"Whoa, the crowd seems really hyped up for the next match..."
"Obviously, it's the Big Match for the day."
"It's still kinda surprising to see everyone so pumped, though."
The Seirin freshmen exchanged words, glancing around the gym.
Their recent game had just concluded with a decisive victory, the scoreboard reading 94-67. This win not only wrapped up their current match but also guaranteed their advancement to the next stage.
"Well, I guess we should stick around to catch their game, huh?" Izuki suggested, a small smile playing on his lips as he observed Fukuda Sogo making their entrance.
Kiyoshi grinned and nodded. "Absolutely, we've got to see who our opponents will be in the next round."
The impending game carried significant weight, as its outcome would unveil Seirin's next opponent in the tournament.
They grasped the importance of this match, recognizing that knowing their opponent in advance allowed ample time for strategic planning and countermeasures against any tactics employed.
Hyuga also nodded, his gaze lifting as he spotted another group of players walking onto the court.
Kagami turned his attention, casting a quick glance at Tsuna's figure on the other side of the entrance. After a brief moment, he refocused on his path, noting the arrival of Kaijo High as they made their way onto the court.
The intensity radiating from Kise caught Kagami off guard. He pondered, "...I guess he should be this focused, especially since he's about to face Kazama, huh?"
Kuroko observed Kise with a serious expression.
Initially gazing in the opposite direction of the entrance, Kise noticed a strong gaze as he shifted his focus upon realizing that Seirin was making their way out.
His eyes met Kagami's and Kuroko's as they walked past each other with Kaijo.
As they crossed paths, Kuroko left a remark, "...Let's see each other in the next round, Kise."
A small but genuine smile brightened Kise's face in response to Kuroko's words. He refocused on his opponent, his determination evident, and replied with solemnity, "I'll try my best, Kurokocchi."
As both teams finally stepped onto the court, the referee prompted them to line up and engage in the customary pre-match greeting. Following the brief exchange of pleasantries, the referee announced that both teams were granted some time to warm up on their respective sides of the court.
Without hesitation, both teams seamlessly transitioned into their familiar warm-up routines, the gymnasium filling with the rhythmic sounds of basketballs bouncing and the swish of nets as players prepared for the impending clash.
"Whoa, another exciting game to watch!"
"Could you please refrain yourself a little bit, Kotaro? So inelegant..."
"Hahaha, let him be, Mibuchi!"
The Uncrowned Kings from Rakuzan arrived at the scene, with Akashi leading them to their seats.
Akashi shifted his gaze toward Seirin, who were finding some empty seats to watch the game. He thought, "...It was unexpected, Tetsuya. To think you'd be able to go this far."
Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought, deciding that it didn't really matter to him.
"Akashi, who do you think will win between these two?" Hayama asked with excitement as they settled into their seats. The question prompted Akashi to shift his attention back to the court, where Fukuda Sogo was engaged in their warm-up routine.
He replied, "...Isn't it obvious?"
"Is it really?"
Kotaro tilted his head in confusion.
Akashi's gaze sharpened as he located Tsuna's figure on the court. He responded with conviction, "...No one else could defeat him but me."
Akashi never considered the other members of the Generation of Miracles as true opponents. He held unwavering confidence in his abilities, especially when combined with the Emperor Eyes—making him an unstoppable force.
From the tournament's inception, Akashi viewed it as his own stage, a platform where he would absolutely bring his opponents to their knees.
In the same vein, just as Akashi was confident in his ability to outshine the other Generation of Miracles, he also held a firm belief in Tsuna's capacity to triumph over them.
"And the only one who could beat Tsunayoshi was only me..."
With unyielding conviction, he pondered this thought, shifting his gaze toward the other side where Kaijo was engaged in their warm-up routine.
Akashi observed Kise's apparent excitement at the prospect of facing Tsuna.
However, with an understanding of Tsuna's typical playing style, Akashi could only shake his head in pity.
"...Tsuna will not be his opponent, at least not until Kise can defeat Haizaki."
"What?"
The players from Shutoku expressed surprise at Midorima's comment.
"...Shin, how do you know that?"
Takao inquired, prompting Midorima to shake his head as he responded, "Fool, it was obvious..."
"He always does that, doesn't he? Against Yosen High, he'll let Senior Nijimura suppress Murasakibara first...." Midorima continued, earning an exclamation of realization from Shutoku's players.
"Ah, now that you mention it, that's exactly what he did..."
Miyaji nodded with a thoughtful expression as he recalled the game between Fukuda Sogo and Yosen High.
Otsubo added, "And he only personally took care of Murasakibara until Nijimura was unable to hold the big guy back..."
"That's right," Midorima responded with a subtle frown, adjusting his glasses. His thoughts echoed, "Still, that was only the cover and not yet the actual content..."
Midorima realized that Tsuna's strategies went beyond what was immediately apparent.
Tsuna always operated with a clear goal in mind. However, the various factors at play in the game made it difficult to discern Tsuna's true intentions.
The multitude of variables created a puzzle that made it challenging to pinpoint Tsuna's precise intentions, leaving Midorima without a clear understanding of Tsuna's actual agenda in the game.
However, undeterred by the complexity of the situation, Midorima was resolute in his determination to unravel Tsuna's plot.
Meanwhile, on the court, Kise moved toward Tsuna, who had just executed a successful shot, sending the ball through the net with a satisfying swish.
Sensing an approaching presence, Tsuna turned to find Kise making his way towards him, eliciting an amused smile.
"Ryota, huh?"
"Kazamacchi, I'll beat you this time!" Kise declared with determination.
Tsuna chuckled, shaking his head as he replied, "You're a bit too excited, Ryota..."
"Besides, you won't be playing against me. We have someone on our team who's eager to face you so badly..." Tsuna continued, alluding to another figure arriving on the scene, prompting Kise's eyes to widen in surprise before shifting into a frown.
"...Shogo? Fine!"
Haizaki grinned at Kise. However, his gaze wasn't playful; it held a strong determination to thoroughly crush Kise this time.
Playfully, Haizaki spoke, "Hey there, Ryota. I'm sorry, but you gotta beat me first to play against our captain."
"...Though, I'll beat you first before you beat me."
Haizaki's playful tone vanished, replaced by a deep, intense tone that heightened the atmosphere between the two figures.
They locked gazes, tension simmering between them.
---
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