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Akita Prefecture.
In front of a commercial building on the main street.
Many basketball-related items and decorations were displayed here.
A prominent banner hung in the center of these decorations.
[The First Akita Trade Center Basketball Championship]
Below the banner were five outdoor basketball courts set up by the event organizers.
The courts were already packed with people.
A long line of people were queuing to register.
It was clear how passionate people in this world were about basketball.
Amidst the surging crowd,
Ryu and his group arrived on time.
"This really surprised me! I didn't expect so many people here."
Kugawa exclaimed, looking as he gazed at the sea of people around them.
"I heard that the Akita Trade Center is the face of Akita Prefecture. It's usually quite crowded here, but with an event like this, naturally there are even more people coming to watch."
Kuroki Ryuichi explained.
"Kuroki Ryuichi, I didn't expect you to know this place so well."
Hearing Kugawa say this, Kuroki Ryuichi smiled smugly.
"Because I went to middle school in Akita, so I'm quite familiar with this place. I just didn't expect there would be a basketball tournament here this year."
Ryu, holding Karupin, looked around.
Looking at the surging crowd around them, he was somewhat shocked.
'I didn't expect so many people to sign up for just a commercial event.'
He had underestimated the passion for basketball among the people of this world.
Ryu transmitted his voice to Karupin.
"By the way, is tennis this popular in your world?"
Karupin twitched his ears and replied.
"Pretty much the same. People in my world also love tennis. Whenever there's an exciting match, a huge crowd gathers to watch."
"Is that so?"
Ryu had always been curious.
Why are the sporting events celebrated differently in the world of The Prince of Tennis and the world of Kuroko's Basketball?
It seems there's a reason for this.
In the world of The Prince of Tennis,
it seems only tennis possesses such incredible skills.
And vice versa.
In the world of Kuroko's Basketball,
it seems only basketball allows for those unbelievable techniques.
Although it's just speculation, Ryu is truly certain that some kind of rule exists in this world.
While thinking this, before he knew it, it was Ryu's turn to register.
After filling out the registration forms, Ryu and his group went to the rest area to wait for their first match of the day.
Looking around, there were 20 teams waiting in the rest area.
The players on these 20 teams were all different, ranging in age.
Some wore glasses and looked refined, clearly office workers.
Some looked burly and strong.
They were either manual laborers or athletic champions.
There were also some who looked about the same age as Ryu.
They were probably high school or university students.
A smile unconsciously crept onto Ryu's lips.
With so many diverse opponents, the battles would surely be very interesting.
Time ticked by.
After an unknown amount of time, the announcement finally came on.
The announcer's voice came over the loudspeaker.
"Alright, I'm sure everyone's gathered here for the basketball game we've all been looking forward to. Without further ado, let's get straight to the point."
After a pause, the announcer's voice came over the loudspeaker again.
"We now have all 20 teams ready for today's matches. The rules are simple: the game consists of two 10-minute halves, with a 3-minute halftime break. The team with the most points at the end wins."
Hearing the rules explained over the loudspeaker, Ryu and the others nodded silently.
The rules were fine.
Only the time had been changed.
This had no impact on Ryu and his team.
Just then,
the announcer's voice came over the loudspeaker again.
"As you can all see, there are five courts in our square. This means the 20 teams that have registered will draw lots to determine their opponents. The winners will advance to the next round, until the champion is crowned. The event will last for a week. After a week, the champions will be matched again until a final champion is determined."
The announcement had barely finished when, a series of gasps erupted from the audience.
This competition format had completely ignited everyone present.
Ryu clicked his tongue twice.
The competition process was exactly the same as the Summer League, only the time was shorter.
But it was precisely this kind of rule that made it so exciting.
Beep…
"Next, please have one representative from each participating team come up to the stage for the draw."
Hearing this, Ryu and the others exchanged glances.
"Kamimono, you're our captain, so you should draw the lots!"
Ryu and the others didn't object to Kugawa's suggestion.
