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The White Devil incident continued to escalate.
Basketball teams at various universities were in a state of panic.
Some coaches had even united to prepare a counterattack against the White Devil.
But then,
the White Devil vanished without a trace.
This left those who had been following the White Devil bewildered and confused.
United States.
In a secluded basketball court.
The resounding thuds of basketballs hitting the ground filled the air.
On the court.
A red-haired boy was sweating profusely.
The basketball in his hands moved like an obedient, dancing sprite, constantly changing with various fancy moves.
This was Kagami Taiga, who had arrived in the United States.
He leaped towards the basket.
He slammed the ball down on the rim with one hand.
Bang…
A dull thud echoed.
The sound was particularly heavy and resounding within the quiet stadium.
Standing at the edge of the court was another person.
This person had long, golden hair, fair skin, delicate features, and a sweet, captivating beauty.
Already quite tall, her slender, perfectly proportioned legs made her appear even more striking.
The way she casually adjusted her glasses added to her alluring charm.
This person was named Alex Garcia.
Alternatively known as Alex.
She was the mentor of Kagami Taiga and Himuro Tatsuya.
Kagami had suffered a significant blow after losing to Aomine Daiki in the Summer League.
Furthermore, witnessing the incredible strength of the Generation of Miracles and Ryu's phenomenal power, he decisively chose to return to the United States to receive Alex's guidance and training again, preparing to avenge himself at the Winter Cup.
Alex was quite taken aback when she heard Kagami's request.
She knew Kagami's strength.
She never imagined such a powerful figure could emerge in a place like Japan.
She had initially thought Japanese basketball was utterly inferior.
It seemed her thinking was far too simplistic.
He carefully questioned Kagami about the details of the Generation of Miracles' games.
After listening to Kagami's explanation, Alex genuinely doubted whether he was lying.
Even in the United States, it was rare to see what Kagami described.
However, seeing Kagami's earnest and confident demeanor, Alex had no choice but to believe him.
In the end, she agreed to Kagami's request and began his intensive training.
A different idea began to form in her mind.
She planned to go to Japan with Kagami after training him.
If what Kagami said was true,
she wanted to witness firsthand the skills of those geniuses.
"That wasn't right. Do it again, keep going..."
Alex sternly reminded him.
"Yes..."
Kagami wiped the sweat from his cheek, replying breathlessly.
His eyes were filled with determination and unyielding spirit.
The figures of the Generation of Miracles and others appeared in his eyes one by one.
This made his eyes even more determined.
Unconsciously, an invisible aura began to sweep outwards from his body.
Within this invisible aura, the faint roar of a tiger could be heard.
If someone were standing on the court at this moment...
He must have felt like prey, being watched by some terrifying force.
Alex, witnessing this, was slightly taken aback.
Her pupils contracted, and she murmured.
"This is... the wildness... it's awakened?"
A beautiful smile curved Alex's lips.
Ah...
With a roar.
Another dull thud rang out.
However, after this sound...
Alex didn't criticize Kagami's mistake as before.
At this moment, her eyes revealed only satisfaction and pride.
...
Japan.
The coast of Akita Prefecture.
Under the blazing sun.
A cool breeze mixed in.
Touching people's skin, bringing an unprecedented sense of comfort.
The beach, covered in yellow sand.
Ryu lay carefree on a deck chair under a parasol.
The sound of waves crashing and the lively chatter of those around him filled the air.
Sun, sand, bikinis.
The scenery behind his sunglasses was refreshing, captivating, and undeniably alluring.
'This is life!'
Ryu wasn't the type to be easily swayed by beautiful women.
But seeing the beach full of bikinis stirred a surge of excitement within this hot-blooded young man.
Meow…
A lazy meow attracted the attention of several animal lovers nearby.
Karupin sprawled out on a corner of the deck chair, like a rag doll.
This was another spot where the parasol hadn't completely blocked the sun.
Cats love heat.
Karupin basked in the warmth of the sun with a blissful expression.
Today was a rare day of relaxation for Ryu.
Usually, due to training,
he rarely came out to relax.
This time, he only had time to come because the team was participating in a basketball tournament held at a shopping mall.
The weather in Japan was getting colder.
This was also one of the few days this year he could enjoy the beach.
After several months of hard work, Ryu's previously nearly depleted [Cat Energy] had increased significantly.
Ryu's [Cat Energy] had now reached 283,520.
He was still 220,000 short of his goal.
Thinking about the upcoming outdoor basketball event, the corners of his mouth gradually began to curve upwards.
'At this rate, acquiring those moves before the Winter Cup shouldn't be a problem.'
Ryu looked at the slacking Karupin.
He'd known this guy since the very first day he arrived in this world.
He didn't have any so-called system.
Everything was transmitted to him by Karupin through some kind of ability, in the form of data.
From the moment he was bound to Karupin,
Karupin had become his cheat code, his grandpa, even his system.
Sometimes he wondered.
What would he be like without Karupin?
Thinking of his original self's miserable state.
His physical condition, so fragile that he could be killed by a cat.
Ryu involuntarily shook his head.
'Perhaps, it was the inevitable result of my coming to this world. Because I came, I met Karupin, or perhaps Karupin came, and I came to this world.'
Ryu thought to himself.
Ring ring ring…
Suddenly…
A phone rang suddenly.
Ryu snapped out of his reverie.
He answered the phone and said,
"Hello!"
A sweet voice came from the other end of the line.
"Yu-Chan, I heard you went to Akita, so I came too!"
Ryu raised an eyebrow.
"Ah! It's Momoi! What are you doing here?"
"Hehehe... of course I came to see you! I got some information that you guys are going to Akita for some basketball tournament. Of course I have to go see something interesting like that."
Uh...
