Slam Dunk: Muguro

Chapter 328 Mitsui: I'm the man known as Kogure...

As for Shohoku's next opponent, it will be Jinbo University Affiliated High School from Kyoto.

Jinbo University Affiliated School is renowned throughout the country for its long history and boasts comprehensive sports facilities and training systems.

Jinbo University Affiliated School has not only achieved excellent results in regional competitions, but has also made remarkable achievements in national competitions.

Therefore, they are widely recognized as one of the strongest teams in the country.

Although Jinbo Dai Affiliated High School is a force to be reckoned with, it is still far inferior to Shohoku High School.

Not to mention Shohoku, even Aiwa Academy, which was easily defeated by Shohoku, is stronger than him.

The following day, at the National Stadium.

At 9:00 AM, under the expectant gaze of the audience, the match between Shohoku and Jinbo University Affiliated High School officially began.

From the start of the game, Shohoku took a commanding lead.

In less than ten minutes, Shohoku took a 20-point lead.

Coach Jinbo had to call timeouts repeatedly, but the team still showed no improvement.

All tactics are powerless in the face of absolute strength, just like when the Barcelona Olympics faced the Dream Team.

Left with no other choice, Coach Jinbo had to have his players focus more on defense in order to curb Shohoku's scoring momentum.

Even if you lose the game, you must retain some dignity.

This is the last stand of the Jinbo University Affiliated Hospital!

Unfortunately, under Kogure's leadership, Shohoku's offensive efficiency remained consistently high.

In this game, Mitsui was on fire.

Even when the opposing player is in position to defend, Mitsui always manages to put the ball into the basket accurately.

Mitsui's outstanding performance made the entire stadium erupt in cheers.

Kogure clearly noticed this as well, and thus began to consciously create more opportunities for Mitsui to attack.

Mitsui did not disappoint Kogure's trust, displaying confidence and decisiveness in every move he made.

Despite the opposing player's best efforts, including using blindfolds, it was all in vain.

Mitsui's scoring momentum was like an unstoppable torrent. As the game progressed, his opposing players became increasingly agitated and their mentality gradually crumbled.

In order to limit Mitsui, the opposing player decisively adopted a more aggressive defensive approach, forcibly disrupting Mitsui's shooting rhythm.

He would rather risk fouling or even being ejected than let Mitsui easily score high points against him.

However, Mitsui seemed completely unfazed by these rough defensive maneuvers.

Unlike Jin, Mitsui excels in all aspects except shooting, making him an all-around player.

However, because Kogure is more outstanding, he rarely displays these abilities and relies more on positioning to create shooting opportunities.

Kogure was naturally willing to do as the good guy suggested, and began to switch roles with Mitsui, with Mitsui taking control of the ball.

Although Mitsui's strength is not as good as Kogure's, he is still among the top five or even top three in the high school league.

Aside from Kogure and Sawakita, Mitsui is next on the list, a player who is aiming for second place.

Even Suzuki Nobisuke's overall strength might not surpass Mitsui's.

Unfortunately, Shohoku had too many excellent players, which resulted in Mitsui's statistics not being particularly outstanding.

Therefore, Mitsui is often underestimated.

Recently, Basketball Weekly published its rankings of high school players.

Mitsui almost dropped out of the top ten due to its less-than-stellar data.

Besides Kogure and Sawakita, Suzuki Nobisuke, Fukatsu, Matsumoto Minoru, Okawata, Fujima, Akagi, and even Sendoh are all ranked above Mitsui.

This is also related to the fact that this list comes from the editor-in-chief of Basketball Weekly.

If it were Aida Yayoi, she wouldn't make such a basic mistake.

As a fan of Kogure, Yayoi Aida frequently interviewed Shohoku and was very clear about Mitsui's strength.

That's why Mitsui was holding his breath, wanting to prove his strength.

This time, Kogure took the initiative to pass the ball, allowing Mitsui to unleash his full potential.

After gaining possession of the ball, Mitsui seemed to transform into a "mini Kogure," capable of everything from breakthroughs and playmaking to defense and shooting, and began to dominate the court.

By the end of the first half, Mitsui had scored a whopping 31 points, along with 7 assists and 3 rebounds.

At that moment, he understood Kogure's joy!

Under Mitsui's 'leadership', Shohoku only gained a 40-point lead in the first half.

Embarrassingly, Jinbo University Affiliated High School only scored 23 points in the first half.

For a traditionally strong team like Jinbo University Affiliated High School, this could very well be a new record for the lowest score in a half.

In fact, after passing possession of the ball to Mitsui, Kogure focused his energy on the defensive end.

In high school leagues, Kogure's defense is comparable to a combination of Hakeem Olajuwon and Kevin Garnett, possessing top-notch one-on-one defense, help defense, and rotation defense capabilities, and his defensive range extends all the way to beyond the three-point line.

