After a brief silence, Akagi stopped dwelling on Nash's position. Better to leave that decision to Coach Anzai. His experience and judgment will surely allow him to get the most out of each player.
"By the way, Nash, what school are you from? I don't remember hearing your name in any of the junior high clubs in Kanagawa," asked Akagi, still somewhat intrigued.
"I'm from Hokkaido. I recently moved to Kanagawa," replied Nash.
He couldn't tell him he was here because of his sister.
"Ah, that explains why I hadn't heard of you," Akagi nodded.
"And your hobbies?" he asked, trying to get to know him better.
"Apart from basketball… water sports and boxing."
Akagi smiled, satisfied. Someone who lived and breathed sports was exactly the kind of teammate he wanted.
But that little conversation immediately sparked Sakuragi's jealousy, who had been listening closely.
"Why is the gorilla interested in his hobby and not mine?! It's probably because I beat him that day!"
Akagi ignored Sakuragi's tantrums. He looked at the six first-year rookies in front of him and couldn't help but feel hopeful. This was, without a doubt, the best generation in years. And probably his last chance to achieve his dream.
With Rukawa and Nash on the team, Shohoku had a solid foundation. But he still needed to see with his own eyes what Nash was capable of on the court.
Haruko Akagi, with a bright smile, said:
"Guys, this is Nash Gold. We used to play together as kids, and even back then he was amazing," she announced proudly to the other team members.
Takenori frowned.
"So you're the childhood friend Haruko kept talking about?"
"Nice to meet you, Captain Akagi," said Nash politely, smiling calmly.
Just then, a loud female voice interrupted the scene:
"Sorry I'm late!"
A woman with long curly hair walked confidently into the gym carrying a first-aid kit. It was Ayako, the team manager.
"My name is Ayako. I'm the manager of the Shohoku basketball club. Nice to meet you all!"
"What's wrong? No one's going to greet me? Come on, move it!" she said as she approached each one.
The rookies, somewhat intimidated by her energy, muttered greetings. Nash, on the other hand, simply bowed his head gracefully.
"Nice to meet you, senpai."
"Well, another tall guy. This year we've got a good harvest," commented Ayako, looking at Nash and Rukawa.
After the introductions, Akagi started the day's practice. The drills were basic but demanding: running, sprints, defense, pace.
From the very beginning, Nash stood out.
His speed, body control, and precision in his movements caught everyone's attention. Even Rukawa glanced at him sideways during practice.
Nash ran with perfect technique, not wasting a single step. His style was clean, refined. He mastered each drill with ease, very calmly. It was as if he was still warming up.
Akagi, watching him train, couldn't hide his satisfaction. But he also felt a chill. "Maybe we've got a couple of monsters," he thought to himself.
Sakuragi, on the other hand, was completely relegated to Ayako, who was in charge of teaching him the basics.
"Why am I the only one doing this?! Let me train with them!"
"Start with the basics, blockhead," said Ayako, hitting him with a fan.
Sakuragi tried to resist, but Akagi put him in his place with a precise punch to the head.
Days passed, and Nash was adapting more and more to the team's rhythm.
One day, the gym door opened and an older man with completely white hair walked in.
"So it's already started," he muttered to himself.
Sakuragi, still practicing the basics, approached:
"Hey, old man! Who let you in?"
The rest of the team froze. That "old man" was Coach Anzai!
"And that hairstyle of yours? What is that?" Anzai asked with a calm smile.
"Old man, my hairstyle's star quality! And you? Look at that belly, it bounces like a ball! And those chins… they look like springs!"
Before he could go on, Akagi gave him another brutal hit.
"Forgive him, Coach! He's new, he doesn't know anything yet…"
"It's alright," Anzai replied, chuckling softly.
Ayako approached Sakuragi and whispered:
"He's Coach Anzai. He was a national player and they used to call him the 'White-Haired Demon.'"
Nash looked at him with no interest. So he had finally appeared.
"Everyone gather around!" ordered Akagi.
Anzai observed the players. He paused for a few seconds on Rukawa… and then on Nash. His eyes lingered a little longer on him.
"I've arranged a practice match," he announced.
"Your opponent will be... Ryonan High School!"