Shohoku Basketball Team, exhausted after a desperate but legendary victory against Sannoh Kogyo, the top-ranked high school team in Japan.
It's a gritty, emotional match where:
Sakuragi plays through a serious back injury.
Rukawa evolves from a solo scorer to a team player.
Akagi fulfills his dream of beating a powerhouse team.
But right after this triumph, Shohoku loses in the next round off-screen, and the manga concludes with Sakuragi beginning rehab and promising to return to basketball. It's not a traditional "win it all" ending—but it's deeply character-driven and emotionally satisfying.
"From now on, I'm a basketball man." — Hanamichi Sakuragi
Maybe this is youth., profound, but not perfect.
"It's over again..." Silently staring at the frozen ending screen, Cee couldn't remember how many times he watched the anime and read the manga. Now in his death bed, he can feel it. He's living this world.
But, don't get him wrong, he is not sad or anything. He lived a happy life with his wife and kids. Now almost 100 years old, He is very satisfied with the things he achieved in his life.
He is not rich, mind you. He and his wife was able to afford a simple home in the suburbs of Manila. They push through bills and credit card payments, sometimes they had to work more but nonetheless, it was a happy life.
He just wish he got the chance to play basketball like Sakuragi, have friends like the Sakuragi gang.
"I hope if isekai is real, I get isekai'd to SlamDunk. As maybe a random dude, or maybe one of Sakuragi's friend. Even better, if I can be Sakuragi." He whispered to the air.
"My wife, it would be perfect if you can be my Haruko in our next life."As his eyes slowly close. He remember his wife, who, is just like him, also like SlamDunk.
And so darkness took him....
And then bright lights assaulted his eyes. Infront of him is a teenage girl, wearing what looks like a japanese JK uniform.
'Who is this young lady?' His first thought. Then he heard her words.
"I'm sorry, Sakuragi-kun. But, I like Oda-kun from the basketball team."
'Sakuragi? Oda? What the hell?' Gradually regaining his bearing, a series of strange memories surged in his mind. For a moment, he froze in place. The pictures are like a slide show, playing in his mind. In the process, He understood where he is now. He is now Hanamichi Sakuragi. He always had been. This event just became the trigger to remember his past life. Time seems to slow down for his perspective as he get all the information he needed.
'So I am Sakuragi. And it looks like I am in the beginning of the series. Well, I'll think about more about my circumstances later on when I get home. For now, let's deal with this first.'
POV Sakuragi:
" Ah, that is totally fine Yoko. Haha, no hard feelings. I wish you good luck with your relationship with him. You will look good together." I said with a smile. I don't really like her, since I technically just got here. And based on what I see from my memories, I like her because she was nice to me. Well, as a kid with no parents to care for, having someone nice to me -especially from the opposite sex, as a hormonal teenager- really gave me the wrong impression.
"Oh!?" Yoko said.
'Hmmm why does she look so shock? probably with how well I'm taking this in.'
"Yes Yoko, I still want to thank you for being a nice person to me and for being honest as well." I reach out to tap her shoulder once. "Anyways, I have to go now. See yah!" I waved her goodbye as I walk away from her.
'Well, that's that. Wooohhh...'I exhale the breath I didn't know I was holding. And as I turn to a corner, four figures jumped out of the bushes; holding party things- such as confetti basket, party popper, some small flags , etc.. I looked at them as they started their celebration.
"Congratulations Hanamichi! You've been rejected for a total of 50 times for three years. I bet no one can beat that record!" Yohei Mito, the right-hand man, said while laughing.
"Yeah! 50 girls! Keep it up.!" Nozomi Takamiya "known as TABA in my language dub(it mean fatty)echoed.
"Hail to the KING!!!!!" overlap Yuji Ohkusu, called "Amerikanong Hilaw"(fake American)and Chuichirou Noma, Known as "Erap"(Filipino actor turned president. image in comment).
I look at them straight in their eyes. They froze. The way they look at me shows they know what would happen next. But..
"AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA, why are you guys freezing there? AHAHAhahah!! That was actually funny. Seriously, you guys make my day." I said between laughs.
They froze again, this time I can visibly see them shook a bit, probably creeped out. I smiled at them as I continue to walk.
