Chapter 3: The Best U17 Player in the Continent.

At the Steak House of Burger, Hanamichi was with his gang and a always he complained about Rukawa and how much of a show off he is towards Haruko.

[MITO: You're just jealous because Haruko was paying attention to Rukawa and not you.]

Mito gets head butted by Sakuragi.

[SAKURAGI: Shut up!.]

[YOHEI: She must have a reason why, i mean, Rukawa is gone for almost a month and now he came back, he is much better than before.]

The rest nod in agreement expect Sakuragi, he believe that he did that just to show off that he played in the national team in his place ofcourse.

But his gang didn't approve and so, each of them received a head butt from Sakuragi.

But, they're laugher filled the burger shop with happy vibrant. And they are having fun which makes the other customers feel better because of their youth. Despite having the delinquent exterior.

But, it all changes when the TV was broadcasting the channel Sports TV. Where the current B.League MVP, Nanami Washio was the guest host at and former Japanese National Team Football Captain, Jun Nakizawa was the main host.

[JUN NAKIZAWA: Our first topic today is about the Japan Under-17 and Under-18 team that competed at the FIBA Asia in both Under-17 and 18. How they did in the tournament, first were gonna talk about the Under-17 team which was leading by the Kiyota Nobunaga and the Center from Meihou High School Hiroshi Morishige. We will be joining today by the Japan B.League Most Valuable Player, Nanami Washio of Alvark Tokyo.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: Thank you for having me.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: Nanami, what do you think about the tournament where we send our best young players to compete against to other asian countries best young players? Firstly, we're going to talk about the Under-17 team, please let us know what are your thoughts.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: Thank you, um…. First is that we have such a strong under-17 team and they've actually shown us that they can play in that kind of competition. There are multiple players that caught my eye but we are only going to name three players.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: Oh…. Who is this three players?.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: First is Kainan's Kiyota Nobunaga, in match against South Korea, he went toe to toe with Gun-Ho Lee.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: That Gun-Ho Lee?! Amazing, Kiyota!.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: Just like you said, although we didn't win, Kiyota showcase his athleticism when he blocked the three point shots 3x of Gun-Ho. Also, when he relentlessly attacked the paint while getting some contact from the taller guys of Korea. Kiyota showed us his tenacity.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: That's right, Nanami, Kiyota Nobunaga leads Japan in points in their match against South Korea. He finished with 19 points!.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: Next is the center from Meihou High School, Hiroshi Morishige.]

[SAKURAGI: Oh? That big bald monkey plays in Japan too? Well, probably to replace me.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: He dominates the paint the whole game against the three taller guys of China. Do Gong Hi, Wang So Ji and Ji Shi Qi.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: Those three are very tall! But, just like Nanami said, Morishige dominated them in the paint.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: Yes, Morishige uses his power and unreal physicality to overpower those three giant, but due those also, he got fouled out in the game and Japan ended up losing.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: That's right, it is a real shame. We have the lead all through out the game but after Morishige fouling out, we never really get back on our feet.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: But, that can be avoidable in the future, as long as Morishige learns to control his own emotions by powering his opponent and improving his post up game.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: We finally get to the last player that caught Nanami Washio's eye.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: I'm very excited to say this one, he really show us a different side of him. He really improved himself that game just to help our country to try and win the game. Kaede Rukawa from Shohoku High, is a really talented player.]

[JUN NAKIZAWA: Ho…. He was on that Shohoku team when they won against Sannoh.]

[NANAMI WASHIO: That's right, Rukawa was already a incredible scorer and can also defend, he has the jumping ability to block shots, not just from guards but also from forwards and centers. And this time, he really pushed himself and defended all the great guards of Philippines, and he can now also learn how to drop pass inside the paint which is needed for both domestic and international games.]

The praises continued for Rukawa and it made Sakuragi really mad and furious, his red bald head was fuming in rage added by the remarks of his friends.

But it all changes when the result of all matches that Under-17 Japan team had lost in the tournament. Sakuragi, although feeling bitter that Japan lost all matches, he was happy that Rukawa lost. But, his rage was understandable. His friends knew that Sakuragi really became a basketball player.

After showing the results, Jun Nakizawa, shows the picture of the number one Under-17 Basketball Player in Asia. The point guard that made Kaede Rukawa swallow his own pride and decided to improve on passing the ball.

The young man has a curtain black haircut, he has sharp jawline, a handsome face along with his sharp gaze that pierce through Hanamichi Sakuragi's eyes.

[JUN NAKIZAWA: The photo that we showing on the screen, is the photo of the FIBA Asia Under-17 Most Valuable Player, the guard who lead Philippines in gold medal win. Ezekiel Caliente. A third year high school in Holy Child Catholic Academy, or in our country, Ezekiel is a first year senior high school.]

Sakuragi, was shaking when watching the video of Ezekiel Caliente, his guts telling him that, Ezekiel is much better player than Eiji Sawakita.