Slam Dunk: Muguro

Chapter 407 The Defects of Sannoh Industries

With Buri University's upset victory over Hakata University of Commerce, the atmosphere inside the stadium was even more impressive.

In the stands, the audience was in high spirits, with cheers, applause and shouts rising and falling as if they were about to lift the roof off.

Every corner of the stadium is filled with passion and energy.

Anyone who didn't know better would think that the Buri team had won the national championship again!

For the residents of Kanagawa, if all four Kanagawa teams could sweep the top four spots in the national finals, it would not only make them incredibly proud, but it would also be the highest praise for the overall level of competition in Kanagawa.

If this is truly achieved, then Kanagawa high school basketball will break new ground and become a topic of conversation throughout the country.

For a time, the four teams that would compete in Kanagawa began to carry the hopes of the entire population of Kanagawa.

This puts the pressure on the Ryonan team.

The two Kanagawa teams that have not yet played, Shohoku, needless to say, is also the biggest favorite to win this national tournament.

Ryonan is different; their best result is runner-up in the Winter Tournament.

Although Ryonan had defeated Sannoh Industrial in the Winter Tournament, that was mainly because Sannoh Industrial had just defeated Shoyo, resulting in them being in poor form, which allowed Ryonan to take advantage of the situation.

Now, Ryonan is about to face Sannoh Industries again, and the time has finally come to test Ryonan's mettle.

Neither Shohoku nor the Takeshi team left; they sat in the stands, ready to cheer for Ryonan.

The four teams from Kanagawa united as one to resist teams from other prefectures.

As the nation's top high school powerhouse, Sannoh Industrial High School has an even larger fanbase than Hakata Commercial High School.

For this national tournament, many fans of Sannoh Industrial High School traveled from afar to Kanagawa.

Unfortunately, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake.

With an absolute advantage in both quantity and quality, Sannoh Industrial's fans couldn't even get a ripple.

Because they were fighting against the entire Kanagawa fan community, it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Therefore, Ryonan gained home-field advantage.

This is one of the advantages of being the host country.

"Brave and decisive!"

Before going on the court, the Ryonan players were in high spirits, shouting the team slogan loudly.

On the other side, Coach Domoto was also boosting the team's morale.

Soon, both teams took to the field.

"So high!"

Seeing Kawada appear on the opposite side, even though the Ryonan team was somewhat prepared, they still couldn't help but gasp.

Even Uozumi, the tallest member of their team, was half a head shorter than Kawada.

Besides his height, Kawada also has an advantage in weight.

Because Coach Domoto discovered Kawada's potential six months in advance, Kawada's various aspects improved to a certain extent.

As a result, Kawada's weight decreased from 130 kg in the original work to 120 kg.

Despite losing 10 kilograms, Kawada's fighting spirit has not diminished.

Moreover, his previously weak athletic ability has been greatly improved.

In this match, Sannoh Industrial fielded a lineup of the Kawata Brothers, Sawakita, Ichinokura Satoshi, and Fukatsu.

Ryonan fielded the same starting lineup: Uozumi, Nango, Ikegami, Matsumoto Minoru, and Sendoh.

The starting lineups of both sides are not significantly different.

Of the ten people present, the weakest was probably Ichinokura Satoshi.

Even so, Ichinokura Satoshi is at least at the level of a starting player for a strong team.

After two years of hard training and with Satoshi Ichinokura's unremitting efforts, he has developed accurate mid-range and long-range shooting ability and become a true 3D player.

However, his height has not changed and remains at 171 cm.

Uozumi and Kawada stood in the center circle, gazing at each other.

"Senior, please give me your guidance!"

Before the jump ball, Kawada greeted Uozumi.

Having been scouted by Coach Domoto six months in advance, Kawada's personality has become less timid and more confident.

Like Morishige Hiroshi, Kawata has yet to meet his match in the Akita Prefecture Tournament and the National Tournament, thanks to his absolute height and weight advantage, and he has been able to put up phenomenal numbers in every game.

This greatly boosted Xiaohetian's confidence!
However, Uozumi is different from the opponents he has encountered before.

Besides his height of over two meters, it was also related to his older brother, Kawada's, evaluation of Uozumi.

Kawada praised Uozumi as the best defensive center in the country, saying that even he didn't have much of an advantage in his matchup against Uozumi last year.

This is the power of the enhanced awakened Uozumi!
"Yes, little guy, do your best, the future is yours!"

Uozumi looked up at the small riverbank and replied with a smile.

"Thank you for the compliment, senior!"

Xiaohetian was a little embarrassed, and unconsciously touched the back of his head, full of innocence and shyness.

