Kuroko's Basketball: I'm not the boss?

"Don't try to fool me. I'm a local, and let's not even talk about whether prices have gone up or not. You haven't even printed the meter, so I'm not going to waste my breath on you. Twenty, or if I call the police, we'll all be in big trouble today!"

"...Girl, you're really ruthless. Fine, fine, it'll be 20."

And so, amidst haggling and the driver's cursing, Xiangyang experienced this life, his first...

A taxi ride in China.

He looked at Lingzi with a strange expression, never expecting that this top reporter would have such a bargaining ability. Was it just that reporters are all very smooth talkers?

Noticing Xiang Yang's gaze, Ling Zi's expression remained unchanged. After all, in her opinion, Xiang Yang couldn't understand what she and the driver were talking about at all, so naturally he didn't know. Unconsciously, her persona was crumbling a little bit.

Looking at the familiar buildings in front of her, Reiko's face showed a hint of nostalgia. It had been more than four years since she last came to this place.

Xiangyang also keenly noticed the change in Lingzi's emotions, but did not interrupt her.

The two stood there one after the other. After a while, Lingzi came to her senses and turned to give Xiangyang an apologetic look, which also carried a hint of gratitude.

"Come on, let's meet your future teammates!"

After saying that, Lingzi took the lead and went in first, while Xiangyang silently followed behind her, constantly looking around at the surrounding environment.

Judging from some facilities, China still allocates slightly more resources to basketball than Japan.

As Xiangyang pondered this, he faintly heard the sound of a basketball bouncing on the ground ahead.

Sure enough, on the basketball court, several figures were gathered near a basketball hoop, conducting a practice match.

1、2、3…7、8。

Four against four? ??

Xiang Yang counted the number of people and was surprised to find that they were actually practicing half-court 4-on-4.

"Miss Reiko, are these all the members of the national youth team?"

Xiang Yang couldn't help but ask, "Does the Chinese national youth team not even have enough players for a full training session?"

Lingzi tilted her head and thought for a moment. She wasn't sure either. After giving Xiangyang a brief reply, she pulled him to a seat and waited for everyone to rest before going up to him to talk.

Although she hadn't been back for a long time, Lingzi still spotted a few familiar faces in the crowd. She believed that with her help, it wouldn't be a problem for Xiangyang to go up and play a couple of games.

Upon hearing Lingzi's suggestion, Xiangyang readily agreed, immediately crossing his legs, resting his chin on one hand, and watching everyone's training.

To be honest, Xiangyang's first impression of the Chinese national youth team was not good. What professional basketball player would do such a useless training program as half-court 4-on-4?

It's important to understand that the pace of the game in a full match is completely different from that in a half match!

If it's because of an incomplete roster and a 4v4 game for the whole match, Xiangyang can understand, but a halftime game...

That's really ridiculous.

Fortunately, their skill level was quite good. Even from Xiang Yang's discerning eye, who was used to seeing miracles, most of them were quite strong. At least in Kuroko's Basketball, they were all at least at the level of the fifth captain.

However, what truly piqued Xiang Yang's interest was a tall player who was always standing under the basket! This was a truly tall player.

Judging by appearance, he must be at least 210 cm tall, and his face is youthful, clearly not an adult yet, probably about the same age as Xiangyang.

His finishing ability under the basket is quite good. Although he is very big, his lateral movement speed on defense and his rebounding skills are excellent among players of the same type.

Another round of offense, the big guy successfully received the pass lobbed in by his teammate, turned and leaned back, and successfully tipped the ball into the basket in a somewhat uncomfortable space!

Just from that one shot, Xiang Yang could tell that this big guy had a very soft shooting touch and great potential!

Lingzi, who had been watching Xiangyang's expression closely, noticed his excited look and asked, "So, have you found any good players?"

Not a bad player...

Xiang Yang stroked his chin. In his eyes, most of the players present could be considered "good," but if judged by the standards of professional players, apart from that big guy, the others could only be considered "mediocre," or at best, just passing.

After thinking for a while, Xiangyang decided to tell the truth.

"Apart from that big guy, the others are all relatively weak."

Chapter 146 The Bet with the Lovely Old Man

"Apart from that big guy, the others are all quite average in strength."

Xiang Yang's comments were very direct. In his eyes, apart from that big player, the other players were just supporting characters and could not arouse his desire to pass the ball.

Ling Zi nodded in agreement. She was well aware of Xiang Yang's abilities, and as a top-tier reporter specializing in discovering basketball talent, her judgment was impeccable. She could naturally see that the tall guy on the court was indeed in a class of his own. She opened her mouth slightly, about to ask something else.

However, at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Really? Then I'd like to ask you, are there no other players who meet your standards?"

"Of course not, I mean they're not enough..."

Xiangyang was about to answer instinctively when he suddenly realized that the person who asked the question was not only a man, but was also speaking Japanese!

He turned around abruptly and saw an elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, staring intently at him.

Although his hair was gray and he was hunched over, the old man's aura was still strong. His eyes, like those of an eagle, were scrutinizing Xiang Yang without restraint, as if trying to see right through him.

"Ebi!"

Lingzi exclaimed in surprise, quickly stood up and greeted the old man, while secretly pinching Xiangyang with her left hand.

