Time passed.
After the final round of selections by Coaches Taoka Moichi and Takato Riki, the 12-player roster for the Autumn National Athletic Meet was finally set.
Autumn National Athletic Meet · Final 12-Player Roster:
Center (C)
Shohoku · Akagi Takenori · Number 4 · 3rd Year
Ryonan · Uozumi Jun · Number 4 · 3rd Year
Shoyo · Hanagata Toru · Number 5 · 3rd Year
Power Forward (PF)
Shohoku · Aoi Kunisaku · Number 9 · 1st Year
Shohoku · Sakuragi Hanamichi · Number 10 · 1st Year
Ryonan · Fukuda Kicchou · Number 13 · 2nd Year
Small Forward (SF)
Ryonan · Sendoh Akira · Number 7 · 2nd Year
Shohoku · Rukawa Kaede · Number 11 · 1st Year
Shooting Guard (SG)
Shohoku · Mitsui Hisashi · Number 14 · 3rd Year
Kainan · Jin Soichiro · Number 6 · 3rd Year
Point Guard (PG)
Kainan · Maki Shinichi · Number 4 · 3rd Year
Shoyo · Fujima Kenji · Number 4 · 3rd Year
The moment this list was announced, it was as if someone hit pause on the entire high school basketball scene in Kanagawa.
Because out of the 12 players, 5 were from Shohoku—and all 5 were Shohoku's starting players.
Even Coaches Taoka and Takato were stunned when they realized it after the fact.
A team that used to get knocked out in the first round... had become this powerful?
It not only broke the usual balance of team representation but also signaled that the once "weak" Shohoku was now among the top in Kanagawa.
It was truly unbelievable.
…
The next day.
News of Shohoku having 5 players selected for the Autumn National Athletic Meet spread like a bomb through Japan's high school basketball world.
Already under the spotlight thanks to the Summer Tournament, Shohoku's name now soared even higher.
To say they were a household name might be pushing it—but within the high school basketball world, they were undoubtedly famous across the country.
Sports and basketball magazines alike sent out waves of reporters, cameras in hand, swarming toward Kanagawa.
Everyone was desperate for first-hand news.
Starting that day, the front gate of Shohoku High was always crowded with reporters.
The school leaders, eager to promote their school, even prepared a special waiting room for the media. Once the basketball team had time, interviews would be arranged.
That afternoon after school…
Aoi Kunisaku, Akagi Takenori, Mitsui Hisashi, Sakuragi Hanamichi, and Rukawa Kaede—the five selected players—gathered to face the media.
They were quickly surrounded by a crowd.
Reporters had already set up cameras, recorders, and countless microphones nearly poked their noses. The flash of bulbs lit them up like a press conference stage.
The questions came flying.
"Do you believe you can win the Autumn National Athletic Meet?"
"What are your thoughts on Shohoku having all five starters selected?"
"Does being selected mean Shohoku is now the absolute powerhouse of Kanagawa?"
"Aoi Kunisaku-san..."
"Akagi-san..."
"Mitsui Hisashi-san..."
"Sakuragi-san..."
"Rukawa Kaede-san..."
…
The reporters, as always, hurled all kinds of wild and relentless questions at them.
Aoi Kunisaku, because of his personality, remained calm and composed, answering with simple, clear statements. No fluff.
The others, however, didn't handle it as smoothly. They were doing their best to maintain composure, but their nerves showed.
Even the usually stoic Rukawa Kaede frowned under the barrage, clearly overwhelmed.
No one knew how much time passed before the exhausting interview finally ended.
"I'm beat..." Sakuragi Hanamichi collapsed into a chair, face full of despair like his soul had just left his body.
Mitsui Hisashi let out a heavy sigh. Turning to Akagi Takenori, he said tiredly, "I'm heading home to crash. Let Coach know I'm skipping training today."
"I'm heading to the gym," said Aoi Kunisaku flatly, standing up and walking off without looking back.
Everyone else quickly recovered.
Especially Sakuragi Hanamichi, who seemed to float around like he'd just won the lottery. He showed off to anyone who would listen. "Hahahaha! See that? The great me got picked for kokutai. I'm a basketball superstar now!"
"Big idiot." Rukawa Kaede just happened to be walking by. He shot Sakuragi a cold look, full of disdain.
He couldn't stand Sakuragi's cocky behavior even a little.
Ryonan, Shoyo, and Kainan all had different reactions when they found out the Autumn National Athletic Meet roster.
