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
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Neon Arena.
Basketball court, Section C.
The stands are now full.
Reporters from major sports media outlets secured prime vantage points and were on high alert.
Members from several prestigious high school basketball schools also sent representatives to the event.
Nothing more.
It's simply because a highly anticipated and important figure is about to appear here.
That was Ryu of Toho Kotei Gakuen.
As the champion of the Summer League and hailed as the strongest high school student, it's no surprise he receives so much attention.
Everyone wants to know, since the Summer League, whether this strongest high school student can continue his glory.
And whether the suddenly Toho Kotei Gakuen can maintain their honor.
Today. Toho Kotei Gakuen's opponent is a notorious team:
Kirisaki Daiichi, known as the "Bad Kids" group.
The school's reputation is mostly known in the Tokyo area.
Despite its infamous reputation, it wasn't well-known in the national tournament.
As time passed and the audience waited...
Squeak...
Squeak...
Two doors were suddenly pushed open, amidst the murmurs and noise.
A moment later, the entire hall fell silent.
All eyes were fixed on one of the open doors.
Some audience members nervously swallowing, unconsciously swallowing.
Others, their eyes shining, their faces filled with anticipation.
Tap...tap...tap...
Tap...tap-tap...tap-tap-tap...
A series of uneven footsteps gradually emerged from inside the door, growing clearer and clearer.
When a sea of yellow appeared before everyone's eyes,
the silence instantly transformed into thunderous cheers.
"They're out...it's Toho Kotei Gakuen..."
"Look, it's the strongest high school team!"
"The team that broke the legend, I wonder what kind of history they'll create this time."
"Ryu-chan is so handsome, I love you..."
"Ryu-chan's cat is so cute, I can't take it..."
For a moment, the scene seemed to spiral out of control.
Ryu with boundless charm and radiating charisma, every move he made could captivate countless fans.
Meanwhile, the scene at Kirisaki Daiichi Team was a complete contrast.
There were no congratulations, no cheers, only utter indifference.
Kirisaki Daiichi, already obscure and only known for his infamy, appeared even more desolate and forlorn.
A gust of wind seemed to blow past Kirisaki Daiichi, stirring up insignificant wisps of dust.
The expressions on the faces of Kirisaki and his companions were not good.
Hanamiya's gaze remained fixed on Ryu opposite them.
His eyes blazed with boundless hatred, his fists clenched tightly, and his body trembled slightly.
'Damn Ryu…'
'Damn…'
'Damn…'
'Damn…'
He recalled the humiliation and pain of that night.
Huff…
He exhaled a long, hard breath.
His angry expression vanished abruptly, replaced by a wicked grin.
"Perfect! Let's destroy these highly anticipated geniuses with our own hands!"
Hearing this, the members of Kirisaki Daiichi also revealed a meaningful, wicked smile.
As if sensing something, Ryu also turned his gaze to the Kirisaki Daiichi team.
The intense malice was almost tangible.
'Looks like the lesson from last time wasn't enough!'
His lips curled slightly upward.
He had already given his teammates a heads-up.
They wouldn't be so easily fooled.
If they really wanted to die, Ryu wouldn't mind teaching them a lesson.
Seeing Ryu smile in their direction,
Hanamichi Makoto felt a chill run down his spine, and a shiver involuntarily ran through him.
Although he harbored deep hatred for Ryu...
But the fear of that night still left some shadows on him.
'Damn bastard.'
Hanamiya cursed inwardly.
On the second-floor stands.
Midorima and Takao, who had arrived just in time, stood at the railing, ready to watch the match below.
Takao looked around and said in surprise.
'The match has only just begun, I didn't expect so many people to come to watch.'
Midorima explained.
'Because it's the champion, the Toho Kotei Gakuen's match is getting more attention than other teams.'
Takao glanced at Midorima, a smile playing on his lips, and asked.
"You came here to watch the match because you're worried about your former teammates?"
Midorima stiffened, then tilted his head slightly to the side, adjusted his glasses, and replied.
"How could that be, idiot? I just came to watch the match normally."
"Is that so?"