Suddenly, a large hand slapped Xiaohetian hard on the shoulder, the force of which made him tremble slightly.

He turned his head and saw that it was his older brother, Okawada.

"Idiot, he didn't praise you!"

There was a hint of helplessness in Kawada's tone.

Looking at my silly little brother, I don't know how to evaluate him.

Xiaohetian tilted his head, looking puzzled, still unable to figure it out.

The senior was clearly encouraging him, so why did it take on a different meaning when it came to his older brother?

Seeing his younger brother's confused look, Kawada couldn't help but cover his face and said helplessly, "The future is yours, but the present is mine!"

Although Kawada's future is full of endless possibilities, he is the current master of this field.

I believe future generations of gOat will have much to say about this.

In the 2007 NBA Finals, the Cavaliers made it to the Finals, only to be swept by the Spurs.

This year's finals were also known as the most predictable finals ever.

After the game, Duncan gave gOat a heartfelt hug and left a meaningful message: The future is yours!

The funniest thing is that in 2014, GOat was defeated by Duncan's Spurs again. I believe GOat must have had mixed feelings at that time.

"Mikami, this match is very important, we must win!"

Kawada rarely showed such a serious expression; he didn't want to disappoint his older brother.

Therefore, this is a game that cannot be lost!
Beep~
The game officially begins as the referee tosses the ball up!
"drink!"

With a loud shout, Uozumi jumped with all his might.

Although Uozumi is half a head shorter than Kawada, he jumps better than Kawada.

His excessively large size severely limited Kawada's jumping ability; his jumping height was barely higher than a matchbox.

In the end, Uozumi, with a slight advantage, hit the ball to Sendoh first.

Instead of catching the ball, Sendoh slapped it diagonally forward.

Minoru Matsumoto caught the basketball and immediately rushed towards the basket.

Satoshi Ichinokura immediately lunged at Minoru Matsumoto, and the two faced off in this match.

Minoru Matsumoto made no unnecessary moves and went straight into confrontation.

Compared to Satoshi Ichinokura, Minoru Matsumoto was taller and stronger.

Although Ichinokura Satoshi is heavier than in the original story, he only weighs 65 kilograms. If he continues to gain weight, his speed and agility will inevitably be affected.

bang~
In an instant, the two engaged in a reasonable confrontation.

Minoru Matsumoto easily shoved aside Satoshi Ichinokura and successfully drove into the paint, preparing for a layup.

Suddenly, a figure pounced from the side; it was Kawada.

The two jumped up almost simultaneously, with Kawada slapping the basketball with his right hand.

Matsumoto Minoru did not insist on going his own way. While avoiding the block, he passed the ball from under Kawada's arm to Nango's hands.

Bang~
With a groaning thud from the rim, Nango slammed home a basket.

"Senior, that's a good transmission!"

Nango landed on the ground and gave Matsumoto Minoru a thumbs-up.

"Return to defense!"

Minoru Matsumoto offered a reminder and then turned back to defend.

When facing his former employer, Minoru Matsumoto was incredibly enthusiastic.

He must win this match to prove his strength, no matter what.

Offense and defense reversed!

Fukatsu steadily dribbled the ball past midfield and began to organize the team's attack.

"Fukatsu-senpai, I'm free!" Sawakita leaned against Ikegami, asking for the ball.

Ikegami remained expressionless, seemingly unaffected.

Compared to Kogure, the "King of Trash Talk," Sawakita's trash talk is undoubtedly much inferior.

Fukatsu was frustrated, but he still passed the ball over.

This is the treatment a team's ace receives!

As he received the ball, Zebei quickly took a step forward with his right foot.

His first step was extremely fast, no less than that of the palace, but his stride was even longer.

However, he was facing Ryoji Ikegami, the nation's top defensive player.

He had seen similar footsteps on Kogure and Rukawa.

Ikegami quickly moved to the side, blocking Sawakita's path to break through.

Zebei retrieved the basketball, crossed his legs, and finally created some space.

In an instant, the two brushed past each other.

Ikegami's athletic ability was ultimately somewhat inferior.

However, he wasn't completely outmaneuvered by Zebei and gritted his teeth to give chase.
However, Zebei's speed with the ball was too fast, almost as fast as Ikegami's off-the-ball movement.

In the blink of an eye, Zebei burst into the paint area.

Uozumi held Kawada behind him while raising his hands to defend himself.

Facing Uozumi's defense, Sawakita jumped up to meet him.

"Innocent!"

Uozumi also jumped, raising his arms high to block Sawakita's shooting space.

In mid-air, Zebei pulled the lever, pausing briefly in the air.

When Uozumi landed, Sawakita finally made his move.

