The match began.
Rakuzan starters: Akashi Seijuro, Mibuchi Reo, Hayama Kotaro, Mayuzumi Chihiro, Nebuya Eikichi.
Except for Mayuzumi Chihiro, who had no appearance record, this Rakuzan lineup was indeed luxurious to the extreme, with no weaknesses to be found.
Of course.
Seiho was not bad either; starting five: Ryuhei Kasuga, Tomoki Tsugawa, Yuuto, Giichi Omuro, Tsutomu Iwamura.
Tsutomu Iwamura was one of the best centers in Tokyo. In terms of seniority, he, Taisuke Otsubo, and Teppei Kiyoshi were arguably the two (three?) most famous, with Teppei Kiyoshi even slightly behind.
Ryuhei Kasuga, as the team's former top scorer, averaged over 20 points per game, excellent in both offense and defense, also a star player.
Tomoki Tsugawa, although a first-year, had already produced his masterpiece last year, freezing Kise Ryota of the Generation of Miracles in a single game.
Yuuto needed no introduction; he had been hailed as the strongest in the country since the third year of junior high.
Both teams, except for Mayuzumi Chihiro and Giichi Omuro, were respectable players nationwide.
"So luxurious."
"Yeah, such lineup strength; just hearing the names tells you how strong they are."
"This is the configuration of the top national powerhouses."
Seirin people were all sighing with emotion, little knowing their own configuration was equally heaven-defying.
Match started.
Jump ball segment.
Tsutomu Iwamura concentrated fully, squatting down, meeting the opponent.
"The last Nationals, huh."
In the past week, he had an important conversation with Ryuhei Kasuga, Giichi Omuro, and other players.
Unknowingly, they were all third-years, reaching the end of their high school careers.
Looking back, since joining Seiho, they had always called themselves Kings, proud of being able to join Seiho.
However.
As Yuuto said, they had no championship; the so-called King title was unworthy of the name.
The real King was in Kyoto.
That night they talked a lot, about their mediocrity in the past two years. They also talked about the bold ambitions they made after joining Seiho, to dominate the country.
In the end, two years passed, and they still achieved nothing.
But...
"The opportunity is right in front of us."
This was what Ryuhei Kasuga said that night.
"The chance for us to turn from fakes into the real deal is right in front of us."
Yes.
The opportunity had arrived. To become a genuine King, Iwamura let go of everything.
He even handed over the position of Seiho Basketball Club captain, which he was most proud of, to Yuuto.
To be able to devote himself fully to the match.
Today's opponent was hard to deal with, one of the Uncrowned Kings, Nebuya Eikichi, known as "Muscle Dharma" (Brute Force).
Hearing the nickname, one could tell this was a player of the same type as himself.
However.
"No unease. We have become stronger and have trustworthy companions. Seiho is no longer my team; my job is to defeat the person in front of me."
Thinking so in his heart, the referee blew the whistle, tossing the ball high into the air.
Next second.
"Ah!"
"Hah!"
Iwamura and Nebuya jumped almost simultaneously.
Similar height, similar type, both around 1.9 meters tall, and both centers combining strength and mobility in the same style.
"What amazing concentration!"
From the audience's perspective, Nebuya and Iwamura grasped the timing of the jump just right, neither too much nor too little, simply impeccable.
Then.
Smack!
Iwamura won the jump ball, slapping the ball heavily towards Yuuto's direction.
Akashi turned around immediately, reminding his teammates at the same time, "Get back on defense!"