Chapter Seventy-One: The Optimal Lineup
June 8th. Kanagawa Prefectural Gymnasium.
"The Kanagawa Prefecture Finals—Ryonan High School versus Shohoku High School—is about to begin!"
"WOOOOOOO—!"
The arena's blazing white lights poured down onto the polished hardwood floor. The air felt scorching hot, almost combustible. Every seat in the stands was occupied. The roaring waves from both schools' cheering sections seemed physical, rolling and colliding through the space.
"Finally—the finals!"
Ryonan's sideline displayed a banner reading "Bold and Decisive." Ryonan High School's students clutched empty water bottles, banging them together while shouting encouragement.
"RYONAN!! RYONAN!!"
Meanwhile, Shohoku's sideline featured two fan banners: "Rukawa Forever" and "The Man of Burning Passion—Mitsui Hisashi."
"RUKAWA KAEDE! RUKAWA KAEDE!"
"MITSUI HISASHI! MITSUI HISASHI!"
"SHOHOKU!! SHOHOKU!!"
Various cheers blended into chaos, creating cacophonous disorder.
Kainan, Kaijo, Shoyo—players from other teams observed from the sidelines. This game would determine Kanagawa's champion, quite possibly the new dynasty replacing Kainan.
Coach Taoka looked toward Shohoku's team. Mitsui Hisashi, Miyagi Ryota, Rukawa Kaede—all players he'd once recruited.
First year, Mitsui Hisashi: "I'm going to Shohoku. I want to play under Coach Anzai."
Second year, Miyagi Ryota: "I'm going to Shohoku. I want to play under Coach Anzai."
Third year, Rukawa Kaede: "I'm going to Shohoku."
Taoka Moichi: "Why? Also because of Coach Anzai?"
Rukawa Kaede: "No. Because Shohoku's closer to my house."
"Doesn't matter anymore." Taoka Moichi shook his head, casting aside his jumbled thoughts. "Right now, Ryonan is the best team in my heart."
"SENDOH!! SENDOH!!"
"YAGAMI!! YAGAMI!!" Chinatsu Yui also occupied the stands, shouting with all her might.
The high school tournament's fervent atmosphere far exceeded her imagination. The surrounding cheers nearly swallowed her voice completely. She had to stand, waving her arms forcefully, trying to catch the attention of that familiar figure below.
Finishing his final warm-up jumper, Yagami Sorato seemed to sense her presence telepathically. He looked up, accurately spotting the energetically waving girl among the crowd.
His lips curved slightly upward. He waved gently in her direction.
"He saw me!"
Chinatsu Yui dropped back into her seat, cheeks slightly flushed, heart involuntarily racing. Yet her gaze continued stealing glances toward Yagami Sorato.
"Yagami, what're you looking at?" Ikegami Ryoji followed his sightline toward the stands. "Family come to cheer you on?"
"Something like that." Yagami Sorato withdrew his gaze, tone characteristically calm.
"Let me guess..." Sendoh Akira leaned closer, wearing a knowing smile. "That childhood friend you mentioned before?"
"Yeah."
"Dammit, I knew it!" Ikegami Ryoji let out an exaggerated wail, face full of envy. "You even call her family! Why don't I have a childhood friend like that coming to cheer?!"
"Ikegami-senpai, do your best!" Aida Hikoichi shouted loudly.
"HIKOICHI, SHUT UP!!!" Ikegami Ryoji roared in despair.
"TWEET—!"
"One minute remaining!" The referee reminded players warming up to watch the time.
"GATHER UP!!" Uozumi Jun and Akagi Takenori simultaneously assembled their teams.
"Remember—you're all very strong." Coach Anzai addressed Shohoku's players, his gaze behind the glasses calm as still water.
Coach Taoka also delivered final motivation to Ryonan: "Let us begin our national tournament journey as Kanagawa's champions!"
"YEAH—!!"
Both teams lined up near center circle, their exchanging gazes filled with unconcealed battle intent.
"Shohoku won't lose again, Uozumi." Akagi Takenori spoke gravely.
