In front of so many people, Aota Tatsuhiko actually lay on the ground and staged an accident, which completely baffled everyone.
Even Akagi Takenori, who was initially furious, was dumbfounded.
Akagi Takenori knew, of course, that Aota Tatsuhiko had been trying to invite him to join the judo team, but this was the first time he had ever seen Aota Tatsuhiko use such a shameless tactic.
That's shameless!
Seeing everyone stunned, Aota Tatsuhiko burst into laughter, as if the basketball court had turned into his personal concert, with his voice echoing throughout the entire arena.
Then, Aota Tatsuhiko looked at Akagi Haruko and said apologetically, "Haruko, I'm sorry, I was just joking. As you know, this is the last year, and your brother only has this one chance left."
Aota Tatsuhiko pointed to the basketball team members and said to Akagi Haruko, "With these guys on the basketball team, there's no way they can make it to the national tournament. If you ask me, whether you're on the judo team or the basketball team, as long as you can make it to the national tournament, you'll have no regrets about your high school years. But your brother just can't get over this and insists on staying on the basketball team."
Aota Tatsuhiko then looked at Akagi Takenori and earnestly advised, "Akagi, you're so tall and strong, the judo team would be perfect for you." Aota Tatsuhiko became more and more excited as he spoke, "And with me on the judo team, the two of us can team up and win the national championship! What do you say?"
Akagi Takenori said coldly, "Not good!"
Aota Tatsuhiko rolled his eyes, as if he had known this would be the outcome all along.
So Aota Tatsuhiko ignored Akagi Takenori and looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi. "Sakuragi, you heard it yourself. The basketball team has no chance of making it to the national tournament, while our judo team made it last year. If you join our judo team, the two of us working together could win the national judo championship this year! I, Aota Tatsuhiko, sincerely welcome you to join the Shohoku Judo Team."
Aota Tatsuhiko's attitude was very sincere and serious.
At the same time, everyone's eyes were focused on Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Both Kiminobu Kogure and Haruko Akagi appeared very anxious.
Akagi Takenori had a dark expression on his face, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
The taciturn Rukawa Kaede gave Sakuragi Hanamichi a meaningful look.
The Sakuragi Army brothers were very excited. After all, just a moment ago, the basketball team had looked down on their good brother Sakuragi Hanamichi as a delinquent, but now, in the blink of an eye, the captain of the judo team had come to snatch him away, and with such a good attitude.
However, Sakuragi Hanamichi certainly wouldn't join the judo team!
Are you kidding me? Me, coming to the world of Slam Dunk to practice judo? Are you crazy?!
But we can't let such a great performance opportunity go to waste!
And so Sakuragi Hanamichi began his performance.
He looked at Aota Tatsuhiko with a conflicted expression, as if this was a very difficult choice.
However, Aota Tatsuhiko clearly saw in Sakuragi Hanamichi's eyes that Sakuragi Hanamichi might choose to join the judo team.
Then Sakuragi Hanamichi looked at Akagi Haruko with a conflicted expression.
Haruko Akagi placed her hands on her heart, her heart filled with unease. She whispered, "Sakuragi~"
Sakuragi Hanamichi managed to say with difficulty, "Haruko~"
Sakuragi Hanamichi then looked at Akagi Takenori.
Akagi Takenori looked solemn and expressionless, his thoughts a mystery.
But in his heart, Sakuragi Hanamichi thought smugly, "You gorilla, you see? You don't take me seriously, but others treat me like a treasure! You try being ungrateful again!"
When Sakuragi Hanamichi looked at Mito Yohei and his friends, they all raised their fists as if to cheer him on. However, they didn't shout or yell, probably because they were afraid of influencing Sakuragi Hanamichi's decision.
Aota Tatsuhiko waited quietly until Sakuragi Hanamichi looked around before saying, "Sakuragi, you were born to join the judo team! Make a decision! Let's join forces to reach the national tournament and dominate the nation!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi nodded heavily.
Aota Tatsuhiko was overjoyed!
The reason why Aota Tatsuhiko deliberately provoked Akagi Takenori was partly because he did intend to invite Akagi Takenori to join the judo team, and partly because he wanted to stand up for Sakuragi Hanamichi and gain some favor, which would greatly increase the probability of inviting Sakuragi Hanamichi to join the judo team.
In retrospect, the plan was perfect!
But the next moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi walked up to Akagi Haruko.
Aota Tatsuhiko frowned at first, then relaxed, since Sakuragi Hanamichi had already nodded to him, and now he must be going to say goodbye to Akagi Haruko.
Haruko Akagi had just seen Sakuragi Hanamichi nod to Aota Tatsuhiko, and now she felt empty and very sad, but she still took the initiative to speak: "Sakuragi, you..."
But the words caught in his throat, and he couldn't bring himself to say them.
Sakuragi Hanamichi said to Akagi Haruko with deep emotion, "Haruko, I never imagined that the Shohoku basketball team would be in such a predicament."
Aota Tatsuhiko interjected, "Sakuragi, people strive for higher positions, and water flows downhill. I believe Haruko can understand you."
Upon hearing this, Haruko Akagi glared angrily at Tatsuhiko Aota.
Sakuragi Hanamichi also glanced at Aota Tatsuhiko with a hint of anger, seemingly blaming Aota Tatsuhiko for interrupting the emotions he had been building up.
However, Haruko Akagi tried her best to persuade him to stay, saying, "Sakuragi, now that Rukawa and you have joined the basketball team, we definitely have a chance to compete in the national tournament this year. And..."
At this point, Haruko Akagi's eyes reddened a little. "Besides, you promised me you'd join the basketball team. You also said you really love playing basketball and wanted to help Shohoku basketball team reach the national tournament."
Haruko Akagi didn't cry, but her pitiful expression and delicate voice stirred Sakuragi Hanamichi's heart.
Seeing this, Aota Tatsuhiko knew something was wrong!
Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Who could resist Haruko Akagi?
Aota Tatsuhiko hurriedly and seriously said, "Haruko, that's the national tournament. As far as I know, Sakuragi Hanamichi has only just started playing basketball. Even if he might become an excellent basketball player in the future, he won't be able to help the team much in the short term."
Then, Aota Tatsuhiko looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi and said, "Sakuragi, you are strong and experienced, a natural-born judo athlete! If you join the judo team, you can immediately become the vice-captain! If you can defeat me, I will willingly give up my captaincy!"
What? You go in and you're immediately the vice-captain?
If he defeats Aota Tatsuhiko, he'll become the captain immediately?
At this moment, the Sakuragi Army could no longer hold back!
Yohei Mito excitedly told his brothers, "I never expected the judo team to value flower arrangement so much. I'm so happy for flower arrangement!"
Yuji Oonan and Chuichiro Noma both nodded in agreement.
Takamiya Nozomi said with a smile, "From now on, I can tell others that the vice-captain of the judo team is my brother. Just thinking about it makes me feel so proud."
The four brothers burst into laughter!
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