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The next day.
News of Toho Kotei Gakuen winning the National High School Summer League Championship spread throughout the high school basketball world.
Toho Kotei Gakuen's fame reached its unprecedented peak.
This academy also entered the public eye for the first time on such a large scale.
At a certain school.
In a quiet basketball gym.
A boy in a red jacket lay on a bench in the corner.
He held a newly released sports magazine in his hand.
Heh heh heh…
A sinister laugh echoed in the quiet gym.
"Akashi actually got defeated, pretty good, Ryu…"
He stood up from the bench, looking at Toho Kotei Gakuen's championship group photo in the magazine.
"Feels good to win the championship, doesn't it! I really wanted to take it from you guys."
As he spoke, a smile played on his lips, and he licked his lips.
Squeak…
Just then.
The gym door was opened from the outside.
A group of four walked in.
The boy in red looked up at the sound.
Upon seeing who it was, he gave a mocking smile.
"Yo… you guys are here! I thought you weren't coming to train here today!"
The four people who entered all changed their expressions upon seeing the boy in red.
"What are you doing here?"
One of them asked.
The boy in red looked at him with amusement.
"What nonsense are you talking about! I'm on the basketball team too, why can't I be here?"
His words left the man speechless.
The boy in red then turned his gaze to the other three.
"You all probably already know the news, right?"
Seeing the group remain silent, the red-clad youth seemed to have thought of something, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"You lot... how about a fight? Let me see your strength. Just so you know, if you're too weak, I'll kick you out of the team. I don't want your trash affecting my plans."
Hearing his words, the four men's faces turned pale, then red.
This wasn't the first time the red-clad youth had said this to them.
However, they remained silent, neither daring nor able to speak.
Although they were older than the red-clad youth, when it came to strength, they were no match for him.
Even with the red-clad youth's wicked personality, they could only silently endure it.
"Alright!"
The four exchanged glances and agreed to his suggestion.
For no other reason than that.
The intention was to take this opportunity to properly curb the arrogance of the boy in red.
...
Ten minutes later.
Crash...
A loud bang echoed across the empty basketball court.
The boy in red was suspended high in the air, his hands gripping the rim tightly.
Around him, four people, drenched in sweat and looking somewhat disheveled, collapsed to the ground, staring at the red-clad youth with awe.
So strong…too strong.
They were completely powerless to resist.
The red-clad youth released his grip on the basketball hoop and fell back to the ground.
Looking down at the four collapsed figures, he said,
"Oh dear! You're far too weak. Weaklings like you don't even interest me."
His words were filled with contempt for the four.
The four boys sitting on the ground gritted their teeth, heads bowed in helpless rage.
Hahahaha…
"Fine, it doesn't matter anyway. Whether you guys are there or not is the same. I alone will be enough to beat those guys."
Hahahaha…
With that, the boy in red laughed and walked out of the gym.
Watching the boy in red leave, the four boys on the ground were filled with resentment, unwillingness, and a sliver of anticipation.
One week later.
The major basketball academies resumed training.
The game between Toho Kotei Gakuen and Rakuzan had truly spurred some of the school coaches.
So, these coaches went back and redesigned training plans for their teams to prepare for the upcoming Winter Cup.
Inside the Kaijo High School basketball gym.
"Get your act together!"
"Speed up!"
"Are you trying to lose to Toho Kotei Gakuen again in the Winter Cup?"
...
Genta Takeuchi solemnly directed the players' training.
After this Summer League, he had a general assessment of the strength of all the high schools in the country.
The schools with the Generation of Miracles were all ranked at the top.
That meant that for the next three years, the Generation of Miracles would firmly hold onto their positions in the top eight nationally.
To go further, they would have to defeat at least two teams with the Generation of Miracles.
This undoubtedly added considerable pressure to him.
Those Generation of Miracles were not easy to deal with.
He focused his gaze on Kise, who was sweating profusely.
His mind began to strategize.
...
Shūtoku High School Basketball Gym.
The players were doing various drills tailored to their abilities.
Midorima, as always, silently completed his shooting practice.
"Midorima, are you going to just keep practicing shooting like this forever?"
Takao approached him and asked.
While he didn't object to Midorima's shooting practice, Midorima was indeed a formidable weapon in matches.
However, practicing shooting like this wouldn't be effective against the Generation of Miracles.
He wanted to persuade him to make some improvements in other areas.
Midorima shot another basketball, glanced at Takao, and then turned back.
"How could I, idiot? I'm planning the next part of the training. This tournament made me realize that to defeat Ryu, I need to develop a new technique, one that can rival his 'Selfless State'."