Ebi? A big shot in the Basketball Association? A team coach?

As Xiangyang pondered various possibilities, he stood up, his eyes also scrutinizing the "Old Hai" in front of him.

For a moment, the two stood facing each other in silence.

If we're talking about the most awkward person right now, it has to be Reiko.

She fidgeted with the hem of her clothes unconsciously, her eyes darting around, unsure how to react.

For the first time ever, this cunning top reporter actually showed such a flustered side, which made Xiang Yang even more curious about who this "Old Hai" in front of him really was.

After an unknown amount of time, Old Hai stroked his beard and said slowly, "Young man, you must take responsibility for your words."

His tone was slow, but his gaze grew increasingly sharp.

Xiang Yang remained calm and replied in Japanese, "Sir, I was just telling the truth. It is indeed my fault for speaking ill of others behind their backs, but that is truly what I think."

Upon hearing this, Lingzi was completely dumbfounded. She turned to look at Xiangyang in surprise, as if he had just revealed some earth-shattering secret.

Similarly, Elder Hai's expression also showed a slight surprise. He narrowed his eyes and looked Xiang Yang up and down again, then laughed loudly, "Good lad, good lad, hahaha."

"Yimin."

"exist!"

Hai Lao's sudden call to name made Lingzi startled.

"Is this kid a prospective player for the national youth team that you scouted?"

Faced with Hai Lao's question, Lingzi glanced at Xiang Yang beside her and nodded heavily: "That's right, he is an excellent point guard."

"Oh, a point guard."

Hai pretended to suddenly realize something, then immediately switched to Japanese and said disdainfully, "With that kind of short stature, what else can he play besides point guard?"

This time, Hai Lao spoke in Japanese, clearly indicating that he was addressing...

Xiangyang heard it.

This is really troublesome... It seems like I've already offended someone who's like a coach on my very first day here...

Xiang Yang clicked his tongue, but he was now in a bind; he had no choice but to go on, whether he wanted to or not.

Besides, the purpose of coming here so quickly is to prove oneself, isn't it?

In the world of basketball, one phrase always holds true: skill is paramount.

If Xiangyang's strength is mediocre, then what he just said would make him seem arrogant and an idiot.

But if he demonstrates the ability to match what he says, then he is not arrogant, but confident.

"Sir, I feel you have a deep misunderstanding about me."

Xiang Yang sighed, shrugged as if he were helpless, but when he looked up at Old Shanghai again, a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"How about we make a bet?"

Hai Lao's eyes flickered slightly. He put away his cane and sat down in the audience.

"explain."

Seeing Hai Lao's reaction, Xiang Yang nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Apart from that big guy, pick any three of the people on the court and challenge me one-on-one. If I can beat them all, how about giving me a spot on the national youth team? Judging from your appearance, you must be a big shot in the Basketball Association, or a highly respected coach? On the other hand, if I lose any of them, I'll just leave and go back to where I came from."

After speaking, Xiang Yang raised his eyebrows at Elder Hai in a provocative manner, but to his surprise, the imposing old man did not react immediately. Instead, he acted as if he had not heard him and just looked at the people training on the field without saying a word.

Xiang Yang was somewhat surprised; he had thought that this old man Hai would agree to his bet directly.

At this moment, Lingzi, who was standing to the side, leaned close to Xiangyang's ear and whispered, "The basketball system in China has changed. Now, to enter the national youth team, you have to go through a trial selection. Otherwise, even if the president of the Basketball Association personally speaks, there's no way to directly give you a spot!"

Hmm? So meticulous?

Xiang Yang was somewhat surprised, but now he understood why Old Hai dared not agree to the bet: he simply couldn't do it.

"Ahem, sir, I'll change the terms of the bet. If I win, you just need to apologize for what you said earlier. You don't need to give me a spot on the national youth team directly. I didn't know that earlier, hahaha."

Xiang Yang scratched his head and chuckled, while also probing, wanting to see if Old Hai was simply unable to do it or didn't want to bet with him.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Hai first turned his head and asked, "Which sentence?"

Xiang Yang paused for a moment, then realized what he meant and said with a smile, "I don't play point guard because I'm too short. It's because I am a point guard. It has nothing to do with physical talent."

Elder Hai glanced at Xiang Yang, gently stroking his cane with his right hand, and slowly said, "Interesting, I'll take your bet! However, if you lose, you don't need to go straight back to Japan. Just apologize to my disciples."

"No problem."

Xiangyang readily accepted the good advice, but in his heart, he gained a deeper understanding of the old man.

He's fiercely protective of his own, has a fiery temper, and is clearly a hawkish coach. However, he doesn't make empty promises about things he can't deliver, and his stubbornness is somewhat endearing.

Just towards

While Yang was quietly labeling Hai Lao, the old man wasn't idle either, shouting at the top of his lungs towards the court, "Come and assemble!"

His voice wasn't loud; in fact, it sounded somewhat soft, as his voice had become a little hoarse in his later years.

Strangely, all the players who were playing a training match on the field heard Hai Lao's shout, immediately stopped what they were doing, and quickly rushed across the field to gather in front of Hai Lao.

Wow! Such high execution speed.