Slam Dunk:Starting with perfect copy

When the Shohoku team passed by Kenichi Uesugi, Sakuragi couldn't resist throwing one last taunt. "Yellow hair! Don't get too comfortable on that bench. You'll need a front-row seat to watch me destroy your team!"

Kenichi smirked, leaning casually against the wall. "Don't worry, redhead. I'll be ready to step in when your 'genius' plays send Shohoku into a hole."

Sakuragi turned red with fury, but before he could retort, Akagi grabbed him by the collar and dragged him into the locker room. "Stop embarrassing the team, Sakuragi!"

Inside, the Shohoku locker room was abuzz with a mix of tension and determination.

Akagi began addressing the team. "Listen up! Ryonan may have beaten us last year, but this year is different. We have Rukawa now, and we've all improved. Play to our strengths, and we can win this!"

Meanwhile, in the Ryonan locker room, Kenichi Uesugi sat silently, watching as his teammates prepared. Despite being placed on the bench, he was determined to make an impact if given the chance.

Sendoh, noticing Kenichi's quiet demeanor, walked over and gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Relax, Uesugi. Coach Taoka has his reasons. You'll get your moment."

Kenichi nodded, but his eyes were fixed on the court. "I just want to play and test myself against them. Especially that Rukawa guy everyone keeps talking about."

Sendoh chuckled. "Rukawa's good, but don't let the hype intimidate you. Focus on your game."

As the two teams took to the court, the energy in the gym was electric. The starting whistle blew, and the game began.

The first half started with Ryonan dominating early. With Sendoh orchestrating the offense and Uozumi controlling the paint, Ryonan quickly established a lead. Their fluid teamwork and experience gave them an edge, leaving Shohoku scrambling to keep up.

Despite Ryonan's dominance, Rukawa proved why he was so highly regarded. His sharp drives and mid-range jump shots kept Shohoku within striking distance. Meanwhile, Sakuragi's lack of experience showed as he made several errors, much to Akagi's frustration. His enthusiasm was unmatched, but his execution left much to be desired.

As halftime approached, Ryonan held a ten-point lead. Taoka Moichi looked satisfied, while Coach Anzai remained calm, observing silently

The second half began with Shohoku rallying. Akagi dominated the boards, and Rukawa's relentless scoring brought them within a few points. The game was becoming increasingly physical, with both teams refusing to back down.

With five minutes left on the clock and the score tied, Taoka finally called Kenichi Uesugi off the bench.

"Uesugi," Taoka said, his tone serious. "Go show them what you've got. But remember, don't overdo it. We're here to learn, not to reveal all our cards."

Kenichi nodded, his heart pounding with anticipation. As he stepped onto the court, the crowd buzzed with curiosity.

Sakuragi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Yellow hair's finally playing? Good! Now I can crush him myself!"

Kenichi smirked, positioning himself on the wing. "Bring it, redhead."

From the moment Kenichi joined the game, the atmosphere shifted. His speed, agility, and precision passes immediately elevated Ryonan's offense. He drove past Sakuragi effortlessly, drawing fouls and setting up his teammates for easy buckets.

When Shohoku adjusted their defense, Kenichi took matters into his own hands. With two minutes left, he intercepted a pass intended for Rukawa and raced down the court. Ignoring Sakuragi's desperate attempt to block him, he leapt from just inside the free-throw line, throwing down a thunderous dunk that left the crowd roaring.

Even Haruko couldn't contain her excitement, clapping enthusiastically from the sidelines.

"That's the guy I was talking about!" she exclaimed, much to Sakuragi's dismay.

Despite Kenichi's impact, Shohoku fought back fiercely. With mere seconds left on the clock, the score was tied. Sendoh, cool and collected, took the final possession. Using a screen from Uozumi, he pulled up for a jumper just before the buzzer, sealing the win for Ryonan.

As the players shook hands, Kenichi exchanged a glance with Rukawa.

"You're good," Rukawa said flatly, his usual stoic expression unchanging.

Kenichi grinned. "You're not bad yourself. Let's do this again sometime."

Sakuragi, meanwhile, sulked in the background, vowing to train even harder. "Next time, yellow hair, I'll show you who the real genius is!"

Kenichi walked off the court, feeling a mix of satisfaction and determination. He had proven himself, but he knew there was still room to grow. The road to becoming the best was just beginning.