Kuroko's Basketball template: the king of slacking off, Shohoku's strongest sixth man.

"Aichi Star?"

Sakuragi Hanamichi was stunned.

He scratched the back of his bald head, his two red eyebrows twisted into a pretzel, and then answered loudly and confidently:

"have no idea!"

"Is it tasty?"

"Or is it some new fighting game boss?"

Shinichi Maki: "..."

Kiyota Nobunaga: "..."

Although I already knew this guy had a peculiar way of thinking, this answer still plunged the air into a deathly silence.

Shinichi Maki took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to complain:

"Moroboshi Dai, the ace of Aiwa Academy, is known as the 'Star of Aichi'."

"A key player in last year's national tournament semi-finals, a top-tier guard at the national level."

At this point, Maki paused, his gaze sweeping over Sakuragi.

Finally, the focus shifted to Lin Bei, who had been leaning against a pillar, fiddling with a small steel ball in his hand.

"We're going to Aichi Prefecture to watch the prefectural tournament finals."

"It's not just about reconnaissance, but also about getting a feel for our future adversaries."

Maki Shinichi's eyes sharpened, revealing the ambition of an emperor.

"So? Now that we've run into each other, how about we go and broaden our horizons?"

"An eye-opener?"

Sakuragi Hanamichi blinked, before he could offer his insightful opinion.

Lin Bei, who had been standing in the background the whole time, suddenly straightened up.

"Splash!"

Lin Bei casually tossed a handful of small steel balls into Sakuragi's pocket with precision, the metallic clinking sound crisp and pleasant.

He yawned, his eyes languid, yet exuding an undeniable composure.

"Since the middle-aged man has spoken, let's go join in the fun."

Lin Bei took a car key out of his pocket, twirled it between his fingers, and it made a crisp "ding-dong" sound.

"Perfect timing. I didn't drive that car today; I'm going for something more low-key."

Lin Bei turned around, gestured with his chin toward the roadside, and spoke casually as if he were saying he was going to buy a bottle of water next door.

"Get on board, I'll take you flying."

Following Lin Bei's gaze, Maki Shinichi and Kiyota Nobunaga's eyes fell on the roadside.

The next second, their pupils dilated in shock.

That wasn't the silver-gray supercar from before.

Instead, it was a Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, all black with sharp, angular lines.

It lay quietly by the roadside, like a lurking black beast, ready to devour anyone it might attack.

The iconic four round taillights gleamed with a cold light in the sunlight.

The car has no fancy paintwork, only a red "GT-R" badge, exuding a breathtaking fighting spirit.

The God of War of the East, GTR.

"hiss--!!"

Kiyota Nobunaga gasped, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.

As a restless teenager in the throes of adolescence, this kind of amazing car, full of mechanical and violent aesthetics, is simply an aphrodisiac.

"This...this is R32?!"

Kiyota Nobunaga stammered as he pointed at the car, his hands trembling.

"The legendary invincible war god?"

"Lin Bei...does your family print money?!"

Even the usually composed Shinichi Maki's eyelids twitched violently.

Although he doesn't drive cars, he knows what this thing means.

It is a symbol of speed and violence, the ultimate toy that countless men dream of touching.

"Don't just stand there."

Lin Bei opened the driver's side door and got in.

He rolled down the car window, revealing a slightly roguish profile.

"If we don't get on the bus now, we'll really miss the show."

……

Inside the pachinko parlor.

Electronic sounds roared, and smoke swirled.

The members of Sakuragi's gang were intently staring at the machine in front of them.

Yohei Mito had an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, his fingers deftly turning the knob.

As he watched the marbles bounce between the nails, his gaze drifted somewhat.

He had seen everything that happened at the store entrance.

That red-haired fool who used to fight with them in the street and was rejected by girls fifty times.

Now he's standing and chatting happily with Maki Shinichi, the king of Kanagawa.

"Hey, Yohei."

While pounding on the machine, Oonan Yuji said without turning his head.

"Was that someone from Hainan just now?"

"That Hanamichi guy, he's really made something of himself now."

"yes."

Chuichiro Noma also sighed, his tone filled with a sense of great satisfaction.

"I always thought he was just coasting along in the basketball club to woo Haruko, but I never expected him to actually make a name for himself."

"Tch, I think they've been fooled."

Takamiya Nozomi was holding a handful of snacks, her mouth stuffed like a hamster's, and mumbled incoherently.

"That guy was just lucky, plus he got along well with that freak Lin Bei. Otherwise, he'd just be a ball retriever."

"Exactly, exactly. What 'rebound king'? I think he's more like a 'comedy king'."

Although the group was being sarcastic, they still managed to insult each other.

But the expression on his face didn't show much mockery; instead, it revealed a sense of pride.

Yohei smiled and went all in with the marbles in his hand.

"In any case, he is now a very well-known player in the area."

Yohei leaned back in his chair, watching the rotating lights on the ceiling.

The image of Sakuragi diving to save the ball on the court flashed through my mind.

That figure, so determined to win, was truly handsome, even dazzling.

"Basketball is a really interesting sport."

Yohei sighed softly.

"It can transform Hanamichi, who knows nothing but fighting, into a real man."

"yes……"

The other three also stopped what they were doing, and their faces showed a kind fatherly smile.

That was heartfelt joy that my brother had found his passion.

Just as this heartwarming and touching background music began to play—

"Ah! It's here!!!"

A deafening roar shattered the silence.

Takamiya Nozomi suddenly sprang up from her chair, her round body moving with a lithe agility that defied the laws of physics.

The machine in front of him was flashing wildly, and the alarm was blaring.

Countless steel balls gushed out like a waterfall, their sound as melodious as heavenly music.

"The grand prize!! It's the super grand prize!!"

Takamiya Nozomi was so excited that her face turned red, and all the fat on her body jiggled in rhythm.

"Holy crap?!"

Yohei, Oonan, and Noma were so moved that they fed the dog.

He quickly turned around, his eyes gleaming with a hungry, wolf-like green light.

"Takamiya, you fatso! Your luck is incredible! You're blessed with divine fortune!"

"Quick! Treat us! We have to have a big meal tonight! I'm going to eat you out of house and home!"

"I want sushi! Premium! No, top-grade!"

"Get lost! I won this through my own skill! That's a testament to my ability!"

The pachinko parlor was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

The boys' friendship seemed especially real and... noisy at this moment.

……

Meanwhile, on the expressway in Kanagawa.

The black GT-R, like a black lightning bolt, tore through the air and weaved through the traffic.

The twin-turbocharged engine emitted a deep, resonant roar.

The intense acceleration pressed the four people in the car firmly into their seats.