Full-time comic artist

Higashino kept sneezing, afraid that he had caught a cold.

Upon hearing that Naoko Takeuchi was looking forward to Hibiki Higashino's new romance manga, Yoshihiro Togashi remembered that the Jump editorial department had contacted him about the short manga competition.

So he told Naoko Takeuchi everything.

"Ah," Naoko Takeuchi's eyes lit up, and she quickly asked, "Is Tori Akino-kun participating?"

"There's no news yet. The deadline is the New Year's party. I'll ask him then."

It's November now, and there are only two months left until the New Year's party.

“Then I’ll leave it to you,” Naoko Takeuchi said with a sweet smile.

Yoshihiro Togashi pointed to his cheek, indicating that he should reward himself.

"You really are something." Naoko Takeuchi said shyly, gently punching Togashi's lower back.

"Ouch!" Yoshihiro Togashi cried out, clutching his waist.

……

"Bang!"

The basket was right there. Hua Chao jumped up and dunked with all his might!

The audience applauded enthusiastically, but Hua Chao frowned.

The new year's university basketball league has begun. As one of the top four teams last year and a seeded team, Donghai University's basketball team is making its first appearance after the national competition.

Perhaps because he was too excited and used too much force, he felt that he had twisted his waist.

Intermittent waves of pain.

Upon realizing this, the coach immediately substituted him off the field.

With the game nearing its end, Donghai led by 35 points, and the outcome was no longer in doubt.

Hua Chao went to the infirmary for a checkup. It was just a sprain. They simply sprayed some spray on it and then told him to lie down and rest.

With nothing to do, he picked up the Jump the nurse had given him and started reading.

……

"Unbelievable."

Not long after the comic began, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Faced with Hainan's impenetrable defenses, Xiangbei will find it difficult to find an opportunity.

Mitsui's shot, facing Kiyota Nobunaga's defense, was a risky attempt and, as expected, missed.

In the battle for the rebound, Sakuragi Hanamichi was at a disadvantage again, and was tightly guarded by Hainan's players.

Fortunately, Ryota Miyagi stole the basketball during the crisis, and in the final twenty seconds, Shohoku finally got their chance.

Sakuragi Hanamichi used a feint to get past one of the players.

Under the spotlight of the entire audience, he yelled and used all his strength to shoot towards the basket.

"what!"

Maki Shin's eyes widened in fury as he glared at Sakuragi Hanamichi and jumped up to defend.

"Pour it in!" Rukawa Kaede, who was on the bench, stood up and shouted loudly, having regained his strength.

"Bang!"

Sakuragi Hanamichi successfully dunked!

Shohoku is only two points behind!

and……

"Defensive foul, goal stands, one penalty!"

This is practically a carbon copy of Shinichi Maki!

"That's amazing!"

"incredible……"

"Shohoku did a great job! Keep chasing! Keep chasing!"

Sakuragi Hanamichi ignited the atmosphere, and the entire audience cheered for him.

Even the other players from Shohoku, who had been tense, relaxed at this moment.

Hana-cho stared wide-eyed at this scene in the comic.

"That was fantastic!" he exclaimed, giving a fist bump.

"It hurts," she cried out softly as she strained her lower back and twisted her ankle.

……

Sakuragi Hanamichi begins his free throws.

At that moment, he thought of Takenori Akagi.

Before the match, Takenori Akagi's eyes sparkled. "No matter what time I go to bed, I'm always imagining the final between Shohoku and the Kanagawa champions, Hainan. I've been thinking about it since my freshman year, and it's never stopped!"

This is Takenori Akagi after his ankle injury:

"Whether my bones are broken or I can't walk... this is an opportunity I've finally managed to seize!"

Even if they make the free throw, Shohoku will still be down by one point, and time is running out.

Sakuragi Hanamichi believed in Akagi Takenori's convictions.

At this moment, Kiyota Nobunaga, who was responsible for defending Mitsui Hisashi, also noticed that Mitsui Hisashi was staring intently at the basket.

"Could it be!" He had a guess!

Just then, Sakuragi Hanamichi took a shot, but the ball missed.

Takenori Akagi jumped up and grabbed the rebound amidst the crowd!

Even if the dunk was successful, the score would still be tied. And once overtime began, Shohoku, exhausted, was no match for Hainan.

So he made a decision.

"Mitsui!"

He passed the basketball to Mitsui Hisashi!

This is Xiangbei's plan!

If Shohoku makes a three-pointer, they will win by one point over Hainan!

"What!" Maki Shinichi hadn't expected this.

Hainan might lose!

Kiyota Nobunaga rushed over, and after Mitsui Hisashi made his move, he also jumped up!

The ball flew over Kiyota Nobunaga like a bird returning to its nest, tracing a perfect arc as it flew towards the basket!

Everyone in the arena was stunned, their minds blank as they stared at the trajectory of the basketball.

Mitsui Hisashi clenched his fist, this feeling...

"It's in!"

however……

"Snapped."

The basketball hit the rim!

Only ten seconds remain!

"Rebound King! Sakuragi!"

At that moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi grabbed the rebound amidst Hainan's encirclement.

There's still a chance!

"Keep it up!" Countless people cheered him on!

"Gorilla!" Sakuragi Hanamichi, surrounded by defenders, frantically passed the ball.

"Huh?" The person who got the basketball looked bewildered.

That's Kazuma Takasago from the Hainan team.

"Ah!" Sakuragi Hanamichi's heart trembled violently.

The match is over...

……

"Shohoku lost..." Hana-cho muttered to herself.

They tried their best and fought hard, but they still lost the game.

Seeing the Hainan team players cheering in the comic, Hua Chao wasn't as sad as she had imagined.

When the comic book competition reached its final moment, the outcome—who won or lost—was no longer important to him.

Because it was truly spectacular, Shohoku's ability to hold on until they were down by only one point and ultimately lose against the formidable Hainan team was already an exceptional performance.

"We'll win eventually," he murmured to himself.

The comic has come to an end.

Rukawa Kaede's pupils lost their color; he was stunned.

Ayako covered her mouth, her big eyes filled with tears.

She knew how much Akagi Takenori had sacrificed, and her heart ached terribly.

Akagi Takenori's eyes widened, and he breathed heavily.

Sakuragi's eyes trembled as he tried hard not to cry.

The Shohoku team members were all very saddened, and this lesson will be etched in their hearts.

Mitsui Hisashi was still wondering why he hadn't made the final three-pointer.