“9no1 x 3on3!” Episode 1 [Creative Award 2024 - Manga Original Work Category Entry]

Synopsis
Deep in the mountains of Mie lies "Jieiga Village". Compared to Iga or Koga, the ninjas here lived by a minor ninjutsu style called "Jieiga-ryu". The leader, head of the Hayate family, intends to marry off his three daughters to their respective fiancés.
Fuji, Taka, and Nasubi rebel against this outdated idea. They demand to choose their own partners. The leader reluctantly agrees, but warns, "I won't allow any weaklings."
The three sisters throw themselves into 3-on-3 basketball. They believe that if they can find someone who can defeat them, their father will be satisfied. However, due to their naturally competitive nature and the habit of accidentally using ninjutsu, they inadvertently win game after game against the local men. The rumors spread across the world...
Outrageous basketball using ninjutsu!

Main Story
Prologue
There is a small village deep in the mountains of Mie Prefecture. Its name is "Jieiga Village". Compared to Iga or Koga, the descendants of ninjas who carry on the extremely minor ninjutsu style, "Jieiga-ryu", lived there in the modern day. In the back room of the most magnificent mansion in the village, a middle-aged man with graying hair sat heavily.
...
...We have arrived.
A woman's voice comes from beyond the shoji screen.
...Come in.
Excuse us...
Three women enter the room. A woman with long, slightly purplish hair tied up on top of her head sits in the center, a woman with gray hair in a ponytail sits to her right, and a woman with black hair tied back in a single ponytail sits to her left.
Hmm...
The man facing them nods.
Father, what is your business?
The woman with purplish hair asks.
...It is a very important matter concerning our Hayate family... No, the entire Jieiga Village...
Something concerning the whole village?
Yes, that's right.
...I don't see what you're getting at.
Fuji, how old are you...
Moral harassment.
The woman with purplish hair called Fuji answers sharply.
What...!
Father, even if you are our parent, asking a woman her age is... an out-of-bounds issue in this day and age.
N-no, I was just asking normally...
The man called Father is bewildered.
I don't think there's any need to voice it out loud here...
M-mm...
Dad, please get to the point quickly.
The gray-haired ponytail urges her father.
Taka, do you have something to do?
Not really...
The woman called Taka shakes her head from side to side.
N-not really!?
Just chatting here is bad for time performance.
T-time performance...?
Time performance... efficiency of time.
I-I see...
If it's a notification, couldn't you just use a smartphone?
I-it's not a matter to be handled so lightly!
Then what is it?
...You girls, whom I thought were children until recently, have become so womanly...
Yes, sexual harassment.
Taka interrupts her father's words.
What!?
Two outs...
Fuji mutters.
Ugh... we don't need that kind of preamble~
The one with the black hair tied back opens her mouth with a yawn.
Nasubi...
Yes, power harassment.
The black-haired girl called Nasubi interrupts her father's words.
What... how is that!?
Dad, are you not self-aware?
N-no, not at all...
This is it...
Nasubi spreads her hands as if exasperated.
I-I don't get it...
...Name.
Name?
That's right, what is my name, Nasubi?
I-it's a very auspicious name for all three sisters! You know the saying, "First Fuji, Second Taka, Third Nasubi"!?
Even so, Nasubi...
Nasubi pouts her lips.
Three outs...
Fuji mutters.
Well then...
Taka stands up, and Fuji and Nasubi follow suit. Father asks.
W-what's wrong?
Dad, let's meet in court.
C-court!?
Father is taken aback by Taka's words. Fuji laughs and sits back down.
It's just a light joke...
S-stop doing things that are bad for my heart...
So please get to the point quickly.
Taka, who also sat back down, speaks with an annoyed look.
Yes, you three sisters are the successors of this time-honored ninjutsu school, the Jieiga-ryu...
Time-honored?
Isn't it more like suspicious?
W-what are you saying!
Father raises his voice at Fuji and Taka's reactions.
Because... you know.
Taka looks at Fuji. Fuji mutters calmly.
It is my self-recognition that it is a very shallow school with less than a hundred years since its founding...
T-the past is not that important! History should be woven from here on!
That's one way to put it...
Taka smiles bitterly. Nasubi opens her mouth.
Honestly, it's an extremely minor school.
W-well, if you're sandwiched between Iga and Koga...
Father crosses his arms and tilts his head.
After all, when you think of ninjutsu, you think of those two, right? I don't think there's any room to break in at all~
Father stands up abruptly.
We are also appealing to the younger generation!
Appealing?
I even made a catchphrase!
That's the first I've heard of it... what is it?
"The era is not I(ga) or K(oga), it's J(ieiga)...!!"
Father raises his fist high.
...
How is it!?
Lame.
L-lame!?
Cringe.
C-cringe!?
Father is surprised by Taka and Nasubi's reactions.
...It feels like the future is pitch black.
Fuji looks down, holding her forehead, and shakes her head from side to side.
I-it is your role to shine a light there!
...Ours?
Fuji looks up.
Y-yes!
...I don't understand what you mean.