Besides Kogure, Akagi and Naito also made great contributions, firmly holding the restricted area.

That's why Jinbo University only scored 23 points in the first half.

During halftime, Kogure suddenly noticed that Coach Anzai's face was paler than usual, and he kept gently touching his chest with his right hand.

This made him feel inexplicably uneasy, and a picture flashed through his mind.

The story takes place during the year Coach Anzai suffers a heart attack and is rushed to the hospital by Sakuragi Hanamichi.

If Sakuragi hadn't rushed him to the hospital in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

In "Ten Days Later," Coach Anzai tries to lose weight on the advice of a healthcare professional, and Ayako is a witness to this.

Coach Anzai's main problem can be attributed to a long-term lack of exercise, coupled with being overweight, which puts enormous pressure on his heart.

Kogure had tried to persuade Coach Anzai, but humans are inherently lazy creatures, and it's often difficult to persevere until they see tangible benefits. Coach Anzai was no exception.

To avoid any accidents, Kogure decided to have Coach Anzai go to the hospital for a check-up as soon as possible.

Otherwise, if Coach Anzai were to fall ill, the impact on the Shohoku team would be unimaginable.

Coach Anzai is not only a coach, but also the second pillar of Shohoku's spirit.

As for the primary source of spiritual support, that would naturally be Kogure.

This isn't Kogure trying to glorify himself; he's just stating the facts.

Kogure immediately went to Coach Anzai's side and asked with concern, "Coach, are you feeling unwell?"

As soon as Kogure finished speaking, the Shohoku players all looked at Coach Anzai.

Among them, Mitsui rushed nervously to Coach Anzai and began to fuss over him.

Coach Anzai waved his hand dismissively and said, "Kogure-kun, I just have a little chest tightness, it's nothing serious!"

Nevertheless, his voice sounded somewhat weak, which exacerbated the players' concerns.

Kogure was not reassured by Coach Anzai's relaxed attitude. Instead, he responded with unusual seriousness: "Coach, this is no small matter. You must take your health seriously. I suggest you go to the hospital for a checkup immediately!"

"Yes, Coach!"

The players from Shohoku echoed his sentiments, and Mitsui's eyes were filled with pleading.

For Mitsui, Coach Anzai's health is far more important than the statistics.

He would rather give up his hands' data than lose Coach Anzai.

Mitsui hopes that Coach Anzai will take their advice and go to the hospital for a thorough check-up.

"I'm the team coach. How can I just leave before the game is over? Let's wait until the game is finished!"

Coach Anzai tried to stall.

"Coach, with me here to oversee things, you can go ahead with peace of mind!"

"Kogure, I am the coach!" Coach Anzai still did not want to leave halfway through the game; he did not believe that there was anything wrong with his body.

Although Coach Anzai is known as the 'White-Haired Buddha,' he used to be the 'White-Haired Demon,' so he naturally possesses an air of authority.

However, Kogure did not give up and persisted in his opinion.

"Coach, you don't want me to tell your wife about this, do you?"

Left with no other choice, Kogure resorted to threats.

Upon hearing this, Coach Anzai's attitude softened instantly.

"Mitsui, Kakuta, I'm entrusting Coach Anzai to you."

Kogure did not choose his candidates arbitrarily; there was a deeper meaning behind it.

Mitsui goes without saying; he is the player on the Shohoku team who respects Coach Anzai the most, without exception.

As for Emperor Kakuta, Kogure believes that he has a 'lucky aura' and is physically strong, making him the perfect choice.

In addition, Kakuta is still the water cooler, so even if he leaves, it will not affect the Shohoku team.

"Yes, Captain!"

Mitsui and Kakuta immediately responded, and then led Coach Anzai away through the players' tunnel.

At this moment, some teams that follow Shohoku noticed this scene.

Coach Domoto stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "The coach left the court halfway through the game. What's wrong with Shohoku?"

Zebei said matter-of-factly, "Is that even a question? The outcome is already decided, there's no need to watch any longer."

"Makes sense!"

Many single-minded Sannoh players nodded in agreement.

"wrong!"

Coach Domoto shook his head violently. He had watched many of Shohoku's games live, and even when Shohoku had already secured the victory, Coach Anzai had never left the court early.

Suddenly, Fukatsu clapped his hands and said, "Maybe something urgent has happened at home?"

"maybe!"

Coach Domoto said that on the surface, but his intuition told him that wasn't the case.

"Why think so much? It's not like we need to go to the hospital for a checkup!"

Coach Domoto smiled and shook his head, then gave up the idea of ​​finding out more and focused his attention on the afternoon's match.

Before facing Shohoku, he still has to overcome the challenges of Shoyo and Ryonan.

In this round, Sannoh Industrial's opponent is Shoyo.

