Full-time comic artist

Will Sakuragi's basketball talent come to the fore?

Filled with curiosity, he opened the comic book.

The story begins in the second half. Thanks to Akagi and Rukawa's brilliant counterattacks in the first half, the Shohoku players are full of motivation and are able to unleash their full potential.

They held their own against Ryonan.

Under Akagi's command for a "fast break," Shohoku's point guard charged toward Ryonan's court, passing the ball continuously.

Rukawa Kaede sprinted forward, and finally, with a steady pass from Akagi Takenori, he stopped abruptly outside the three-point line. With no one guarding the basket, he jumped lightly and shot, sinking the ball cleanly.

A series of fluid moves allowed Shohoku to score another three points.

The score is now 45-50, a difference of only 5 points.

Hua Chao's heart was pounding. This move was truly amazing, and he was itching to try it himself.

Now he understands why so many people started playing Go after watching "Hikaru no Go".

It turns out that they found their enjoyment in comics.

The audience at the basketball court was very excited because of Rukawa's goal, and Akagi Haruko blushed and excitedly called out Rukawa's name.

He was angry except for Sakuragi Hanamichi.

It's better if Rukawa scores than if he doesn't score at all.

Ryonan's momentum waned, and Coach Taoka's smile vanished as he called a timeout.

He then angrily berated the basketball team members, and everyone stood at attention to receive the scolding, except for Sendoh, who remained self-centered.

He wiped away his sweat while replenishing his fluids.

Taoka spoke with great emotion, believing that Ryonan, being one of the top four teams in Kanagawa, should have easily defeated Shohoku, and that the problem lay with Uozumi and the others.

Finally, he said he wanted to widen the score gap to more than 30 points in the second half.

Uozumi and the others responded loudly, "Yes!"

Only Sendoh was squatting down, sucking on a lemon, and making quite a loud noise.

This interrupted Taoka's encouragement, forcing him to question Sendoh: "Sendoh! Did you hear me, Sendoh?!"

Sendoh waved his hand and casually replied, "Shohoku isn't as weak as you might think."

He believes that with Akagi and Rukawa, Shohoku is at least a top 8 team in Kanagawa.

Taoka didn't care. How could Sendoh, the ace, say such discouraging things?

After teaching Sendoh a lesson, he began to arrange defenses.

Uozumi keeps a close eye on Akagi, Sendoh takes care of Rukawa, and the rest break through Shohoku's defense...

One of the players widened his eyes, realizing that a spy had come to eavesdrop.

Only Sakuragi Hanamichi could pull off such an outrageous move.

Taoka couldn't believe there was such a reckless and erratic player, and for a moment he stammered, not knowing what to say.

He had never encountered anything like this before and truly had no strategy for dealing with it.

Sendoh's eyes widened as well. He, who had always seemed so at ease, was now somewhat taken aback.

When Sakuragi was discovered, he wasn't ashamed; instead, he burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, you've been found out? If you've been found out, then there's nothing we can do!"

His attitude made the Ryonan players even more dissatisfied, and the two sides started arguing and confronting each other. Sakuragi even cursed Coach Taoka.

Seeing the atmosphere growing increasingly tense, Sendoh burst into laughter.

He found it really interesting.

Sakuragi then turned his attention to Sendoh, like a thug, shoving his hands into his sweatpants, looking like he was about to cause trouble for Sendoh.

Sendoh didn't care at all and followed his example, putting his hands into his sweatpants.

“Sendoh is really interesting,” Kyoko Akagi said, leaning against Hana and covering her mouth with a laugh. “He has superb tennis skills and an outstanding appearance. He has a relaxed and easygoing personality, which is completely different from other players. He has a unique charm that transcends worldly affairs.”

Hanako shuddered and asked in surprise, "Kyoko, when did you arrive?"

“While you were daydreaming,” Kyoko Akagi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Hana, “this is the first time I’ve ever seen you read comics. And so seriously.”

She felt a little jealous. "As expected, Higashino-kun understands you better."

“Of course,” Hua Chao nodded in agreement. “I’ve known him for five years.”

"Hmph," Kyoko Akagi punched Hana's chest, "Then you should go with Higashino-kun!"

“How could that be?” Hua Chao shook her head.

Kyoko Akagi was finally satisfied.

