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The next day, the neon lights of Tokyo Gymnasium shone brightly. A steady stream of people was entering the gymnasium.
Today was the game between Teiko Middle School and Fukuyama Middle School.
In the Teiko Middle School locker room:
"Fukuyama Middle School has consistently been a top-four team in the national tournament; their strength should not be underestimated." Momoi Satsuki held a notebook and explained the opponent's information. "We especially need to watch out for their number seven; apparently, no one can stop his dribbling!"
"Interesting." Hearing Momoi Satsuki's analysis, Aomine Daiki couldn't help but get excited. "Finally, a decent opponent! My body's practically stiff."
Nijimura Shuzo then spoke up, offering a reminder. "Hayama Kotaro from Fukuyama Junior High... I know him. We ran into them last year. Momoi-san was right, that guy's dribbling is definitely a threat."
Ryu joked, "Small forward, huh? Same position as me. Aomine, looks like you're out of luck."
Aomine was taken aback. "Ah, how come? Ryu, how about we switch positions when we get on the court?"
"No way, Aomine! You and Ryu aren't in the same position, don't mess around!" Momoi Satsuki was the first to object.
"It's okay, Satsuki. It's not like I can't play power forward. Let Aomine play against that Hayama Kotaro."
"Ryu, my good bro!" Aomine hugged Ryu, his face almost touching his. Ryu pushed him away in disgust.
He went to Momoi Satsuki and said, "I'm counting on you, Satsuki."
"Oh, don't worry, Ryu, I won't let him run away," Momoi assured him, referring to the cat.
Karupin rolled its eyes, thinking to itself, 'You wretched woman, I'm not like those lowly cats. I won't run away.'
Watching Ryu and the others walk towards the exit, Momoi sensed that Ryu was different today.
The man wearing the number 95 jersey seemed even more mysterious.
That's right, Ryu's jersey number was 95, meaning: Supreme Ruler.
This was also his pursuit and goal. He wanted to stand at the top, looking down on everyone with the air of a supreme ruler.
....
"Look, the players are coming out!"
"It's Fukuyama's 'Thunder Beast', Hayama Kotaro! His dribbling is almost unstoppable!"
"I wonder how he'll fare against Teiko today?"
"They're out! It's Teiko!"
All the spectators, reporters, and players from various middle schools focused their attention on the other entrance.
" Teiko! Teiko! Teiko!"
The deafening cheers seemed to lift the stadium roof off.
"It's Nijimura Shuzo, the best power forward in middle school."
"That was before. The current No. 1 should be Teiko's first-year student, Aomine Daiki."
"Teiko's first-year students are really strong this year. Those five players are simply too powerful for middle schoolers."
"I wonder how many points they'll score today? Can they still win by a large margin against the Thunder Beast? I'm really looking forward to it!"
…
The five members, including Ryu, looked at the stands, which were much more lively than usual, listening to the deafening cheers. They no longer felt the tension they had at the beginning; the group remained remarkably calm.
The only eye-catching thing was Karupin in Momoi Satsuki's arms.
From the start of the tournament until now, rumors had spread that Teiko players always had a cat with them.
Some said the cat was the key to Teiko's victory, while others claimed the cat was under a spell—as long as it was present during a match, Teiko would have good luck and win.
There were many different opinions.
Meanwhile, in Fukuyama Middle School's rest area, everyone from the players to the coaches wore a serious expression.
They were well aware of Teiko's strength.
Hayama Kotaro looked at Teiko's bench with curiosity. "I didn't expect to encounter such a strong opponent so soon. I thought it would be a while yet!"
"There's no use talking about that now. Since we've met them, let's do our best to defeat them," Fukuyama's coach comforted him.
But what others didn't know was that he was also incredibly nervous.
Hayama Kotaro's gaze fell upon Ryu, Aomine Daiki, Midorima Shintaro, Murasakibara Atsushi, and Akashi Seijuro.
He had watched Teiko's previous matches and recognized these players; they were Teiko's starters, and each was a force to be reckoned with.
"Huh? That's…" Hayama Kotaro froze when his gaze fell upon Satsuki Momoi's arms. "That's a cat? Teiko actually brought a cat to the match. Could that cat really be under a spell?, Like other said"
Coach Fukuyama was exasperated. "Idiot, how could that be? I've already investigated that cat. It was brought by one of the Teiko players. Don't overthink it; just focus on preparing for the match."
Hearing the coach say this, Hayama Kotaro's previously carefree demeanor became somewhat serious. "Relax, relax! I'd love to see Teiko's strength too."
With that, Fukuyama and his group stepped onto the court.
Teiko entered the game at the same time, and both sides positioned themselves at the center line.
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