Seed teams from the same district being separated into different halves is an unwritten rule of the Nationals.
Although not explicitly stated, all participating teams and fans nationwide knew this well.
The purpose of doing this is naturally to avoid civil wars, increase confrontation between more districts, and make the tournament more interesting to watch.
Fearing Yuuto didn't know, Momoi explained it very clearly.
"Moreover, based on past history, the first place of the Tokyo district and the Kyoto district have a very high probability of being separated into the same half."
"Why?" Yuuto certainly knew the draw result, but still asked.
"Because the Tokyo district is recognized as the most competitive district, and Kyoto has Rakuzan."
Yes.
Kyoto has Rakuzan; the reason is that simple.
Rakuzan, hailed as the Opening Emperor, possesses the most wins and championships in the Nationals.
In any year, any era, Rakuzan is the most potent contender for the national championship.
They have never been absent from the Nationals and Winter Cup!
Opposing them, naturally, are the teams that fought their way out of the cruel Tokyo district.
Equally possessing the strength to compete for the championship.
Historically, every time the Tokyo district top seed and Rakuzan met in the finals (semi-finals?), sparks would fly.
In fact.
In the original Nationals, the opponents in the final match were Tokyo's third seed, Seirin (Wait, Seirin didn't play Rakuzan in Nationals finals, it was Winter Cup. Nationals final was Rakuzan vs Tōō?), vs Rakuzan.
Because only the champion and runner-up teams are eligible to go directly to the Winter Cup.
The TV anime also made it clear that Rakuzan successfully defended their title. Therefore, it can be judged that Tōō got third place (or runner-up) in the first Nationals of the original work (if Rakuzan beat them in finals).
"In other words, there's a high probability Tōō will be in the same half as Rakuzan?"
"According to past history, that's correct."
"Then shouldn't you go to Rakuzan, Satsuki?"
"Uh..."
That was true, but she didn't come to Seiho really to collect intel.
"The better you play, the lower your EQ. I wonder if the boys around me are all idiots because of playing basketball."
Not just Yuuto, those idiots in the Generation of Miracles were the same. It's so hard for me!
She pouted, her cheeks puffing into a small bun, as if she had suffered a great grievance.
At this moment, Sora habitually came to the rooftop to find Yuuto for lunch.
"Yu, time for lunch... Momoi Satsuki, why are you here?"
Sora was in a good mood today because Yuuto won the game again, but this good mood vanished upon seeing Momoi.
Seeing the newcomer, the small bun on Momoi's face disappeared. She threw away her sunglasses and revealed a brilliant smile.
"Met again, Barely-B-Cup Sora!"
"You... you..."
Sora clutched her chest, saying "you" several times with no follow-up.
This woman was truly vicious to the extreme; her little mouth seemed coated in arsenic, hurting people as soon as she spoke!
Playing with words, she really couldn't beat Momoi.
In the past at home, Haruka Kasugano and Yuuto would let her fool around, raising Sora to be extremely willful. Once encountering someone who didn't go along with her, she would probably explode.
By the way.
Speaking of Haruka Kasugano, he recently had an emotional crisis.
This guy wasn't a walking hormone like Yuuto, but after this gentle man came to Seiho, he soon caused two women to be jealous.
Not knowing how to refuse, he maintained close relationships with both girls. Eventually, the eruption of emotions resulted in the three of them pulling and tugging at the school festival.
No Shuraba (carnage), but all three were quite hit.
Recently Haruka was immersed in repairing this complex four-person relationship (Twin sister involved?).
Of course.
Yuuto wasn't much different.
When he came to the cafeteria, people cast their gazes over.
The two women beside him had different styles but were visibly exquisite—what people often call natural beauties.
Result: guarding him left and right, making people envious and hateful.
Yuuto actually didn't have low EQ, but he was a transmigrator and had a somewhat gamified mentality towards life.
Plus they were still young; future matters could be considered later.
To put it bluntly, he was a scumbag; wanted a harem, couldn't bear to refuse.
...
During the meal.
Sora and Momoi were still tit-for-tat.
When Yuuto reacted, his utensils were covered in vegetables.
"Enough, both of you eat properly." He got angry for a moment, and the two women instantly restrained themselves.
Only then did the three eat in peace.
After a while, Yuuto suddenly said, "I plan to go to Tōō this afternoon."
Momoi: "Eh? Why?"
Sora: "What are you going to Tōō for?"
"To find Aomine."
After the game ended yesterday, Yuuto conducted his third high school simulation.
Didn't get very good talents, not even fusion materials.
But after losing the game (in sim), he conducted some fusion attempts...
Like fusing Wildness and Demon Mode to see if he could fuse a Red talent, the type that could rise from the dead.
But failed.
Not fusion failure, but the fused talent was almost no different from the original and didn't produce a qualitative change.
So he spent most of his time grinding the Pass Without Warning, gaining massive practice memories.
Of course.
This simulation wasn't fruitless; his simulation level increased.
His Mentality attribute finally reached 150 points.
"What for finding Dai-chan?"
"To play a match."
Yuuto's eyes flashed; he wanted to make good use of the Weakness Revision talent.
...
Afternoon.
Tōō Academy.
It was class time, but Lord Aomine was never a child who loved studying.
The moment the class bell rang, he instantly got sleepy. His body involuntarily went to the rooftop, then uncontrollably lay down to sleep.
"Running to the rooftop to sleep during class time, you're truly hopeless, Aomine."
Yuuto pushed open the door and saw Aomine lying flat at a glance.
Momoi following him muttered secretly, "In this regard, what difference is there between you and Dai-chan?"
"Yuuto? What are you doing at Tōō?" Aomine's eyes became sharp.
Tōō just lost the game yesterday, and Yuuto ran over today.
What did he want? To mock him?
If so, he definitely wouldn't spare him!
"Want to play you again."
"Hah?"
"You can refuse if you're scared."
Truly low-level provocation.
Momoi was speechless inside, but even more speechless was that she felt Aomine would fall for it nine times out of ten.
Sure enough, Aomine got annoyed upon hearing it, jumping up with a carp kip-up.
"Just right, I wasn't satisfied yesterday. Since you want to be beaten, I'll fulfill your wish."
He was this kind of person; the more he couldn't defeat an opponent, the more he wanted to play them.
Challenge the strong, then make himself stronger.
Soon after.
They arrived at the Tōō gym. No one was around; Momoi acted as the referee.
"Play to how many?"
"Until you're satisfied."
Hearing this, Aomine laughed.
After changing into jerseys, they started directly.
From the initial state to igniting Wildness, and finally both entering Demon Mode/Zone again, activating 100% of their potential.
...
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