Chapter 82 Off Track

Rukawa met her eyes and said calmly, "You're blocking my view."

He doesn't like to talk. Whenever everyone is discussing something together, the others always rush to express their opinions. But when Kanon is serious, does she ignore his presence?

Huayin:?

Although she didn't understand why the little fox was unhappy, she still ruffled its black head reassuringly, "Watch the game carefully."

The aloof fox, pleased with being stroked, responded with a soft "Mm."

The audience seats were very lively:

[Hainan only scored 29 points in the first half! Ryonan's defense was truly suffocating!]

[With 8 and a half minutes remaining in the second half, Ryonan was leading Hainan by a staggering 15 points, 59-44!]

[Wow, Kiyota dunked on Uozumi! His physical abilities are incredible!]

Hua Yin smiled faintly, "Hainan is going to retaliate."

Maki's 2+1, Jin's three-pointer, and Maki's second 2+1 against Uozumi...

As Huayin said, Hainan narrowed the score to just 4 points in a series of offensive surges, and Hainan's counterattacks were becoming more and more exciting.

Watching the match, Hanon suddenly asked, "Do you know the secret to Coach Takato's 16-year winning streak with Hainan?"

Upon hearing this, the members of Shohoku immediately sat up straight, looking like obedient children who were paying close attention to the lesson.

Hanon raised her chin and looked at Coach Taoka on the field.

"I heard that Coach Taoka invited you to Ryonan?"

Rukawa Kaede blinked blankly, "Let me think about it."

Mitsui crossed his arms and nodded: "It seems like that's true."

Miyagi's mind raced, and he answered confidently, "That's right!"

"Compared to Hainan, Lingnan's basketball heritage is slightly inferior."

Hanon continued.

"Coach Taoka has a particular fondness for those talented players."

"Coach Gao Tou never relies on the signing of superstar players; he cultivates more new stars every year."

The members of Xiangbei nodded thoughtfully.

"In Hainan, apart from Amu, the other players are not considered top-tier in terms of talent. However, they are bold in discovering new talent and maintain rigorous training year after year."

After all, how many top-talented athletes are there in the world?

The Xiangbei team suddenly realized something.

Mitsui seemed thoughtful: "Ah Jin, the scoring champion that Takato created within a year."

Miyagi raised his eyebrows: "Kiyota is only 178cm tall. Coach Takato made him a forward to retain a strong player who can attack the inside after Maki graduates, thus preserving Hainan's offensive system."

Sakuragi was unusually serious: "Miyamasa, who is 160cm tall, might not be valued by Coach Taoka of Ryonan, but he has become a tactical pawn in Hainan."

Hanon's eyes were sincere, and her laughter was gentle:

"At Shohoku, we encourage players in the same way. Even if you have average basketball talent or are not suited to playing basketball, as long as you persevere, there will always be a place for you on the basketball court."

Akagi nodded solemnly: "This is the secret to Hainan's long-term victory, and it will also be the secret to Shohoku's championship."

Upon hearing this, the young players from Shohoku all had a spark in their eyes.

They knew in their hearts that there was an insurmountable gap between themselves and the talented players, and they were also worried that the team might no longer need them.

But Kanon's words helped them regain their confidence.

In the shadows, Rukawa Kaede quietly took Hanon's hand and gently massaged the back of her hand with his fingertips.

My girlfriend is unconsciously radiating her charm in her own way again.

"Beep! Blue team's number 4 commits a foul!"

【Wow! What's going on?!】

[Uozumi committed an offensive foul, bringing his total to three!]

The Shohoku team finally understood what Kanon had said yesterday—

"The Hainan team has set its sights on Uozumi!"

"This is the third time that Maki has scored a 2+1 on Uozumi!"

Akagi's face darkened: "That idiot Uozumi!"

Uozumi is the core of Ryonan. If he continues to break the rules, it will be a disaster for Ryonan.

Shohoku and Ryonan have a good relationship; they are both rivals and friends.

Akagi was well aware that Uozumi was straightforward and impulsive, so the Hainan team took advantage of this and used fouls to limit Ryonan.

Hana turned her head and winked at the red-haired monkey.

"Hanamichi, lend Ryonan a hand."

Everyone stared at her, their faces filled with surprise.

Sakuragi immediately stood up straight, his massive body blocking the view of the audience behind him, drawing a chorus of complaints:

[Hey, Sakuragi Hanamichi, you're blocking our view of the game!]

[Sit down! Don't disturb our view of the game!]

Ignoring the voice behind him, Sakuragi shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hey, Monkey Boss!"

His shout successfully attracted the attention of everyone in the room, who all turned to look at him.

"If all you can do is cook and not play ball, please leave the game now."

Enraged by Sakuragi's arrogant tone, Uozumi transferred all the pent-up anger in the room to him, shouting, "You brat, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

Akagi couldn't help but stand up, looking at Uozumi seriously: "Uozumi, what are you daydreaming about? Are you just giving up like this? Didn't you say you were going to defeat Hainan?"

In the row in front of the two, Hanon's figure was particularly eye-catching.

Uozumi paused for two seconds.

Then, he shouted excitedly, "I understand! Akagi, I understand!"

Everyone looked at him in surprise, unsure of what he had realized.

