After the county competition, Xiangbei High School had as long as half a month to rest and adjust.
During this period, in addition to playing a practice match with Midori Wind High School, Xiangbei also went to Shizuoka to play a practice match with Chang Cheng there.
However, Jinguji Takeshi and Sakuragi Hanamichi did not attend that practice match. According to Takeshi, he needed some time to equip Sakuragi with some weapons. These weapons were very important to Shohoku.
Of course, how could Budo really spare so many days to instruct Sakuragi, a "problem boy"? He simply gave some demonstrations, and then captured strong men such as Yohei and Takamiya. At the same time, he also invited Haruko to be Sakuragi's "assistant coach", so that they could assist Sakuragi in special training together.
Jinguji martial arts was just a demonstration, and the rest was up to Sakuragi to learn and practice by referring to the martial arts demonstration video.
As for Yohei and the others, their role is to encourage them. After all, these guys get along well with Sakuragi and are fun to be around. If Sakuragi makes some mistakes or his posture is a little off, these guys will definitely not hesitate to "ridicule" him.
As for Haruko, she doesn't need to do anything deliberately. Just standing on the sidelines is enough!
For a guy like Sakuragi with a childish personality, the ridicule of his friends and the gaze of Haruko are both much more useful than Akagi's iron fist.
Budo himself still needs some time to strengthen his left-handed shooting.
In terms of basketball, Jinguji Budou is undoubtedly ahead of everyone in Xiangbei. Jinguji Budou, a sophomore, has already entered the late stage of development. While strengthening his left hand, Jinguji Budou has also begun to increase the intensity of his training little by little.
In the three practice matches between Xiangbei High School and Chang Cheng, Xiangbei won all the games with an absolute advantage of 3:0. This made Xiangbei people more confident about the upcoming national tour.
During this summer break, Sakuragi Hanamichi and Akagi Haruko interacted more frequently.
While Akagi was away for the game, Sakuragi Hanamichi, after special training, also successfully made an appointment with Haruko to go shopping. Sakuragi also successfully bought a pair of 99% new AJ1 from the mustache boss for 100 yen and a pair of worn-out AJ6.
This situation made Wudao feel that Sakuragi was indeed a man of destiny. Only Sakuragi Hanamichi could exchange old shoes for new ones for 100 yen. However, considering that he had previously "bought" a pair of AJ6 for 30 yen, Wudao still felt that his purchase of shoes this time was just a small profit.
As for why the boss with a small mustache repeatedly indulges Sakuragi Hanamichi, Wudao can actually understand it.
What's wrong with a man entrusting his dream to another man
As time passed, on August 1st, Shohoku High School prepared to set off for Hiroshima to start a new journey.
The sun rises and the sky is clear and blue.
Jinguji Takeshi packed his clothes, put on a red and black backpack, and quietly closed the door of his house. For high school students, the IH national competition is undoubtedly a very important event, but Jinguji Takeshi's parents are completely unaware of it.
They just treated their son as their normal son, playing ball and competing as usual.
Compared to caring about their son's interests and hobbies, the Wu Gong couple would rather give birth to a baby while their son is away.
At the entrance of the villa area, Mitsui Shou had already packed his luggage and was waiting for Jinguji Budou's arrival.
Seeing Jinguji Budo's figure from afar, Mitsui Shou looked down at his watch and couldn't help complaining:
"Hey, hey, hey, that's too slow."
"I've been waiting for you for ten minutes."
He and Jinguji Takeshi lived in the same villa complex and had already made an appointment to go to Shin-Yokohama Station together.
This year's national competition will be held in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Yes, you read that right, Hiroshima. The 1994 Asian Games were also held in Hiroshima, and this was once a place where the Americans showed off their strength.
Perhaps it is precisely because the influence of the Asian Games is still there that this year's IH National Competition will be held in Hiroshima instead of Tokyo.
There is quite a distance between Kanagawa Prefecture and Hiroshima, and it takes nearly four hours to get there by Shinkansen. There is a train at Shin-Yokohama Station, which is the Tokaido Shinkansen train, that can go directly to Hiroshima.
"It's still in time. It's still in time."
"The train leaves at 7 o'clock, so we have plenty of time to get there now."
Wu Dao waved towards Mitsui Shou, not feeling guilty at all, but instead said with a smile.
"I didn't say I was too late! I said you kept me waiting for ten minutes!"
Mitsui Shou complained while looking down at his watch. It was still early, but Mitsui Shou seemed a little impatient.
Budou knew that Mitsui Shou was not anxious because he had to wait for him for ten more minutes. He was simply more excited about going to Hiroshima to participate in the national competition.
Unlike Jinguji Budou, Mitsui Hisashi is already a senior in high school. If he is unable to lead Shohoku High School to win the IH national championship this year, then this award will be permanently missing from his basketball career.
Until now, Mitsui Hisashi still vaguely remembers that he once patted his chest in front of Coach Anzai and loudly said that he would lead Shohoku to dominate the country.
