Black Basketball: A false start

Chapter 21 Jose and Yabuki
As time went by, the practice match that had been arranged long ago came to an end. Without any surprise, Teiko Junior High School swept all the way with the overwhelming talent and ended the practice match with a perfect victory.

Yes, all wins. Although the match with Wuqi First Affiliated Middle School was interrupted, at least we were ahead in the score when it was interrupted, and we beat up the opponent's main player after the game. It was a win-win situation - meaning we won again and again.

"Coach Shirogane, the results of the practice matches of these children have been counted." Sanada Naoto handed a folder to Shirogane Kozo, "Except for the first game when Kaneki Ken and Murasakihara played at the same time, in the later games, even if each player led the team alone, they all defeated their opponents with large scores. This year we have a good chance of dominating the country."

"Hmm..." Shirogane Kozo looked at the statistical results in front of him and said noncommittally, "Do you think there are any people among these children who need attention?"

"These children are all very good and talented. If there is anyone who really needs extra attention... I think Kaneki Ken's condition needs a little extra attention." Naoto Sanada said hesitantly, weighing his every word.

"Oh? Tell me what you think." Shirogane Kozo looked at Naoto Sanada with interest and said.

"Kaneki Ken-san is certainly very strong. He is very strong physically and has leadership qualities. But if you will excuse me, Kaneki-san is somewhat out of touch with the others."

"Oh? Out of touch? Is that your opinion?" Bai Jingeng asked in rebellion.

"Yes, they are out of touch." Sanada Naoto answered without hesitation, "You can see that among all the rookies' performances, Kaneki-san is the best in both advanced and direct data. Not only that, Kaneki-san is also the most self-disciplined of all the rookies. I have learned about his training volume, and it is no more than that of ordinary professional stars."

"Isn't this great?" Bai Jin Kozo asked puzzledly.

"Yes, Coach Shirogane. But after careful observation, I found that although he gets along well with his teammates, he has a sense of alienation that is just right - neither noticeable nor too close, as if he can see that he will fall apart with his teammates one day in the future." Naoto Sanada expounded his views in a torrent of words, "He is too calm. When he is needed on the court, he will play. When he is not needed, he is also happy to give up the ball. He is so different from those kids trying to grab the spotlight. I don't know how to mobilize his enthusiasm. I don't even know what he wants."

"It's better to say that Kaneki Ken knows what he wants most. He is too clear about his goal." Shirogane Kozo sighed, "This child is too mature. He is not suitable to be taught, Sanada. With too strong talent, too mature mind and too clear goal, he can be a rare genius in a thousand years if he uses it well. But if he doesn't use it well, he may ruin himself."

Just as Ueto Sanada and Kozo Shirogane were struggling with how to coach Ken Kaneki, this rare genius in a thousand years was secretly reading comics in class with Murasakibara Atsushi.

Ever since Kaneki Ken showed his prowess at Kiriki First Affiliated Middle School and helped Murasaki Atsushi take the baseball bat that attacked him, the relationship between him and Murasaki Atsushi has become better and better. Kaneki Ken can not only eat Murasaki Atsushi's potato chips occasionally, but also take his comics home to read. In addition, Kaneki Ken also successfully won an A-level lottery and the title of the God of Toilet War from Murasaki Atsushi.

"Hey, Yanzi, look, Joe's action is similar to the one you used to hit someone the other day. Have you ever practiced boxing?" Murasakibara Atsushi said, pointing at the protagonist Yabuki Joe on the screen.

"I haven't learned it specifically, but I've seen boxing matches on TV." Kaneki Ken held his chin and said a little boredly, "By the way, Murasakibara, I was surprised that you actually like to watch this kind of hot-blooded manga."

"No, don't you think that the fact that a natural genius like Yabuki Joe could only win a miserable victory against a master like Jose fully illustrates a truth?" Murasakibara Atsushi said seriously, "Even talented geniuses may not be able to win every battle. For those without talent, what's the point of their efforts?"

"?" A big question mark appeared above Kaneki Ken's head. "I thought you were going to say something like passion or hard work, but I didn't expect you to say this."

"Only talented people have their efforts valuable. For people without talent, no matter how hard they work, it's just that." Murasakibara Atsushi said, "To be honest, when I was young, I played mini basket and I got annoyed watching those mediocre people running around. They were clearly already losing."

"If that's the case, Murasakibara." Kaneki Ken looked at Murasakibara Atsushi seriously, "If you really have such an idea, I promise you that one day you will be knocked down by the mediocrity you look down upon, just like Jose was knocked down by the man who was willing to burn everything he had." "Tsk, I'm stronger than Jose." Murasakibara Atsushi curled his lips.

"You'd better learn more from your father and respect the value of hard work, because you might meet your Jose one day." Kaneki Ken raised his eyebrows slightly.

"I get it. You're very nagging, Yanzi." Murasakibara Atsushi became a little impatient. He snatched the comic book away, turned his back and went to read it alone.

"Teacher, Murasakibara-san is reading comics in class!" Kaneki Ken raised his hand and shouted.

Murasakibara Atsushi was so frightened that he trembled all over and quickly stuffed the comic into the drawer, but when he looked up, he saw that there were only a few students sleeping in the class besides him and Kaneki Ken.

"Really? It's free time during physical education class now. What are you afraid of?" Kaneki Ken teased proudly.

"...You are still the dog, Kaneki." Aomine Daiki, who was called out by the teacher to stand in the corner as punishment, couldn't help but complain.

"What does it have to do with you? Just stand there as a punishment." Kaneki Ken rolled his eyes at Aomine Daiki, "Otherwise I will go and tell your teacher after class and let you know what a real dog is."

Amid the sounds of laughter, the day's classes ended again. Aomine Daiki, Kaneki Ken, Murasakihara Atsushi and the others were chatting and laughing on the way to the basketball hall. Suddenly, Kaneki Ken caught a glimpse of a thin figure out of the corner of his eye, who grabbed Aomine and Murasakihara Atsushi.

"Be careful, Kuroko-san. You may bump into people if you read while walking." Kaneki Ken kindly reminded.

"Can you see me?" Kuroko Zheya said a little surprised.

"You're not a ghost, so why can't I see you? Are you going to train? Be careful on the way and stop being distracted by your reading."

"Thank you for your care." Kuroko Tetsuya bowed to express his gratitude and turned to leave.

"Who is he, Kenzai?" Murasakibara Atsushi asked curiously.

"He, he could be your Jose, or he could be Yabuki Joe." Kaneki Ken said with some emotion.

Jose and Yabuki Joe are characters in the popular manga "Ashita no Joe". The ending is a bit BE.

In addition, I have something to do today, so I will make up for this chapter tomorrow, or I will write a few long chapters in the next few days to make up for it.

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(End of this chapter)