The Past IV – Filling in the blanks

As Sendoh brought the ball up the court, hindered by Rukawa's reaching defense all the way, Akagi thought back to the first time he had seen Sakuragi try to play basketball. Couldn't dribble. Couldn't pass. Couldn't shoot. Couldn't play! But, no matter how much he couldn't do something, he worked hard, asked the right questions, and kept improving until, now, he was perhaps the best defensive player in Japan, and one of the better offensive ones as well.

But, still … he held back. Akagi wondered about that back injury. Did it still hurt? It had destroyed Shokoku's run in the Nationals, sure, but not because of the offense or the defense that Sakuragi had brought to the team. Rather, it was the heart. The desire. The same thing Miyagi, and Mitsui … hell, all of them had brought to the team that year, but which only Sakuragi could endlessly tap into to boost his performance. Akagi knew that Sendoh was now trying to do the same thing, find a way to tap into that desire within himself. Was it there?

Akagi watched as Sendoh dribbled between his legs to throw off Rukawa's defense, and then send a behind the back, no look pass to Kiyota. Kiyota. Akagi didn't like that one. Maybe Sakuragi had that one pegged. Wild Monkey. And yet … again, his desire to be the best would only help him this year. Captain of Kainan. Who would have thought? Then again, if Sakuragi could be captain of Shohoku in his final year, why not Kiyota?

And what a surprise that had been, when Anzai-sensei and Miyagi had picked Sakuragi, and not Rukawa, to lead the team ... not. Akagi knew just as well as anyone that Rukawa, while he had the talent to be an on-court leader, was not the leader-type who could lead with words of encouragement. A leader need action and words to be effective. Sakuragi could back up his words with his actions, in a way Rukawa just couldn't.

Akagi saw Kiyota pass to Jin, who was immediately marked by Maki. Another contrast, to be sure, thought Akagi. Two former captains of Kainan, each able to lead well, but Jin had not had the benefit of Maki's presence on the court during his 3rd year, which had led to devastating losses to Shohoku in both the Regionals and Nationals. And Maki … he and Maki had been talking lately, about working together with others at various universities to set up some kind of professional Japanese basketball league. It was Maki's project, but there were definitely enough players interested … even Hanagata and Fujima had expressed desires to be involved, and with Anzai-sensei spearheading the efforts, who knew? But, Akagi knew that Maki wanted a platform to showcase his skills, just as he did … when he wasn't studying, that is. Maki, though, didn't want to study. He wanted to play basketball, pure and simple, and to be the best in the world doing what he loved the most.

Akagi saw Jin smile at Maki, and then begin to elevate for a three pointer. Maki rose to block it, at which point Jin fired a mid-air pass to Sakuragi. Ah. Maki had been surprised that Jin would pass, but he didn't know that Jin had had to reinvent his game to make up for the loss of Maki, becoming more of an all-round player. And now …

Sakuragi turned to face Akagi once again. "Gori! Stay focused on this genius' skills! Don't daydream while I am here, because I want to see your face as I dunk over you!"

Akagi roared, "Show me!" and Sakuragi began to jump high and towards Akagi as he in turn leaped in response. Sendoh and the others could only marvel as these two behemoths went head-to-head against one another, and as Sakuragi managed to overpower Akagi, Fujima had a flashback to the time when Sakuragi had overpowered Hanagata in a similar manner. The referee that day had made a mistake, as Hanagata should have been called for a defensive blocking foul, but that wouldn't happen today. This beast, thought Fujima, has not reached his full potential yet. If only the idea Maki was trying to bring to fruition became a reality, then players like Sakuragi would be able to continue to develop, to show the world that the NBA was not the greatest show on Earth. And, he would have the chance to really become the player he knew in his heart he could be, to not have to worry about coaching, and to just play to the fullest of his own potential.

Akagi hit the ground on his feet, barely, stumbling a bit, as Sakuragi hung off the rim following his massive jam. Sakuragi, looking at Akagi, grinned, and then bellowed, "King Kong dunk, Gori style!" Akagi, grinning despite himself, replied, "Is that all you can do?" Sakuragi dropped to the ground, yelled, "Just you watch this genius!" and ambled back down the court, getting a high five from the unlikeliest of people, Kiyota, as Youhei changed the score to reflect Sendoh's team regaining the lead.

Sendoh, also reversing his direction in preparation for a defensive effort, could only shake his head. With players like these, he thought, losing was not even an option.