As the team leader…
"It's most suitable for Kamimono to draw this lot."
Ryu said.
"Kugawa is right, you're our captain; if you don't go, who will?"
Hearing Ryu say this, Kamimono didn't hesitate any longer and stood up, walking towards the stage.
Actually, in Kamimono's own understanding, the strongest person in the team should draw the lots.
Shortly afterward, representatives from each team walked onto the stage.
The drawing of lots went very smoothly.
The matching rules were also very simple:
1 vs. 2.
3 vs. 4.
5 vs. 6.
7 vs. 8.
9 vs. 10.
...
and so on.
Soon, the host announced the opponents for each team over the loudspeaker.
Kamimono drew number 15.
When the host announced team number 16...
Ryu and the others all looked towards the other side.
Not far away stood five people, around seventeen or eighteen years old.
They were all wearing matching red jerseys.
Looking at them, Ryu and the others were somewhat surprised.
Could they be facing professional players?
Ryu focused his gaze, then his eyes widened, his pupils contracting.
Because he saw a familiar face.
"That person…"
Hearing Ryu's voice, Kamimono asked, looking confused.
"What's wrong?"
Ryu frowned, thinking as he spoke.
"That number 13 over there looks familiar."
Hearing Ryu's words, Kamimono followed his gaze to number 13.
His appearance was unremarkable, but a cunning glint always lurked in his eyes, making him unlikable.
"He doesn't seem very capable. Are you mistaken?"
Ryu remained silent.
Just then,
Karupin's voice echoed in Ryu's mind.
"That guy seems to be the one who wanted to kick you out of the basketball club."
Huh?
Hearing Karupin's reminder, Ryu paused, his thoughts drifting to some almost forgotten scenes.
[Oh, isn't this the hero who stood up for justice! So you're still alive!]
[Ah, classmate, haven't you taken the test yet? I'm so sorry, I completely forgot about you.]
[Sorry, sorry, it's something very important and urgent! So I'll have to ask you to wait here for a while.]
[Excuse me, junior, outsiders aren't allowed in the basketball gym, so could you please leave?]
...
Ryu finally remembered who this person was.
It was Takahashi Kento, the one who had deliberately made things difficult for Ryu when he joined the basketball club at Teiko.
"So it's him! I didn't expect to run into him here."
Ryu was quite surprised.
Karupin said,
"So what are you going to do?"
Hearing this, Ryu grinned, revealing a meaningful smile.
"Hmph, since we've met, of course I should greet him properly. I haven't had a chance to teach him a lesson before, so I can't let this opportunity pass."
Karupin looked at Takahashi Kento with some sympathy.
"Whatever you want! But remember your main objective."
Ryu nodded.
"Don't worry, I know what's important. I'll make them expend as much energy as possible."
Takahashi Kento was still chatting with his teammates.
He didn't seem to have noticed Ryu; perhaps it had been too long for he to recognize him.
Since there were only five courts available, Ryu and his team had to wait a while longer.
They wouldn't get to play until a team had decided its winner.
Watching the less-than-professional teams playing on the various courts, Ryu finally understood the idiom "a mixed bag."
The entire court was practically a free-for-all.
The weak were truly weak.
The strong were truly strong.
The gap in skill was too large, leading to a situation where the game revolved around individual skill.
However, a few teams were playing quite well.
They seemed to be playing together regularly, their teamwork was very smooth, and they weren't unfamiliar with each other at all.
Soon, 25 minutes had passed.
Teams numbered 1 through 10 had all decided their winners.
Ryu and his team stood up.
"Finally, it's our turn."
Kuroki Ryuichi stretched and said.
"Our opponents seem to be members of a high school basketball team!"
A white light flashed on Hanafuji's glasses.
"Isn't that perfect? It would be too boring if the opponents were too weak."
Kamimono said with a smile.
Ryu didn't speak.
His gaze remained fixed on Takahashi Kento.
