Chapter 151: Akashi

The first match of the round-robin stage in the All-Japan High School Championship finals.

Before the game even began, the venue was already packed, a sea of people filling the entire gymnasium.

Many opponents that Bai Shui had defeated in the All-Japan qualifiers and the main tournament had arrived; some sent a few scattered players, while others came as a full team led by their coach.

Sakai, Higashi-Tsuto, Hagiya, Kitaoka...

Among them, Sakai Middle School and Higashi-Tsuto, both from the Tokyo zone, knew each other and happened to be seated nearby; as the ace players of their respective teams, He Xiuyang and Long Tian Zhang sat directly next to each other.

"Long Tian-kun, long time no see," He Xiuyang greeted.

Long Tian Zhang nodded, though his expression was somewhat awkward; He Xiuyang understood, as during the qualifiers, Long Tian Zhang's interview about pass basketball had been quite explosive in the Tokyo zone.

Under the awkward atmosphere, He Xiuyang spoke up first: "I see many familiar faces from the Tokyo zone. Mizuki Yukio-kun from Enjoji... ah, you might not have met him; he was on a team that wasn't very strong, but he was the first to face Bai Shui in the qualifiers."

"So many feelings..."

"Who would have thought back then that that guy would make it all the way here?"

As He Xiuyang spoke, his gaze returned to the warm-up area on the court, landing on Yukimiya Kazuma, who was currently dribbling to warm up.

"Who do you think will win today's match?" Long Tian Zhang suddenly asked.

"Hmm?"

"It's strange for a team from the same Tokyo zone to ask such a question, Long Tian-kun."

Long Tian Zhang frowned; his Thoughts Inside had been seen through, making him even more awkward, so he simply laid his cards on the table. "Although that guy Yukimiya is annoying..."

"For some reason, compared to Teiko, I just want to see him win."

Hearing this, He Xiuyang paused, then nodded in understanding; the juniors from Sakai and Higashi-Tsuto around them listened tensely to the seniors' conversation.

He Xiuyang propped his chin: "If Yukimiya only possesses the strength he has shown so far, then the winner of this match is undoubtedly Teiko, one hundred percent."

"Yukimiya's strength is indeed formidable, but Teiko's power is comprehensive in every aspect."

"However..."

Long Tian Zhang raised an eyebrow, took up the other's words, and continued: "It's just that up until now, it's still unclear what trump cards he has been hiding in the All-Japan main tournament."

"After all, this guy is strange; the more he plays, the stronger he gets."

"A monster."

Bai Shui bench area.

This was the first time since the current All-Japan Championship that Bai Shui had repeatedly confirmed the tactical arrangements prepared before an official match, because this time, they were facing an opponent completely different from before.

Previously, even when facing teams famous nationwide, Bai Shui would at most arrange tactics targeting just one specific player.

Then they would simply crush them using Yukimiya's unparalleled advantage.

But this time, the Teiko they faced meant that almost every player on the court could pose a fatal threat to Bai Shui.

Quickly.

Amidst the announcer's impassioned voice, the members of Bai Shui Middle School took the court one by one.

Every time the announcer called out a Bai Shui player's name, it sparked applause and cheers in the venue; clearly, after several matches in the All-Japan Championship, Bai Shui Already had gained immense prestige.

Especially when Yukimiya Kazuma finally appeared, the spectator stands suddenly erupted in a roar like a mountain call and a tidal wave, making Long Tian Zhang look utterly jealous.

After Bai Shui, it was their opponent's turn: Teiko Middle School.

"Next to take the court is...!!"

"Teiko Middle School!"

"Woaah!"

"Oh! It's Teiko!"

"So tall! Is that guy really a middle school student?"

The Generation of Miracles with rainbow-colored hair walked onto the court one after another.

"They're here? The Generation of Miracles!"

Seeing Teiko take the court, the Bai Shui members on the other side of the court immediately narrowed their eyes.

"Tsk~ The pressure is intense..."

"The Generation of Miracles..."

"Just seeing them makes one feel goosebumps."

The players on the Bai Shui bench, seeing the Generation of Miracles of Teiko appear one by one on the court, all felt their hair stand on end.

Just then, the announcer's voice came again.

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, the last name of Teiko Middle School, also the most weighty one, echoed through the entire venue.

"White, Teiko Number 4!"

"The captain...!"

"Akashi Seijuro!!"

Among the Generation of Miracles, Akashi Seijuro was only 170 centimeters tall, three centimeters shorter than he would be in high school.

Compared to the other members of the 'Generation of Miracles', he did not have such an immediately recognizable, overwhelming physique, but when he appeared with a head of red hair and heterochromatic eyes scanning the entire court, the whispers throughout the gymnasium suddenly dropped.

"What an amazing aura!"

"Is this the captain of the Generation of Miracles?"

"As expected..."

"Just at a glance, you can feel his extraordinariness."

After forming up, the members of both teams soon faced each other at the center circle.

In that instant.

The gaze of everyone present was drawn to these two teams.

"Yukimiya Kazuma."

"I am quite surprised by you."

Before Yukimiya Kazuma, Akashi Seijuro suddenly spoke in a low, cold voice.

"Hmm?"

"What?"

Facing Akashi, Yukimiya Kazuma replied with a smile.

At the same time, he deliberately raised his chin high, looking down on the other.

There was no choice; compared to the mysterious imperial aura surrounding Akashi Seijuro, Yukimiya Kazuma's momentum was completely imperceptible, but at least his height was up to standard, Yukimiya Kazuma thought silently.

Still, this guy wouldn't suddenly come over, grab his shoulder, and knock him down in front of the entire audience, would he?

Yukimiya Kazuma thought that this famous scene should be left to Kagami Taiga.

While his thoughts gradually wandered, Yukimiya quietly watched the other's movements, ready to retreat immediately at the slightest sign of trouble.

But Akashi today apparently had no such interest; he merely looked straight ahead, not lifting his gaze a fraction, "In my 'eyes', the probability of you possessing such strength is almost impossible."

"Including the last time, the Showdown with Mine."

"However..."

The genuine article and the counterfeit.

Even if it was merely a 'thing' exiled by himself.

Yet that clumsy 'passing' was already extremely irritating just to look at.