“It’s not like we’re in the same university,” Hua Chao added.

"You!" Akagi Kyoko was very angry. Looking at Hana's bewildered expression, she realized that this person was emotionally clueless, so she could only hold back.

……

Sendoh, whom everyone likes, finds Sakuragi amusing and doesn't mind Sakuragi's antics.

Someone couldn't stand it anymore. It was Takenori Akagi, who could punish Sakuragi. He punched Sakuragi to the ground, and Kogure and the others rushed over and subdued him.

Akagi apologized to Coach Taoka before the match resumed.

As Sakuragi sat on the bench, he gradually calmed down, and the more he thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong.

What secret weapon? Could it be that Coach Anzai is playing a trick on him?

He asked Coach Anzai timidly, but the fat old man just chuckled and didn't answer him.

Sakuragi pressed for more information, to which Coach Anzai chuckled and laughed.

"Hehehehehehehe."

When Sakuragi couldn't hold back and went berserk.

Sendoh showed him what the skill of a top-tier player truly is.

Sendoh smiled nonchalantly, easily dribbled past Rukawa, then passed the ball to Uozumi before running towards Shohoku's basket.

This whole sequence of actions even included a moment when he glanced sideways at Sakuragi in a provocative manner.

Sakuragi was simply awestruck by his relaxed and carefree gaze.

He hadn't expected anyone to be so strong, and stared intently with wide eyes.

Sendoh crossed the center line, received a pass from Uozumi, came to the Shohoku basket, faked out the defender, and scored easily.

This set of fluid movements left Sakuragi completely stunned.

After Sendoh scored, he first beckoned to Sakuragi Hanamichi with his finger, signaling him to come on and compete.

"Interesting! Great, Sendoh! I'm going to beat you!" Sakuragi Hanamichi was filled with excitement and couldn't wait to get on the court.

However, under the immense pressure from Akagi, the gorilla, he still managed to sit on the bench.

This surprised the members of Sakuragi's team, who exclaimed that Sakuragi was indeed a gorilla, as he had actually obeyed them.

The basketball game is getting increasingly intense, reaching a fever pitch.

Sakuragi looked at the scene, clenching his teeth tightly; he desperately wanted to play.

Now, the delinquent Sakuragi has become completely obsessed with basketball.

……

"Wow! This is so exciting!" Kyoko Akagi exclaimed, looking at the manga and even wanting to take off her shirt.

She never felt this strongly when watching Huachao's matches; it was just a matter of habit as his girlfriend.

But now, looking at the comics, I find basketball so interesting; it's a sport that can make people love and become obsessed with it.

It felt like blood was burning in my chest, like something was about to burst out.

"Hmm," Hua Chao nodded, his legs shaking incessantly. He was like an engine that had been started, eager to get moving.

"This comic is so much fun! Whew~ Whew~"

He took two deep breaths to calm himself down.

Continuing to read the manga, Rukawa is Shohoku's main scorer, but he is being defended by Sendoh.

Sendoh's defense was equally formidable; Rukawa couldn't even touch the basketball with Sendoh's outstretched arms.

Seeing this, Coach Anzai nudged Sakuragi's knee and calmly said, "Time to warm up."

Sakuragi Hanamichi's eyes widened!

……

Just at this climax, Hana's face contorted in shock, because he realized that the comic had ended!

Just when everyone was most looking forward to it, the comic ended!

He really wanted to curse, but then he remembered that the other person was Higashino, his good friend Higashino Hibiki, so he swallowed his anger.

"Damn bird Akino!"

Hua Chao felt a sense of relief when she heard someone cursing like that.

The person who was yelling at him was his girlfriend, Kyoko Akagi.

Looking at Hanacho, Kyoko Akagi stuck out her tongue. "Sorry, I didn't mean to, I just couldn't help but swear."

Hanako shook her head and asked, "Kyoko, do you find it interesting?"

“It’s really interesting,” Kyoko Akagi nodded vigorously. “I want to keep following the Slam Dunk manga series.”

Hanaho put the magazine aside, rubbed her chin, and muttered to herself, "Even Kyoko, who doesn't like basketball, really loves 'Slam Dunk'..."

"You did it, Higashino."

……

Higashino Hibiki walked into the classroom and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Many people caused him trouble along the way.