Chapter 122: Shuzo Nijimura’s Father
Everyone’s attention shifted toward the Black Emperor Dragon Team.
The entire Black Emperor Dragon Team followed behind Miyamoto Tokima.
Each of them was dressed in a custom black suit, radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Dicky Anthony looked toward the Black Emperor Dragon Team. Feeling the oppressive presence they exuded, his expression grew serious.
Titus Monroe glanced at the towering Jason Silver among the Black Emperor Dragon Team and turned to Kit Barry.
“Kit, that center on the Black Emperor Dragon Team doesn’t look simple at all.”
Kit Barry also noticed Jason Silver. The moment he sensed the terrifying aura coming off him, his previously boastful attitude vanished, and he fell silent.
Miyamoto Tokima stepped up to the Venomous Snakes and extended his hand with a smile.
“Gentlemen, please take care of us.”
Dicky Anthony nervously wiped his hands. Only after making sure he wouldn’t offend did he reach out and shake Miyamoto Tokima’s hand.
“Please go easy on us, Miyamoto.”
The corners of Miyamoto Tokima’s lips lifted slightly. He patted Dicky Anthony on the shoulder, then led his team toward the locker room to change.
A trace of excitement appeared on Dicky Anthony’s face.
Judith Gall, standing beside him, gave him a light pat on the back.
“Stop spacing out. Time to change.”
Dicky Anthony snapped back to his senses.
“My god… I actually shook hands with the Miyamoto Family heir. That’s unbelievable.”
On the Black Emperor Dragon Team’s side—
Everyone began changing. While doing so, Zack asked Jason Silver,
“Silver, what do you think of them?”
Jason Silver took off his suit jacket and shirt, revealing his well-built physique, and replied casually,
“Didn’t pay much attention. Either way, they can’t beat us.”
Zack then turned toward Nash Gold, who was also changing.
“Nash, what about you?”
Nash Gold answered calmly as he changed,
“Nothing much. If I had to say something… they’re pretty weak.”
Zack immediately felt like he’d asked the wrong people. Their strength was on a completely different level from his and the others’.
The sense of danger he felt probably didn’t register with them at all.
Allen slung an arm around Zack’s shoulder and joked,
“Zack, why are you even asking those two? You know how strong they are.”
Zack pushed Allen away, brushing off the shoulder Allen had hooked with clear disgust.
“Don’t hang all over me like that. It makes things awkward.”
Allen spread his hands helplessly.
“Didn’t expect to be rejected like this. Sigh.”
After that, Allen flopped dramatically into Shuzo Nijimura’s arms, putting on an aggrieved expression.
“Nijimura, look at him. He actually dislikes me.”
A chill ran down Shuzo Nijimura’s spine, and he quickly shoved Allen away.
Once pushed aside, Allen suddenly burst out laughing.
Zack looked at him and muttered,
“Is he crazy?”
Shuzo Nijimura nodded wordlessly.
“Looks like it.”
...
Both teams finished changing and began warming up on the court.
Everyone tried to get their bodies fully loosened up as quickly as possible to prepare for the upcoming match.
Once the warm-up ended, the game officially began.
For this match, the Miyamoto Family had specially invited a professional commentator.
As soon as the commentator took the floor, he began introducing the teams.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s exciting basketball match!”
“Facing off today is the team known among local basketball fans as the number one squad—The Venomous Snakes!!!”
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers, the atmosphere rivaling that of a championship final in Japan.
Shuzo Nijimura looked around at the spectators, listening to their roaring cheers with a sense of awe.
‘It’s hard to imagine this is just a streetball game.’
After that brief reflection, his gaze shifted to the Venomous Snakes players being introduced.
Feeling the varying levels of pressure coming from the five of them, Shuzo Nijimura’s expression grew solemn.
‘So strong… no wonder they’re the top team in the local streetball scene.’
Ever since joining Miyamoto Tokima’s team, Shuzo Nijimura felt like he was broadening his horizons every single day. He had once thought his strength would be enough to compete in the United States.
But after truly seeing these top-tier players, his mindset finally settled.
He realized that his past self had been like a frog at the bottom of a well, gazing up at the world.
Even so, despite knowing how strong his opponents were, Shuzo Nijimura had no intention of backing down today.
Because today, someone incredibly important in his life had come to watch his game.
His gaze shifted slightly toward the raised platform.
A pale-faced middle-aged man sat there quietly, an IV drip still attached to his hand, watching Shuzo Nijimura intently.
‘Father…’
Seeing his father like this made Shuzo Nijimura’s chest ache.
Just a few days ago, the hospital had informed him that his father’s condition was improving.
He could already get out of bed and walk. Shuzo Nijimura immediately shared the news with his father, who was just as happy to hear it.
When his father learned that Shuzo had a match today, he asked to come watch.
At first, Shuzo Nijimura flatly refused. His father had only just begun to recover—if anything happened in a crowded place, it wouldn’t be worth the risk.
But his father shook his head and said,
“Nijimura, ever since I got sick, I haven’t seen you play even once. I want to see it.”
Shuzo Nijimura fell silent. After a long pause, he finally agreed.
After that, he went to Miyamoto Tokima and knelt in front of him, asking for help arranging a secluded, low-traffic spot for his father.
Miyamoto Tokima had been startled by Shuzo Nijimura’s sudden kneeling.
The moment Shuzo dropped to his knees, Miyamoto Tokima was completely caught off guard.
When he realized it was only a small request, Miyamoto Tokima immediately agreed.
He also told Shuzo Nijimura that he hoped he wouldn’t kneel so easily in the future.
Back in the present, after finishing his recollection, Shuzo Nijimura’s eyes filled with determination.
‘I have to… score… in front of my father!’
...
After finishing the introduction of the Venomous Snakes, the commentator moved on to the Black Emperor Dragon Team.
“Next up is the team sponsored by the Miyamoto Family,
personally led by the Miyamoto Family heir, Miyamoto Tokima. They are—The Black Emperor Dragon Team!!!”
The crowd turned toward the Black Emperor Dragon Team, their cheers and applause far louder than before.
“Black Emperor Dragon! Black Emperor Dragon! Black Emperor Dragon!”
“Tokima! Tokima! Tokima!”
Some fans shouted the team’s name.
Others called out to Tokima. Everyone was cheering excitedly, looking exactly like a crowd of die-hard fans.
Miyamoto Tokima and the others smiled faintly, acknowledging the audience’s enthusiasm.
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