147 Slam dunk.

March 2.

The publication of Chapter 154 of the Slam Dunk manga caused a national sensation for all its readers, including both young and adult basketball players. Sitting in the truck, Michael Jordan read the motivation that Will/Sakuragi repeated to himself. There were three minutes left on the clock, and the Central California High School was trailing by twelve points. The team's leader and captain had been ejected after committing five fouls, driving in the last nail. But Will/Sakuragi, with tears in his eyes, delivered a powerful speech.

The beautiful scene depicted the former delinquent, now in tears, shouting at his surprised teammates. Billy had a passion for motivational speeches, something he admired in his past life. After all, the art of inspiring others is all about conveying emotions.

comic

-It all depends on us. It all depends on us, - said Will/Sakuragi.

-Our egos are enormous, we're driven, we're obsessed with victory. Let's prove that we are warriors who can compete against any difficulty. What is a warrior? Have you forgotten? - Sakuragi asked, tears in his eyes, as the whole crowd fell silent, captivated by his words.

-A warrior is a damn fighter who never gives up, a damn fighter who gives everything for what he loves, even if it costs him his legs, his arms. If we give up now, do you think I'll forgive you? I'll beat all of you just like I'm going to today, tomorrow. Who set limits? I only have victory in my mind. My life is this; my life is basketball. We want to turn professional; we want to win nationals. But all I see is a defeated team, a team that can't compete because of an obstacle. -

-Wilt/Sakuragi, that's enough, - Ayako, the team's manager, tried to calm him.

-You won't understand it. I'm so obsessed with this that it's my damn life. Basketball is the edge I've touched. I'm so obsessed with this that I feel you can't understand me. You can't understand my desperation as I watch you all give up, - said Wilt/Sakuragi.

(Narrator's voice) "To be great, it takes more than skill; it takes a driving force that shatters basketball. Greatness isn't about skill; it's about mental strength, that driving force that dismantles the impossible because if you don't ask for the impossible, you'll just be one in the crowd."

The Central California/Shohoku team fell silent.

(Narrator's voice) "If you want to win, you have to learn the value of sacrifice, as if it were a battlefield. Surrender, give up, but don't quit. While people sleep, you play. While people party, you play. While people eat, you study. It's an obsession that young Will/Sakuragi has just discovered from the depths of his heart."

-If you surrender, just give me the ball, and I'll take care of everything, - said Wilt/Sakuragi.

(Narrator's voice) "For ordinary people, being normal is something that comes naturally, but there are cases, small sparks in people's hearts that tell them that no matter how normal you are, the dream of being the best can't be described. Otherwise, everyone would be the best. That's what makes competitiveness special. They all carry Wilt's words in their hearts, why? Because of what basketball represents, and Wilt's passion is more than that; it's an obsession born out of the love of Hanna/Haruko but has become something incomprehensible."

The cheers from the Shohoku/Central California bench renewed the passion of the opposing team, who had heard Wilt's words. The court was boiling, and the chapter ended with all of Wilt's teammates patting his back as they took to the court, determined to win, with no limits and no defeats.

***

Michael felt something in his heart as he read the book. A source of inspiration, something he only felt on a few occasions. Even Scottie Pippen made strange faces due to Jordan's particularly serious demeanor.

Phil Jackson approached. - Michael, are you okay? - the coach asked.

-In my prime, Phil. We're going to win this game. I'm going to win it, - Michael Jordan said. If anyone else had uttered such arrogant words, he wouldn't have believed them, but this was Michael.

Phil nodded and assured them that they should leave Michael alone.

-Ladies and gentlemen, this is unheard of, something I can't believe is happening. The Chicago Bulls are playing for the top spot against the Boston Celtics in a historic game. The big star, the MVP of the day, Michael Jordan, has scored 70 points. It's a wonder to watch this game with all of you. This is history, something I can't describe in my heart. Not even the double defense by Larry Bird has worked. It's insane, it's crazy. Before you, we have the best player in the NBA and possibly the greatest legend that has ever existed, -- the ESPN commentator exclaimed.