Y-you girls, there are boys I introduced to you when you were children!
Ah, from the neighboring village...
You must have played together several times, don't you remember!?
I remember, although it was only a few times...
Believe it or not, they are your fiancés!
...Huh?
By marrying them, bearing strong children, and having a family...
""""Maternity harassment"!"""
The three sisters speak in unison.
W-whoa!?
Overwhelmed by the intensity of the three sisters, Father falls on his bottom.
Honestly, to be this anachronistic...
Taka holds her forehead.
You haven't been updated~
Nasubi laughs scornfully.
...Father, I am grateful for raising us this far.
Hmm...
However, regarding our respective marriage partners, we would like to choose the person we think is the one...
B-but...
There are no buts...!
I-I see...
Pushed by Fuji's pressure, Father nods. Taka and Nasubi smile bitterly.
Good grief...
I was surprised~
Wait a minute...!
?
You three sisters carry not only the expectations of the Hayate family but also those of everyone in Jieiga Village. Please don't do anything that would disappoint everyone...
...What do you mean?
Marriage aside, bring a fine man to the village. Even just once is fine. If you do that, the nagging elders will be relieved...
Father answers Taka's question. Nasubi rubs the tip of her nose.
A fine man, huh~
Is it okay if it's our so-called "preference"?
Fuji asks.
I'll leave that to you. Just...
Just?
No weaklings allowed! That's the only thing I can't accept!
...Understood. Let's go, you two.
Following Fuji, Taka and Nasubi leave the room. The three head to the mansion's garden.
Fuji-nee, you said you understood, but is that okay?
Wouldn't it be fine if the three of us just left the village?
Na-chan, you shouldn't say such reckless things.
Fuji reprimands Nasubi.
But~
I have an attachment to this village after all... I have no desire to live in the city... How about you two?
Well, with these legs of ours, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka are just a leap away~ We won't have any trouble with shopping or anything.
Taka pats her own legs.
And with work reform these days, can we participate remotely even in such deep mountains...
Nasubi nods while stroking her chin. Fuji laughs.
...We've reached a conclusion. We'll find a man to move to this village.
How are you going to find him? Won't local news values like "The Hayate three sisters are in Jieiga Village" be buried immediately in this day and age?
Nasubi spreads her hands. Taka mutters.
I actually agreed with Dad a little. "No weaklings allowed" ...I think so too about that...
It sounds tough... maybe we should just leave the village...
...We have this.
Fuji picks up a brown basketball that was rolling around and bounces it on the ground two or three times.
!
!!
Taka and Nasubi's expressions change. Fuji continues with a smile.
If it's a men's team that's a bit different from the ordinary and can defeat us, there's a possibility they'd be suitable partners... what do you two think?
...That's not bad.
Taka-nee, seriously... sigh, well whatever, I'll tag along for now...
Surprised by Taka's unexpectedly eager attitude, Nasubi also agrees. Fuji mutters quietly with a smile.
Hayate three sisters... we're going to crash into street 3-on-3 basketball...!

One
In a basketball court in a plaza in Sakai City, Osaka, three tall men—one with brown hair, one with blonde hair, and one with black hair—and the three sisters Fuji, Taka, and Nasu are facing each other. Among the men, the one with brown hair speaks up.
"Uh... are you really serious about this?"
"Yes."
"Really, really?"
"Really, really."
"Yeah..."
"You can tell by looking at our outfits, can't you?"
Fuji pinches and pulls at the clothes she is wearing. It is a black tank top with white trim and black shorts. Taka and Nasu are dressed the same way.
"Uh... what's the team name?"
"It's 'Sisters'."
"Sisters, does that mean... you guys are sisters?"
"That's right."
"Huh... you're all beauties..."
"Why, thank you... but that's beside the point."
"Huh?"
"The question is whether you'll play us or not..."
"W-well, we're a pretty well-known team in Osaka, you know..."
"We are also a team known to those in the know in Mie."
"No, that doesn't work! You're not really known at all!"
The brown-haired man retorts to Fuji. Fuji nods.
"Well, that's true..."
"Playing against opponents like that is..."
"...Are you scared? Of losing?"
"Huh?"
The men's expressions change slightly at Taka's words.
"If so, I won't force you..."
"Well, I don't mind playing you, but... there's a difference in physique."
The brown-haired man points out the height difference between them and the sisters. Fuji and her sisters are tall, but only for women. Nasu speaks up.
"That's no problem at all."
"Huh?"
"If anything, it's the perfect handicap♪"
Nasu winks. The men's expressions change completely.
"...Interesting, I'll give you a run for your money."
"That's what I wanted to hear..."
Fuji smiles.
"Do we get anything if we win?"
"You can date us with the intention of marriage."
"W-well, that's a bit heavy... how about going out for drinks or something?"
"That's fine."
"Pfft... alright, let's do it."
The six of them spread out on the court. Since it's 3-on-3, they only use half the court. The men go first.
"..."
"We don't even need 10 minutes for the match time~ We'll just quickly score 21 points and finish it~"
"You've got a lot of nerve..."
