The Kirisaki Daiichi team's car soon pulled up outside the arena.
The spectators still lingering outside spotted Kirisaki Daiichi's car and immediately cried out in excitement.
"Look! It's Kirisaki Daiichi!"
"Oh man, oh man! I can't wait to see the [Magic Cube] show what they can do!"
"I wonder how many points they'll win by this game. I'm so excited!"
Some reporters rushed over like sharks scenting blood, quickly gathering around the side and picking out the best angles for their shots.
Soon after, the members of Kirisaki Daiichi got out of the car one after another, with Miyamoto Tokima leading them toward the arena.
The reporters' cameras clicked rapidly, capturing the moment.
As they took photo after photo, they couldn't help sighing inwardly.
'So this is [Emperor] Kirisaki Daiichi? Their presence really is terrifying.'
The reporters refused to waste even a second, following the team closely and continuing to shoot until Kirisaki Daiichi entered the court and security stopped them outside.
Only then did they finally give up.
But just as they snapped back to their senses, the noise from the crowd drew their attention again.
"It's Tōō High!"
The reporters immediately sprinted toward Tōō High School's bus.
Honestly, you guys really know how to get your shots! ... Inside Kirisaki Daiichi's locker room, everyone changed into their uniforms. After Miyamoto Tokima casually gave a few instructions, they slowly headed toward the court.
From beginning to end, Satsuki Momoi simply followed quietly beside Miyamoto Tokima without interrupting.
Satsuki Momoi could be considered the coach in charge of Kirisaki Daiichi's training plan, but Miyamoto Tokima was Kirisaki Daiichi's coach on the court!
When Kirisaki Daiichi entered the arena, spectators were still filing in one after another.
Miyamoto Tokima and the others paid them no attention and began warming up.
Meanwhile, in Tōō's locker room.
Kosuke Wakamatsu grumbled while changing.
"Is that guy Aomine still not here?"
Just as Shoichi Imayoshi was about to answer, the locker room door opened.
Click...
The moment the door opened, Daiki Aomine appeared in the doorway.
Everyone turned to look at Daiki Aomine, and Shoichi Imayoshi exclaimed in surprise.
"Aomine?! You warmed up ahead of time?"
Daiki Aomine slowly walked into the locker room. He was already wearing Tōō High's uniform.
Heat still radiated from his body in waves.
He grinned, nodded, and said, "Yeah. I mean, I'm playing against Miyamoto. I got too excited."
That was right. Daiki Aomine had woken up very early that morning. After eating a quick bite, he had gone off to warm up.
Because he was simply too excited!
Seeing Daiki Aomine like this, Kosuke Wakamatsu couldn't really say anything. He only snorted and turned his head away.
Everyone was already used to it. That was just Kosuke Wakamatsu's personality.
Cold on the outside, warm on the inside. He looked unbelievably arrogant on the surface, but deep down, he treated everyone with kindness and goodwill.
Seeing that Daiki Aomine had returned, Katsunori Harasawa said, "Alright, get changed and head out. Kirisaki Daiichi has already started warming up!"
The Tōō players nodded and hurried to finish changing. ... Once Tōō High entered the court, it meant the game was about to begin.
The spectators continued filing in and finding their seats, getting ready to watch the match.
Both teams on the court were also warming up quickly.
Daiki Aomine slowly took shots, keeping himself in peak condition.
And the smile on his face never disappeared. It was obvious that right now, he was genuinely excited and happy.
As the time approached ten o'clock, the referee called everyone over for the pre-game ceremony.
In other words, the friendly face-to-face exchange.
Daiki Aomine looked at Miyamoto Tokima across from him and smiled.
"Miyamoto, this time, I'm definitely going all out!"
Miyamoto Tokima smiled faintly.
"You're not saying you'll beat me?"
Daiki Aomine grinned and replied, "I'll go all out and beat you!"
After that, both sides shouted in unison.
"Please take care of us!"
Once they finished, they left the court to prepare for the start of the game.
On the sideline, Murasakibara picked up his water bottle and took a sip before saying, "Tokima, you promised to give me one quarter."
Miyamoto Tokima met Murasakibara's serious gaze and nodded with a smile.
"Alright. I'll leave the first quarter to you."
Murasakibara nodded, then looked toward Daiki Aomine with an aggressive stare.
"Beep! Starting lineups, take the court!"
The referee blew his whistle and shouted.
The starters from both sides slowly stepped onto the court.
Tōō High's five starters were:
Center Kosuke Wakamatsu, power forward Daiki Aomine, small forward Yoshinori Susa, shooting guard Ryo Sakurai, and point guard Shoichi Imayoshi.
Kirisaki Daiichi's five starters were:
Center Atsushi Murasakibara, power forward Shuzo Nijimura, small forward Shogo Haizaki, shooting guard Dicky Anthony, and point guard Miyamoto Tokima.
Atsushi Murasakibara and Kosuke Wakamatsu stood at the center line, preparing for the tip-off.
The referee walked slowly between them with the basketball, glanced at both players, and got ready to start the game.
Kosuke Wakamatsu was fully focused, his entire body tense.
Murasakibara, however, looked completely unconcerned, as if he hadn't put Kosuke Wakamatsu in his eyes at all.
The referee tossed the basketball high into the air.
Kosuke Wakamatsu jumped first, stretching out his arm to tip the ball.
Just as he was about to touch it, a hand instantly passed him and tapped the ball away.
Kosuke Wakamatsu's pupils shrank sharply, and his heart jolted in shock.
After landing, he looked at Murasakibara. When he saw the casual expression on Murasakibara's face, he couldn't help thinking:
'Damn it. What a monster!'
The ball tipped by Murasakibara was caught by Shogo Haizaki, but Shogo Haizaki did not choose to launch a fast break. Instead, he began observing the situation on the court.
Daiki Aomine glanced at him in surprise and thought to himself:
'He's observing the situation? That's not Shogo Haizaki's style.'
Indeed, under normal circumstances, whenever Shogo Haizaki got the ball, he would immediately go for a fast break. He rarely took the time to watch the court.
But this time, Shogo Haizaki unexpectedly broke from habit and did not rush forward. Instead, he started doing the work of a small forward.
Seeing this, Miyamoto Tokima thought for a moment.
'Looks like Shogo Haizaki really has been practicing that move. In that case...'
Miyamoto Tokima suddenly shouted at Shogo Haizaki.
"Haizaki, you play point guard. I'll take small forward!"
Hearing that, Shogo Haizaki froze for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes!"
At that, Yoshinori Susa's body trembled. The way he looked at Miyamoto Tokima carried a trace of grief.
Don't come over here!!!
Go find Shoichi Imayoshi!!!
Miyamoto Tokima slowly ran up in front of Yoshinori Susa and gave him a smile.
Yoshinori Susa looked like he was about to cry as he forced out an ugly smile. In his heart, he had already sentenced himself to death.
It's over. I'm done for. I'm getting locked down this game. ...
...
...
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