On the contrary, Hakata Commercial University Affiliated School is more concerned about Coach Anzai's movements, because their next opponent is Shohoku.

"Kuraki, go and scout ahead. Remember to stay hidden!"

Coach Bodo narrowed his eyes and immediately assigned a player to go and find out the information.

"Yes, Coach!"

Soon, the player named Kuraki quickly left the stadium.

"I hope I'm just overthinking it!"

Coach Hakata muttered to himself. Unlike Coach Domoto, he knew Coach Anzai better because he had once served as Coach Anzai's assistant coach.

Coach Anzai's unusual behavior clearly had a deeper meaning.

The second half began shortly afterward.

With a wave of his hand, Kogure dispatched a lineup consisting of Naito, Yamamoto, Sato Ichiro, Okamoto Nobuhiko, and Miyagi.

Jinbo Dai's team continues to rely heavily on their main players; they can't afford not to. If they bring in their substitutes, they might set a new record for the largest point difference.

When they discovered that most of the players on the field were substitutes, the Jinbo players felt they were being looked down upon and immediately became united in their hatred of the enemy.

For a moment, they temporarily forgot about the fact that the opponent had won by 40 points in the first half.

In the second half, Shohoku's strategy was based on a "one star and four shooters" approach with Naito as the core player.

Jinbo University Affiliated High School lacked a strong inside player, and was completely helpless against the muscular and charismatic Naito.

Apart from Naito, all the other players are good at three-pointers.

Even if Miyagi only has a certain advantage at the top of the arc, it's enough to take away the opposing player.

Naito scored in the jump ball at the start of the second half.

Shohoku began their attack. After crossing half-court, Miyagi passed the ball to Naito, who was positioned in the low post.

After nearly a year of training, under Kogure's guidance, Naito has mastered the basics of back-to-the-basket skills and inside footwork.

The moment he received the ball, Naito immediately started moving, his explosive power catching Jinbo, the center, off guard.

Using his strong physique and explosive power, Naito quickly drove into the paint.

Jinbo, the power forward, tried his best to block, but Naito's momentum was too strong, and he was knocked away. He couldn't stop Naito's advance at all.

After rushing into the basket, Naito leaped high and slammed the ball into the hoop with tremendous force.

Bang~
As the dull thud of the rim hitting the rim echoed throughout the stadium, a burst of applause and cheers erupted inside.

This spectacular two-handed dunk not only extended the team's lead but also further boosted the morale of the Shohoku team.

For a moment, the Shohoku players on the court began to focus on the game and temporarily forgot about Coach Anzai.

Offense and defense reversed!

Jinbo University Affiliated High School serves quickly, aiming to narrow the gap rapidly.

Only in this way could they have a sliver of a chance to turn defeat into victory.

slap~
Unfortunately, Naito ended Jimbo's hopes of joining the team with a spectacular dunk.

Naito is not only strong and powerful, but also very fast. He is second only to Kogure and Miyagi in the Shohoku team, and is on par with Mitsui, who did not have a two-year hiatus.

Keep in mind that Naito weighs a whopping 103 kilograms.

To have such speed despite such a large weight is simply a gift.

After the block was completed, Miyagi grabbed the basketball first.

Naito immediately descended the mountain.

Like gOat, Naito also likes to play simple games, with fast breaks and second-chance opportunities being his main scoring methods.

This is something he and Kogure often do: he acts as Kogure's defensive rebounder, while Kogure gets the defensive rebounds. In return, Kogure also lets him score more points.

Miyagi grabbed the basketball and dribbled down the court quickly.

When the ball reached midcourt, the point guard, Jinbo, finally caught up.

Miyagi didn't hold onto the ball; he quickly passed it to Naito, who was about to rush into the paint.

Bang~
Facing an empty basket, Naito once again scored with a two-handed dunk.

The course of these two rounds almost set the tone for the second half.

Although Shohoku's defensive intensity was far less than in the first half, many of their players were fresh and in full form. Under their tireless defense, Jinbo Dai's team struggled to gain an advantage.

As time went on, Jinbo Dai Affiliated High School not only failed to narrow the gap, but Shohoku's lead actually grew larger.

When the final whistle blew, the Jinbo University alumni players collapsed to the ground, their eyes seemingly unfocused.

Because they lost by a full 65 points!
This was only because Shohoku didn't field their main players in the second half; otherwise, Jinbo Dai-kun would have lost even more.

In this match, despite Jinbo University's best efforts, they were clearly suppressed by the strong Shohoku team.

This is why the four tigers of Shohoku didn't take it seriously; otherwise, Jinbo Dai Affiliated High School might have suffered a massacre.

Compared to Aiwa Academy, Jinbo University Affiliated School is still inferior, not to mention Shohoku.

(End of this chapter)