Karupin was given free rein.
Ryu wasn't worried about anything happening to him.
Soon, Ryu and his team entered the court with Takahashi Kento's team.
As they entered…
Their eyes met.
Only then did Takahashi Kento notice Ryu.
He was startled at first, then said incredulously,
"It's you…"
Ryu looked at him with a playful smile.
"Yo! Isn't this you, you jerk? It's been a long time!"
"Bastard…"
Takahashi Kento clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, his eyes wide, glaring fiercely at Ryu.
"It was all because of you. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been kicked out of the basketball club by the coach."
Ryu picked at his ear with his little finger.
"That's your own fault. What does it have to do with me?"
Their conversation completely baffled everyone else.
What's going on?
These two seem to know each other?
Looks like something's going on.
Ryu subconsciously looked at the jersey Takahashi Kento was wearing.
The jersey was entirely red, with a row of small print on it.
Fukuda Sogo Academy.
"Huh?"
Ryu blinked.
'This name…'
He felt this school was somewhat familiar.
'Fukuda… ah…'
Ryu suddenly realized something.
He said to Takahashi Kento in surprise,
"So you went to Fukuda Sogo Academy."
"Ryu, do you know that kid over there?"
Kamimono asked curiously.
Ryu smiled.
"I guess I know him! We've barely even met."
"I see!"
Judging from the fact that Ryu and the guy opposite him didn't get along, Kamimono didn't ask any further questions.
...
"Takahashi, do you know him?"
Hearing his opponent's question,
Takahashi Kento said through gritted teeth,
"That bastard is Ryu from the Generation of Miracles."
Upon hearing this, everyone from Fukuda Sogo Academy was shocked, their eyes almost popping out of their sockets.
"Is it that 'Generation of Miracles'? Then we're doomed to lose this time."
"Can't you have a little confidence? So what if it's the Generation of Miracles? We have people who can hold their own against them."
"But that person isn't here."
Takahashi Kento took a deep breath, glared at Ryu one last time, and said,
"Even if we're no match for him, it doesn't matter."
A sinister smile appeared on his face.
"Hmph, what 'Generation of Miracles'? If he can't play basketball, he's a cripple."
Hearing this, the others from Fukuda Sogo Academy exchanged bewildered glances.
"Takahashi, you wouldn't be thinking of..."
A venomous glint flashed in Takahashi Kento's eyes.
"Although the boss said he wanted to teach him a lesson himself, we can collect some interest first."
Hehehehe...
Hearing Takahashi Kento's inhuman, eerie laughter,
the others from Fukuda Sogo Academy didn't object.
Although such a thing was somewhat despicable, if Kento Takahashi really succeeds, then they'll have one less formidable opponent in the Winter Cup.
Ryu, preparing to line up, suddenly sensed a wave of malice.
He glanced at Takahashi Kento, inwardly sneering.
'That bastard doesn't seem to have any good intentions!'
He didn't even need to guess to know that this malice came from Takahashi Kento.
"Ryu, be careful later, that guy seems to have a lot of grudges against you!"
Although Kamimono wasn't as strong as Ryu, he naturally sensed the undisguised malice.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Ryu wasn't worried about any tricks.
If Takahashi Kento really did resort to underhanded tactics, he wouldn't hesitate to teach him a lesson.
Soon, both sides lined up.
Facing Takahashi Kento's murderous gaze, Ryu pretended not to see it.
"Ryu, so what if you became a member of the Generation of Miracles? You've messed with me, and I'll make you regret it."
Hearing this, Ryu shifted his gaze to him.
A cold glint flashed in his silver eyes.
In an instant, Takahashi Kento felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, a bead of cold sweat involuntarily forming on his forehead.
'Damn it…'
Takahashi Kento gritted his teeth inwardly, his gaze towards Ryu growing increasingly venomous.
Beep…
Just then,
the referee blew the whistle to signal the start of the game.
The basketball was tossed into the air above both teams.
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