Aomine Daiki Template in Slam Dunk

Kanagawa Gymnasium.

"The match between Shohoku High School and Miuradai High School is now underway." The referee made the announcement, then stepped into the center of the court with the basketball, preparing for the tip-off.

Shohoku and Miuradai players faced off, fully focused, waiting for the game to begin.

Shohoku's starting lineup: (white jerseys with red trim)

Center, number 4, Akagi Takenori, 3rd year (captain).

Small Forward, number 5, Kogure Kiminobu, 3rd year.

Power Forward, number 7, Kakuta Satoru, 2nd year.

Point Guard, number 6, Yasuda Yasuharu, 2nd year.

Shooting Guard, number 8, Shiozaki Tetsushi, 2nd year.

Miuradai's starting lineup: (dark blue jerseys with white trim)

Center, number 8, Kawasaki Akio, 3rd year.

Small Forward, number 4, Murasame Kengo, 3rd year (captain).

Power Forward, number 6, Miyamoto Kazunari, 3rd year.

Point Guard, number 5, Araki Kazuo, 3rd year.

Shooting Guard, number 7, Takatsu Hiroshishi, 3rd year.

Because of the previous fight incident, Coach Anzai benched Rukawa Kaede, Mitsui Hisashi, Miyagi Ryota, and Sakuragi Hanamichi.

He sent in older team members who weren't exactly strong.

Seeing Shohoku's starting lineup, the Ryonan crew started whispering.

"It's finally starting. I've gotta study this carefully," Aida Hikoichi said seriously, eyes fixed on the court.

Koshino Hiroaki frowned as he looked over Shohoku's starters. "Weird. Why isn't Rukawa Kaede on the court?"

Aida Hikoichi blinked. "Oh, yeah! With Rukawa Kaede's skills, he should definitely be starting."

"They're probably holding back for now. The prefectural tournament just started," Ikegami Ryoji analyzed.

…

While they chatted, the whistle blew to start the game.

Beeep—

The referee raised the ball high, then launched it into the air between the teams.

Akagi Takenori and Kawasaki Akio jumped at the same time, arms stretched out.

They were evenly matched in timing, but Akagi Takenori clearly had the edge in burst and vertical.

No surprise—Akagi was the first to touch the ball.

With a light tap of his palm, he sent the ball toward Kogure Kiminobu.

The rest of Shohoku's players immediately scattered into motion.

Kogure didn't hesitate. He took the ball and charged toward Miuradai's half.

Just before the three-point line, he tossed the ball high into the air out of habit.

In a flash, Akagi appeared. He leapt up and caught the airborne ball solidly.

Then, he slammed it down hard into Miuradai's hoop.

BAM—

The sound of the dunk echoed through the gym.

Shohoku opened the game with a clean, flashy first point.

"Nice," Akagi shouted, clenching his fists.

…

Watching from the sidelines, Sakuragi Hanamichi was fidgeting, restless like a cat on hot bricks.

He quickly jogged over to Coach Anzai, bent forward, and whispered urgently, "Hey, old man, why won't you let me play? Didn't you say I'm the secret weapon?"

Coach Anzai sat silently, completely ignoring him.

Getting no response, Sakuragi narrowed his eyes and leaned in even closer, practically nose-to-nose with Anzai.

"Hey! Old man!" he barked again.

Out of nowhere, Coach Anzai suddenly turned his head and said, "Because you guys got into a fight. This is your punishment."

The moment he said that, Sakuragi was stunned speechless.

So were Rukawa Kaede, Mitsui Hisashi, and Miyagi Ryota sitting nearby. All of them were completely dumbfounded.

Sakuragi stomped over to the three and whined, "Oh man! Old man's pissed! Mitsui, come on, think of something! This mess is your fault!"

"Who are you calling Mitsui!" Mitsui Hisashi shot up in embarrassment, face red. "And how dare you call Coach Anzai 'old man' in front of everyone! You've got no manners at all!"

Miyagi Ryota pointed at Sakuragi. "Sakuragi, whether you're on or off the court makes no difference. You're bench material anyway. Just sit tight and watch."

"Wha—Miyagi, what are you even saying? Talking like that to a genius like me? And by the way, that fight started because of you!"

…

Listening to the argument, Rukawa Kaede let out a long sigh. Then he calmly muttered, "Three idiots."

He didn't speak loudly, but somehow it struck a nerve.

The bickering trio all heard it loud and clear.

Sakuragi Hanamichi, Mitsui Hisashi, and Miyagi Ryota all bristled, veins bulging with rage.