"Oh... have you thought of one?"
Hearing Takao's words, Midorima paused for a moment, then shook his head.
"I only have some ideas, I'm still thinking about the specific details."
"I see! That's good too!"
Takao replied with a smile.
He was relieved to hear Midorima's words.
He was eager to see what Midorima's new technique would be.
...
Inside the Yosen High School basketball gym.
Masako Araki, brandishing a bamboo sword, slammed it against the table beside her and shouted.
"Too lazy! Get your act together! Whoever's the first to fall, I'll give him a hundred slashes!"
The Yosen players, listening to their coach, had beads of cold sweat on their foreheads.
Tatsuya Himuro, jogging around the gym, smiled faintly.
"The coach is really strict!"
Murasakibara's face was full of reluctance.
"So tiring! Why do we have to run?"
Kenichi Okamura said irritably.
"Of course, it's for the Winter Cup."
"Huh? The Winter Cup? Is it an iced drink?"
Murasakibara imagined a glass full of iced juice.
"What are you thinking? The Winter Cup is one of the three major sports leagues in Japan! The competitions we participated in before were in the summer, so it's called the Summer League. The Winter Cup is the national tournament held in winter."
Kensuke Fukui explained to him speechlessly.
"Ah, I see! There's one more thing!"
Kenichi Okamura couldn't take it anymore.
He shouted at Murasakibara.
"You big idiot, the autumn one is the autumn tournament, don't worry about its name. Anyway, we'll participate in the Winter Cup to get revenge on Toho Kotei Gakuen."
"I really want some snacks."
Murasakibara muttered, clutching his stomach, seemingly oblivious to Kenichi Okamura's words.
Suddenly.
A large tic-tac-toe mark appeared on Kenichi Okamura's forehead.
Kenichi Okamura clenched his fist, wanting to give Murasakibara a good whack on the head.
Seeing this, Tatsuya Himuro couldn't help but smile.
Losing to Ryu hadn't affected his mentality.
He always had a true rival in his heart.
That was Taiga Kagami.
'Kagami, I didn't meet you this time, I hope to face you in the Winter Cup.'
...
Tōō Academy.
On the rooftop of the teaching building.
"Aomine, why are you sleeping here again! The captain has already started team practice."
On the rooftop.
Aomine lay there, basking in the sun.
Hearing Momoi's voice.
"Didn't I say I'd go back later?"
"No, come back with me now! You're causing trouble for everyone."
Momoi climbed onto the roof, pulling Aomine along as she spoke.
With Momoi pulling him like that, Aomine had no intention of staying any longer.
He said helplessly.
"Okay, Momoi, I know!"
The reason he was here.
was because he was reflecting on his shortcomings compared to Ryu.
He had lost to Ryu.
Of course, he wouldn't let it go like that.
Ever since the match ended.
He had been thinking constantly about how to defeat Ryu.
Ordinary practice could no longer improve his strength.
...
Rakuzan High School.
The chess and card room.
Warm sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the chessboard inside.
An unfinished game remained on the board.
A hand, seemingly in control of fate, manipulated the pieces.
Squeak…
The door to the chess room opened from the outside.
"Akashi, so you're here! Everyone's due!"
The hand of fate picked up a piece and placed it before the opponent's king.
Checkmate.
"I know."
…
Seirin High School.
Inside the basketball gym.
"One, two… one, two… one, two…"
The basketball gym was bustling with activity.
Almost everyone from the Seirin basketball team was gathered here.
Except for Kagami.
Kagami had returned to the United States to continue his studies with Alex.
"Ugh... I'm exhausted! Why did I have to push myself so hard?"
Shinji Koganei groaned.
"Ever since watching the final between Toho Kotei Gakuen and Rakuzan, the coach seems like a completely different person. He's much stricter than before,"
Junpei Hyuga analyzed.
He glanced furtively at Riko Aida not far away.
"Kuroko, are you alright?"
Teppei Kiyoshi approached the already exhausted Kuroko and asked.
"Kiyoshi-senpai, I'm fine, just a little exhausted."
"Are you really alright?"
Teppei Kiyoshi clearly didn't believe him.
Kuroko nodded weakly.
"I'll be fine after a rest."
Hearing Kuroko say this, Teppei Kiyoshi didn't say anything more.
Junpei Izuki suddenly spoke up.
"Without Kagami, it feels like something's missing!"
The others wholeheartedly agreed with him.
"Didn't he say he was going back to the US to learn something from someone?"