Takao's smile deepened, inwardly thinking:
'You've shown it all! You're clearly worried about them, but you're pretending to be indifferent. Shintaro! I see through you!'
Of course, Midorima had no idea what Takao was thinking.
"Midorin-chan..."
Just then.
A sweet voice suddenly sounded behind them.
The two turned around and saw Momoi Satsuki approaching.
Hoo...
Momoi Satsuki appeared before them, letting out a long breath.
"Are you here to watch Ryu's match too?"
Midorima nodded.
"Since it's still early before our match, and we had nothing else to do, we came to check it out."
"I see!"
Momoi turned her gaze to the court.
"Looks like the match hasn't started yet."
Takao reminded her.
"Both sides have finished warming up, it should start soon. Also, for some reason, that Kirisaki Daiichi seems to harbor a lot of resentment towards Toho Kotei Gakuen!"
Hearing his words, Momoi also looked towards Kirisaki Daiichi.
Soon she saw Hanamiya Makoto's figure.
Sensing the ill-intentioned look in his eyes as he looked at the Toho Kotei Gakuen members, Momoi could guess what he wanted to do.
Back in middle school, it was this guy who tried to pull some dirty tricks during the game, and ended up getting a good beating from Ryu.
"I wonder how Ryu will handle this time?"
No one answered her question.
The three of them silently waited for the game to beRyu.
Off the field.
Whistle...
Whistle...
A loud whistle blew.
The referee stood in the center of the field and announced that both teams should line up.
Soon, the players from both teams lined up in the midfield.
The players from both sides looked at each other, everything unspoken.
The people from the Toho Kotei Gakuen all saw the malicious smiles on the faces of the Kirisaki Daiichi team members.
Ryu ignored Furuhashi Kojiro in front of him and shifted his gaze to Hanamichi Makoto.
"I didn't expect us to meet again so soon, Hanamichi Makoto."
Hearing this, Hanamichi Makoto didn't show any fear, and looked at Ryu with a wicked smile in return.
"Yes! I've really had bad luck! But I still have to thank God for giving me this opportunity."
"Is that so?"
Ryu's expression remained unchanged as he continued.
"It seems you've already made your choice!"
Heh…
Hanamichi Makoto chuckled and replied.
"Of course, I won't run away for anything."
"That's impressive. Then I wish you success."
With that, Ryu withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Hanamichi Makoto.
Hanamichi Makoto also withdrew his gaze, a wicked smile still on his face, but inwardly thinking:
'Hmph, I will succeed.'
Their conversation naturally attracted the attention of both teams.
They all realized it.
The two must know each other.
Ryu and Hanamichi Makoto spoke very cryptically, and the others didn't understand.
However, they didn't think the two were having a friendly reminiscing.
Because they all sensed the tension between them.
Whistle...
The whistle blew again.
The referee tossed the basketball up.
The game between Toho Kotei Gakuen and Kirisaki Daiichi officially began.
Whoosh…
Whoosh…
Two whooshing sounds rang out simultaneously.
Two figures leaped into the air just as the basketball was about to fall.
A large hand touched the basketball first.
Kamimono swung his hand, swatting the basketball towards his own player.
Seto Kentaro, who had been trying to contest the shot, was completely defeated.
'This guy's explosive power is incredible; we jumped at the same time.'
Seto Kentaro was shocked.
The basketball landed directly in Hanafuji's hands.
Facing Hanamichi Makoto, who only knew how to use tricks, he naturally wasn't afraid.
Both possessed the strength of the "Uncrowned Five Generals," but compared to the three from Rakuzan, this one was nothing to him.
Thump... thump...
The basketball instantly changed hands twice, turning to attempt a breakthrough.
When Hanamichi Makoto blocked Hanafuji's path, he realized the ball was gone.
"The ball disappeared? When did that happen?"
Hanamichi Makoto's pupils contracted, his heart sinking.
Thump...
Another slapping sound rang out.
Looking towards the sound, he saw the basketball had somehow landed in the hands of Kuroki, who was dribbling.
After months of training.
Kuroki was no longer the same.
His rhythm was much more refined.
Hara Kazuya couldn't keep up with his opponent's movements for a moment, often having his footing disrupted by the inconsistent pace.
