"Too bad… I didn't expect that guy wouldn't make a move. I was actually looking forward to it…"
As Seirin's group discussed why Haizaki hadn't pulled any sneaky moves against Seiho, Akashi Asuka let out a sigh of regret on the bus back from the match.
Kenjiro Sakamoto rolled his eyes. "Are you here to play or to cause trouble?"
"Is there a conflict between the two?" Akashi replied casually.
The others: …
·····
The first-round knockout matches of the Winter Cup lasted two full days.
After two days, the original fifty participating teams were reduced to just thirty-two.
The second round of matches began on the third day. Seiho's next opponent was an ordinary mid-tier team. The only player worth noting was their captain, Kaoru Kawakami.
He played point guard.
But unlike most ordinary players, Kawakami wasn't just a capable floor general with a wide vision, he also possessed excellent long-range shooting skills, making him a top-tier talent even on the national stage.
Unfortunately for his team, aside from Kawakami, the rest of the players were fairly average.
Even Seiho's second-string substitutes had far superior fundamentals compared to this opponent, let alone Seiho's main lineup.
So Seiho didn't send out all their starters. They simply let Tsutomu Iwamura and Kasuga Ryuhei lead three second-team substitutes and easily secured victory in the second-round match.
At the same time, on the adjacent court, Shutoku High also qualified for the third round.
"Meeting them again, huh?"
As the team left the court, Kasuga glanced at Shutoku on the nearby court and whispered.
"Ah… the timing is a bit earlier than we expected, but if we're going to face them eventually, sooner or later makes no difference."
Iwamura followed Kasuga's gaze and locked eyes with Shutoku's captain, Taisuke Otsubo.
For a brief moment, both read determination in the other's eyes.
"Let's go! The next game is important, but today's other match is definitely worth watching too!"
Once Shutoku left the court, Iwamura patted Kasuga on the shoulder and led the team out of the player tunnel.
According to the Winter Cup schedule, Seiho would face Shutoku again in the third round after nearly half a year.
Shutoku, with Midorima Shintaro on their roster, was undeniably a strong opponent. Even nationwide, no team could be 100% certain of victory against them.
Although Seiho and Rakuzan looked slightly stronger on paper, raw statistics alone couldn't guarantee the outcome. Pre-game preparation, tactical intelligence, and players' condition on the match day all mattered.
A single mistake could cost the game.
This is why Winter Cup place far more physical and psychological stress on players than regular matches, they must maintain peak alertness at all times.
·····
After changing in the locker room, Seiho headed straight to Court D. By the time they arrived, Shutoku had already claimed seats in the nearby stands.
Not only that, but Seiho also spotted Kaijo and the familiar faces of Aomine Daiki and Satsuki Momoi in the same area.
Except for Rakuzan, who was scheduled to play on Court B, most of the Generation of Miracles members were nearby.
The scene mirrored yesterday's Seiho vs. Fukuda Sogo Academy match, but today's game featured Seirin vs. Yosen.
"Let's see how this game unfolds!"
·····
Ohhh~~~
"Entering the court: the astonishingly improved rising star of Seirin High, who has progressed remarkably over two years!"
"And their opponent: the fortress-like Yosen High, who have won their first two games without conceding a single point."
"A super-offensive team vs. a super-defensive team!"
"It's hard to imagine how this match will unfold!"
As both teams entered from the tunnel, the stands erupted in a wave of cheering.
Meanwhile, members of Kaijo, Shutoku, and Seiho remained calm, quietly observing the condition and playstyle of every Seirin and Yosen player.
"That number 12… the rookie who just joined Yosen this summer?" Iwamura asked.
"Yes."
Yūgetsu Kitayama opened his folder and said slowly, "His name is Tatsuya Himuro. A returnee from overseas, he trained abroad alongside Kagami."
"Kagami… no wonder. Just as Akashi said, the aura radiating from this guy is extraordinary!"
At first glance, almost every Generation of Miracles member secretly marked Himuro as a player of interest.
Though his aura was subtle, it unmistakably approached the level of the Generation of Miracles. In other words, he was a player of that caliber.
"One Murasakibara was already tough enough… now there's also Himuro. How will Seirin deal with this?"
·····
Beep~~~
With the dull electronic whistle, Seirin vs. Yosen officially began.
In the opening tip-off, Murasakibara easily dominated, snatching the ball from Kiyoshi Teppei with absolute superiority. Worth noting: this time, unlike the original, Murasakibara didn't commit a jump ball violation.
"Oh~~ he's grown!"
Seeing Murasakibara's jump ball, Akashi's expression brightened.
After losing to Akashi in the summer tournament, Murasakibara had increased his training intensity and focused on technical practice.
In other words, Murasakibara is now stronger than at the same point in the original story.