3rd POV
"Ahhhmmm , did Hanamichi just smiled at us?" Chuichirou asked, shakily.
"Yes! And that really creeped me out." Nozomi answered.
"Do you think he finally lost it because of earlier? Should we call for help?" Yuji said.
"No. I think Sakuragi finally woke up. You know how he is ever since that day. I think we should be happy instead. But, I have to admit, he was really creepy just now." Yohei, the always rational of the group explained.
"Hey!! What are you idiots standing there? Let's go! I wanna go home and relax" Hanamichi shouted as he look back to his friends.
"Who are you calling idiots, you IDIOT!!!!" chorus the four as they chased after him.
"HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA" Hanamichi laughs while running away from the group.
POV Hanamichi
I got home just before 6pm after playing around with those four. The house is empty and dark, surprisingly tho, it is actually clean. From my memories I can see that I'm actually a pretty decent guy with housework. Not shocking however since I live alone. After my father passed away, I also stopped hearing from my bitch---ehem--my father's sperm bank. They got divorce when I was still very young. I felt bad for my dad, marrying such a woman. Honestly, I don't even remember what she looks like. That's fine though, I don't need her in my life.
Now people might wonder how I lived instead. Well I have my late father to thank here. The house I am living in is mine, so I don't have to pay any loans or whatsoever. There is a car in the garage, but since I don't have a license, I haven't touch it for all these years (remind myself to check on it and see if it's still working properly or if it needs some maintaining.).
Now for the money, my father left me a decent amount of finances until atleast I turn 25years old. Or I can extend the money until I am 35years old if I become really frugal. Which the old me is already doing. The old me is aware that I had no talent or whatsoever except fighting, so I was being frugal to make sure that even if I don't get a decent job in the future is that I can at least have something for myself.
Well the amount is really substancial, although it can't last a lifetime but still enough for me to start doing something. What really surprise me is the fact that my father- Sakuragi Kenji- is a former entrepreneur. 'Wow, what a convenient thing huh.'
Of course, I am not going to refuse a gift from a horses mouth. As I found a card on my father's wallet.
────────────────────────────────────────────
Kuroda Masaki
Legal Advisor & Executor of the Sakuragi Trust
Kuroda & Partners Legal Office
Yokohama Landmark Tower, 32F
2-2-1 Minato Mirai, Nishi-ku
Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-8102, Japan
📞 045-334-9988
"Integrity is the quiet strength behind every legacy."
────────────────────────────────────────────
'Good thing I still keep my father's belongings. Should I pay a visit to their office? Nah, I should probably try to contact him purse via phone call. Yeah, I will do just that. For now, I need sleep, a lot of it. Tomorrow, I'll start taking action.'
No need to count a hundred sheeps as I fall asleep right after, probably because of all the things that happened today. I may look like fine but, I am truthfully stressed out.
-------------------------------------------------🌙➡️☀️------------------------------------
I woke up feeling refreshed and well rested. Like nothing big happened to me. I guess deep inside I really want this to happen. Anyway I check the clock on the table next to my bed. 8:30 AM. Better get up now and start my day so I can maybe go home early today and start training my body and skills.
I went downstairs, walking thru the hallway going to the stand with the landline on it. ready to fullfil it's purpose for the day. 'Haiiiyysss, such inconvenience not having a mobile phone in this decade.' Well there are mobile phones existing now, but not the one you know. Phones now can probably be used as a melee or range weapon. Anyway, I reach for the phone and dialled the number in card, waiting for the person to pick up the phone.
'I hope I am not too early, or even maybe late' I say to myself.
RIIINNNGG RIINNNGGG----The phone rung twice then someone picked up the call. A deep male voice answered on the line.
"Good Morning, this is Kuroda & Partners Legal Office. How can I help?"
"Yes hello, I am looking for Mr. Kuroda Masaki." I answered.
"Yes, This is him speaking. Who is this?"
"Mr. Kuroda Masaki, I am Sakuragi Hanamichi. My father Sakuragi Kenji have your card and I happen to found it. I am calling because based on late father's will, I have some inheritance that might need some help managing."
