Chapter 6 – Into the Lion’s Den
Kaizen High – Early Morning Practice
The sound of sneakers echoed louder than usual.
Everyone was moving sharper. Passing faster. Talking more.
Riku gathered the team at center court.
> "It's time."
He pulled out a folded bracket form, freshly printed.
At the top:
The Saitama Winter Cup Regional Qualifier
First match: Kaizen vs. Misora Tech
Renji blinked.
> "Winter Cup? Already?!"
Souta adjusted his glasses.
> "They're rushing qualifiers early this year. Only 16 teams get in. 1 spot per region."
Daiki looked up from his knee wraps.
> "How many schools in our block?"
> "Over 80."
Silence.
Then Riku smiled.
> "So let's ruin some dreams."
---
🏟️ Tournament Arena – Saitama Sports Dome
The building was massive.
Clean courts. Spectator stands. Cameras mounted everywhere.
Kaizen walked in wearing simple black tracksuits.
No logos. No sponsors. Just the fire.
Other teams stared, whispered, laughed.
> "Who are they?"
"Is that the ghost team?"
"They beat Tosei, right? Must've been a fluke."
Then came a familiar smirk—
Rei Kirishima leaned against a vending machine, sipping soda.
> "Yo, Kaizen. Hope you got more than that Zero Step today."
Renji:
> "Did this guy seriously follow us into the tournament?"
Souta checked the wildcard list.
> "He's on a special entry team… 'Blue Tempest.' What even is that?"
Riku:
> "A problem."
---
🔔 Game Time: Kaizen vs. Misora Tech
Misora wore silver jerseys. Their players were tall, built, and mean.
Their coach didn't even shake hands.
> "Let's send these nobodies back to their school of ghosts."
1st Quarter started with violence.
Misora played dirty—elbows, shoves, screens that felt like body slams.
Kaizen fell behind early: 15–6.
Coach Tanaka finally shouted:
> "This is a war, not ballet! Start fighting back!"
---
🔥 Second Quarter – Kaizen Strikes
Riku switched the formation to a box press.
Keigo took control inside—three blocks in 2 minutes.
Renji dropped back-to-back threes.
Souta started calling out plays before Misora could even move.
Daiki hit a clutch floater, limping on the landing.
Score at half: 25–24, Kaizen leads.
---
💢 Third Quarter – Misora's Secret Weapon
They brought out their bench captain—Takuma Rindou.
Explosive. Fast. Ruthless.
He targeted Riku directly, trash-talking every step.
> "Your team's cute. But this ain't a fairytale."
Takuma crossed over Renji, broke through the trap, and posterized Keigo.
Misora up: 38–32.
Timeout.
---
🧠 Locker Room Talk
Everyone breathing hard. Sweating. Bruised.
Coach Tanaka actually stood up this time.
> "I was gonna stay hands-off. But screw that. You boys earned your place here."
He looked at Riku.
> "Now go earn their fear."
---
⏱️ Final Quarter – Crownless Rise
Riku locked in.
Every pass had intent.
Every call hit at the right time.
Zero Step. Floater.
Keigo – block + putback.
Daiki – elbow jumper.
Renji – and-1 from deep.
Score: 49–49
15 seconds left.
Kaizen ball.
Riku called no play. Just motioned.
The team moved like clockwork.
Souta cut. Faked.
Ball swung to Renji—he passed it right back.
Riku was wide open at the elbow.
One dribble.
Step.
Pull-up jumper.
Swish.
Buzzer.
Kaizen wins: 51–49.
---
🥶 Aftermath
Rei watched from the stands, arms folded.
> "They're not ghosts anymore... they're something else."
Meanwhile, in the far corner, a figure in a white hoodie stood silently.
He left the arena as the crowd cheered.
Later, that same figure walked into Black Fang's gym.
> "I watched him," he said.
"Riku's better than he was."
Jin:
"Good. Then let's break him properly."