Basketball miracles

Chapter 190 [Enemies Meet Again, a Wonderful Encounter]

On the second day of Shohoku team training, Sakuragi Hanamichi was unusually late.

After school, he and Haruko Akagi robbed the owner of a nearby sneaker store and bought a pair of fourth-generation Jordan basketball shoes for 30 yen.

Xiao Tu had no intention of getting involved in this matter; he only suspected that Qingzi was black inside after being cut open.

Haruko and Sakuragi went to buy shoes twice, but neither of them asked about the price. She even made Sakuragi wear the store's sportswear and run and jump around, happily watching Sakuragi's antics, while the shop owner pleaded, "Please stop... Miss."

All signs indicate that the carefree Haruko and Sakuragi are a match made in heaven.

Sakuragi showed off his Jordan shoes at the gym, only to have them trampled by everyone. Xiao Tu joined in, and Sakuragi's frustrated expression was hilarious.

Everyone was secretly amused, while Kiminobu Kogure explained in a serious tone: "Because it's easy to get injured wearing new shoes, but as long as you step on them like this, there won't be any problems. It's a tradition."

Before training, Takenori Akagi once again led the chanting of the slogan – "Conquer the nation!"
After their resounding victory over Ryonan, everyone cheered together, believing that Shohoku would also dominate the national tournament.

Xiao Tu didn't devise any new offensive strategies; the players just needed to familiarize themselves with the Hawks' offense and run-and-gun style. They practiced several strategies against Ryonan, and the opponent simply couldn't defend against them.

Most high school teams use man-to-man defense, leaving players bewildered when faced with screens. Even Sannoh Industrial couldn't defend Mitsui Hisashi's catch-and-shoot after screens, and Kawata Masashi, despite his long shooting range, simply didn't like to defend the perimeter.

After warming up, everyone practiced their own techniques, and the training items varied.

Akagi Takenori and Sakuragi Hanamichi practiced high-post mid-range shots, Xiao Tu, Mitsui Hisashi, Rukawa Kaede, Kogure Kiminobu, and Yasuda Yasuharu practiced three-pointers, and Kakuta Satoru practiced judo...

If we're talking about Satoru Kakuta's technical characteristics, it's that he has none. But he never opens his eyes and is hailed as the man closest to God. If he went to the Heavenly Realm and shouted "Ichimoku LS!", he could probably don divine armor and become a Ghava King.

On offense, Kakuta rarely receives the ball and lacks scoring options. On defense, Kakuta acts as a tank, but against strong opponents, his energy level can only last for about a minute before he becomes breathless. (Matching against Nobe Masahiro).

Therefore, Xiao Tu believes that training Kakuta in physical combat is the key to success, and he hopes to earn the title of Goro Daimon as soon as possible.

After practicing shooting for a while, Rukawa Kaede suggested a one-on-one match with Xiao Tu. He had come to understand the saying that there are always people better than you, and he wanted to learn new techniques to become stronger.

Xiao Tu didn't keep anything to himself; he would demonstrate the techniques to Rukawa Kaede and explain them to him. How well Rukawa Kaede could learn them depended on his comprehension; these techniques weren't easy to master.

Even the simplest behind-the-back dribble is easy to learn but difficult to master. Xiao Tu's behind-the-back dribble is currently very flashy, and I personally feel it's no worse than Crawford's. But even in the NBA, no one will be able to reach Crawford's level in the future.

Rukawa's movements were somewhat stiff, his dribbling methodical. Xiao Tu, on the other hand, possessed a talent for "fancy moves," and now, whatever technique he used, it all looked like a performance—fluid and flashy.

Rukawa ignored everyone on the team and didn't communicate with Coach Anzai, but he was exceptionally respectful to Xiao Tu. Xiao Tu could sense that Rukawa treated him as a mentor, and he became more low-key.

What's outrageous is that Sakuragi Hanamichi actually got jealous and pestered Xiao Tu to teach him the new techniques. "Big brother, you can't be biased and only teach that stinky fox Rukawa Kaede and not me! If this continues, he'll surpass me!"

Xiao Tu said speechlessly, "You're just a beginner, your basic skills aren't even solid, forcing yourself to practice techniques is a waste of time. And what do you mean by him surpassing you? He's much better than you now! Also, you're a power forward, learning so many outside face-up techniques is useless. You should practice your mid-range shot first, and then I'll teach you advanced techniques."

While Sakuragi went to practice shooting, Rukawa asked, "Is there any technique you can't do?"

"Of course there are. I'm too lazy to practice inefficient techniques. For example, hook shots, fingertips layups, etc. I'd rather spend my time shooting 200 three-pointers every day. If you want to become a professional player, besides driving and passing, you can't go wrong by focusing on practicing three-pointers."

"Like Mitsui?"

"If you can be as accurate as Mitsui, and with your physical attributes, you'll definitely be stronger than Sendoh. Even if your breakthroughs aren't as good, it doesn't matter, as long as you can spot teammates in better positions. Remember, basketball isn't a one-on-one game; teamwork is always the most important thing. Think about Uozumi from Ryonan."

