As photos of the Dragon Slayer Team's members appeared on the screen, the male announcer continued.
"Their name represents a divine sword capable of slaying an evil dragon!"
"They are the Dragon Slayer Team!"
Off the court, Shinji Koganei stared at the packed stands in amazement.
"I can't believe so many people came to a match that was arranged at the last minute."
Shun Izuki answered calmly.
"It's because of what the Black Dragon Team said before. A lot of people felt insulted."
At that moment, discussions broke out among the spectators.
"What's going on? Why wasn't there a picture of Miyamoto Tokima? I can see him on the court!"
"You're right. Why is that?"
"Wait, why is Miyamoto Tokima standing with the Black Dragon Team?!"
Some of the spectators nearby began explaining.
"That's because Miyamoto Tokima founded the Black Dragon Team!"
The surrounding crowd froze.
"What? Miyamoto Tokima founded them?! Then why would they say something so insulting? That was completely out of line!"
"You can't really blame Miyamoto Tokima. He wasn't the one who said it."
"But he's standing with the Black Dragon Team right now!"
"Maybe there's more to the story. Miyamoto Tokima is very close to [The Generation of Miracles], after all."
On the court, Taiga Kagami also noticed Miyamoto Tokima.
"I can't believe Miyamoto Tokima really sided with the Black Dragon Team."
Seijuro Akashi looked toward Miyamoto Tokima.
"Don't dwell on it, Kagami. There may be more to this situation than we know."
"We can talk about everything after the match."
Taiga Kagami had no choice but to nod and let the matter drop.
On the Black Dragon Team's side, Allen looked at Miyamoto Tokima with a smile.
"Tokima-san, are you starting today? If you are, I'll come off the bench."
Miyamoto Tokima smiled and shook his head.
"No need. I plan to enter later. You can start without me."
Allen nodded.
"All right. Then I'll play first, Tokima-san."
The match was about to begin, and the male announcer's excited voice rang through the venue.
"And now, the long-awaited rematch is about to begin!"
"The Dragon Slayer Team!"
"Versus!"
"The Black Dragon Team!"
The moment the announcer finished, Jason Silver grinned and immediately began trash-talking.
"Hey, kids! Did you remember to put on your diapers?"
"Silver, can you shut that damn mouth of yours?"
Shogo Haizaki's profanity-laced response came immediately.
With Shogo Haizaki joining the lineup, the Dragon Slayer Team's starting five had changed.
Atsushi Murasakibara was at center, Daiki Aomine at power forward, Shogo Haizaki at small forward, Shintaro Midorima at shooting guard, and Seijuro Akashi at point guard.
The referee slowly stepped between Jason Silver and Atsushi Murasakibara, then tossed the basketball into the air.
Jason Silver and Atsushi Murasakibara jumped at the same time, both reaching for the ball with everything they had.
To everyone's surprise, they touched it simultaneously, sending it even higher into the air.
The moment they landed, both jumped again and reached for the ball.
This time, Atsushi Murasakibara got to it first.
His second jump was faster than Jason Silver's.
Jason Silver froze for a moment. He had not expected Atsushi Murasakibara to improve so much at jump balls.
The ball was tipped into Seijuro Akashi's hands.
Seijuro Akashi did not attempt a fast break because the Black Dragon Team had already settled into their defensive positions.
Seeing that, he thought to himself.
'They got back on defense that quickly?'
While Seijuro Akashi was still bringing the ball up the court, Shogo Haizaki moved beside Allen.
Allen looked at him with a mischievous grin.
"Haizaki, I didn't expect you to be the one matched up against me."
As he spoke, Allen reached over and gave Shogo Haizaki a quick pat on the backside.
Shogo Haizaki jolted in shock.
Back when they trained with the Black Dragon Team, Allen would do the same thing to anyone who guarded him or played one-on-one against him.
At one point, they had all started wondering whether Allen was into men.
Either way, it made every one of them deeply uncomfortable.
Shogo Haizaki immediately dodged Allen's hand and cursed.
"Allen, get the hell away from me!"
Despite being yelled at, Allen's expression did not change. He continued staring at Shogo Haizaki with the same obnoxious grin.
Shogo Haizaki could not take it anymore.
"Aomine! Switch with me!"
Daiki Aomine had no idea why Shogo Haizaki wanted to switch, but he did it anyway.
"What's wrong with you? We're already switching?"
The moment they changed assignments, Daiki Aomine understood.
Allen looked at him with that same grin, then placed a hand on Daiki Aomine's backside.
"Hey there. So you're guarding me now?"
Daiki Aomine's expression immediately turned horrified.
Why the hell was there someone like this on the Black Dragon Team?!
At that moment, Daiki Aomine had only one thought.
He needed to get as far away from Allen as possible.
"Haizaki! Switch back with me!"
Shogo Haizaki completely ignored him and moved down toward the baseline.
Daiki Aomine had no choice but to grit his teeth and start moving.
As he cut across the court, he actually managed to create some distance.
Seijuro Akashi immediately sent him the ball, placing the pass perfectly into his path.
After catching it, Daiki Aomine went straight into a shooting motion.
Allen had only just caught up, and when he saw Daiki Aomine preparing to shoot, he instinctively shifted his weight upward.
That was exactly the opening Daiki Aomine had been waiting for.
He had never intended to shoot.
The moment Allen's center of gravity rose, Daiki Aomine burst past him.
Allen quickly lowered his stance again, but it was already too late.
Daiki Aomine's speed had exceeded his expectations.
'He's fast!'
After Daiki Aomine entered the paint, Jason Silver moved to help on defense.
However, Atsushi Murasakibara immediately blocked his path.
With no one left to stop him, Daiki Aomine leaped and slammed the ball through the hoop with a tomahawk dunk.
After the basket, Jason Silver laughed and gave Atsushi Murasakibara a shove.
"Murasakibara! Since when do you play like that?"
He had not expected Atsushi Murasakibara to seal him off so he could not interfere with his teammate.
Atsushi Murasakibara scratched his head and looked confused.
"Isn't that just how you're supposed to play?"
Jason Silver paused, then burst into laughter.
"You really are interesting, Murasakibara!"
...
...
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