"Hmph. Anyone can talk big." Uozumi Jun responded unyieldingly.
Ryonan's starting lineup: Point guard Sendoh Akira, shooting guard Yagami Sorato, small forward Ikegami Ryoji, power forward Fukuda Kicchou, center Uozumi Jun.
Shohoku's starting lineup: Point guard Miyagi Ryota (168cm/59kg), shooting guard Mitsui Hisashi (184cm/70kg), small forward Rukawa Kaede (187cm/75kg), power forward Sakuragi Hanamichi (189cm/83kg), center Akagi Takenori (197cm/93kg).
"Let's have a good game!"
The referee held the basketball, walking to center circle. His gaze swept both teams' players, confirming everyone's readiness.
The air seemed to solidify. Time appeared to stretch.
"TWEET!"
The referee launched the basketball high into the air. Under blazing white lights, it spun upward, reaching the apex of its arc.
In that moment, the entire arena's noise seemed to fall silent.
Immediately after, two massive figures simultaneously leaped, their large hands striving toward the basketball.
The finals battle ignited completely in this instant!
"PAP!"
Uozumi Jun's fingertips touched first, tipping the ball toward Sendoh Akira.
Ryonan's starting lineup differed completely from Shohoku's expectations. The point guard wasn't Uekusa Tomoyuki or even Yagami Sorato—it was Sendoh Akira!
"What do we do?" Miyagi Ryota quickly glanced toward Rukawa Kaede, eyes questioning whether they should switch assignments.
Simultaneously, Yagami Sorato unexpectedly sprinted toward the left corner. Though Mitsui Hisashi couldn't immediately grasp Ryonan's tactical intent, he still immediately followed, closing to defend.
Sendoh Akira calmly controlled the offensive rhythm. After all teammates set up, only then did he unhurriedly dribble across halfcourt.
For Miyagi Ryota, defending Sendoh Akira—who had a full size advantage—was undoubtedly arduous. He could only stick tight, denying Sendoh easy shooting space. As for preventing drives? That was beyond his individual capacity.
Beyond ball-handler Sendoh Akira, Ryonan's two most threatening offensive options were undoubtedly Yagami Sorato and Fukuda Kicchou.
Rukawa Kaede constantly monitored both situations. Unexpectedly, Sendoh's wrist flicked—the basketball already passed to Ikegami Ryoji on the right.
"Tch." Rukawa Kaede clicked his tongue in annoyance, quickly closing on Ikegami Ryoji.
After receiving, Ikegami Ryoji stood firmly in place. Sendoh Akira rapidly approached him, seemingly setting up a classic hand-off pick-and-roll combination.
This suited Rukawa Kaede perfectly. He and Miyagi Ryota switched with mutual understanding, preparing to jointly seal Sendoh Akira's driving lanes.
However—the basketball never returned to Sendoh!
Ikegami Ryoji pump-faked before passing left wing.
Yagami Sorato stepped up to receive. The instant he caught the ball, Fukuda Kicchou launched simultaneously, cutting hard toward the basket.
Ryonan's sudden ball movement immediately disrupted Shohoku's defensive formation. Sakuragi Hanamichi had no clue what was happening, predictably losing Fukuda Kicchou.
Mitsui Hisashi was forced to collapse toward the paint. The instant his attention shifted toward Fukuda Kicchou—
Yagami Sorato rose from his spot, shooting the three!
"?!"
Mitsui Hisashi froze in place, helplessly watching the basketball arc through air before splashing cleanly through net.
Ryonan 3 - Shohoku 0
"HUH???"
Not just Shohoku's players on court—even spectators in the stands with God's-eye perspective looked utterly confused.
Ryonan had seemingly passed casually a few times. Shohoku's defensive formation suddenly became sluggish. Players abruptly looked lost, allowing Yagami Sorato to shoot freely for the score.
Coach Anzai sat bolt upright, expression grave. He suddenly realized—these five players Ryonan fielded might be the optimal lineup Coach Taoka had planned from the very beginning.