Makoto Hanamiya stared at Nash Gold with a dark expression.
A faint trace of malice flickered in his eyes.
At that moment, Miyamoto Tokima stepped forward and began explaining the plan for the summer.
"Alright, everyone. You have all met before."
"But you are not that familiar with each other yet, right?"
"So, I am going to let you get properly acquainted."
"As for how..."
Miyamoto Tokima smiled mysteriously.
"We will stick to our old tradition."
"But this time, no one on one matches. You will play a team game."
He looked at Kirisaki Daiichi.
"You all. Go warm up."
Then he turned to the Black Dragon Team.
"You rest, but do not let your bodies cool down."
"In thirty minutes, the match begins."
Both teams responded in unison.
"Yes!"
After that, both sides began warming up and resting.
Victor, the Black Dragon Team's coach, took out his notebook and started recording the physical data of Kirisaki Daiichi's players.
For a coach, tracking player data was basic work. Only with that could he properly plan training.
Since Kirisaki Daiichi would be training with the Black Dragon Team for the entire summer, Victor needed to prepare everything in advance.
Of course, Satsuki Momoi was also recording data.
This time, she used a computer instead of a notebook.
Faster and more efficient.
...
On the Black Dragon side.
Allen lounged on the bench and stretched.
"How are we playing this?"
Nick casually filed his nails.
"I do not care. Up to you."
Since joining the Black Dragon Team, Nick had picked up the habit of filing his nails.
In his view, nail length affected shooting accuracy.
Zack glanced at Shuzo Nijimura, who was warming up.
"Honestly, I want to see how much that kid has improved."
Nash Gold took a sip of water.
"Then the opening plays are yours, Zack."
Zack nodded.
Jason Silver rolled his neck and stretched.
"That purple haired kid is interesting. Nash, pass me the ball later. Let me have some fun."
Nash Gold replied calmly.
"I will. Just do not mess up when it matters."
Jason Silver grinned.
"No chance. I have nerves of steel."
...
On Kirisaki Daiichi's side.
Everyone warmed up quickly. Even though they had won the Summer Cup, they did not dare take the Black Dragon Team lightly.
Shuzo Nijimura was the same, moving quickly to get ready.
He knew exactly how strong Jason Silver and the others were.
No one talked. They focused on getting into peak condition.
Thirty minutes passed in an instant.
Miyamoto Tokima and Victor walked over.
Both had whistles hanging around their necks.
They would be the referees.
Victor's data recording was handed over to Satsuki Momoi.
After all, she was the professional when it came to that.
Victor.
Just a side piece.
"Both teams, get ready. The match is about to begin."
The Black Dragon Team stepped onto the court and lined up.
Kirisaki Daiichi's five starters also stepped forward and lined up at the center line.
The starting lineup for Kirisaki Daiichi was:
Center Atsushi Murasakibara, power forward Shuzo Nijimura, small forward Dicky Anthony, shooting guard Shogo Haizaki, and point guard Makoto Hanamiya.
The Black Dragon lineup:
Center Jason Silver, power forward Zack, small forward Allen, shooting guard Nick, and point guard Nash Gold.
After a brief exchange, they prepared for the jump ball.
Victor stood between Murasakibara and Jason Silver and tossed the ball up.
Both jumped at the same time.
Murasakibara used all his strength.
But Jason Silver still had the edge and tipped the ball away.
Makoto Hanamiya frowned.
He had not expected Murasakibara to lose the tip again.
Nash Gold grabbed the ball and immediately launched a long pass.
Makoto Hanamiya was startled and turned to shout, but quickly stopped.
Shuzo Nijimura was already in the backcourt, guarding Zack.
He had anticipated the lost tip and retreated early to stop the fast break.
Zack caught the ball and looked at him.
"Kid, let me see how much you have improved."
He drove from the left.
Shuzo Nijimura kept up, not giving any space.
Zack paused, feinting a switch to his right hand.
Shuzo Nijimura shifted his weight.
At that moment, Zack paused again, circled the ball with his left, and exploded past him on the same side.
A rhythm break.
Shuzo Nijimura froze for a split second and was beaten.
Zack drove inside and gathered the ball for a layup.
Then...
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps sounded beside him.
Zack glanced over and saw Murasakibara charging in.
He did not panic.
Mid air, he twisted his body and avoided the block with a layup adjustment.
He drifted to the other side of the rim and flipped the ball toward the backboard.
At that moment, another figure appeared.
Shogo Haizaki.
He leaped up and swatted the ball off the backboard.
A clean block.
Zack was stunned.
There was another one?
After landing, he looked at his teammates.
"Why did no one warn me?"
Nash Gold gave him a look like he was an idiot and turned to run back.
Jason Silver did not even look back as he retreated.
Kirisaki Daiichi had already launched a fast break.
Nick followed back on defense.
Allen walked over slowly, grinning.
"Heh, Zack, were you not going to teach Nijimura a lesson? How did you end up getting schooled instead?"
Zack snapped out of it, his face turning red.
"So you all just watched me embarrass myself?"
Allen laughed.
"Of course. You look pretty funny when you mess up."
Zack almost cried.
"You bunch of assholes!"
...
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