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Three days later.
The Toho Kotei Gakuen also faced its final preliminary elimination match.
This match drew everyone's attention.
The reason was the Toho Kotei Gakuen's opponent today: the Western Emperor, Nishihara Affiliated, one of the Four Emperors of the Eastern Prefecture.
Before the match even started, the stands were already packed.
The other three emperors were absent due to other matches. However, they all sent representatives to watch the match.
Many reporters also flocked to the scene, not wanting to miss today's spectacle.
At a certain aisle in the stands, Momoi Satsuki, with long pink hair, wearing a short-sleeved chiffon blouse and a JK miniskirt, arrived.
Seeing that the match below hadn't started yet, she patted her chest and thought to herself:
"Looks like I arrived just in time. It's been so long since I've seen Ryu! I wonder how he is. I'm really looking forward to seeing him."
Thinking this, a blush crept onto Momoi Satsuki's pretty face.
In the locker room of the Toho Kotei Gakuen, Ryu and the others were already prepared.
It was the last match of the preliminary elimination rounds.
Kazuo Kamimono had to say something.
"Everyone, after today's match, we'll have successfully advanced, so..."
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by Kuroki Ryuichi.
"Alright, Captain, everyone knows what you're going to say. Don't worry, we'll definitely win."
Hearing his words, Kazuo Kamimono chuckled.
"This is just in case. After all, the opponent is one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Prefecture."
Kugawa said nonchalantly:
"It's alright! After all, we have Ryu, and I'm very confident in our strength."
This was true. After the previous matches, they had a general idea of their current strength.
To be honest, they hadn't really had their fill in the previous matches. They had won before even using their true abilities.
Kazuo Kamimono sighed and turned to look at Ryu.
He knew that Ryu's words carried more weight than his, the captain's.
"Hey! Ryu, say something!"
Ryu tilted his head, thought for a moment, and then spoke.
"I have nothing to say. What's done is done. If we're no match for them, what I say won't make a difference!"
Well… you make a good point.
Kazuo Kamimono couldn't find a reason to refute him.
Just then, the door to the locker room opened. The person who entered was a staff member from the competition.
"Everyone from the Toho Kotei Gakuen, the competition will begin in 15 minutes. Please prepare yourselves as soon as possible."
Hearing this, everyone stood up and left the locker room, heading towards the passage leading to the competition arena.
As soon as they stepped out of the tunnel, Ryu and the others felt the electrifying atmosphere inside the arena.
The surrounding stands were packed with people. It was the first time they'd ever experienced such an atmosphere.
"Wow! So many people! This is incredible!" Kugawa exclaimed.
Kuroki Ryuichi clenched his fist. "I'm practically bursting with excitement."
Souji Hanafuji didn't say anything, but a slight smile played on his lips.
Kazuo Kamimono and Ryu remained relatively calm.
Kazuo Kamimono frequently participated in various streetball games. Although the crowds weren't as large as they were now, he still possessed some resilience.
As for Ryu, needless to say, having come from Teiko Academy, he had experienced spectators in the tens of thousands; this was merely a small-scale event for him.
Momoi Satsuki, in the stands, spotted Ryu immediately. She was incredibly excited, her heart pounding wildly, her large pink eyes fixed on Ryu.
'Ryu…'
If they weren't in the stands, she would definitely have rushed over and hugged Ryu.
The members of the Nishihara Affiliated team also saw Ryu and his team.
There was no disdain in their eyes, only seriousness towards the game.
They sensed an aura emanating from the members of the Toho Kotei Gakuen. This aura was definitely not something ordinary people possessed. It was the aura unique to strong teams.
The Nishihara Affiliated School, already taking the Toho Kotei Gakuen seriously, became even more vigilant.
On Ryu's side, he noticed the Nishihara Affiliated School's strength the moment he saw them.
Their aura of power was unmistakable. It was the posture of someone who had stood at a high position for years, much like the former Teiko.
However… Ryu shook his head slightly.
"They do have the aura of power, but that's about it."
Kuroki Ryuichi, standing beside him, asked in confusion upon hearing his words:
"Hmm? Ryu, what are you talking about?"
"Ah, nothing. Let's warm up quickly!" Ryu replied, then took the basketball and walked onto the court.
Fifteen minutes later, with the referee's whistle, the final match of the preliminary elimination rounds officially began.
Looking at Ryu and his group, the Nishihara Affiliated School's center, who was also their captain, spoke up.
"I've watched your games. You're strong, but we're not the weaklings you rely on. Your victory ends here."
Hearing the opponent's assertive tone, Kazuo Kamimono, facing off against him, retorted defiantly:
"Heh... defeating us won't be so easy. Don't think our strength is only what you've seen."
Hearing this, the captain of the Nishihara Affiliated team's eyes flickered, but he said nothing.
Whistle...
Just then, the referee blew the whistle, tossing the basketball high into the air above the center line.
Whoosh...
Whoosh...
As the basketball reached its highest point, two figures leaped simultaneously, soaring into the air.
Both arms reached for the falling basketball. However, at this moment, the captain of the Nishihara Affiliated team's eyes narrowed, looking at the other hand, which was much higher than his own.
Kazuo Kamimono's palm touched the basketball first.
The same old story. Kazuo Kamimono passed the basketball to Ryu.
It's unclear when it started. After he contested for the ball, it seemed Ryu was his only option. It was as if as long as he gave the ball to Ryu, the first basket would definitely score.
And that was indeed the case. Ryu had never disappointed him.
Thud…
Ryu successfully caught the ball passed by Kazuo Kamimono.
Seeing Ryu with the ball… the small forward from Nishihara Affiliated School quickly crossed the center line and stood in front of Ryu.
"I know you. You're strong. I won't let you break through easily."
Hearing this, Ryu smiled slightly.
"You guys are indeed different from the previous ones, but..." Ryu started moving.
He switched the basketball between his hands, not fast, but very steady. The basketball danced in his hands like a sprite, each dribble a unique work of art.
Seeing that his opponent was also moving with him, Ryu suddenly stopped.
The small forward from Nishihara Affiliated School reacted quickly, his movements halting.
Squeak...
A screeching sound of shoes scraping against the ground rang out. But the result was good; he successfully stopped his movement.
Seeing this, Ryu nodded to himself.
'The opponent's strength is indeed different from those rookies, but that's not enough.'
Suddenly, Ryu's speed increased dramatically, rushing past the opponent on the other side.
The small forward from Nishihara Affiliated High School's pupils shrunk. By the time he realized what was happening, it was too late.
Ryu dribbled to the three-point line. His silver eyes scanned the space, instantly finding multiple passing lanes.
Ahead, the captain of Nishihara Affiliated High School was intently watching him under his own basket.
Ryu dribbled the ball up, then held it with one hand, preparing to push it towards Kugawa, who was already in the corner.
Seeing this, the captain of Nishihara Affiliated High School shouted:
"Watch out for their number 3!"
After his warning, the shooting guard of Nishihara Affiliated High School quickly stepped forward, blocking Kugawa's path to receive the ball.
Kugawa's lips twitched, and he looked helplessly at Ryu.
However, what he saw was not Ryu, who was about to pass the ball to him.
The captain of Nishihara Affiliated High School also noticed Ryu's movement. His pupils contracted, and he realized something was wrong.
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