At the critical moment, a figure rushed up from the side; it was Ikegami.

Ikegami stretched out his right hand and slapped the basketball that had slipped from Sawakita's hand.

Under Sawakita's astonished gaze, Ikegami's fingers seemed to touch the basketball.

The basketball's flight trajectory changed somewhat.

"Rebound!"

As soon as Ikegami landed, he immediately shouted to his teammates to fight for the rebound.

At the same time, he also deliberately blocked Zebei behind him.

Because Uozumi was helping to defend Sawakita, Kawada managed to grab the rebound.

Just then, Uozumi finally caught up.

The two collided violently, and Uozumi was knocked back a step.

After knocking the fish away, Kawada jumped up and tried to put the basket down.

However, Kawada's movement speed was noticeably slow.

slap~
Before Kawada could even lift the ball, Ikegami once again made a contribution, knocking the basketball out of Kawada's hands first.

Little Riverfield jumped in vain and instinctively grabbed the basketball hoop.

Ikegami passed the ball to Sendoh and then charged forward into the field.

Fast break!

Ryonan launched a swift attack immediately.

This was also a part that Coach Taoka solemnly explained before the match.

Including Uozumi, all the Ryonan players rushed towards the frontcourt.

Compared to Kawada, Uozumi has a speed advantage, especially since Kawada is hanging from the basket.

For a moment, the situation on the field became five against four.

Soon, Uozumi, unguarded, received a pass from his teammate and unleashed a powerful dunk.

Bang~
The fish landed on the ground, slapped its chest hard, and displayed its heroic spirit.

Just then, Kawada finally returned.

Even though he lost ten kilograms, Xiaohetian's pace was still too slow.

To put it simply, Xiaohetian's athletic ability is even inferior to that of an average person.

He's the perfect example of someone who's all height and no substance!

"Brother, I'm sorry!"

Kawada lowered his head, appearing somewhat timid.

Kawada couldn't help but shout, "Raise your head! How many times have I told you?!"

Little Kawada obediently raised his head, but his eyes darted around, and he didn't dare to look at his brother's round face.

Kawada felt quite helpless about his younger brother's personality.

He taught him many times, but Kawada just wouldn't change.

Kogure: Is it possible that your teaching methods are ineffective?

Soon, Fukatsu advanced into the halfway line with the ball.

"This way!"

Zebei reached out for the ball again, determined to score.

In the audience, Kogure couldn't help but shake his head: "Sawakita is strong, but he's too impulsive!"

"This guy has been beaten up so many times, but he still hasn't learned his lesson."

Mitsui shook his head at the sight.

Beside him, Rukawa Kaede watched the game intently.

To be precise, his gaze was fixed on Zebei.

Since the top high school student in the country is doomed to fail, then defeat the second-best high school student in the country.

Rukawa once wanted to go to America with Kogure, but Kogure stopped him and asked him two questions.

First, is his English sufficient to communicate with Americans?

Second, I hope Rukawa becomes the number one high school student in the country before going to America. Otherwise, given Rukawa's taciturn personality, it will be difficult for him to make a name for himself in America.

Following Kogure's advice, Rukawa Kaede temporarily abandoned his plan to go to America.

Kogure reiterated, "Sannoh Industries seems to have a strong lineup, but it has many weaknesses."

"Zebei is too solitary."

"Ichinokura Satoshi is too short."

"Kawata Miki has a timid personality."

"Fukatsu's desire to score is too low."

"We lack a reliable outside shooter!"

……

The Shohoku players were abuzz with discussion. If Matsumoto Minoru were still with Sannoh Industrial, he would likely be criticized for lacking mental fortitude.

After gathering opinions from all sides, everyone was astonished to discover that Sannoh Industrial had many problems.

In the original story, Sannoh Industrial's success was mainly due to the individual strength of its players.

It must be said that the biggest responsibility for Sannoh Industrial's defeat by Shohoku lies with Coach Domoto.

On the court, Zebei received the basketball again.

This time, Zebei was much more focused.

No matter how Ikegami defended, he was inevitably broken through by Sawakita in the end.

Zebei didn't go deep into the paint area, and instead pulled up for a jump shot.

shuh~
The basketball swished through the net, creating a splash.

"In the face of absolute power, all skills seem pale and powerless!"

As he passed by Ikegami, Sawakita uttered this trashy remark.

"I'm curious, are you always this brave when facing Kogure?"

As Ikegami's voice rang out, Zebei abruptly stopped in his tracks.

"I will continue to challenge him!"

Zebei seemed to have made up his mind; he decided to confront the nightmare deep in his heart.

"Stop talking big, you should defeat Ryonan first!"

(End of this chapter)