"AHH! It's you young man. I am happy to hear from you. Yes, I am familiar with your assets. And personally speaking, I didn't contact you because I don't want to come across as someone wanting to take your money. But, since you are contacting me, I supposed you are ready to discuss this properly?" He said without taking a breather.
I smiled hearing that, 'Sounds like a decent man so far.'
"That's true Kuroda-san. Do you have time today to meet with me?" I asked.
"Please Hanamichi, just call me Masaki-jisan. I sometimes took care of you when you are still young. Maybe you don't remember me, but your Dad and I always hang out together when we have time."
'ohhh, that's interesting. I think I do remember a guy with my dad when I was young. It must be him then.'
"Ok Masaki-jisan. So can we see each other?"
"I will have someone pick you up from your house. The driver will arrive in less than an hour"
"Yes, thank you Masaki-jisan. I will prepare and wait for my pick-up." I hung up. 'That went well. I'll go wash up and maybe find a formal clothes. I doubt my dad's clothes fit me.
----1 Hour Later-----
I went out the house and locked the door as soon as I heard a car stopped in front of the house. I think it's the guy Masaki-jisan asked to pick me up. And I was right as I see the driver going out of the car and started walking towards me.
"Are you Sakuragi-san?" He asked.
"Yes, that's me. Are you with Masaki-jisan?"
"Hai, this way please, Director Kuroda is waiting for us." As he ushered me towards the backdoor of the car.
The trip took less than 45 minutes. Probably since peak hours over. As I get off the car, a decent size building is infront of me. Nothing fancy just a common 4 floor office building. It still looks kinda new as well. I was wondering why the adress is different from the card. But I guess they move recently. I walk toward the entrance and a security guard greeted me and the driver as we go in.
"Director Kuroda is in the 4th floor, the door to the left is his office. I will be going now, Sakuragi-san" The driver politely said goodbye.
"Thank you for bringing me here." I returned.
And so I walked to one of the two elevators, and press the 4th level button. As the door opened, showing me parts of the 4th floor, I headed to the left as instructed by the driver. I see a simple but heavy looking wooden door. I knocked on it before twisting the doorknob and opening the door. What greeted me is a spacious office with 4 single person couch facing each other with a decent size middle table. Some bookshelves on the side and a desk on a far end by the window. There I see Masaki-jisan, pouring some tea into 2 cups.
He looked up and smiled at me. "Ahh there you are. I saw you getting off the car earlier through my window. " He said, visibly happy to see me. "Come here sit with me. I hope you like some tea." He continued as he set the cups for us.
"Thank you for having me Masaki-jisan"
"Aiiisssst don't thank me. We are family. I consider your father as a brother." His face darkened as he mentioned my father. "When he passed away, I was in the States. I was having my surgery during that time. A surgery that saved my life. Your father funded that surgery. I can never say my thanks to Kenji." His eyes started tearing up. " I am so sorry I wan't there with you when he left. My wife told me about it as soon as possible, but because I just had my surgery, I can not move yet. The stupid thing about it is I rushed myself to get back to Japan, but instead of being with you, I got complications instead.
He look me in the eyes, all crying. " And so when I got better almost a year past already. I don't know how to approach you. So when you call earlier, my heart almost jumped out of my heart again."
I tried appeasing him to stop crying" Masaki-jisan, it is not your fault. I am sure, my dad would like you to get better before anything else. And for not seeing me after, please don't mind it. I am ok and doing just fine. And aren't we face to face now?" I tried smiling to calm him down. Which is good because he looks like calming down although just a bit as tears still drips his face.
He bowed down. "Thank you so much young Hanamichi. I really, truly appreciate that you accept this old man in front of you."
For some reason, I am really having a wonderful feeling with this man. Maybe I am being emotional, but seeing a man pour his heart out and out of guilt is that I feel touched.
"Well I already call you Masaki-jisan, so from now own your are my uncle, is that ok with you?"
He pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping his face. "Yes, Yes! you are my nephew....NO! you are my son!. Everything I have, I have it because of your father. And now, everything I have is yours as well."
'Ok that is too much. But hey, he looks like a nice guy. I wouldn't mind having him as a father figure. If ever, I actually needed him as well.'
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Ok that is the first chapter. I will try to keep updating at least 2-3 times a week. Let me know if the chapter is too short.