I want to reach 20 paid subscriptions on Patreon this week to complete this novel, as it has been over a month since the last subscription.
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After gathering information about the other schools, time flew by quickly.
The preliminary rounds of the Winter Selection Tournament have concluded.
As most expected.
All the top basketball schools, without exception, have successfully advanced.
Of course, there are also the Generation of Miracles, whose achievements cannot be ignored by any school.
Next up is the main tournament of the Winter Selection Tournament, commonly known as the National Tournament.
The National Tournament uses an elimination system.
Losing a game here means true elimination.
Japan.
Japan Arena.
This is the largest sports venue in Japan.
It is also the first arena built since the founding of Japan.
At this moment, it is already packed with people.
All sorts of colorful people have gathered here, like an army marching into battle, filled with fighting spirit, with overwhelming momentum, a spectacular scene.
Toho Kotei Gakuen's locker room.
Hanafuji took out a schedule of the National Tournament and posted it on the whiteboard.
"Our first opponent is Kirisaki Daiichi High School from the Tokyo area, but their reputation isn't good. I did some research; many of their opponents have been injured, some even giving up their basketball careers."
The locker room fell silent upon hearing this.
Kuroki Ryuichi frowned and asked.
"What do you mean?"
Hanafuji said seriously.
"Kirisaki Daiichi's captain is one of the 'Five Uncrowned Generals,' named 'The Mischievous Child, Hanamichi Makoto.' He has an extremely wicked personality, hates geniuses, and is someone who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. So everyone needs to be careful during the game and not let them trick us."
"How can there be a player like that? Aren't they afraid of being disqualified from the tournament?"
Kugawa said indignantly.
Ryu interjected at this moment.
"It's useless. They calculate everything when they use methods, very secretly. The referees or cameras won't notice at all. Even if they're exposed, they'll pretend it's an accident."
Hearing Ryu's words...
All eyes turned to him.
Kamimono raised an eyebrow.
"You seem to know a lot about that Hanamichi Makoto?"
Ryu smiled slightly and nodded.
"Ah… I met him during the middle school league."
Ryu didn't elaborate.
Thinking of the grudge between him and Hanamichi Makoto, Ryu couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.
He wondered what kind of expression the other would have when he saw him.
He probably already knew that his opponent was supposed to be him!
Kirisaki Daiichi Locker Room.
"What bad luck! Our first opponent is the Summer League champion, Toho Kotei Gakuen!"
A boy with orange hair and a kind face scratched his head and said with a troubled expression.
His name was Yamazaki Hiroshi.
He was one of Hanamichi Makoto's key players, and his strength should not be underestimated.
He was also the only one on the team with a kind heart.
Yamazaki Hiroshi had just finished speaking…
A tall, burly man with a buzz cut spoke up beside him.
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it. We can't just give up now that we've run into it!"
This tall, burly man was named Matsumoto Itsuki.
He was Kirisaki's starting center, the weakest player on the team, and had a very low profile.
On the other bench sat a boy whose eyes were covered by long hair.
His mouth kept moving, and every now and then he would spit out a bubble.
He chewed gum and mumbled indistinctly.
"What does it matter? We play basketball on more than just skill."
The boy who spoke was named Hara Kazuya.
His hair was the same as Kurobuchi's, and his eyes were always hidden by his hair, making it impossible to see his gaze or thoughts.
He was also one of Kirisaki's top official players, playing power forward.
Next, a boy with black hair and perpetually vacant eyes spoke calmly.
"I heard their substitutes are all rookies. They just need to get rid of the talented ones, right?"
A hint of danger always emanated from him when he spoke.
This person was Furuhashi Kojiro, one of Kirisaki's top official players.
His position on the team was small forward.
In a quiet corner of the locker room.
A masked boy lay quietly.
He didn't participate in the discussion.
His chest rose and fell slowly, as if he were truly asleep.
This man's name is Kentaro Seto.
He is the true center for Kirisaki First Team.
Finally, there's Hanamichi Makoto, sitting silently on the locker room bench.
As the captain of Kirisaki Daiichi Team.
He didn't participate in the discussion.
He was expressionless, his gaze blank, staring at a single spot.
