Kuroko's Basketball template: the king of slacking off, Shohoku's strongest sixth man.

When Lin Bei was mentioned, Qingzi's tone became somewhat mysterious.

"Although he is always lazy, I heard from my brother that Lin Beijun is the kind of 'unfathomable' monster."

"Everyone feels at ease as long as he's on the field."

"And Lin Beijun has also become more hardworking lately."

"Such a lineup..."

Haruko turned her head and looked at Sakuragi intently.

"That's really strong!"

"I think we'll definitely make it to the national competition this year!"

"Sakuragi-kun, do your best!"

"I'll be watching you from the sidelines!"

The morning light shone on Haruko's face, giving her a golden glow.

At that moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi felt that even if he were to take on Godzilla one-on-one right now, he would never back down.

"oh!!"

Sakuragi suddenly stood up and roared at the rising sun.

"Leave it to me, Ms. Haruko!"

"This genius will definitely lead Shohoku to national domination!!"

……

at the same time.

Shohoku High School Basketball Gymnasium.

"Bang!!"

A loud bang, and the basketball hoop groaned.

Akagi Takenori's hands were hanging on the basket, sweat dripping down his resolute face.

He was the only person in the entire venue.

He was enjoying the last moments of peace and solitude before the big competition.

"To dominate the entire nation..."

Akagi let go and landed on the ground, looking at his palm with a firm and resolute gaze.

"I've waited three years for this day."

……

An apartment building.

Ryota Miyagi stood in front of the mirror, carefully styling her curly hair.

He picked up a photograph from the table.

That was a photo he secretly took of Ayako's profile during last year's sports meet.

"Chirp."

Miyagi gave the photo a big kiss.

"Ayako, just you wait and see."

"Today, I'm the best defender in the whole county."

He put on an earring, draped a coat over his shoulders, and his eyes became sharp and flamboyant.

……

on the street.

Rukawa Kaede rode his bicycle, wobbling and weaving through the middle of the road.

His eyes were closed, and he was blowing bubbles through his nose.

The drivers on the roadside were so frightened that they honked their horns frantically, but he ignored them.

All I can think of is that orange basketball and that broom-headed figure.

"We must win today."

……

the other side.

Mitsui Hisashi stood in front of the mirror and opened his mouth.

The two missing front teeth have been replaced with white porcelain crowns.

He looked at himself in the mirror.

That short-haired boy with clear eyes and a roguish smile on his lips.

That former MVP.

"It's been a long time, Mitsui Hisashi."

He touched the scar on his chin; it was the price of youth, and also a man's medal.

"This time, we will absolutely not give up again."

……

The Fujisawa City Gymnasium was bustling with activity.

As the venue for the first match of the Kanagawa Prefecture high school basketball preliminaries, the air was thick with the sweltering heat of hormones.

The starting lineup of Shohoku High School, wearing white and red jerseys, lined up and walked onto the court.

Although it was the first round of the competition.

However, because their opponent was Miura Dai High School, one of last year's top eight teams, there were quite a few people sitting in the stands.

"Look! That's Shohoku!"

"That red-haired guy is so tall!"

"Who's that short-haired girl? She looks familiar..."

"And what's with that guy yawning at the very back? Is he still half asleep?"

Lin Bei walked at the back of the group, listening to the surrounding chatter, and helplessly rubbed his eyes.

"So sleepy..."

Why is the match scheduled for the morning?

The school across from him is Miuradai High School.

A group of tall, burly men stood with their arms crossed, looking at Shohoku with disdain.

Especially the captain, Murasame, whose eyes were even more arrogant.

"Shohoku? Is that the team that Akagi plays one-man games?"

"I heard there are a few problem children here this year?"

"Hmph, those trash who only know how to fight are no match for each other on the basketball court."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of Miyagi, Mitsui, and Sakuragi instantly turned dangerous.

Even Rukawa Kaede glanced over coldly.

"Rubbish?"

"Looks like some people want to go home early."

Lin Bei sighed and tossed the towel in his hand to Cai Zi.

"Look! That's Ryonan High School!"

Someone shouted out.

The gazes from the stands instantly focused on the entrance, like spotlights.

A group of tall figures in dark blue team uniforms filed in.

Leading the way was Jun Uozumi, who stood like an iron tower.

The one who caused the biggest commotion was the man in the middle of the group, with his hair sticking up and a relaxed smile on his face.

"It's Sendoh! Sendoh Akira!"

"Wow! It really is him! Last year's Rookie of the Year!"

Screams erupted one after another, and Sendoh could only scratch his head awkwardly and wave to the surroundings.

This casual gesture sparked an even louder cheer.

"This is amazing! Is this the charm of Sendoh-senpai?!"

"Audience sentiment index: Five stars!"

Aida Hikoichi clutched his notebook, his face flushed with excitement, his pen flying across the paper.

Jun Uozumi ignored the commotion behind him.

He crossed his arms, frowned, and scanned the Shohoku bench below the court with piercing eyes.

"Hmph, what's Shohoku up to?"

Uozumi's voice was low and clearly tinged with dissatisfaction.

Yan paused for a moment, then followed the captain's gaze.

His eyes widened immediately: "Huh? Shohoku's starting lineup..."

"Where's Rukawa Kaede? And where's Sakuragi with the red hair?"

"Even that terrifying Lin Bei isn't here?"

"The strongest fighters... are all on the bench?"

"I can't believe it!" Hiroaki asked.

On the court, players wearing Shohoku's white and red jerseys are warming up.

Besides center Takenori Akagi and vice-captain Kiminobu Kogure, the remaining three are Yasuda, Shiozaki, and Kakuta.

Although they tried their best, compared to the terrifying lineup that "defeated Ryonan" in the minds of the Ryonan members, they were practically two different teams.

"beep--!!"

The referee blew his whistle.

The basketball was tossed high into the air.

Shohoku vs. Miura Dai.

The game begins!

……

At this moment, the Shohoku bench was more lively than a vegetable market.

"Damn you, Dad! Why won't you let a genius like me play?!"

"These insignificant characters are no match for this genius; I could crush them with just one hand!"

Sakuragi Hanamichi sat cross-legged on the floor, clutching his red hair with both hands, looking constipated.

"Shut up, Hanamichi."

"It's all because of the fight that day; this is punishment for us."

Ryota Miyagi sat beside him, twirling the wristband in his hand with a sullen expression.

When the word "fighting" came up, Mitsui Hisashi, sitting on the other side, coughed uncomfortably.

The band-aid on his chin was still on; it was a medal left from the "melee".

"Tch, if we're talking about a fight, that bastard was the one who started it." Mitsui muttered under his breath, his eyes darting around.

"Huh? Who are you talking about?"

"You were the one who brought people to challenge us!"

"Ex~MVP-sama!"

Miyagi's ears perked up, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"What did you say? You shorty!" Mitsui's forehead veins bulged.

"Want another fight, you hairy man!"

"Come on! Who's afraid of who!"

The two instantly locked in combat, the tension palpable.

"You big idiot."

A cold, mocking voice drifted from the side.

Rukawa Kaede sat in a chair with his eyes closed and a towel over his head, as if the noise around him had nothing to do with him.

These three words were like a spark falling into a powder keg.

Sakuragi, Miyagi, and Mitsui stopped moving in unison.

Then they all turned their heads at the same time, and six eyes stared intently at Rukawa Kaede.