They gathered in front of Rukawa, pointing fingers.

"Rukawa…"

Mitsui Hisashi: "You're the one who threw the first punch, you hothead!"

Miyagi Ryota: "I'm your upperclassman! And you dare call me an idiot?"

Sakuragi Hanamichi shouted, "You damn fox, acting all smug. You looking for a fight or what?"

Rukawa Kaede stayed silent at first, then looked away from the three of them and said flatly, "I don't see you."

That attitude drove the three of them up the wall. "What did you just say…"

Just then, Ayako turned her head and cut them off. "Hey! You guys shut up. Now's not the time to argue. Take a look at the scoreboard."

The three lifted their heads and looked at the electronic scoreboard hanging overhead.

They froze the moment they saw the score.

On the scoreboard: Shohoku 4 – 16 Miuradai. It stood out loud and clear.

"When did we fall behind by 14 points?" Sakuragi Hanamichi stared blankly at the score.

Miyagi Ryota corrected him, "It's 12 points."

Ayako explained, "Our defense is just too weak. And we can't grab any rebounds. Even though everyone looked through the data Kanon gave us, we still need people who can actually carry it out. With this lineup against Miuradai, it's just too hard."

…

Swish—

The sound of the ball brushing the net rang out.

Under Shohoku's defense, Miuradai landed another clean shot.

Murasame Kengo turned and stared straight at Akagi Takenori, a provocative smirk on his face. "Akagi, how's that? This year, we're gonna beat Kainan and make it to Nationals. Even if you guys beat Ryonan, you're no match for us."

He grinned, raised his eyebrows, and deliberately raised his voice with a sneer. "Let me tell you, we're not like that weak team Ryonan. Beating a second-rate team doesn't mean anything."

That smug look—he couldn't have looked more punchable.

The moment the Ryonan guys in the stands heard him trash them, their veins popped.

Gritting their teeth, they yelled curses at the Miuradai players below.

"Calling us second-rate? Who the hell do you think you are?!"

"Damn punk's too arrogant!"

"Shohoku, what the hell are you doing? Teach them a lesson already!"

"We're way stronger than you Miuradai punks!"

…

Akagi Takenori glanced out of the corner of his eye at the noisy Ryonan crowd and muttered inside, "Those guys are loud as hell."

Then he turned his gaze back to his own teammates. He let out a quiet sigh in his heart. "Everyone's completely crushed by Miuradai's momentum. We're not even showing half our ability. Just like Kanon said…"

His thoughts drifted back to what Shimizu Kanon warned him before.

"Captain Akagi, even though Miuradai isn't all that strong overall, you have to be extra careful on game day. Since it's the first match, everyone might get nervous and underperform."

…

Time ticked by.

On the court, Miuradai kept hammering Shohoku with one wave of attacks after another. It looked more like a one-sided slaughter than a match.

Shohoku's players tried hard to fight back, but they couldn't stop Miuradai's fierce momentum.

With each score, the gap just kept growing.

…

Shohoku bench.

Behind Sakuragi Hanamichi and the other three, it looked like literal flames were rising.

Coach Anzai glanced at the court, then at the scoreboard as the lead widened. He finally spoke. "You won't be getting into any more fights from now on, right?"

The whole bench went dead silent.

Sakuragi Hanamichi, Rukawa Kaede, Mitsui Hisashi, and Miyagi Ryota all moved in sync.

They all shook their heads at Coach Anzai and said in unison, "We won't fight anymore."

Hohohoho…

Coach Anzai chuckled, nodded, and slowly stood up.

…

Near a vending machine in the gym's corridor.

Sendoh Akira had come to grab a drink.

Just as he dropped in some coins, a voice came from behind. "So? What do you think, Sendoh? That Shohoku team that gave you guys hell."

He turned around when he heard the voice.

When he saw who it was, he paused slightly. "You're Maki Shinichi from Kainan."

"Yo, Sendoh." Maki gave a casual greeting.

"Didn't expect Kainan's captain to show up in person. So who are you keeping an eye on? Miuradai? Or…"

His tone had a hint of probing.

Maki kept a calm face and casually replied, "Doesn't matter who wins in the end. It has nothing to do with us. Same with Ryonan." With that, he turned to leave.

But before he could walk far, Sendoh suddenly said, "Is that so? But… this year might be different, Maki. Kainan's throne might not be safe anymore."

Maki stopped and slowly turned to glance at Sendoh. He said nothing, then walked away.

Watching Maki's back as he left, Sendoh murmured to himself, "Wonder how you'll do against that guy…"