He didn't want to disappoint Coach Anxi, and he didn't want to have any regrets.
"Well, Xiao San."
"Don't worry, we won't lose this year!"
Wudao patted Mitsui Shou's shoulder and comforted him with a smile.
Having his thoughts seen through, Mitsui Shou expressionlessly slapped Wudao's hand away and walked towards the gate of the community:
"Let's go."
...
At the same time as Jinguji Takeshi and Mitsui Hisashi set off for the front station, the other players of Shohoku High School also rushed to the station.
Miyagi Ryouta packed his bags and didn't have much conversation with his mother. He just put on the red wristband that his brother had used. After a long silence, he left home with his bag on his back.
Akagi Takenori, who has a harmonious family and a calm temperament, left home with a look of expectation and determination. It can be seen that he is full of confidence in the upcoming schedule of Xiangbei High School.
The gentle Kogure Konobu was mild-mannered and looked relaxed and expectant when he walked out of the house. He knew very well that he would not have a chance to play on the stage of the national competition. He faced the next competition with the mentality of a participant and spectator.
Mugure Gongyan knew that all he could do was to fulfill his duty as a vice-captain and take good care of every member of the team. In his eyes, these guys from Xiangbei were just kids.
The players of Shohoku High School gathered towards Shin-Yokohama Station.
Six fifty.
On the platform of Shin-Yokohama Station, the Shohoku team members have gathered... well, basically gathered.
"What the hell is that bastard Sakuragi doing?!"
"Why haven't you come yet?"
"We're about to get in the car, what the hell is this idiot doing?!"
Takenori Akagi had just received the task from Coach Anzai and started calling the roll. Halfway through, Takenori Akagi felt an inexplicable sense of disharmony among the team.
After calling the roll, Akagi Takenori realized belatedly where that strange feeling of disharmony came from!
That is, Sakuragi Hanamichi, who usually talks the most, has not arrived yet!
All the members of the team are here, except for Hanamichi Sakuragi.
Hearing the broadcast on the platform announcing that the train was about to arrive, Akagi Takenori still didn't see Sakuragi Hanamichi, and he became very angry.
...
"Oh no, oh no, we're going to be late, we're going to be late!"
In the corridor leading to the platform, Sakuragi Hanamichi took big strides up the stairs, shouting softly. Early in the morning, Sakuragi Hanamichi's face was covered with sweat, and it was unclear whether it was because of the nervousness of being late or because of running.
"Sorry, sorry, I'm late!"
Soon, the light from the exit shone into the corridor. Sakuragi Hanamichi quickened his pace, calling out as he walked through the corridor.
As Sakuragi Hanamichi shouted, everyone at Ryonan High School turned their heads in confusion. Sendoh Akira saw that the person who rushed out of the corridor in a hurry was actually Sakuragi Hanamichi, and he burst out laughing.
"Young~"
"Hanamichi, you're here!"
"Are you preparing to join our Lingnan High School?"
"Yeah~ Then I'm really looking forward to it!"
Sendoh Akira said with a smile. Sakuragi Hanamichi saw the figure in front of him and was also startled. The next second he held his head and shouted: "We went... wrong way!"
"Boy, Xiangbei is over there."
Shinomiya Tianye saw Sakuragi's timid look and couldn't help laughing. He pointed to the platform where Xiangbei was. Sakuragi Hanamichi saw Shinomiya Tianye's instructions and left in a hurry.
When Coach Tian Gang saw Sakuragi Hanamichi's expression, he couldn't help but shook his head and sighed:
"Coach Anxi, you really work hard!"
As they were talking, the roar of the train echoed across the platform.
...
On the other side, Akagi Takenori, who finally waited for Sakuragi Hanamichi, couldn't help but punched Sakuragi on the top of the head.
And shortly after Sakuragi Hanamichi arrived, the train pulled into the station.
Finally, Sakuragi caught up.
There weren't many passengers in the morning carriage, but there were many people from Xiangbei High School. As the Xiangbei High School players entered the carriage and took their seats, the Xiangbei people directly occupied most of the carriage.
Jinguji Takeshi's seat was by the window. Next to him was Mitsui Hisashi, and opposite them were Akagi and Murasakibara.
After getting on the car, Jinguji Takeshi held his chin and looked out the window silently.
"National competition, this time, I won't let victory slip away from my hands!"
"Help Xiangbei win the championship with absolute dominance, and next year, we will go to the United States!"
"Start pursuing my own path!"
...
“Ding~”
“Ding~”
Just as all the Xiangbei players set off for Hiroshima, a few intermittent crisp sounds of iron hitting were heard in the basketball hall of Xiangbei High School.
After Takenori Akagi went out in the morning, Haruko Akagi happened to go for a morning run with her best friend Matsui. When the two of them ran near Shohoku High School, they heard the noise inside the gym from outside when they passed by the gym.
Driven by curiosity, the two came to the stadium.
