Slam dunk, hit 100% of the three-pointers at the beginning!

Ryonan High School Gym

After a brief exchange between the coaches, Coach Taoka called in the cleaning staff to prepare the court. While the gym was being cleaned, Coach Anzai led the Shōhoku team to the locker room to discuss strategy.

Coach Anzai gestured for everyone to sit down and smiled warmly at Ayako.

"Ayako, please hand out the jerseys," he said kindly.

Ayako nodded and opened a large bag filled with red jerseys, catching the eager eyes of the first-year players. Their faces lit up with excitement as they anticipated receiving their official jerseys for the first time.

Ayako began reading out the assignments:

"Captain Akagi-senpai, number 4.

Vice-captain Kogure-senpai, number 5.

Yasuda-san, number 6.

Miyagi-san—though he isn't here—number 7.

Shiozaki-san, number 8.

Kakuta-san, number 9.

Ryu-san, number 10.

Rukawa-san, number 11.

Ishii-san, number 12.

Sasaoka-san, number 13.

Kuwata-san, number 14."

She handed out the jerseys as she spoke.

While the senior players were calm, the first-years, including Kuwata, were thrilled. Having a jersey meant they were now officially part of the team.

Looking at the number on his jersey, Ryu raised an eyebrow.

"Number 10? Isn't that Sakuragi Hanamichi's number? Ugh, he's definitely going to throw a fit about this."

Still, Ryu didn't dwell on it. The jersey was in his hands, and that was that. If Sakuragi had a problem, Ayako could handle it.

Sitting in the corner, Sakuragi blinked in disbelief.

"Big Sis Ayako… uh, where's my jersey?"

It hadn't even occurred to him that he might not get one.

Smiling mischievously, Ayako pulled out a roll of white tape from her bag. She taped a large 15 onto Sakuragi's plain white T-shirt.

Akagi burst out laughing, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. "Ha ha ha! Sakuragi, it suits you perfectly!"

Rukawa chimed in coldly, "Big idiot. That shirt is perfect for you."

The others couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths. A bad feeling started to creep over the team.

"Wham!"

Sakuragi ripped the shirt off and threw it to the ground in anger, making his dissatisfaction loud and clear.

Akagi stepped forward, ready to deal with him, but Coach Anzai intervened, stopping him.

Sakuragi then snatched Kuwata's jersey, glaring at him fiercely.

"Kuwata, you don't really want this jersey, do you? Right?!"

Kuwata, too timid to resist, handed over his jersey while tears streamed down his face.

"Ha ha ha! I knew it. You didn't like it anyway. This genius will take it off your hands," Sakuragi said, beaming as he put on the jersey.

He then picked up the discarded tape and slapped a large 15 onto Kuwata's T-shirt, leaving the poor first-year sulking in the corner.

Coach Anzai sighed but continued with the team briefing.

"For the starting lineup: Akagi, Rukawa, Ryu, Kogure, and Yasuda."

"As for Sendo, we haven't seen him yet. If he plays, Rukawa-kun, you'll be responsible for guarding him since you're closer in height."

The team nodded in agreement, except for Sakuragi.

Ryu wasn't surprised by the lineup. Given his height disadvantage against Sendo, guarding him would have been a stretch. Ryu wasn't interested in wearing himself out trying to match someone so tall. If Rukawa couldn't handle it, then so be it.

"What about me, old man? Why am I not starting?" Sakuragi whined, looking at Coach Anzai with puppy-dog eyes.

"Sakuragi-kun, you're our secret weapon. We can't reveal you so early," Coach Anzai said with a gentle smile, as if comforting a child.

"Secret weapon? Oh, I get it now! Thanks, old man," Sakuragi said, puffing out his chest.

Turning to Rukawa, he sneered, "Rukawa, I'm the secret weapon. I'll let you have the spotlight for now."

The team collectively sighed at Sakuragi's antics.

Rukawa rolled his eyes and ignored him completely.

Ayako and Kogure exchanged helpless smiles, relieved that the situation had finally settled.

With Akagi in the paint and Ryu and Rukawa controlling the perimeter, their lineup seemed solid.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time for the match to begin.

Akagi led the team out of the locker room, their faces full of determination as they prepared for their first major game before the tournament.