote with the power stones; the more you vote, the more chapters will be published. Thank you.]
50 Power Stones = 1 bonus chapters.
100 Power Stones = 3 bonus chapters.
150 Power Stones = 5 bonus chapters.
------------------------
The final match of the month was against Shoei Junior High School.
The captain of Shoei Junior High School was named Teppei Kiyoshi.
Teppei Kiyoshi was one of the five players who never won a championship.
He was also praised for having an indomitable spirit on the court, known as the "Iron Heart."
As the game progressed, more and more people came to watch.
The gymnasium was already packed with spectators. Reporters from various sports newspapers were also waiting there early.
In Shoei's locker room, a boy wearing a number 4 jersey sat in a corner.
His resolute face held a hint of kindness.
His teammates around him didn't disturb him.
Suddenly, the locker room door opened, and a middle-aged man in his thirties walked in. This man was the coach of Shoei's basketball team.
He went directly to the boy in the number 4 jersey. "Teppei, the match is about to begin. Are you ready?"
The boy looked up at his coach, a smile on his face. "I'm ready, Coach."
Shoei's coach nodded, then turned and addressed the group loudly. "Teiko this year is very strong, stronger than ever before. Tell me, are you confident you can beat them?"
"We are!" everyone said in unison.
"Very good." Shoei's coach was very satisfied with their answer. "Then let's go; let everyone see how powerful Shoei is."
...
On the other side, in Teiko's lounge:
"Hey, I can't open my potato chip bag. Midorima, can I borrow your scissors?"
"No, they're my lucky charm for today."
"Don't be so stingy! Just a little bit."
"I said, no."
Murasakibara and Midorima were like two comedians.
Aside from Ryu, Aomine, and Akashi, the others were worried the two would start fighting.
"Seriously, Murasakibara and Midorima are at it again," Momoi Satsuki sighed wearily.
Aomine Daiki stretched his arms and said, "Today's opponent is that Shoei, right? I heard their captain is really strong; finally, they have someone decent."
Hearing this, Ryu immediately poured cold water on the idea. "I'm afraid you don't have a chance today. His position is center; Murasakibara might get a beating."
...
Time passed second by second.
The match time was drawing ever closer.
When Teiko and their group walked out of the tunnel, a thunderous cheer erupted from the entire arena.
Ryu and the others could even feel the waves of sound hitting them.
Seeing this, Shoei and their group on the opposite side all had drastic changes in expression.
The coach of Shoei Middle School was also inwardly amazed.
Kiyoshi Teppei, wearing jersey number 4, smiled. "Looks like the pressure in this match is really high! Everyone, stay calm. If we win this game, we'll be in the national top four. Don't forget all the hard work we've put in this year. We only have one goal: the championship."
Hearing their captain's encouraging words, the Shoei players felt much more at ease.
Whistle...
A whistle blew.
The match between Teiko Junior High and Shoei Junior High began.
The two teams jumped for the ball.
Atsushi Murasakibara was naturally in charge of the jump ball for Teiko Middle School.
On the other hand, unsurprisingly, Teppei Kiyoshi was in charge of the jump ball for Shoei Middle School.
Seeing Atsushi Murasakibara's sleepy-eyed expression, Teppei Kiyoshi dared not be careless.
He had watched Teiko play before; Atsushi Murasakibara was not someone to be trifled with.
Whistle…
With the sound of the whistle, the referee tossed the basketball high into the air.
Whoosh… Whoosh…
Two figures leaped high into the air—Atsushi Murasakibara and Teppei Kiyoshi.
Just as Atsushi Murasakibara's hand was about to touch the basketball, the basketball's trajectory changed, flying towards Shoei's half of the court.
Atsushi Murasakibara was somewhat surprised, then looked at Teppei Kiyoshi.
He hadn't expected to lose the jump ball.
This was the first time since the start of the national tournament that an opponent had seized the initiative.
However, he didn't care; it was just a jump ball. Too lazy to move, he turned and went back to his own basket.
Seeing Murasakibara Atsushi's nonchalant attitude, Kiyoshi Teppei paused for a moment but quickly coordinated with his teammates to begin the attack.
Shoei's offense was steady, with all five players providing cover.
When Shoei's point guard reached Teiko's restricted area holding the ball, he bent his knees, jumped, and released the ball.
The basketball flew directly towards Teiko's basket.
Ryu watched the trajectory of the basketball, feeling something was off.
Suddenly, a thought struck him.
Wait, this ball…
As the basketball flew into the air above the restricted area, a large hand grabbed it.
Seeing this, Murasakibara Atsushi's eyes widened.
Before he could react, the basketball was slammed into the basket by that large hand.
0-2.
Atsushi Murasakibara glanced back at the fallen basketball, then turned to Teppei Kiyoshi, glaring angrily. "You bastard!"
--------
Read the advanced chapters on Patreon (+ 3 chapters daily)
patreon.com/ayan41x
Your subscription means a lot to me + this novel gets better as the story progresses more and more.