However, a closer look reveals...
A chilling, sharp light flashed in his eyes.
'Ryu...'
An unwanted memory suddenly surfaced in his mind.
The humiliation of the middle school league.
The screams of pain from being punched and kicked that night.
Unconsciously, Hanamichi Makoto clenched his fists, the spark of revenge within him burning like gasoline, a fury that seemed to annihilate everything in the world.
After a long while, a playful yet dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
"Toho Kotei Gakuen, huh? They're quite a formidable opponent! But that's good, there are too many geniuses in this world, it's time to clean things up."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room exchanged bewildered glances.
Judging from their captain's words, he seemed intent on crippling the opponent.
"Is this really feasible? They're the Summer League champions."
Yamazaki Hiroshi reminded him.
Hanamiya Makoto laughed dismissively.
"Ha...what does it matter? So what if they're champions? As long as we don't leave them any evidence."
Hearing him say this, Yamazaki Hiroshi fell silent.
Hara Kazuya blew a bubble and said.
"Sounds really good, seems quite exciting."
Hanamiya Makoto murmured with a grin.
"Ryu...hehehehe...we meet again!"
...
Shutoku's locker room.
Midori stared thoughtfully at the national tournament schedule hanging on the wall.
Takao approached and asked.
"Midori, you've been standing here for ages! What are you looking at?"
"The national tournament schedule, of course, you idiot."
Hearing Midorima's words, Takao scratched his head helplessly.
"That's not what I'm asking! Besides, didn't the coach already explain the schedule yesterday? You weren't distracted and didn't listen, were you?"
Midorima replied.
"I'm not looking at our group assignments."
"Huh? If it's not ours, then who could it be?"
Takao followed Midorima's gaze and saw one of the groups.
"Eh...? That's... Toho Kotei Gakuen..."
He was puzzled, not understanding why Midorima was looking at Toho Kotei Gakuen's group.
Then he observed it more closely, muttering to himself.
"Toho Kotei Gakuen... versus... Kirisaki Daiichi."
At this point, Takao seemed to remember something and exclaimed.
"Kirisaki Daiichi, that seems to be..."
Midorima adjusted his glasses and said seriously.
"It's those despicable guys."
Takao realized.
"Looks like Toho Kotei Gakuen is in danger!"
Midorima snorted.
"With that guy around, Kirisaki Daiichi won't succeed. Toho Kotei Gakuen isn't so easily outmaneuvered. Besides..."
He paused.
He recalled the scene from middle school when Ryu brutally beat Hanamiya Makoto.
He didn't believe that Hanamiya Makoto would be able to turn the tables on Ryu again after a year.
"Let's go, Takao."
With that, Midorima walked towards the locker room door.
"Huh? Wait for me! Where are you going?"
Takao quickly followed.
Midorima replied as he walked.
"To watch the match."
...
Yosen locker room.
Thud...
A loud sound echoed in the room.
Araki Masako lifted a smoking bamboo sword from the table, leaving only a deep dent.
"You guys better get serious! The first match of the national tournament must show the spirit of Yosen, you hear me?"
The Yosen players' eyelids twitched, but no one dared to object, all responding repeatedly.
"Yes..."
Crunch... Crunch...
Murasakibara seemed not to hear, continuing to eat snacks by himself.
This scene made Araki Masako grit her teeth, her bamboo sword creaking in her grip.
Himuro Tatsuya stared at the schedule for a long time before speaking.
"Our opponent this time. I heard they've added some new members."
Hearing this, Murasakibara said nonchalantly.
"It doesn't matter how many of those guys come."
Himuro Tatsuya smiled slightly.
"That's true."
However, he quickly added.
"Our match is later. We can go watch other matches first."
Murasakibara waved his hand uninterestedly.
"What's there to see? Apart from Yoru and the others, no one else poses a threat to us."
"You mean Ryu?"
Himuro Tatsuya looked at the schedule and then said.
"Found it, here it is. Toho Kotei Gakuen, their first opponent is... Kirisaki Daiichi."
...
Too Changing Room.
"That Aomine guy... he didn't come again."
Wakamatsu Kosuke roared angrily.
Imayoshi Shoichi helplessly covered his ears.
