After Tsuna departed, Miyaji entered the court and forcibly pulled in Takao, who looked like he'd been through a rough encounter.
The rest of the team paid little attention to Takao's battered appearance, focusing instead on their training drills. Miyaji also resumed training, leaving Takao writhing in pain on the sideline.
Once their training session concluded, Midorima gathered his belongings in preparation to meet Tsuna.
"What? We will have a friendly match against that guy we encountered earlier?" Takao asked. He couldn't contain his curiosity and blurted out, "He might be skilled, given what we saw, but is Fukuda Sogo any good?"
"Fukuda Sogo used to be a top-tier team, but last year, they couldn't compete for some reason," chimed in a student with sharp facial features, sporting a prominent chin and high cheekbones.
Curious to know more, Takao inquired, "Oh, Senior Kimura, you're familiar with them? But why didn't they compete last year? Do we have any information about their players?"
Scratching his head, Kimura responded, "I don't have all the details, but it seems there were some issues within the school. They didn't provide much information about it either."
The power struggle within Fukuda Sogo Academy wasn't widely known to the public, not even among the folks in Shizuoka.
The incident had been reduced to nothing more than a big fight at the school. Perhaps, it was because Fukuda Sogo Academy had a reputation for being a rough and unruly place.
Miyaji weighed in on the topic, saying, "I remember they were in the competition two years ago. They were decent, but nothing extraordinary. I don't expect them to be much different this time. We've got a good chance at winning."
Miyaji was impressed by Tsuna's skills, but he remained skeptical that one player could change the game's outcome independently.
Takao, still curious, inquired further. "I also heard he's from Teiko. Shin, was he like a benchwarmer or something? I don't remember a guy like him on your team..."
A benchwarmer?
Midorima took a moment to respond as he shook his head at Takao's words. Choosing his words carefully, Midorima replied, "...In a sense, you could say he was part of Teiko."
Otsubo, mopping his brow with a towel, inquired, "Could you elaborate on that?"
"He was part of our starting lineup during his first year, but he had to leave for the US after that," Midorima explained.
Takao was intrigued. "Wait, how does he stack up against the Generation of Miracles now?"
Midorima took a moment to reflect. Three years could significantly change a person's skills and abilities as he personally experienced them.
Midorima couldn't say how much Tsuna had improved over the years or the exact details of his experiences. However, considering Tsuna's incredible potential at Teiko, Midorima believed he could be on par with the Generation of Miracles.
But he couldn't state it definitively. So, he chose his words carefully. "I can't say for certain."
Midorima added more seriously, "However, in terms of leadership skills... he was the most formidable among us."
Observing Midorima's serious demeanor as he spoke, Kimura remembered something about Tsuna. "You're right. I think he mentioned he's the captain."
Takao, clearly astonished, questioned this revelation. "Huh? But isn't he a freshman like me?"
He had heard of Akashi becoming a captain at Rakuzan, but the Generation of Miracles were legendary in their basketball prowess. Leading such a group of exceptional players was an astonishing accomplishment.
Takao couldn't quite wrap his head around it. For Akashi to become a captain made sense, given the extraordinary abilities of the Generation of Miracles, but Tsuna being a captain baffled him.
As Midorima, ready to depart, exchanged a look with Kimura, he turned to the others and calmly explained, "It's not that shocking..."
He continued, "In the past, he was our captain..."
"...!?"
These words hit the Shutoku team like a shockwave, leaving them all utterly stunned and the air filled with disbelief.
Otsubo, clearly in disbelief, strained to comprehend what he had just heard, thinking he must have misheard Midorima.
"Wait, are you serious?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
Midorima, however, didn't waver. He nodded, affirming, "Yes, you heard me correctly. He was our captain before."
Miyaji's disbelief was still etched across his face as he questioned further, "But what about Akashi? He had quite the reputation. Did he just let someone else take over as captain?"
His sentiments were mirrored by the rest of the team, who were now hanging onto Midorima's words for an explanation.
Midorima sighed and admitted, "It's a long story. I'll explain another time. But during that period, Tsuna was the more suitable choice, even over Akashi."
"...!?"
A heavy silence descended upon the gymnasium as the team members exchanged bewildered glances, grappling with the shocking news.
Midorima bid his farewell and turned to leave the court with the revelation still ringing in their ears.
Kimura, the first to break the silence, finally spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of urgency, "I think it's clear we need to be fully prepared for the friendly match. Whatever the truth, it won't be an easy game."
Otsubo, still pondering the unsettling impression Tsuna had left on him, expressed his agreement with a nod.
"I'm with you on that."
Addressing the rest of the team, Otsubo outlined the plan. "Starting tomorrow and leading to the friendly match, we'll adjust our training regimen to simulate an official game. Is anyone opposed to this?"
There were no objections from the team, only determined nods. Otsubo concluded, "Great. Let's call it a day and head home."
Midorima, having left the court, walked toward the cafe just in front of the school. However, he soon noticed someone trailing behind him, and he furrowed his brows. "What's your deal, Takao?"
Takao grinned mischievously. "Your talk about that Kazama guy got me interested, Shin."
Midorima's frown deepened in response.
Midorima, adjusting his glasses, suggested, "You should probably leave us alone."
With a quizzical expression, Takao tilted his head and replied, "Why? He seems like a friendly guy, and I don't think he'd mind one more person joining..."
Midorima simply shook his head. Despite Tsuna's friendly demeanor, he didn't take kindly to strangers intruding.
Midorima, knowing that this meeting was essentially a reunion and a precious time for Tsuna to catch up with old friends, understood that Tsuna might not appreciate uninvited guests.
Still, he didn't stop Takao, simply saying, "You can do as you please, but don't blame me if he asks you to leave..."
Takao laughed it off, "Haha, nah, he wouldn't do that, right?"
He was pretty confident that Tsuna wouldn't react so harshly.
They stepped into the café and looked at Tsuna, who was accompanied by a butler standing nearby. There was no one else besides Tsuna and his butler. Midorima could clearly see Tsuna's welcoming smile transform into a frown.
Unaware of the shift in the atmosphere, Takao greeted Tsuna cheerfully, "Hey there, I hope it's alright if I tag along..."
Watching Takao's back, Midorima couldn't help but shake his head inwardly, thinking, "Consider this a lesson, Takao..."
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