On the day of the game, the venue was packed with people.
Riko Aida and Junpei Hyuga looked around at the lively crowd and could not help but marvel at the turnout.
"I didn't expect this many people to show up," Junpei Hyuga said.
Riko Aida smiled.
"The Black Dragon Team is famous, after all. I wonder whether the players Dad recruited will be able to beat them."
Of course, the spectators at the venue were not the only ones watching the game.
Many others were following the broadcast on television, including Taiga Kagami and the others.
The Seirin team had gathered at Taiga Kagami's house to watch the game on TV.
Shinji Koganei looked at the screen.
"I didn't know Coach's father was in charge of the event."
Shun Izuki smiled.
"How else do you think Coach and Hyuga managed to get seats at the venue?"
Koki Furihata said, "I wonder how they're doing."
Seirin High School was not the only team watching. Players from other schools had also gathered together for the broadcast.
A female host appeared on the screen and began introducing the event.
"Can everyone hear those thunderous cheers?"
"This is the stage for the greatest exhibition match in street basketball!"
The host turned halfway around and gestured behind her.
"Just look at the crowd behind me. They can barely contain their excitement!"
"That's because the superstar team here to showcase their basketball skills today is none other than..."
"The streetball team that has taken the entire United States, no, the entire world by storm!"
"The Black Dragon Team!"
As she spoke, the broadcast layout changed. The host's image shrank into a small window at the bottom of the screen, while footage of the Black Dragon Team began playing above it.
Nash Gold walked at the front, followed by Jason Silver.
Nash Gold wore a white suit with both hands in his pockets and a faint smile on his face. The tattoo on his neck gave him an even more dangerous air.
Jason Silver wore sunglasses and walked silently behind him, his hands in his pockets and his face completely expressionless.
Zack and Allen looked just as cold and indifferent.
Nick was also wearing sunglasses, though a slight smile rested on his face.
As the footage continued, the female host introduced the Black Dragon Team.
"Although the players, including their captain, are only eighteen years old on average, their incredible performances have captivated basketball fans everywhere!"
"Their level of skill rivals that of an NBA team!"
"What kind of performance will they put on for us here in Japan?!"
Once the introduction ended, the broadcast cut back to the venue.
The camera focused on the male host.
Holding a microphone in his right hand, he raised his left arm and shouted.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting!"
"The exhibition match featuring the legendary streetball team, the Black Dragon Team, is about to begin!"
The crowd erupted into cheers so deafening that the surrounding area seemed to shake.
At Taiga Kagami's house, Tetsuya Kuroko smiled.
"It's exciting to get the chance to watch a genuine streetball game."
Taiga Kagami nodded in agreement.
The male host's voice rang out from the television once again.
"First, allow us to introduce Japan's special team!"
"Team Strky!"
At the sound of the host's announcement, five figures slowly walked onto the court.
They were Kenichi Okamura, Kiyoshi Miyaji, Chihiro Mayuzumi, Shoichi Imayoshi, and Yukio Kasamatsu.
Kazunari Takao pointed at the television and laughed.
"Look, Miyaji-senpai really did go."
Then he turned to the blond boy beside him with a grin.
"Hey, your brother's on the court!"
Elsewhere, Ryota Kise exclaimed excitedly.
"Kasamatsu-senpai is playing!"
At Tōō Academy, Daiki Aomine stared at the television in surprise.
"I can't believe Imayoshi actually went. Can he really handle this?"
At Rakuzan High School, Reo Mibuchi looked at the familiar face on the screen in astonishment.
"I never expected Mayuzumi-senpai to take part."
Seijuro Akashi also seemed a little surprised.
"Neither did I."
On the court, the five players stood on one side and watched as their opponents prepared to enter from the other.
The male host raised his voice once more.
"And now, please welcome the superstar streetball team from the United States!"
"The Black Dragon Team!"
As the crowd cheered and music filled the venue, the members of the Black Dragon Team slowly made their entrance.
Nash Gold and the others stepped onto the court wearing their Black Dragon Team uniforms.
All five of them had been smiling, but the instant they got a clear look at their opponents, those smiles disappeared.
Zack frowned in confusion.
"I understand why Tokima-san isn't here, but why isn't Nijimura here either?"
Nash Gold's expression also turned cold.
"It's not just him. Hanamiya and the others aren't here either."
Jason Silver's face stiffened, his expression darkening.
"That brat Murasakibara isn't here either. Why? Are those guys supposed to be stronger than them?!"
Nick sneered.
"I refuse to believe Tokima-san's judgment is that bad. If those guys were stronger, Tokima-san would have brought them to the United States to train with us instead."
Allen finally understood what was going on, and his voice turned cold.
"So someone used their influence to put these guys on the court?"
A sinister smile appeared on Nash Gold's face, and his tone became icy.
"Probably. That sort of thing happens all the time in Japan."
"I don't know how the person in charge arranged it, but the moment these people used their connections to step onto this court, they thoroughly pissed me off."
Jason Silver grinned.
"Yeah. I'm pretty pissed off too."
Zack rolled his wrists.
"Nash, how are we playing this?"
Nash Gold sneered.
"If they want to humiliate themselves, then let's give them exactly what they asked for."
"It's been a while since we really played around with anyone, hasn't it? This match is the perfect chance to have some fun."
Jason Silver was the first to agree, bursting into laughter.
"I'm in. We can settle the score for that brat Murasakibara while we're at it. I want to see what the idiot who took his spot is capable of!"
Zack grinned as well.
"And I want to see how the guy across from me managed to take Nijimura's spot."
Allen shrugged indifferently.
"In that case, let's have some fun."
Nick said nothing, but a mocking look appeared in his eyes.
...