Was Aida Kagetora poor?
Absolutely not.
After all, anyone who could own a gym in a place like Tokyo definitely wouldn't be a pauper.
Plus, being a former professional player himself, with such a reputation as his calling card, customers naturally came in droves.
But spending 6 million in 6 days was still quite painful for him.
Because Jabberwock's expenses for the next week would all be covered by Aida Kagetora.
Then...
Tendou said a few words to the director and took leave from the film crew.
It was the same gymnasium as yesterday, but this time there was one more person.
The Generation of Miracles, after being absent for four seasons of anime, had finally reunited!
Looking at these talented young men before him, Aida Kagetora suddenly felt the 6 million was worth every penny.
Especially seeing Tendou immediately get into game mode upon arriving at the court, scoring like cutting vegetables, his heart was no longer so depressed.
"Is it really okay to leave the film crew for so long?"
During break time, Aomine and others asked with concern.
Although they wouldn't watch Tendou's dramas even if killed, it was still Tendou's career, his future.
If it was negatively affected because of them, that wasn't what they wanted to see.
"Completely no problem. In fact, the director and production company are quite happy about it."
Tendou took out his phone to show everyone.
It displayed detailed reports about Tendou resolutely leaving the film crew to fight for Japanese basketball's dignity.
The director, when interviewed, explained in detail that Tendou's departure would seriously affect filming progress. As the main character, without him the crew would shut down, suffering massive daily losses.
How detailed was it?
They clearly stated the exact figures of the crew's daily losses after losing Tendou.
But they immediately declared righteously that for Japanese basketball's dignity, such losses were acceptable.
Instantly, the entire TV drama's popularity maxed out, with many fans and casual viewers inevitably paying attention to this youth romance comedy.
"See that? These guys are clever. They're willing to bear losses of several million because they can earn back tens of millions."
"Then why did you still ask Uncle Aida for so much money?"
"Why shouldn't I? This is my hard work fee. The crew uses me for promotion, Aida Kagetora wants me to play basketball for him—in the end, all the benefits go to them? That's not right."
Everyone understood—simply put, he wasn't willing to take a loss.
"After this game, if we win, do you know how popular Aida Kagetora's gym business will become?"
Tendou indicated he had actually asked for too little at 1 million per day.
Aomine didn't understand these complications—he only knew basketball.
Akashi understood though. From Tendou's perspective, he had indeed asked for too little.
Once this revenge match was won, the membership at Aida Kagetora's gym would probably reach unprecedented peaks.
The 6 million could be earned back immediately.
However...
"If we can win the game, your popularity will also reach new heights. By then, endorsement deals will be enough to make you rich!"
"If we win, that's also our ability."
Tendou chuckled and walked over to Aida Kagetora.
"Besides us, what other substitute players are you planning to use?"
In the original, if he remembered correctly, the substitute players Aida Kagetora found weren't very good.
Moreover, because it was an important life-or-death battle, Aida Kagetora basically used only the Generation of Miracles and Black-Fire duo the entire time—other players had no playing opportunities.
"These are the people. Do you have any suggestions?" Aida Kagetora handed him the list.
Tendou saw names like Hyuga Junpei, Wakamatsu Kosuke, and Takao Kazunari on it.
All were currently first-class high school players—not a single college student.
"The main players are still us few. I might only use 7-man rotation for this game."
Meaning the substitutes on this list were just for emergencies.
Tendou had no objections. He said, "I have no problem with these people, but you could bring Imayoshi Shoichi and Hanamiya Makoto."
"Imayoshi Shoichi and Hanamiya Makoto?"
"Yeah, they're very sharp-minded. And although you're a professional player, your coaching experience is basically zero. Your daughter is also a rookie. If the players don't lose but we lose due to the coaching staff, that would be too unfair."
The father-daughter pair glared together—Tendou was clearly expressing no confidence in their abilities.
"Don't look at me like that. You're good at developing players, but we only have one week—not much room for you to work. If possible, I'd like to invite Coach Shirogane out of retirement, but that old man has been retired so long, forget it."
The Coach Shirogane Tendou mentioned was naturally Teiko's Shirogane Kōzō.
He understood the Generation of Miracles best and would be most suitable as head coach, but the old man's health wasn't good, so they wouldn't trouble him.
"Momoi, call Hanamiya Makoto later and have him come over. Also collect Jabberwock's game footage for Hanamiya to watch—figure out their style and tactics."
"Yes sir!" Momoi saluted and then skipped off to make the call.
Tendou turned to face the father-daughter pair again. "After Hanamiya arrives, you two go together and quickly come up with tactics suitable for us."
The father-daughter duo exchanged glances, nodded, and went out.
Only after walking out the door did they realize something was wrong.
This was clearly a team they had assembled—how had they ended up being directed by Tendou instead?
"Dad? Don't you feel something's very wrong?"
"Of course it's wrong! This is a team I assembled, with players I invited. Now it's become his team instead!"
Aida Kagetora was extremely depressed but could only accept it, because Tendou's arrangements were more appropriate and reasonable than his.
Kuroko, Kagami, Aomine, and others also stared dumbfounded at Tendou.
"What are you standing around for? Go train. Once everyone's here, we'll immediately start scrimmages."
"For now, go practice shooting."
After saying this, Tendou immediately began training.
Akashi and the others exchanged glances, smiled, and followed his lead.
"This guy is quite skilled at commanding people."
"Feels like we're back to the old days at Teiko. When little Tendou was club president, it felt exactly like this."
"So troublesome."
"Hmph!"
"Let's do our best together."
"Don't slack off while running."
"Yes!" XN
Everyone responded loudly and all began bustling about.
The production team switched the scene to their Teiko days, showing some nostalgic memories.
Real-world audiences, seeing this familiar scene, felt inexplicably surrounded by emotion.
Such a scene was both familiar and strange to them.
After a full four seasons of anime, it had finally been realized once again.
'Kudos to the production team!'
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