Hiroshima Central Gymnasium.
The Shohoku group stepped out of the arena.
Everyone had bright, lingering smiles on their faces.
Shohoku had made it to the top 4, something they'd never even dared to dream of before.
Kogure Kiminobu took a deep breath and asked, "Are we heading back to the inn now?"
Mitsui Hisashi said, "I'm not going back yet. I want to check out the match between Kainan and Akizuki."
Sakuragi Hanamichi clutched his stomach. "I'm starving. I'm going to eat."
Miyagi Ryota came up next to Ayako with a goofy grin. "Ayako, wanna go stroll around the area with me?"
Ayako shot him a sideways glare full of disdain. "No time. I need to go back and sort the records."
Then she turned to Shimizu Kanon. "Kanon, what about you? Want to head back with me?"
Shimizu Kanon thought for a moment, then replied, "I've got nothing going on right now. I'll go with you."
Kogure looked at Akagi Takenori and asked, "Akagi, you heading back too?"
Akagi Takenori stayed silent, deep in thought.
Just then, two people ran past in front of them. Their voices carried clearly to the Shohoku team.
"Hurry up, I heard there's a match going on at the baseball field!"
"It's just a match. What's the big deal?"
"No, it's different. Word is it's a 2-on-1, with Sawakita Eiji from Sannoh Kogyo teaming up with someone else, and they're actually getting outplayed!"
"You mean that Sawakita Eiji? The one they call 'the strongest high schooler'? No way. A 2-on-1 and he's still losing?"
"My buddy told me. It's probably legit. We'll know once we go see."
...
The Shohoku group watched as the two disappeared into the distance. Then they exchanged glances.
Sakuragi Hanamichi tilted his head, thinking hard. "Sawakita Eiji… isn't that the guy from San—something Tech…"
"Sannoh Kogyo," Mitsui corrected.
Kogure said thoughtfully, "Sawakita Eiji teaming up with someone in a 2-on-1? That sounds pretty interesting. Akagi, should we go check it out?"
Akagi nodded.
He was curious too. "Yeah, let's take a look."
Miyagi said with doubt, "A 1-on-2 and someone's putting pressure on Sawakita Eiji? Didn't think there was anyone like that. Sounds interesting."
Ayako added with intrigue, "Kanon, want to go too? That direction's on our way."
Shimizu Kanon nodded. "Sure."
The Shohoku group quickly agreed and decided to head to the baseball field together.
At the baseball field, a growing crowd of onlookers had gathered, men and women alike.
All eyes were glued to the match taking place inside.
Cheers and shouts had already started.
But none of it fazed the three battling on the court.
Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji were dripping with sweat, constantly passing the ball, never letting their eyes leave Aoi Kunisaku for even a second.
After several rounds, the two were left completely frustrated by Aoi's defense.
No matter how they teamed up, Aoi always found a way to intercept the ball or block their shots with weird, unpredictable movements.
Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji were starting to go numb.
On the court, three distinct flashes of light zipped around—their movements a blur.
Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji were lightning fast, and their teamwork was tight. Their moves constantly drew gasps from the crowd.
But what amazed people most was that Aoi Kunisaku could still adjust his defense in real time, perfectly predicting who to block, even against their fast-paced passes.
To those watching, it felt like Aoi had some kind of teleport cheat on. He kept flashing between Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji, so fast it left everyone stunned.
"Are those two messing around on purpose?"
"Two against one and they're still playing cheap? That's just low."
"You must've just got here. Didn't you notice? The ones getting crushed are those two. They've been hovering near the three-point line for ages, too scared to drive in. And every pass they make looks super forced."
"Yeah, looks like every pass is just seconds away from being stolen. Who is that guy? He's insanely strong!"
"I know who that is. That's Aoi Kunisaku from Shohoku High. Everyone's calling him the current 'strongest in high school.' One of the guys playing against him is the former 'strongest in high school,' Sawakita Eiji."
...
While the crowd buzzed with chatter, the game on court suddenly shifted.
Pa—
Out of nowhere, Sawakita Eiji's pass was intercepted by Aoi Kunisaku.
Both Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji were visibly shocked. They rushed toward Aoi to trap him before he could launch his offense.
But there was no way Aoi would let them box him in. He stomped the ground and shot forward like a bullet.
All they managed to catch was a lingering afterimage.
'Dammit.'
Both cursed in their minds and chased after Aoi without hesitation.
They flanked him from left and right like two hungry wolves locked onto fresh prey.
But Aoi never slowed down. He charged to the ball and leapt into the air with it.
Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji jumped too.
They both reached out from behind, stretching their arms to trap Aoi midair.
Aoi grinned. His posture shifted instantly. He pulled the ball behind him and, with a flick of his wrist, scooped it up from the back.
The basketball soared past the top of his head and arced toward the hoop.
Seeing this, both Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji's eyes narrowed in shock.
Formless Shot.
They knew this move well.
Sawakita Eiji still remembered when Aoi had used it during their match with Shohoku.
'Damn it, I totally forgot he could shoot like that,' he thought bitterly. But now, there was nothing he could do.
All they could do was watch the ball float above the rim and drop cleanly through the net.
Swish—
The basketball went in.
Outside the court, the crowd erupted.
Those who knew Aoi Kunisaku clapped and cheered.
Others, seeing the Formless Shot for the first time, were absolutely stunned.
'You can shoot like that?!'
Step…
All three landed back on the ground.
Aoi Kunisaku said coolly, "That's the ninth one. Wanna keep going?"
Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji were gasping for air, their eyes filled with frustration as they looked at Aoi.
Sendoh smiled wryly but with resolve. "We've come this far. Can you show us your strongest self now?"
Aoi didn't respond. He just stared quietly at Sendoh.
That said enough.
"Uhh…" Sendoh scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, figured. Guess I was being too naive."
Just then, the Shohoku group arrived.
The moment they saw who was on the court, their eyes all went wide.
"Aoi Kunisaku, Sawakita Eiji, and Sendoh…" Kogure Kiminobu couldn't help but blurt out.
The rest of Shohoku looked stunned. None of them expected those three to be here.
Mitsui Hisashi stared at them. "So these are the three guys everyone's been talking about… how'd they end up together?"
Miyagi Ryota looked at the scene, equally confused. "Looks like we're kinda late. Seems like they're wrapping up."
"Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji teaming up sounds like a pretty wild combo. Wonder how the game went," Ayako said curiously, watching the three closely.
Shimizu Kanon quickly picked up on the state of Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji and said, "I think… Saku-chan probably won."
Back on the court.
Aoi Kunisaku glanced at the growing crowd, then looked at Sendoh and Sawakita Eiji.
"You two. Last ball."
With that, he casually tossed the ball back to them.
"What a cocky bastard," Sawakita Eiji muttered as he caught the ball, clearly exasperated.