But it wasn't just him; on the radio, sports channels, day and night, it all revolved around one thing—Michael Jordan. Triples, rebounds, baskets, dunks, passes, assists, points; it was a spectacle, as if an orchestra were performing. The heat Michael Jordan generated was a rush of euphoria, a surge that lit up the homes of more than ten million people in North America.

The locker room of the Boston Celtics fell silent. What happens when a professional is crushed as if they were ten or twenty years younger and had ten years to play against their older siblings or their father? Michael Jordan undoubtedly left a mark on the hearts of the Boston Celtics, especially one play where he cleared the court on his own like a beast, passed the entire defense, and made a dunk that still echoes in the ears—a jump two meters long. Analysts examined the jump and could only shout like children.

However, the Chicago Bulls' locker room was not much better. It was somewhat silent, and Michael was still serious. He had played with so much energy that they all felt drained. Only the wild Dennis Rodman paid no attention to it and listened to rock music on his headphones.

-Michael, you have a press conference. If you don't go to the media, they might hang me, - Phil Jackson said.

As if it were a dream, Michael smiled and nodded. - Of course. Let me get ready. -

The following words shook the world. Michael entered and adjusted his smile to give the interview. The media was packed, and everyone had questions while taking pictures.

From Chicago News: - Do you think this is a sign to win the second championship? - the journalist asked Phil Jackson.

-Well, if Michael plays like this, I have no doubt we'll win all the series, - Phil said with a half-joking, sarcastic tone, but there was a hidden seriousness in his words.

From Misenalian Sports: - Michael, do you think you'll win the tournament this year? -

-Oh, just sit behind the TV. I'm motivated enough, - Michael replied.

-Is this motivation something new? After all, we've never seen such a spectacular performance before, - a random journalist asked.

-Well, today was special, but something just clicked. I hope it continues like this. I'm very eager for my upcoming games, - Michael said.

-Is it possible that you'll surpass this record? You scored 70 points, had 16 assists, 8 rebounds, 11 three-pointers, and a 90% shooting percentage. Is it possible to beat this record? - asked the journalist.

(Laughter) Michael's charismatic laugh ignited the press. - Well, this is just a thank you. Chapter 156 of Slam Dunk is a work of art, for me and for everyone who plays basketball. If you want to know why I played so well, it's because of my obsession, this feeling of going beyond everything. Thank you very much, - Michael Jordan said.

That day, Slam Dunk comics sold out, and the points kept coming. Production doubled to meet the Slam Dunk demand. This is what sports do.

-ding, 2 admiration points. -

-ding, 33 points of emotion. -

Ding...

Ding.....

34 points.

12 points...

1 exclamation point...

-The system kept beeping throughout the night and into the next day. Billy went in curious, but couldn't determine which series was causing such a commotion. –

-State. -

Billy Carson:

Drawing: 31,212

Literature: 30,530

Interpretation: 30,102

Points: 430]

-This is outrageous. - thought Billy, looking at the number of points.

The 800-point increase in two days is something that only happens on occasion. He picked up his phone and dialed Lux Animation.

-Anne. - said Billy.

-Yes. -

-I'm Billy, I'm curious about something, curious if something has happened that I don't know about. - Billy said, at the living room table.

-it has. Yesterday Michael jordan publicly declared himself a fan of your comics, after having played what they consider the best game of his career, the media is crazy. We have received nine orders, I think that the sales of these months will be, something historic - said Anne reviewing the data,

Soon they would reach the sales of the big super franchises, not bad, selling 5'000,000 million copies per month is just around the corner. Currently selling a total of 800,000 thousand copies, to 1'200,000 copies, is enough to earn in comic sales of 3 to 4 million dollars in comics. but aiming at 5'000,000 million monthly is something they can only dream of, emerging companies of comics.

The system continued to beep as Billy and Anne talked.

The comic industry was experiencing a surge, and Billy's investments were paying off. It was indeed a significant moment for Lux Animation and Lux Comics. With Michael Jordan's public declaration of being a fan of Billy's comics, the exposure and interest generated had set a new wave of excitement. The sales of Slam Dunk and other titles were skyrocketing, and this was an opportunity to take the company to new heights.

...