Uozumi slapped his cheeks hard with both hands.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Each time it became more powerful than the last.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, then walked towards the immortal and whispered a few words in his ear.

Sendoh nodded after hearing this, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

At that moment, Uozumi's eyes were firm and sharp: "Come on! Hainan!"

The pace of the game started to get a bit crazy, and everything was going off track.

This time, it was Sendoh who drove into the paint and scored a 2+1 against Hainan's defense!

Ryonan's three-point lead means that Sendoh has finally unleashed its full power and completely exploded.

The two teams' star players entered a high-scoring battle, chasing each other and alternating in the lead.

Sakuragi hesitated for a moment, then finally asked, "Sister, can Ryonan win?"

Hana shook her head and said with a smile, "Well, it really depends on how well the two teams perform."

She was only offering a possibility; she couldn't predict the outcome of the match.

After all, no one can say for sure how long a capricious ace like Sendoh can maintain his burst of power!

The competition is nearing its end.

Mitsui crossed his arms: "Hainan's stamina seems to have reached its limit."

Miyagi: "Yesterday, the five main players from Hainan ran the full 40 minutes in their race against us!"

Sakuragi: "Even if Uncle is an iron man, he worked so hard yesterday, he definitely wouldn't be able to keep up today."

Akagi nodded in agreement: "That's right, if it goes into overtime, Hainan will definitely be at a disadvantage."

Rukawa Kaede placed his hands on the back of the chair behind Kanon and rubbed them incessantly.

He was clearly using all his strength; the veins on the back of his fair hand were bulging.

His cold, fox-like eyes were fixed on Hanon, as if trying to see through her thoughts.

"Why should we help Ryonan?"

He spoke, his voice cold and stiff, as if each word was struggling in his throat.

Hanon, heartless as ever, is still analyzing this with an air of seriousness:

"Sendoh is an excellent player. He has a great overall view of the game, good playmaking ability and physical qualities, and his offensive skills are also top-notch. It would be a real shame if he couldn't make it to the national tournament."

For Sakuragi and Rukawa, Sendoh was indeed a very good mentor.

His experience and skills can be of great help to both of them.

If they can make it to the national tournament, Sendoh's strength will also increase, which would be a good thing for the Shohoku team.

There will be many more practice matches between the two teams in the future.

However, Rukawa Kaede was completely unaware of Kanon's inner thoughts.

Seeing her undisguised admiration and expectation for Sendoh, he felt even more unsettled.

"Sendo, huh?"

Rukawa Kaede murmured softly, a flash of fierceness crossing his eyes—

Sakuragi, who was sitting behind him, caught him red-handed!

Despite his seemingly carefree and easygoing nature, Sakuragi is actually extremely sensitive inside.

He immediately sensed Rukawa's low spirits.

Meanwhile, Kanon continues to express her views naturally and frankly, completely oblivious to the atmosphere around her.

Sakuragi understands Kanon and Rukawa, and is fully aware of the changes in their relationship.

He knew that Rukawa was jealous, like he was soaking in a vat of vinegar, unable to express or deal with it.

Sakuragi didn't say anything; he just watched the show.

Seeing Rukawa's increasingly gloomy expression, Sakuragi couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.

Serves you right! You filthy fox! I'll let you suffocate!

Rukawa Kaede's face was cold and stern, his eyes sharp as knives, revealing a hint of jealousy and madness.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, leaving only Huayin's soft voice.

Rukawa gripped the back of the chair tightly, the veins on the back of his hands becoming even more prominent.

A chill permeated the air.

The members of Xiangbei all felt this chilling pressure. They looked at each other, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

Kanon finally noticed something was wrong. She thought that the competitive Rukawa Kaede was just too concerned about that formidable opponent.

So she gently patted Rukawa Kaede on the shoulder.

"You'll meet in the competition soon."

With an encouraging and supportive smile, she said, "You won't lose to him."

These words were like a clear spring, instantly extinguishing the flames in Rukawa's heart.

He turned his head to meet Hana's gaze, his expression confident and resolute. "Of course!"

Behind the confidence lies an almost insane obsession.

Although the Hainan team persevered, the pressure and fatigue of the game caused them to make some mistakes and feel powerless.

As the final whistle blew, the entire stadium became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Immediately afterwards, the audience went from silent to uproar, like a pot of oil that had been lit, with astonishment and disbelief written on everyone's face.

[Hainan, the reigning champion of Kanagawa for 16 years... has been defeated once again?!]

Two consecutive losses! Hainan is out of contention for the national competition this year!

[How is this possible! This is completely unexpected!]

[Especially before the Emperor Priest has even graduated... this is absolutely a joke!]

On the field, the Ryonan team members were overjoyed, hugging and shouting wildly, their excitement overflowing.

In Hainan, however, the atmosphere was like an ice cave, deathly silent, with faint sobs that could be heard.

"The match is over, go back to training."

Hanon was the first to stand up and straighten her clothes.

"yes!"

The Shohoku team responded in unison, their faces filled with fighting spirit and determination.

Hey! Shohoku!

A shout suddenly came from inside the arena, causing everyone present to turn their heads.

Hanon and the others stopped and all looked towards the arena.

Uozumi remained silent for a moment, then straightened his back and bowed deeply in the direction of Kanon.