Slam Dunk:Starting with perfect copy

The air was tense as Ryonan's players prepared for their unexpected practice match against Machida Sansho, a team with a reputation for being in the top 16 of the national competition. Tanaka Shigeichi, despite his reluctance, knew this would be an important test for his team. Though Machida Sansho had defeated Ryonan in the past, today they were here, and Tanaka had no choice but to make the best of it.

As the players of Machida Sansho arrived, their demeanor was far from respectful. They immediately began mocking Ryonan's players, commenting on their appearances and joking about dunking over them. The cocky attitude of the opposing team irritated Tanaka, but he kept his composure, ignoring their comments and leading them into the gym for the game.

Kitagawa Akihiko, the Machida Sansho coach, was particularly insufferable. He took every opportunity to mock Tanaka for leading Ryonan to their first national competition. Akihiko was clearly bitter about Tanaka taking his starting position in college, and he hadn't forgiven him for it. Now, he was out for a measure of revenge. The sarcastic banter continued as they made their way to the court, but Tanaka only replied with a cold, "Let's meet on the court."

As the game began, the tension was palpable. The Machida Sansho players, despite their cockiness, underestimated Ryonan. They thought Ryonan's success in the prefectural tournament had been just a fluke, and they were determined to prove their superiority. However, Tanaka had a different plan. He knew that this practice match wasn't just a test of Ryonan's skills but also their mental toughness. They couldn't afford to be intimidated or thrown off by Machida Sansho's taunts.

The match was more than just about improving individual skills; it was about proving that Ryonan, despite their previous reliance on Kenichi Uesugi, had become a cohesive team capable of working together and overcoming stronger opponents.

On the court, Kenichi Uesugi, still recovering from his initial struggles with discipline, was focused and determined. His connection with Sendoh and the rest of the team was stronger than ever. The improved teamwork that Tanaka had been focusing on in their training sessions started to show. While Machida Sansho had the advantage of experience and individual talent, Ryonan was now playing with a new sense of unity and purpose.

Despite the mocking from the other side, Ryonan held their ground, and the game quickly turned into a true test of will. Machida Sansho's coach, Kitagawa Akihiko, despite his best efforts to humiliate his former teammate Tanaka, couldn't help but see that Ryonan was not the weak team he had assumed them to be.

As the game progressed, Ryonan pushed back, and Kenichi's leadership, along with the contributions of Sendoh, Uekusa, and others, kept the scoreline close. Tanaka, watching from the sidelines, was proud of his players. They were showing resilience, teamwork, and growth.

The final whistle blew, signaling the end of the match, and although the scoreboard ultimately reflected a hard-fought loss, Tanaka knew they had made significant progress. They had held their own against a much more experienced team and proved that Ryonan was not to be underestimated.

In the post-match huddle, Tanaka gathered his players and nodded with approval. "You gave it everything out there," he said, his voice steady but filled with pride. "We may not have won today, but this is the kind of fight that will make us stronger. Don't let anyone, especially Machida Sansho, tell you otherwise."

The players were fired up, realizing that this match was more than just a practice game—it was a message. Ryonan was ready for the national competition, and they were no longer the underdogs. They had earned the respect of their opponents, and most importantly, they had earned their own self-confidence.

The match had proven what Tanaka had hoped: Ryonan was more than just a one-man team. With Kenichi Uesugi's leadership and a united squad behind him, they were now a formidable force—ready to take on the best in the nation.