Ryu was completely bewildered.
His team's trip to Akita for a basketball tournament was something the coach had casually decided.
Only the basketball club members knew about it at the time.
How did this girl find out?
Ryu had always been curious.
How did Momoi gather this information?
He had even investigated it himself, but to no avail.
So it remained a mystery.
"Whatever! We're here for special training, so I might not have time to spend with you."
"No, no, I won't disturb your training. I'll bring A-Da with me."
Hearing Momoi's words,
Ryu's lips twitched.
Thinking of Aomine's unwilling yet helpless expression,
"Aomine! That guy should be training hard, right?"
"Yes, A-Da... Hey... Aomine, what are you doing? give me my phone..."
Ryu had barely finished speaking when
a noisy voice came from the other end of the phone.
Soon, a male voice came through the receiver.
"Training is a given. I don't want to be defeated by you again, Ryu."
Hmm...
"Aomine..."
Ryu paused slightly, recognizing the voice.
"You guys are really taking it easy, going to Akita for those pointless basketball activities."
Ha...
Ryu clicked his tongue.
"It was the coach's arrangement! I think it's quite interesting. Regardless of who's stronger or weaker, at least I get to meet more different opponents."
Hmph...
Aomine snorted coldly, somewhat disdainful.
He didn't think there was anything worth learning from playing basketball with weaklings.
"I have no interest in you beating those weaklings."
Ryu's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
"Oh... then you agreed to come here with Momoi, it wasn't just a coincidence during your trip, was it?"
Aomine's face darkened upon hearing this.
"It's Momoi! That girl is so annoying, she insisted on dragging me along."
Before Ryu could speak, Momoi's frustrated voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Ugh... Aomine, you big jerk! You were supposed to be repaying me for the sneaker thing last time..."
The call abruptly ended.
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Ryu put his phone aside.
He then realized...
Aomine's shoe size isn't easy to find in sneakers.
It seems Momoi went to great lengths to buy Aomine sneakers!
Oh well.
Let them come if they want!
It's been a while since we last saw each other anyway.
Just then...
Ryu heard two people talking nearby.
"Hey, did you hear? Heqiu's ace player got beaten yesterday! And it was a 5-0 sweep!"
"Heqiu? Is that Heqiu, one of Akita's top basketball schools?"
"Yeah, that's it. Apparently, someone called the 'White Devil' came to challenge them and beat them. And supposedly, other Heqiu players have also lost to that White Devil. I heard Heqiu has announced they've forfeited the Winter Cup."
"Really? Losing is normal, isn't it? It doesn't warrant forfeiting the Winter Cup!"
"You don't know this! I heard that the White Devil used some kind of method to drastically reduce the strength of Heqiu's players. Now even a third-rate team can easily beat them."
...
Listening to their conversation, Ryu frowned.
It's that White Devil again.
The name he's heard most often these past few months is "White Devil."
Although he's never met this so-called White Devil,
he has absolutely no liking for this guy.
A guy like this who casually provokes and destroys other people's dreams.
He knew what kind of person the other was without even meeting him.
'It can weaken an opponent's strength.'
Ryu narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
'Is it some kind of ability? Or…'
A technique to suppress an opponent's abilities wasn't unusual.
Ryu also possessed such an ability.
However, these abilities only had a temporary effect during the match.
They would recover after a while.
But listening to the conversation between those two just now.
Those who had fought against the White Devil seemed not to have recovered yet.
'To be able to affect opponents even after the match, this White Devil is truly not to be underestimated! It seems this Winter Cup is going to cause quite a stir.'
Ryu had a gut feeling.
This White Devil actually went to challenge the basketball teams of various high schools.
This meant that the opponent's age should be around his own.
"Since that's the case. That White Devil should have a pretty good chance of participating in this year's Winter Cup."
'Forget it, now's not the time to think about that.'
Ryu stood up from the recliner and stretched.
"Karupin, let's go back."
Meow...
Karupin lazily opened his eyes.
He rolled his eyes at Ryu.
"This cat hasn't had enough sun yet!"
Ryu glanced at him.
"We've already spent enough time. It's a bit far from where we're staying, and we need to find somewhere to eat later, otherwise we'll miss the evening match."
Karupin reluctantly stood up, complaining.
"What a spoilsport."
"Alright, we didn't come here to play anyway. How about I take you to eat fish when we get back?"
Hearing Ryu's words, Karupin's vertical pupils immediately lit up.
"Then I want it grilled."
"Fine, fine, whatever you say."
Ryu said speechlessly.
This cat is really fussy.
Soon.
The two of them quickly packed up and boarded the bus back.
Some time passed.
As a red glow appeared on the distant horizon.
Ryu and Karupin returned to their lodgings.
It was a hotel with a uniquely Japanese style.
This trip to Akita...
This is where the Toho Kotei Gakuen group is staying.
After reuniting with everyone, Ryu suggested going for grilled fish.
No one objected.
Ryu was also somewhat reluctant.
After all, he had promised Karupin.
By the time they finished eating, it was already getting dark.
Kamimono stood up and said to everyone,
"Alright, it's about time. Our special training should begin."
Kugawa said excitedly.
"I wonder what kind of opponents we'll face this time."
"I've been waiting impatiently for this. Finally, we can stretch our muscles! Let's start!"
Kuroki Ryuichi said expectantly.
Hanafuji Souji adjusted his glasses and earnestly reminded them,
"Don't underestimate any opponent. Be careful not to be caught off guard."
Seeing everyone so full of fighting spirit, Ryu smiled slightly while holding Karupin and said.
"Then let's hurry up and set off! The roads must be very congested right now, and if we don't hurry, we might miss the registration deadline."
With that, the group from Toho Kotei Gakuen set off together towards their destination.
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