Taka defends against the brown-haired man who has the ball. The brown-haired man looks impressed.
"Hmm, your defense is actually pretty decent... but!"
"!"
"That won't stop me! Hey!"
The brown-haired man passes to the blonde man and quickly runs toward the goal to ask for a return pass.
"Here!"
"Nice!"
The brown-haired man receives the return pass and makes a textbook, brilliant layup shot. The men score first. The offense shifts to Fuji and her sisters.
"Let's not rush."
"Yes, I know."
Taka nods at Fuji's words.
"Na-chan!"
"Here!"
"I won't let you!"
"Ah!"
Fuji sends a sharp no-look pass to Nasu, but it is intercepted by the black-haired man. The black-haired man laughs.
"Just as I read... it's our turn to attack."
"Ugh, defense!"
Fuji calls out. The match continues in that fashion...
"The match time isn't even half over, but the score is 15 to 0... if you want to give up, now's the time."
"Don't joke around..."
Fuji looks annoyed. The brown-haired man laughs.
"Haha, you're a feisty one. Well, I don't hate it."
"Ta-chan, Na-chan..."
Fuji calls Taka and Nasu over.
"Hmm?"
"What is it?"
"They're strong opponents..."
"Yeah."
"They're known in Osaka for a reason."
"...Should we introduce them to the village as opponents?"
"..."
"..."
Taka and Nasu glance at the men and then immediately look away.
"Sister Fuji, you must be joking."
"That's right."
"Besides, I hate losing more than anything."
"I feel the same way."
"Me too."
"We're going to win...!"
Fuji hands the ball to Taka. Taka dribbles far from the goal. The blonde man closes in to defend.
"Hmph!"
"Whoa!"
Taka manages to dodge the blonde man's outstretched hand with her dribbling.
"You only have 12 seconds for your attack! If you keep dribbling there, you'll run out of time in no time!"
"Ugh!"
Taka lowers her posture as if to cradle the ball.
"W-what!?"
"...!"
"!"
At the same time as she corrects her posture, Taka takes a shot. The ball draws a beautiful arc and is sucked into the goal. The black-haired man is surprised.
"I-it went in!? She was almost facing away from the goal!?"
"Ta-chan..."
Fuji approaches Taka.
"Ninjutsu 'Hawk's Eye'..."
Taka mutters while pointing to her own eyes.
"You captured the court with a bird's-eye view."
"Sister Fuji, I seem to be in pretty good shape today."
"I see... then I'll gather the ball to you."
"Please."
"L-luck won't last! Ah!?"
Fuji skillfully steals the ball from the brown-haired man.
"It's our turn to attack! Ta-chan!"
Fuji sends a good pass to Taka. The brown-haired man calls out to the blonde man.
"Stop her!"
"I don't need you to tell me!"
"Ninjutsu 'Falcon's Dance'!"
"!!"
The blonde man is confused by Taka's quick and rhythmic steps.
"Hah!"
"Damn...!"
Taka's shot goes into the goal. Taka smiles.
"1 point... with the 2 points from before, that makes 3 points... we'll catch up from here...!"
"Ugh..."
From there, the Sisters show a furious comeback and quickly turn the tables. The score is 15 to 20, and it's match point for the Sisters.
"Well, well, we've got you cornered~♪"
Nasu mutters playfully. The black-haired man clicks his tongue.
"Tch..."
"Calm down! The one shooting is always the ponytail sister! If we just stop her, we can win!"
"B-but, this sister has already made three shots from who-knows-where...!"
The blonde man matching up with Taka complains.
"Just block her shooting lane! Hey, you get on her too!"
"Y-yeah!"
Following the brown-haired man's instructions, the black-haired man surrounds Taka.
"...You're only guarding the outside, and the inside is wide open?"
"Hmm!?"
"Hah!"
"Ahhh!?"
With Taka's sharp dribble, the blonde and black-haired men are left behind in an instant.
"Got it!"
"A layup! We have the height advantage! I'll swat it down!"
The brown-haired man circles around and jumps to block.
"I'll just jump higher...!"
"Hah!?"
"Ninjutsu 'Eagle's Claw'!"
"!?"
Taka, who jumped even higher than the brown-haired man's block, slams in a powerful dunk. That makes 21 points. The Sisters win.
"We did it!"
"Nice! Ta-chan!"
"Yay!"
The three sisters form a circle of joy.
"You were really in good shape!"
"I was in perfect form!"
"But..."
"...What is it? Na."
Taka looks at Nasu.
"Ninjutsu... is it okay to use it?"
"..."
"..."
Taka and Fuji exchange glances at Nasu's question.
"...Barely acceptable."
"Acceptable, leaning towards not."
"I-isn't that bad!?"
"It can't be helped, I didn't want to lose..."
"'Didn't want to' is..."
"Let's leave quickly before things get troublesome."
"Yeah, that's a good idea♪"
"I-I wonder if that's okay..."
Fuji and her sisters bow to the stunned men and leave the court in a hurry.