Shinji Koganei reminded him.
Junpei Hyuga added.
"It's someone named Alex something! I think she's a girl."
"Ah... Kagami, that guy, he's really enviable!"
Teppei Kiyoshi joked.
Whistle...
A whistle blew, drawing everyone's attention.
Riko Aida put down her whistle and addressed the group seriously.
"After a season of hard work, we gloriously lost to Tōō Academy."
Hearing her words, the Seirin members all twitched their lips.
Is she even speaking human language?
Losing is losing, where's the glory?
Hehehe...
Riko Aida chuckled and continued.
"From now until the Winter Cup, I will be giving you all special training. I specifically asked my dad to design the training program for each of you."
Upon hearing this, the Seirin students' eyes lit up.
"The coach's father?"
The first-year students murmured.
Junpei Hyuga explained.
"Riko Aida's father used to be on the national team!"
Hearing his words,
the scene instantly became noisy.
Some of the second-year students were fine.
They already knew who Riko Aida's father was.
But the first-year students were different.
Koichi Kawahara, Hiroshi Fukuda, and Mitsuki Furuhata were all filled with anticipation.
The training program personally designed by a former professional player was incredibly exciting.
"Now, everyone come here to receive your training programs!"
Riko Aida said, a meaningful smile curving her lips as she continued.
"Just so you know! If anyone can't keep up, the training intensity will double the next day!"
What...?
A chorus of groans erupted in the gym.
...
Toho Kotei Gakuen.
Since winning the championship.
The school naturally poured more resources into the basketball team.
The basketball team's reputation soared throughout the campus.
The team members themselves became famous throughout the school.
The most eye-catching was undoubtedly Ryu.
Ryu possessed unique silver hair and silver eyes, along with a handsome face that captivated countless girls.
Ryu's locker was overflowing with love letters from girls.
Besides...
The number of students enrolling at Toho Kotei Gakuen skyrocketed.
The principal had lost count of how many times he'd invited Kamimono to his office.
On the Toho Kotei Gakuen campus.
"Wow! Look, it's the basketball team!"
A sharp-eyed second-year girl exclaimed.
Her shout attracted the attention of other students nearby.
"It's Captain Kamimono! Wow! So tall! He makes me feel so safe!"
"Look, look! It's Kugawa-senpai and Kuroki -senpai, so handsome!"
"Hanafuji-san, look over here..."
"Hanafuji-san is still as aloof as ever, it's truly captivating."
...
Kamimono and the others appeared outwardly calm.
Inwardly, however, they were completely bewildered.
When had they ever encountered such a situation?
They could only force a smile and walk through the burning gazes around them.
But soon, even more frenzied screams erupted from the crowd.
"Ah...it's Ryu."
"So handsome!"
"I want to be his girlfriend!"
"Ryu Junior, look over here!"
"Ryu Classmate, come on a date with me!"
"Is that a cat on his shoulder? It's so cute!"
"A cute cat, handsome Ryu, I can't take it anymore."
...
Amidst the enthusiastic cheers around him.
Ryu smiled and waved to them.
Karubin lay lazily on his shoulder.
'You're quite popular, aren't you?'
Karubin transmitted his voice.
Ryu's smile remained unchanged as he transmitted back.
"Of course."
Karubin rolled his eyes, too lazy to pay attention to this narcissist.
Kamimono and the others also turned to look.
"This guy's popularity surpasses our combined popularity."
Kamimono remarked.
"Yeah, I'm so envious!"
Kugawa said enviously.
However, seeing Ryu surrounded by a group of girls and unable to escape, a cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.
They really couldn't handle this kind of situation.
Ryu, surrounded by a group of girls, felt bitter.
One after another, small notebooks were handed to him.
'Is this a prelude to asking for autographs?'
He finally understood how celebrities felt.
Being a celebrity was definitely not something a human could do.
After an unknown amount of time,
Ryu finally escaped the clutches of these enthusiastic girls.
When he entered the basketball court, he saw Kamimono and the others watching something.
"What are you doing? You're watching so intently."
Hearing the voice, Kamimono and the others looked at Ryu, hesitant to speak.
Kugawa spoke first.
"Ryu, someone has challenged you!"
Hmm?
"Challenge me?"
Ryu was curious.
His gaze fell on what Kamimono was holding, and he noticed it looked like a piece of paper.
Kamimono held the paper face up to Ryu.
"This challenge is for you, but..."
When Kamimono flipped the paper over,
Ryu saw two bold characters written on it in a chilling red liquid resembling blood:
Challenge.
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