The Shohoku High gym was quiet, except for the rhythmic squeak of Sakuragi's sneakers. Haruko stood by the sideline, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Okay, Hanamichi-kun! Show me what you can do!" she cheered.
Sakuragi dribbled the ball. To his surprise, it felt like an extension of his own hand. The System's passive buffs are already working, he realized. He took a deep breath and sprinted toward the hoop.
[System Alert: High-Speed Dash detected. Powering up calf muscles...]
He didn't just jump; he launched. It felt as if gravity had momentarily lost its grip on him. He soared through the air, his red hair fluttering like a flame. Haruko gasped, her hands covering her mouth in awe.
CRUNCH!
The entire backboard shook as Sakuragi slammed the ball through the rim with terrifying force. He hung there for a second, feeling the raw power of his new body, before dropping gracefully to the floor.
[Ding! Side Mission Completed: The First Dunk.]
[Reward: Skill 'Iron Wall Defense' Unlocked!]
[Experience Points: +100 EXP. Level Up!]
"That... that was incredible!" Haruko ran toward him, her face flushed with excitement. "I've never seen anyone jump that high! You really are a genius, Hanamichi-kun!"
Sakuragi wiped a drop of sweat from his forehead and gave her a cool, sideways glance. "This is just the beginning, Haruko. The world isn't ready for what's coming."
But as he spoke, a group of tall, intimidating students entered the gym. Leading them was a massive guy with a buzz cut—Takenori Akagi, the captain of the team.
[Warning: High-Level Character Detected. New Quest: Survive the Captain's Wrath.]