Sekiro High vs Kadooka Junior High - Part1

As they left the locker room, the Kadooka High fans were already singing songs, pumping up the atmosphere for the friendly match. The energy was infectious.

The teams gathered at center court, and the referee held the ball, waiting for Mitobe and Kadooka's center to step up for the tip-off.

"Hey, Mitobe, if you win the tip-off, can you send the ball my way?" Akira patted Mitobe on the back.

Mitobe nodded, offering a slight smile.

The referee's whistle pierced the gym, and the ball shot into the air.

I want to start strong. I love games like this... packed with people watching!

Mitobe reached the ball, spotting Akira sprinting, and sent it his way.

"Thanks, Mitobe!"

Number 8—Makito—stood in front of Akira, trying to block his path.

"You're not getting past me!" Makito thought to himself. "Coach told me to mark the best player, and this guy is definitely their best."

No... this won't be nearly enough.

Akira pulled off a quick crossover. Makito tried to follow, but Akira executed a behind-the-back dribble, effortlessly blowing past him. Makito stumbled, nearly falling.

"What the—?!"

I can still go faster…

Another defender approached, but Akira didn't even bother dribbling around him—he simply accelerated, leaving the boy in his dust.

"Shit! What do I do?" the power forward thought as he guarded the paint.

Even faster…

Akira took a deep breath as he neared the free-throw line, bouncing the ball with his right hand while planting his foot firmly on the ground.

"He's gonna try and blow past me!"

But Akira shifted the ball's direction mid-dribble, executing a one-handed crossover with the same hand.

There it is—clear as day.

Like a flash of lightning, Akira surged past the last defender, who barely had time to react. Now free, Akira went for the layup.

I'm still the best!

The ball kissed the backboard and dropped in.

2 - 0, Sekiro High.

Despite supporting the opposing team, the crowd went wild, their cheers filling the gym.

Akira closed his eyes for a moment, soaking in the noise.

I missed this... the roar of the crowd after a big play.

The Sekiro bench was in chaos, celebrating.

"What kind of dribble was that?! I've never even seen that in highlight reels!" Kazuya exclaimed, eyes wide.

"This is better than a nap..." Kaigo muttered, his expression shifting to one of awe.

"That was a Shammgod—basically a one-handed crossover," Coach Yamamoto explained, adjusting his cap with an impressed smile. "Pulling it off that smoothly? That's no small feat. Akira's full of surprises."

As Akira jogged back on defense, he passed Hiroshi.

"Sorry, Captain. I had to pull out all the stops. I was getting restless."

How is he apologizing after that kind of show? Hiroshi thought.

"That was just luck! Stay focused!" Makito barked, trying to regain control of his team, clearly rattled by the play.

I said it was luck to calm them down... but honestly, I'm not sure what I just saw.

Kadooka adjusted their strategy, keeping only the center in the paint while everyone else moved around the perimeter, exchanging quick passes.

As the ball cycled back toward Makito, a shadow zipped across his vision. It was Akira, intercepting the pass and sprinting toward the other basket.

"What the hell?! Sorry, Makito!"

Two defenders scrambled after Akira, trying to recover from the turnover.

I'm not the hero yet... just stealing a bit of the spotlight.

As the defenders leaped to block the layup, Akira dished the ball backward without looking. It bounced perfectly into Renji's hands, who was unguarded.

"Thanks," Renji muttered, sinking an easy shot.

4 - 0, Sekiro High.

Akira returned to defense, again passing Hiroshi.

"Sorry, Captain. Had to do it."

How can he keep apologizing after plays like that? Hiroshi wondered.

"That was just luck! Stay focused!" Makito shouted again, this time with more desperation, trying to steady his shaken team.

Kadooka's players began hesitating on their passes, each glance at Akira's sharp focus making them second-guess their moves.

Damn... if I don't score soon, this whole game will tilt in their favor. That blonde devil's already inside everyone's heads, Makito thought as he dribbled between his legs, trying to shake Hiroshi's defense.

I just need a little space…

With a quick feint, Makito created just enough room to get off a shot.

"Now!"

He leaped, and the ball sailed past Hiroshi. But before it could reach the hoop, Akira soared out of nowhere, blocking it with ease.

He made it way too obvious.

Daichi grabbed the rebound.

"Renji!" Akira shouted, pointing down the court.

Daichi immediately passed the ball to Akira, who was still deep in his own half with defenders between him and the basket.

I hope you know what you're doing, freshman.

"Just score!" Akira shouted back as he hurled a pinpoint pass, cutting through the defense and landing perfectly in Renji's hands.

"Insane!" Kazuya leapt off the bench.

Renji bounced the ball once before gracefully launching a three-pointer from the corner.

Swish.

7 - 0, Sekiro High.

The gym buzzed with whispers.

"Wait... is that blonde kid really in junior school?"

"He's on a completely different level."

"Wasn't Makito one of last year's top players? What's happening?"

Makito stood frozen, his jaw clenched, eyes wide with disbelief. The usual confidence that carried him on the court had evaporated, replaced by a quiet storm of frustration. His hands tightened into fists, but no words came out—only the silence of someone struggling to process what had just unfolded.