Rukawa Kaede nodded. He would remember for the rest of his life the exasperated look on Uozumi's face as Xiao Tu outmaneuvered him. Luckily, Xiao Tu was no match for him, otherwise it would have been Akagi Takenori who got outmaneuvered, or maybe it would have been him.

During the team's practice matches, Rukawa started passing the ball more often, showing signs of awakening early.

Another day passed, and after school, Xiao Tu and Mitsui Hisashi went to the gym to prepare for training, surrounded by female fans.

Mitsui Hisashi has female fans now, and he can find a girlfriend anytime he wants.

In a parallel universe, Japanese netizens voted for the most handsome characters in "Slam Dunk," with Mitsui Hisashi ranking ahead of Rukawa Kaede and second only to Fujima Kenji. His resemblance to Eguchi Yosuke is a major advantage, especially given his common surname "Mitsui." Meanwhile, news of Shohoku's crushing victory over Ryonan, one of the top four teams in the prefecture, has spread throughout the school, increasing Xiao Tu's fanbase and making the basketball team Shohoku's most attractive club.

The two changed their clothes and walked to the sidelines. There weren't many people there at the moment, but the atmosphere inside the stadium was a bit strange.

Xiao Tu asked Mu Mu, "Why do you all look so tense? Is something wrong?"

Kogure looked at Mitsui Hisashi with concern: "Miyagi Ryota came back today, and I haven't had a chance to tell him about you yet."

Mitsui paused for a moment, then quickly composed himself. "It's okay, I'll apologize to him, and we'll never fight again."

Xiao Tu saw someone fighting Yasuda Yasuharu one-on-one. He wasn't tall, and his punk-style cauliflower head was very eye-catching. He looked like a delinquent.

In the manga, Ryota Miyagi almost got into a fight with Sakuragi's team as soon as he appeared, and then he fought with Hanamichi Sakuragi. The author praised him highly, with Kogure saying that his basketball skills were good enough to be the next captain.

Right now, Sakuragi doesn't seem to have run into Miyagi. He's practicing his high-post mid-range shot on the other half of the court, and he's very focused.

Miyagi easily dominated Yasuda in a one-on-one match, and he frequently glanced at Ayako on the sidelines, hoping to catch a glimpse of her admiring gaze. Unfortunately, the audience didn't cheer; they were used to Xiao Tu's fancy dribbling and passing skills.

Gongcheng's main advantage is his speed; his technique is clearly inferior to Xiao Tu's, and his short stature is a fatal weakness.

Ayako hadn't told Miyagi yet that an invincible American exchange student had joined the team, and he would only be a substitute. She knew best that Miyagi had a strong sense of pride and didn't know how to bring it up.

Ayako estimated that Miyagi wasn't even a key rotation player for the team, getting less playing time than Kogure. She reasoned that Xiao Tu's stamina was phenomenal, making a substitute player unnecessary. She stated that this was normal, as the intensity of high school games in Japan is too low.

Kogure stopped the two fighters' duel and beckoned Miyagi to the sidelines. He was nervous and intended to act as a peacemaker to help the two reconcile.

As the saying goes, enemies meeting are bound to be extremely hostile.

Kogure thinks it's a good thing that Mitsui Hisashi is going to apologize, but Miyagi might not accept it. If Miyagi says something unpleasant, Mitsui might not be able to control his emotions, and the two might end up fighting again.

"Senior Kogure, are you going to introduce me to some new people?" Miyagi smiled and arrogantly raised his hand to greet Xiao Tu and Mitsui Hisashi.

He didn't recognize his enemy at all. "Hello, I'm Ryota Miyagi, a second-year student."

Kogure's mouth formed an "O" shape as he swallowed back the words he had just prepared, staring at the two of them in disbelief.

Xiao Tu chuckled to himself, sizing up the 168cm tall Miyagi. He thought Miyagi was thin and small, and looked frail no matter how you looked at him. If "terrifying" wasn't enough to describe someone like Miyagi, then how would you describe Sakuragi Hanamichi's one-on-one fight with Tetsuo?

Mitsui Hisashi blushed and said, "Actually, I'm not familiar with him. We've only met three times, and this is the third time."

The first time Mitsui provoked them, the second time they fought on the rooftop, and the third time they became teammates.

Fate, amazing.

Mitsui Hisashi bowed to the bewildered Miyagi Ryota. "Miyagi, I am Mitsui Hisashi. I am very sorry for causing your hospitalization."

Ryota Miyagi was taken aback, shrank back, and asked incredulously, "Are you Mitsui-senpai?"

"Yes, I promise I won't bother you again. I hope you can forgive me," Mitsui Hisashi said earnestly.

"What about Tokuo Horita and the others? Won't they cause me trouble?" Ryota Miyagi just wants to play basketball well right now.

Mitsui Hisashi said, "They won't either, I can guarantee that. Actually, I was the one who found them all. It was all my fault before, I'm sorry."

Horita Tokuo and the others were just standing up for Mitsui Hisashi; they were just bored and had nothing better to do.

As the captain of Shohoku's cheerleading squad, how could Tokuo Horita possibly cause trouble for the players? During Ryonan's practice match, he was the loudest waving the flag and cheering. This guy is truly Mitsui Hisashi's good friend.

(End of this chapter)