Early in the morning, at the gates of Shohoku High School.
Sunlight filtered through the thin mist, spilling over the school entrance as the members of the Shohoku Basketball Team arrived one by one at the meeting point. Unlike usual, standing at the very front of the group today was not just Takenori Akagi, but also the soul of the Shohoku Basketball Team—Coach Anzai.
This upcoming practice match against Ryonan was no ordinary friendly; it was a true test of Shohoku's overall strength.
"Ho ho ho, everyone has arrived," Coach Anzai said with a gentle smile. Beside him, Kiminobu Kogure nodded slightly. "Yes, Coach, everyone is here."
Akagi looked around the circle, and after confirming that no one was missing, he said in a deep voice, "Good. Today's practice match is extremely important! I hope everyone will give it their all."
"Hmph, this genius will naturally go all out!" Hanamichi Sakuragi declared, crossing his arms with a confident look.
Kaede Rukawa glanced at him coldly. "Idol."
"What did you say?!" Sakuragi instantly bristled, waving his fist as he charged toward Rukawa.
"Stop it, Sakuragi," Akagi said, frowning and halting them in a stern voice. "If the two of you have excess energy, I can arrange extra practice for you after we get to Ryonan."
Hearing the words "extra practice," Sakuragi immediately reined in his temper and muttered, "Hmph, this genius doesn't need any extra training."
Led by Coach Anzai, the entire Shohoku team officially set off for Ryonan.
The Shohoku Basketball Team boarded the train bound for Ryonan. Although their destination was within Kanagawa Prefecture, it was quite a distance away, and the ride would take over an hour.
The team members found their seats; some rested against the windows while others chatted in twos and threes. However, Takenori Akagi had no intention of letting them waste their time.
"Everyone, while we're on the way, we can do some basic coordination training," Akagi said, standing up and sweeping his sharp gaze across the team.
Kogure smiled faintly, as if he had already anticipated that Akagi would do this. "Indeed. Since the match is about to begin, we'd better keep our bodies in top shape."
"Akagi, what are you trying to pull now?" Sakuragi asked, crossing his arms with an impatient look.
"Stop talking nonsense and stand up," Akagi retorted sharply.
Though space was limited, the Shohoku players stood up one after another, preparing to follow Akagi's instructions for some basic stability training.
"First exercise: core balance." Akagi planted his feet firmly, keeping his body straight with a serious expression.
"Core balance?" Tetsushi Shiozaki asked, looking puzzled.
Kogure explained, "On the court, especially during battles under the basket, balance is crucial. Someone with a solid lower body can maintain body control much easier when facing defense."
Just as he spoke, the train suddenly jerked, and the standing players instinctively adjusted their centers of gravity.
Sakuragi raised an eyebrow. "What's hard about this?"
Right on cue, the train hit a sudden hard brake, and Sakuragi instantly lost his balance, tumbling heavily backward onto his seat.
"Hahahaha!" The players couldn't help bursting into laughter.
"Damn it! This genius just didn't plant his feet properly!" Sakuragi jumped up in anger.
Rukawa stood nearby, completing the drill completely unfazed and steady as a mountain.
Sakuragi glared at Rukawa. "You guy...!!"
Shin Saionji stood just as steadily. Relying on the dynamic perception of the Demon King's Eye, he precisely adjusted his body's balance, preventing himself from losing his footing when the train car swayed.
Akagi nodded with satisfaction, then announced, "Second exercise: finger strength training."
He picked up a basketball, pinched it between two fingers, and slowly spun it.
"This drill can improve finger control, which helps with the stability of passing, dribbling, and shooting."
Unconvinced, Sakuragi snatched the basketball away and tried to grip it with his fingers—
The basketball instantly slipped and smashed onto his foot.
"Pfft, Hahahaha!" Shiozaki and the others burst into laughter all over again.
"You bastards...!!" Sakuragi picked up the ball, his face turning red with anger.
Shin Saionji casually picked up a basketball, effortlessly pinched it between two fingers, and spun it in a smooth circle.
Sakuragi stared in utter shock. "Hey, hey, hey! What kind of dark magic is that?"
"Just fundamentals," Shin Saionji replied flatly.
"Hmph, this genius will be able to do that sooner or later!" Sakuragi continued trying, unwilling to give up.
After an hour-long ride, the Shohoku Basketball Team finally arrived at Ryonan High School.
Exiting the train station and walking a short distance, the Ryonan High School gymnasium came into view. A few Ryonan players were already warming up outside the gym, clearly full of anticipation for this practice match as well.
As the Shohoku group stepped onto the Ryonan campus, Coach Taoka was already standing at the entrance of the basketball gymnasium, smiling to welcome them.
"Coach Anzai, it should have been me visiting my senior," Coach Taoka strode forward with a hearty smile on his face.
"Ho ho ho, long time no see, Coach Taoka," Coach Anzai responded with a gentle smile.
Taoka's gaze swept over the Shohoku players, especially Akagi, Kaede Rukawa, and Shin Saionji, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"Shohoku seems to have quite a few good prospects this year," Taoka said meaningfully.
Akagi straightened his posture, his gaze resolute. "We didn't come here just to look at the scenery."
"Ha! What great spirit! Jun Uozumi has been training desperately for a whole year just to defeat you!" Taoka laughed heartily. "In that case, come on in. We've been waiting for you for a long time."
The members of Shohoku stepped into the Ryonan Basketball Gymnasium, and a tough battle was about to begin.