Chapter 91 The Crazy Five Tigers

Mitsui, with a devout expression, held Coach Anzai's photo in both hands, his eyes burning with fighting spirit, and his voice booming:

"I must win the championship trophy as a special gift for Coach Anzai when he is sick!"

Miyagi leaned against one side, a carefree smile playing on his lips. He glanced at Mitsui, then at the lovey-dovey couple beside him, and said teasingly:

"Hey, look how sweet those two are over there. And look at you, all you ever talk about is 'coach, coach.' Haven't girlfriends even evolved into your worldview yet?"

A certain aloof and icy fox-like man, who usually wouldn't even glance at a woman, was now clinging tightly to his "owner" like a tamed pet.

Even standing still is unsettling…

He'd pinch her hand one minute, and hook her hair the next; it was so cloying.

At first, Hanon felt very uncomfortable. Every time she tried to put on a serious face, her heart would melt the moment she saw Rukawa Kaede's beautiful, wet, and sparkling fox eyes.

So in the end, I just gave up and let him be.

Mitsui didn't let Miyagi off the hook. He straightened up and asked seriously, "Miyagi, you seem to have a girl you like, right? Well... do you have a girlfriend?"

These words struck a nerve with Miyagi, who instantly wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.

Just as the two troublemakers were about to start arguing again, the gorilla Akagi coughed lightly and handed the whiteboard to Hanon.

Instantly, all eyes were focused on Hanon, and the playful noises ceased.

Hanon received the items with both hands, and immediately began to deploy her tactical plans, her voice confident and energetic:

"In the second half, we're going to show our opponents what an offensive onslaught looks like! We need to keep the pace fast. Whoever gets the ball, as long as there's a clear path ahead, don't hesitate, just shoot boldly!"

In the first half, following Coach Anzai's instructions, Hanon allowed the players to play freely and feel the pulse of the game.

In the second half, she needs to take control of the game's pace from the very beginning!

"Yes!" the whole team answered in unison.

"Ryonan excels at 2-3 zone defense and fast breaks, but their three-point shooting is their nightmare. Kaede and Mitsui-senpai, teach them a lesson!"

Hua Yin twirled the pen tip, her gentle eyes revealing her unique unrestrained and flamboyant nature.

When her gaze swept over the crowd, her nonchalant aura seemed to have a strong infectious power, invigorating the entire Xiangbei team.

Mitsui smiled slightly, a smug look on his face: "Leave it to me, watch how I deal with them!"

Rukawa Kaede casually replied, "No problem!"

Huayin circled the bottom corner and the horn position on the whiteboard.

"These two positions are blind spots in the 2-3 zone defense, and we should make good use of them."

She paused, then continued, "If we can pull up and shoot at will from these two positions, then Ryonan's zone defense will be like paper in front of us, easily broken!"

Then, Kanon turned her gaze to Miyagi: "Miyagi, your speed is our weapon. No matter who's defending us, tear them apart!"

"no problem!"

"Hanamichi, do you know what to do?" Kanon asked deliberately.

Sakuragi immediately puffed out his chest and answered loudly, "The area under the basket is this genius's territory! Leave rebounds to this genius! Don't worry, sister!"

Seeing his high spirits, Hana's lips curled up.

"Akagi-senpai, go and lie in ambush on the other side of the basket."

"Yes!" Akagi was also filled with fighting spirit.

Hanon tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and said in a relaxed tone, "We need to quickly widen the gap, and then let the substitutes come up and practice, and show their skills."

"No problem!" the four tigers agreed in unison.

Ayako looked at the composed Hanon... The whole team believes in you, but the whole team follows you. That's true leadership.

Sakuragi, hands on his hips, laughed arrogantly, "This genius will use his invincible rebounding and scoring to help Shohoku quickly expand their lead! Then you ordinary folks will have more opportunities to show yourselves! Hahaha...!"

The Shohoku team members rolled their eyes, thinking that the red-haired monkey was being narcissistic again.

...But no one can deny Sakuragi's strength!