"Hey, can't you keep your voice down?"
Wakamatsu Kosuke said irritably.
"Captain, you can't keep spoiling that guy like this. He's so arrogant."
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... It's all because I didn't keep an eye on Aomine. I'm so sorry, I deserve to die."
Sakurai Ryo bowed hastily.
The frequency of his bows was so high it made everyone's eyes blurry.
Imayoshi Shoichi was completely overwhelmed.
The team had a loudmouth, an apologetic freak, and a problem child who didn't respect anyone.
He felt that being the captain was incredibly tiring.
Squeak…
The locker room door opened.
Momoi Satsuki, with long pink hair, walked in.
Satsuki addressed the group.
"I've already spoken to Aomine on the phone. He'll be here as soon as possible, at the latest by the second half."
Imayoshi Shoichi, having anticipated this, replied.
"Sigh… In that case, we'll have to go first."
Satsuki took out her notebook and flipped to the page she was looking for.
"Don't worry, our opponents today aren't strong. Their average height is around 185cm, and none of them are good at outside shooting—they're practically nonexistent. So, as long as we defend our inside game, we can basically decide the outcome."
Imayoshi Shoichi grinned.
"It's really reassuring to have you on the team! It's about time, let's head off!"
"Ah… um…"
Momoi quickly stopped them, then spoke up.
"I won't go with you guys, I'm going to check out other venues."
Imayoshi Shoichi didn't stop her.
Today's opponents are weak, so Momoi's abilities aren't needed.
He nodded, agreeing.
…
Kaijo's locker room.
"Oh dear! Ryucchi guy actually ran into Hanamichi Makoto, that's really worrying!"
Kise said worriedly, but his expression showed no sign of tension.
Kasamatsu Yukio glanced at him sideways.
"Why are you arguing with everyone? Use that time to focus on your own team, you idiot."
Kise explained, pointing to the schedule.
"Kasamatsu-senpai, you don't know, but back in middle school, Ryu and Hanamichi Makoto faced off. Hanamichi Makoto got utterly thrashed back then, and now they're facing off again. Isn't that interesting?"
Kasamatsu Yukio was also taken aback, then frowned slightly.
"Hanamichi Makoto? I think he was in Kirisaki Daiichi!"
Kise nodded.
"Yes! Ryu opponent is Kirisaki Daiichi."
"I see!"
Kasamatsu Yukio's expression became more serious.
"Hanamichi Makoto's reputation isn't very good. It's said that many of his opponents have suffered serious injuries, you…"
"Oh… relax, relax!"
Kise quickly interjected.
"Ryucchi won't be defeated by someone like that. He couldn't in middle school, and he can't now."
He sighed deeply as he spoke.
"Damn it! I really want to see Ryucchi thrash Hanamichi Makoto."
Bang…
Kasamatsu Yukio kicked Kise hard in the lower back.
"Be serious! We're about to go on match, you're not going anywhere…"
…
Rakuzan Locker Room.
Compared to the noise of the other locker rooms, this place was much quieter.
Everyone was preparing their things in an orderly fashion.
The only one who couldn't stay still and was somewhat active was Hayama Kotaro.
He spoke up.
"Our first opponent is a school we've never heard of. Does anyone know how strong they are?"
Mibuchi Reo replied.
"There are so many extra schools today, we don't have the energy to pay attention to any of them! We just need to focus on crushing them."
Nebuya Eikichi clenched his fists, flexing his arm muscles.
"They're probably some third-rate school, only advancing because they got extra spots."
Mibuchi Reo warned.
"Don't be careless, don't forget, this time our goal is revenge."
Akashi sat on the bench, his eyes fixed on the papers in his hands.
Hearing his teammates' discussion, he finally looked over.
"That's right, this time, we're going to reclaim our victory. Before that, any obstacles in our path will become stepping stones for our return."
With that, he placed the papers on the bench beside him.
Faintly visible on the paper was a single, bold character:
Winter Selection Tournament - National Grand Tournament - Elimination Rounds - Schedule.
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I want to reach 20 paid subscriptions on Patreon this week to complete this novel, as it has been over a month since the last subscription.
patreon.com/ayan41x