In the second round of the national competition, everyone in Shohoku fought to the death and overthrew the defending champion Sanno Industries, creating the most dazzling dark horse miracle in the history of Sakura High School basketball.
But the glory was fleeting, and the bloody battle with Sanno depleted all the strength of the team. In the third round against Aiwa Academy, Kaede Rukawa was physically exhausted, Hisashi Mitsui missed a three-pointer, and Takenori Akagi was blocked by a double team. The team was unable to resist and suffered a tragic defeat.
Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was lying on a stretcher, watched helplessly as his teammates knelt down and cried bitterly. Hearing the jeers from the audience, the anger in his chest almost exploded——
"If I had it to do over again, I would never lose!"
When I opened my eyes again, the cicadas were chirping noisily and the sun was hot.
What came into view was the familiar black-haired girl, standing in the sunny corridor, smiling and asking: "Excuse me... Do you like basketball?"
Sakuragi looked down at his intact back, and at this body that had not yet been tempered by the national competition, but was full of infinite possibilities - with his top rebounding sense, tempered and mature skills at the basket, and the big heart honed in the battle with Sanno, he returned to the summer of his freshman year of high school when all the stories began.
This time, Sakuragi Hanamichi is no longer the layman who doesn't even understand the rules. He has memories of all the games to come, technical experience at the top of the country, and a heart that wants to win more than anyone else.
He will wipe out all the regrets of the past, dominate Kanagawa, and sweep across the country. He will lead Shohoku to the pinnacle of high school basketball!