Haruko gently encouraged him, "Sakuragi, do your best! I believe you can do it!"

Sakuragi instantly transformed into a husky: "It's Haruko...! Hehehe..."

Rukawa Kaede, his chubby cheeks puffed out, said in a cold tone tinged with disdain, "Idiot."

Upon hearing this, Sakuragi immediately flew into a rage: "What did you say, you stinking fox! This genius has disliked you for a long time, and today I'm not finished with you!"

As he spoke, he clenched his fist, making a gesture as if to charge forward.

Rukawa Kaede coldly retorted, "What a complete idiot!"

Hanon looked at these two clowns, feeling both annoyed and amused. Were these two single-celled organisms destined to be locked in a love-hate relationship for life?

Akagi took a deep breath and led the way: "Our goal is—"

"To dominate the entire nation!"

"we are--"

"The strongest!!!"

The team members responded in unison once again, their spirits soaring.

Inside the hospital, Coach Anzai seemed to sense this passion and fighting spirit. Gazing at the clear sky outside the window, he murmured to himself:

"You guys are the strongest, ho ho ho..."

Looking at her husband's proud face, Mrs. Anzai walked over and said softly, "It seems you've recovered quite well, old man."

—Not just the body, but also the mind.

Coach Anzai turned his head, grasped his wife's hand tightly, and laughed, "Yes, it's all because of you all... Oh ho ho..."

Ayako pressed close to Kanon, her eyes sparkling: "Kane, you're so cool and wild!"

She stared curiously at Kanon's consistently calm face, as if studying a visitor from another dimension.

Hana blinked her eyelashes, her eyes crinkling into a smile: "Right? I think so too."

Ayako nestled against Hanon's shoulder, her eyes crinkling into slits with a smile: "I really love you so much!"

Suddenly, Rukawa grabbed Kanon's waist, pulled her towards him, and interrupted her expressionlessly: "She has a boyfriend, senpai, please keep your distance."

Ayako was startled by Rukawa's sudden action, but she quickly regained her composure.

She glanced at Hana's flushed cheeks and winked mischievously, "You really looked cool just now..."

She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, "But your lipstick is a little smudged."

Hana was slightly taken aback, and her hand unconsciously touched her lips.

Realizing what had happened, she tried her best to remain calm, grabbed her bag, and left.

"You guys go ahead, I'm going to the restroom."

Rukawa Kaede instinctively wanted to follow, but Kanon decisively stopped him: "Don't follow!"

He stared blankly at Huayin's slightly disheveled steps.

Ayako secretly rejoiced, thinking to herself, "Let's see if you dare to be jealous again!"

"Beep!"

The whistle for the second half blew sharply, like a sword slicing through the silent air.

To play it safe, the Shohoku team unanimously decided to have Sakuragi be the jump ball player.

The referee tossed the ball into the air, and the game officially began!

Uozumi, the towering figure of Ryonan High School, leaped confidently! Just as he was about to touch the basketball, a red figure flashed past him like lightning—

Sakuragi, who jumped almost simultaneously, reached his maximum height much faster with a clearly visible advantage! He took the lead and slammed the basketball down hard.

Shohoku team has won possession of the ball at the start of the game!

The audience erupted in chaos:

[Oh my god, Uozumi, who has a height advantage, actually lost to Sakuragi in the jump ball!]

Sakuragi's speed is terrifying! His maximum speed at peak height far surpasses Uozumi's!

The audience was once again amazed by Sakuragi's performance; his jumping ability was no less impressive than that of the black players!

After receiving the ball, Miyagi sprinted forward—

Looking around, it was discovered that Ryonan's defensive players were basically in position, and their speed of retreat was astonishing.

Ryonan's defensive awareness is absolutely top-notch!

Coach Taoka was overjoyed to hear the audience's exclamations.

Over the past two years, Ryonan's hard work in training and adjusting has paid off, and they have finally found their own rhythm and style of play.

This 2-3 zone defense allowed the Lingnan team to thrive in the game and advance to the county's top 4.