Ryonan High School · Basketball Court
After learning they'd made the kokutai roster, Sendoh Akira, Uozumi Jun, and Fukuda Kicchou trained even harder than before.
Taoka Moichi also raised his standards and pushed them harder in practice.
Off-court, Aida Hikoichi looked at the three sweating it out and said with emotion, "Looks like everyone's fired up!"
Then he muttered under his breath, "Still... I can't believe Shohoku's entire starting lineup made the kokutai roster. No wonder Sendoh and Captain Uozumi are working like crazy."
Recalling the previous practice match against Shohoku, that figure in the number 9 jersey flashed in his mind.
He clenched his fists silently and thought, 'Give it your all, Sendoh, Captain Uozumi, Fukuda... show Shohoku what Ryonan is made of.'
Bang!
A sharp metallic sound tore through the air.
Sendoh Akira hung from the rim with one hand, his white jersey flaring from the updraft, exposing the lean line of his waist.
His legs swayed casually in midair. The ball had already passed through the net and bounced toward the corner.
"Nice shot!"
A few cheers rang out, only to be swallowed up by something even louder the next second.
"Haah!"
A roar echoed across the court.
Uozumi Jun charged like a beast. He gripped the ball tight, took a running start, leaped, and dunked in one smooth motion.
The rim groaned under his weight. The backboard trembled violently, as if it might shatter any second.
He landed with a thud that shook the floor.
Before anyone could react, bang—another clean dunk.
Fukuda Kicchou leaped up.
Unlike Sendoh's floating grace or Uozumi's brute force, Fukuda's move was simple and direct.
He slammed the ball into the rim with no wasted motion.
He landed with a slight bend of the knees, his sneakers screeching against the floor.
Watching it all, Taoka Moichi gave a satisfied nod. "If they keep that efficiency in the match, we'll be fine."
…
Shoyo High School · Basketball Court
Fujima Kenji and Hanagata Toru were running drills.
Their shadows crisscrossed beneath the gym lights.
Fujima drove with the ball like wind, his long fingers shifting rhythm smoothly.
With a flick of the wrist, the ball soared in a clean arc.
Hanagata narrowed his eyes and charged forward. His green jersey flapped behind him as he moved under the rim.
At the peak of its arc, Hanagata jumped.
He caught the ball mid-air like a hawk snatching prey and twisted his body, jamming it into the rim with force.
Bang!
The sound of the metal rim echoed long in the open gym.
He landed with a slight bend in his knees. His sweat-soaked bangs clung to his flushed forehead.
"Let's call it a day," Fujima said, bending over to catch his breath, his gentle smile still in place.
Hanagata nodded without protest.
But then he looked up, a glint of doubt behind his glasses. "You sure everything's alright with Shohoku?"
Fujima smiled calmly. "What's there to worry about? They're the champs. It's only natural they got selected. The roster was carefully considered. You saw it yourself. I think it's fair."
Hanagata stayed quiet for a moment, then murmured, "I see..."
…
Kainan High School · Basketball Court
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The sound of the ball pounding the floor was like war drums. Mixed with heavy breathing, it echoed through the enclosed gym.
Maki Shinichi drove forward with sharp eyes like a hawk.
Faced with three defenders, he suddenly stopped and jumped.
He twisted mid-air. With a graceful layback, the ball avoided the block and swooshed through the net.
On the sideline, Kiyota Nobunaga muttered, "Damn, that's Captain Maki for you. Even in that situation he nails it."
But his face quickly soured. He grumbled, "Ugh! Why wasn't I on the roster? I'm the real super rookie! Even that red-haired monkey made the list. So unfair!"
Sitting nearby, Coach Takato Riki smiled faintly and kept fanning himself.
He and Taoka Moichi had thought it through before leaving Kiyota out.
Kiyota had talent, sure. But compared to Rukawa Kaede and Sendoh Akira, he still lagged behind.
With limited slots, only the best could make it.
With Sendoh and Rukawa in, Kiyota naturally had to go.
It was a carefully balanced choice.
Swish…
A shot cut clean through the net.
Jin Soichiro stood beyond the three-point line. His wrist snapped smoothly, sending the ball spinning along a clean arc.
The ball fell through without touching the rim.
He landed with a soft bend in the knees, his jersey soaked with sweat, outlining his slim figure.
Looking at his two star players, Takato Riki was clearly satisfied.
This time, Kanagawa's lineup was stronger than ever.
And with a monster like Aoi Kunisaku…
Anticipation lit up his face.
He had more confidence than ever in winning the Autumn National title.