Kuroki charged forward, quickly penetrating the paint of Kirisaki Daiichi.
Before Kirisaki Daiichi could even recover, he leaped and launched the ball.
Swish…
The ball went in.
2-0.
The Toho Kotei Gakuen players celebrated.
The Kirisaki Daiichi players looked serious.
Kirisaki Daiichi had possession.
Hara Kazuya dribbled forward.
Facing Kuroki's defense, he struggled to break through.
He knew Toho Kotei Gakuen was strong.
But he hadn't expected to find it so difficult to penetrate.
His eyes, hidden by his hair, scanned Kuroki, trying to find his weakness.
However, his usually reliable insight was now useless.
Unable to break through, Hara Kazuya had no choice but to pass the ball.
The ball landed in Seto Kentaro's hands.
With an IQ of 160, he naturally devised several breakthrough routes.
However, he completely underestimated the strength of the Toho Kotei Gakuen members.
While his IQ was high, he forgot that his body wasn't as easily controlled as his intelligence.
Although Kamimono was large and strong, his speed, strength, skill, and explosiveness were far superior to Seto Kentaro's.
Smack…
Kamimono's slap sent the basketball flying.
Seto Kentaro's several breakthrough routes were shattered.
The basketball landed in Ryu's hands.
Just as the Kirisaki Daiichi team was about to retreat to defend, Ryu transformed, becoming Midorima Shintaro.
[Ryu Illusion] activated.
Seeing this, the Kirisaki Daiichi team members were all shocked.
In the stands, Takao exclaimed in surprise upon seeing this.
"Oh dear! Its turned into Shintaro!"
Midorima, with a black line on his forehead, remained silent.
A high-altitude shot was fired by Ryu, soaring straight into the sky.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, it landed precisely in Kirisaki Daiichi's basket.
A clean swish, without even a ripple in the net.
5-0.
"Ryu..."
A sinister glint flashed in Hanamichi Makoto's eyes.
He gave his teammates a wink.
The Kirisaki Daiichi team understood, and their positioning changed.
The Toho Kotei Gakuen team immediately noticed Kirisaki Daiichi's change.
Everyone became wary.
They had all heard Ryu speak of Kirisaki Daiichi's despicable and wicked deeds.
Kirisaki Daiichi prepared to advance.
Hanamichi Makoto personally led the attack.
It was too difficult for anyone else to break through Toho Kotei Gakuen's defense.
Only he had a chance to break through their defense.
Hanafuji Souji's several attempts to steal the ball from Hanamichi Makoto failed.
'The ball from the "Uncrowned Five" is indeed not so easy to steal.'
He thought to himself.
Suddenly, he felt a darkness beside him, as if something was there.
His steps faltered, missing the opportunity to defend Hanamichi Makoto.
He glanced to the side and saw Seto Kentaro had appeared beside him at some point.
'A screen?'
Hanafuji Souji instantly understood the opponent's tactic.
With no obstruction, Hanamichi Makoto dribbled directly to Toho Kotei Gakuen's three-point line.
He glanced around, saw no danger, and prepared to shoot a three-pointer.
While three-pointers weren't his forte, he wasn't completely unable to shoot either.
Now that no one was guarding him, it was a perfect opportunity to shoot a three-pointer.
If he were to drive into the paint and score, the people from Toho Kotei Gakuen would inevitably return in time, making it extremely difficult to score then.
Although his personality was wicked, he still had some self-awareness.
He knew he was no match for the people from Toho Kotei Gakuen.
He jumped and shot.
However, before he could even release the ball, he felt a chill run down his spine, a wave of fear washing over him.
His hand suddenly jerked, and the basketball slipped from his grasp.
'Who is it?'
After landing, Hanamichi Makoto quickly turned around.
Then he saw Ryu's contemptuous gaze.
'I've been watching you the whole time, Hanamichi Makoto.'
Ryu's upturned lips almost made Hanamichi Makoto grind his teeth to dust.
Hanamichi Makoto walked past Ryu, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
A smug voice reached Ryu's ears.
"Don't get cocky, the match is still a long way off!"
Ryu said dismissively without even turning his head.
"I'll be waiting."
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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