Just as Coach Taoka was feeling smug, he suddenly noticed that the positioning of the Shohoku players seemed a bit off. His smile faded, and a strong sense of unease welled up inside him.

"It's a coincidence, it must be a coincidence!"

Rukawa received Miyagi's pass, steadied himself slightly, and glanced at Uozumi, who was sprinting towards him.

His cold, fox-like eyes narrowed slightly—

Uozumi retreated to the baseline, and Rukawa Kaede suddenly exerted force, slamming the ball towards the basket—

"Bang!"

A muffled thud shook the entire stadium!

Looking up—

On the basketball hoop of Ryonan, Akagi was seen violently slamming the ball in with both hands.

Xiangbei vs Lingnan, 50:50!

The two teams are back to square one!

Wow! An aerial relay!

Akagi leaped from the air, and the basketball hoop seemed to have been hit by a ton of metal, still shaking violently.

It felt as if a raging fire was burning in his chest, and the beastly power that had been suppressed for so long was finally released at this moment!

Akagi stood under the basket, pounded his chest hard, and let out a long howl:

"roar!!!"

Mitsui, chin in hand, exclaimed, "Yosh! Is the gorilla about to reveal its true form?!"

Sakuragi's signature pose: "Huh?? After the gorilla dunk, he suddenly went berserk?!"

After saying that, he deliberately imitated a few gorilla sounds.

Rukawa Kaede: "......."

Miyagi shouted excitedly, "Well done, Captain! Rukawa!"

Akagi and Rukawa high-fived in celebration, a slight smile appearing on their faces: "Well said, Rukawa!"

Rukawa Kaede: "Yes, Captain... Gorilla!"

Hana's lips curved into a beautiful smile. This seemingly cold but actually warm-hearted little fox has gained a lot from this competition.

Rukawa deliberately drew Uozumi's attention before passing the ball to Akagi.

In order to help Akagi regain his pride and get back on his feet.

Sendoh held the ball, his eyes languid, preparing to launch an attack.

Rukawa Kaede quickly closed in, his arms outstretched like an impenetrable wall, blocking all of Sendoh's attack routes.

Sendoh was slightly taken aback—this kid was completely different from the first half.

Although saying it like that is a bit inaccurate...

But in the first half, Rukawa only had Sendoh in his eyes, but now, he seems to have truly immersed himself in the game!

Faced with Rukawa's all-out defense, Sendoh quickly made a judgment and flicked his wrist to pass the ball to Afu.

After receiving the ball, Afu sprinted towards the basket, leaped up, gripped the basketball tightly with both hands, and prepared to dunk.

Sakuragi jumped high and slammed his hand hard onto the basketball!

"Bang!"

Afu's powerful dunk was completely blocked by Sakuragi!

Sakuragi laughed triumphantly: "Hahaha! Look at this genius's super hot pot! You're still a long way off, you stinky Afu!"

Afu's pupils suddenly contracted.

Is this the Sakuragi Hanamichi that Sendoh praised so highly?

At this moment, he truly felt Sakuragi's reaction speed and strength! This guy was even faster and more inhuman than he had imagined!

The ball was knocked out of the paint, and Miyagi rushed out to grab it.

"Quick attack!"

Miyagi shouted, and Shohoku seized the opportunity to switch from defense to offense!

Ryonan quickly retreated to defend, and Sendoh even rushed directly towards Miyagi, trying to intercept him in the middle of the field.

Miyagi glanced at him, and before Sendoh could get close, he quickly stopped the ball and jumped—

His body, however, turned strangely to the side!

This action stunned everyone.

Start fast and get the game moving; the faster the better. Miyagi's passing was excellent during counter-attacks.

Shohoku's undisputed king of assists.

Sendoh shouted, "Watch out for Mitsui!"

He noticed Miyagi's gaze and movements immediately, and before he could jump to intercept, the ball had already flown straight toward Mitsui!

During Ikegami's defensive rotation, Mitsui received the ball in an open position, raised it, adjusted his rhythm, and shot it.