Deep inside a narrow alley.
A shabby old shop—so smoke-stained even its signboard had developed a greasy patina.
"Daifuku Yakiniku."
Hidden away, cramped like an air-raid shelter, with a worn-out façade—it was the kind of place you'd miss if you weren't looking for it.
But right now—
That tyrannical, mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat, mixed with cumin and charcoal smoke, drifted through the air like a seductive demon.
It hooked straight into the souls of these beasts whose stamina bars had hit zero.
"Here it is!"
Miyagi Ryota flipped open the greasy curtain with practiced ease, flashing a grin at the hungry wolves behind him.
"Don't let the place fool you—the taste is top-tier in Kanagawa!"
"The best part is…"
He lowered his voice, grinning mischievously.
"The lady boss? She's generous with the portions."
"MEAT!!!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi's eyes instantly turned red.
Those rebounding hands shoved Miyagi aside as he charged in like a runaway tank.
"Boss! Bring the meat!"
"Serve me the whole damn cow—family included!"
"This genius needs to refuel!"
The shop had only six or seven tables—quiet just moments ago.
But the moment Shohoku stormed in, it was like dropping a depth charge into a fish pond.
Akagi Takenori trailed behind with a dark expression. Every step he took felt like a stab to the heart.
He glanced up at the price list on the wall.
His eyes locked onto one line:
"Premium Beef Belly – 980 yen."
Two seconds later—
The muscles around his eyes began twitching uncontrollably.
"Uh… everyone, listen up…"
Trying to maintain his authority as captain, Akagi cleared his throat for one last desperate attempt.
"Even though we're celebrating, we should focus on moderation and—"
SIZZLE!!!
Before he could finish—
The first plate of beautifully marbled pork belly had already been dumped onto the glowing grill by Rukawa Kaede, expressionless.
Fat crackled. Smoke billowed.
The rich aroma of the Maillard reaction exploded into the air.
That sound—
It was a battle horn.
"Hahaha! Nice reflexes, fox!"
Sakuragi grabbed the tongs and lunged forward.
"This piece is mine! That one's the 'King of Meat' I picked!"
"Idiot."
"It's not cooked yet. Want a stomachache?"
Rukawa flicked his wrist, flipping the meat perfectly—then knocked Sakuragi's tongs aside in one smooth motion.
In the corner, Makino Juro had already claimed the most comfortable seat against the wall, lounging lazily with an ice-cold cola in hand.
He watched the chaos like a contented cat.
"Captain, don't just stand there."
"If you don't sit down soon, you won't even get the burnt scraps."
He patted the empty seat beside him, smiling lazily.
Akagi sighed and sat down, feeling like he was sitting on needles.
At that moment.
The wind chime at the door rang wildly.
"Hanamichi!!"
Mito Yohei burst in with the Sakuragi Army—and an excited Akagi Haruko.
"Oh! Yohei! Over here!"
Sakuragi instantly switched from meat-snatching demon to pure-hearted boy mode.
"H-Haruko-san is here too?!"
His face flushed red as he frantically smoothed his hair.
"Sakuragi-kun! Congratulations on the win!"
"You were amazing today!"
Haruko, in a light yellow dress, smiled brightly—like the only air purifier in this smoke-filled shop.
"Gahaha! You think so too?!"
"Well, that was just a fraction of this genius's true power—I wasn't even trying…"
Sakuragi puffed up, hands on hips, nose practically growing longer.
Crunch. Crunch.
A painfully loud chewing sound cut him off mid-brag.
Everyone turned—
Takamiya Nozomi had somehow teleported to the table.
Both hands were working at full speed, stuffing slices of meat into his mouth, cheeks bulging like a hoarding hamster.
"Mm… so good… amazing…"
He mumbled, already shoveling a plate of freshly grilled beef tongue into his mouth.
"Hey! Fatso! That was mine!"
Ohkusu Yuji screamed and pounced.
"Takamiya! Are you a pig?! Leave some for us!"
The already cramped shop had now fully transformed into a marketplace.
Akagi stared at the chaotic scene.
Then at the growing mountain of empty plates in the corner.
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
He discreetly touched the wallet in his pocket.
Thin.
Way too thin.
This wasn't treating the team.
This was a full-on wallet execution.
…
Outside, the street was dimly lit.
Ryonan's group walked slowly.
They had lost the game—but not their spirit.
Still, the emptiness in their stomachs was very real.
Uozumi Jun led the way like a walking iron tower, his expression grim, radiating a "keep away" aura.
Sendoh Akira strolled behind with hands in his pockets, chewing on a convenience-store lemon slice.
His face twisted from the sourness, yet he still looked carefree.
"I'm starving…"
Koshino Hiroaki clutched his stomach.
"That match took everything out of me—I could eat a whole cow."
"Same…" Uekusa Tomoyuki nodded.
At that moment...
The rich aroma of grilled meat drifted over with the wind and smacked them in the face.
The previously lifeless group froze instantly.
Several pairs of glowing green eyes locked onto the small shop at the street corner like radar.
Gulp.
Someone swallowed loudly—it sounded like thunder.
"Smells… amazing…"
Even Fukuda Kicchou's usually lifeless eyes lit up with primal hunger.
Sendoh sniffed the air.
This scent—it was criminal.
"Well, since we lost…"
He narrowed his eyes, smiling like a sly fox.
"Why not turn our frustration into appetite?"
Before anyone could respond—
A deafening roar came from inside the shop.
"Hahaha! This genius is going to eat this place bankrupt!"
"The gorilla's paying—eat all you want!!"
Uozumi's steps halted instantly.
"Akagi…"
"That gorilla… is celebrating in there?"
He gritted his teeth, snorting like an angry bull.
"Looks like it…"
"The entire Shohoku team is inside!"
"A-And they're hogging all the meat!"
Hikoichi peeked in, horrified.
"This is outrageous!"
Uozumi roared.
That competitive fire—as a rival—miraculously reignited through sheer hunger.
"We already lost the game… are we supposed to lose at eating too?!"
"Let's go! Get in there! Take the meat back!"
With a grand wave of his hand, he charged toward the entrance like a man on a mission of vengeance.
"Huh? Captain?" Koshino froze.
Sendoh's eyes lit up instead. He spat out the lemon slice and followed with a grin.
"Oh? Captain Akagi is treating?"
"What a… coincidence."
…
Creak.
The already fragile wooden door groaned under pressure.
Inside, Shohoku's meat battle came to an abrupt halt.
Everyone turned in unison.
The doorway was completely blocked.
Uozumi's massive frame filled the entire entrance—
Behind him stood Sendoh, Fukuda…
And the rest of Ryonan's starting lineup.
END OF CHAPTER
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