"All the players of Xiangbei have gone to Hiroshima. Who is in the gym at this time?"
"Is it the substitute player who didn't go to Hiroshima?"
With this in mind, Akagi Haruko and Matsui pushed open the door of the stadium.
In the gym, Mito Yohei was wearing a short shirt, holding the ball in both hands, making a shooting gesture. The moment the door opened, Yohei threw the ball out, and the basketball hit the edge of the basket and flew out.
"Oh, Yohei!"
"Why are you here?!"
"Everyone went to Hiroshima to participate in the national competition. I heard the voice in the stadium. I didn't expect it to be you. I was really shocked."
Seeing that it was Mito Yohei shooting in the gym, Haruko asked in surprise. She didn't know Mito Yohei liked playing basketball before.
“Ah~”
"It's so difficult. I can't score a single goal."
Yohei sighed as he watched the basketball crash into the basket. Hearing the voice behind him, Yohei turned around and saw Haruko and Matsui, smiling and waving:
"Haruko-san."
"I forgot to bring my short-sleeved shirt when I was helping Sakuragi with training."
As he spoke, Yohei pointed to the short-sleeved shirt beside him and dribbled the ball.
The empty arena echoed with the sound of Yohei's dribbling.
"ah!"
“It’s really loud.”
"After the owners of the arena left, the arena became quiet for once."
Yohei said with a smile, looking around the stadium, and the scene of Sakuragi Hanamichi and others training here seemed to appear before his eyes.
It was also because of Sakuragi Hanamichi's departure that the bored Yohei came to this stadium for some unknown motivation.
Maybe it was envy, or maybe it was happiness for companions who had found their goals.
"Yohei, thank you."
“Although it may seem strange for me to say this.”
"But thank you, thank you for accompanying Sakuragi in special training."
"It's really hard to imagine that Sakuragi actually completed the special training task assigned by Jinguji Senior in such a short time."
“This is all thanks to your help.”
Suddenly, Haruko said thank you to Yohei. The tone of her voice implicitly put herself on the same level as Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Yohei didn't find it strange. Although Haruko hadn't known Sakuragi as long as the others, the feelings between men were different from those between men and women.
"Haruko, I remember hearing you say that you were on the basketball team when you were in junior high school."
"As someone who has come here, what do you think of this boy Sakuragi?!"
"Is growth going smoothly?"
Yohei looked at Haruko and asked with a smile.
"Sakuragi, Sakuragi is very good!" Haruko blushed as she spoke. Perhaps she realized that her words were a bit biased, so she quickly made up for it:
"I mean, he plays basketball, and he's pretty good."
"Sakuragi-san is really amazing! In such a short time of special training, he has already absorbed and mastered the content taught by Jinguji-senpai."
"This is simply impossible for ordinary people!"
"What Jinguji-senpai taught me is not something simple."
"Sakuragi-san is like a Shinkansen train, growing at a high speed and never stopping for a moment."
Yohei listened to Haruko talking without interrupting.
“… … .”
Haruko paused, and suddenly asked with emotion: "Like what Jinguji-senpai taught Sakuragi, that one-handed shooting is very cool, right?"
"When I was in junior high school, I worked hard to learn how to shoot basketball under the guidance of my brother, but after three years of hard work..."
“I can’t even spot up.”
"All my efforts have been in vain."
"But Sakuragi-san is different. He only needs one year... No, in fact, even if he only needs one week, he can surpass me."
"I am actually a little jealous."
As she spoke, Haruko thought of her junior high school days and felt a little nostalgic.
Yohei saw that Haruko was a little disappointed, so he smiled and comforted her: "Well, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Maybe Haruko, you are not good at basketball."
However, Yohei's words did not comfort Haruko.
"Yohei, you're going too far..."
"Of course I know about this kind of thing!"
Haruko pointed at Yohei and said speechlessly. Her behavior habits were infected by Sakuragi.
"Well... "
"sorry."
"Oh, it's getting late. I have to go to my part-time job."
Yohei realized that what he said was inappropriate and used the escape technique.
Before leaving, Yohei suddenly said, "By the way, that Hanamichi is actually going to be a player in the national competition, and he's from Shohoku High School!"
Haruko nodded and said with a smile:
"I believe that Sakuragi..."
“It’s the best for playing basketball!”
...
The train arrived at Osaka Station. The bored Mitsui Shou took out a new issue of a sports magazine that he had bought at a newsstand from his backpack.
I was flipping through it and suddenly saw the schedule for the basketball national competition.
"Sanno Industries?!"
"How come... we encountered Sanno Industries in the second game!"
Mitsui's low cry attracted the attention of the surrounding team members. Even the other passengers in the car turned their heads to look at Mitsui.
Upon hearing this, Jinguji Takeshi, who was pretending to be asleep with his head down, opened his eyes, turned his head to glance at the magazine in Mitsui Hisashi's hand, and a bright smile appeared on his face.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...