Outside Shohoku's Gym
Ayako leaned against the railing, eyes locked on the court as Qing Junce and Kaede Rukawa took their positions once more.
"Rukawa really can't let it go," she murmured with a smirk. "After getting crushed by Qing Junce last time, he's already back for round two."
Shimizu Kanon blinked. "Oh, right! You and Kaede Rukawa went to the same junior high, didn't you?"
Ayako nodded. "Yep. He's always been like that—hard-headed, never admits defeat. But now, with Akagi, Rukawa, and Junce, Shohoku has three monsters on one team."
She paused for a moment before adding, almost wistfully, "If only Mitsui were still with us, maybe… just maybe, we really could take the national title."
Kanon tilted her head thoughtfully. "You mean… Hisashi Mitsui, right?"
Ayako raised a brow. "Wow. You even know that?"
"Well… I do like digging through team data."
Ayako chuckled, then explained, "It was two years ago. Mitsui came to Shohoku fresh off a junior high MVP award. The guy was unstoppable."
Her tone darkened a little.
"But… something happened. And he's never been back since."
Meanwhile, on the Other Side of the Court
Miyagi Ryota and Sakuragi Hanamichi, still in a tug-of-war from earlier, noticed the entire gym shifting their attention to one half of the court.
"What's going on?" Miyagi asked, eyes narrowing.
"How should I know?!" Sakuragi growled, still trying to yank his leg free.
But their squabbling stopped as murmurs echoed around the gym.
"Do you think Rukawa can actually beat him this time?"
"No way. Qing Junce is still on another level."
"This is gonna be another blowout…"
Sakuragi clicked his tongue. "Ugh, that smug fox and that dead-eyed freak again."
Miyagi smirked. "So those are the super rookies everyone's talking about…"
On the court, Qing Junce and Kaede Rukawa faced each other again—completely unfazed by the crowd.
Just like last time, Rukawa took the ball first.
"Let's see if you've grown," Junce said with a lazy grin.
Rukawa's eyes sharpened. He didn't reply—just moved.
He slammed the ball once, his body flickering as he darted to Junce's left.
But Junce was already there.
"That slow footwork's not gonna cut it."
Rukawa didn't hesitate—he spun, switched directions, and tried again.
Junce spun the other way, mirroring the move effortlessly. Cut off again.
"Wow!" gasped Kakuta, eyes wide. "He blocked that clean!"
Kogure nodded. "Junce's still got the edge."
Ayako folded her arms. "Rukawa's better than before, but… he's still a step behind."
Kanon just smiled.
She'd already expected this outcome.
Bang… Bang… Bang…
The rhythm of the ball bouncing filled the gym.
Rukawa attacked again and again, but every move was sealed off by Qing Junce's uncanny footwork.
They looked like two streaks of light—black and blue—twisting, darting, colliding across half the court.
Every student stood in stunned silence.
"This is insane…"
"I've never seen offense and defense at this level!"
"They're even faster than last time!"
Even Miyagi was speechless.
He had heard they were strong. But this? This was beyond expectations.
Even Sakuragi couldn't look away.
For once, the loudmouth had nothing to say.
Ayako squinted. "Looks like Rukawa really has improved."
Kanon nodded. "He's faster, smarter…"
But she was already thinking the same thing everyone would realize soon enough:
He's still not at Ace's level.
Then, Rukawa feinted, got half a body ahead, and rose up for a jumper.
Qing Junce didn't flinch. He launched himself from the floor—clearing the half-body gap in an instant—and met the ball head-on.
Smack!
The block echoed like a gunshot.
Rukawa was still mid-air, stunned, watching as his shot was slapped into oblivion.
"Wha—he blocked that too?!" Miyagi blurted.
Sakuragi scowled. "Tch! Big deal…"
Qing Junce picked at his ear like it was all beneath him. "Not bad. Better than last time."
Rukawa gritted his teeth. "Take this seriously!"
Junce shrugged. "I told you… that depends on you."
Switch. Qing Junce's turn to attack.
He bounced the ball lazily… then in a flash, transferred it to his left, crossed it under his legs, and drove.
Rukawa dropped low, arms wide—ready.
But Junce faked him out again.
One step forward. Then—an immediate retreat.
Rukawa froze, eyes wide, caught completely off-guard.
Junce stopped, pulled up, and calmly let the ball fly—without even jumping.
Swish.
The net barely moved.
Rukawa didn't move either.
He had no idea how he fell for it.
Next round, Rukawa got the ball.
But instead of charging forward, he backed up. One step. Two.
Then launched a sudden three-point shot.
It caught everyone off guard—even Junce raised an eyebrow.
Trying to surprise me, huh?
But Qing Junce reacted instantly.
His legs snapped into motion—boom—and he was at the arc before Rukawa could release.
Junce rose like a shadow from nowhere.
Smack!
Another clean block. The gym gasped.
"Those little tricks don't work on me," Junce said, eyes cold.
Rukawa didn't respond. He just grabbed the ball and got into position again.
What followed was… domination.
Round after round.
Rukawa couldn't score once.
Junce blocked, stole, outpaced, outsmarted—again and again.
Everyone watching was blown away, even if they'd seen this before.
"Is this even a contest?"
"He's a wall. Rukawa can't get through."
"Junce is a monster…"
It didn't matter how many times Rukawa attacked—he was shut down every single time.
In the end, one truth remained:
Qing Junce was on another level.
And the rest of Shohoku? They'd never forget that.