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

Xiang Yang was somewhat surprised. Not only him, but also the reserve members of the national youth team were looking at him with curiosity.

Is this someone I've never seen before?

However, although they each had their own questions, none of them spoke up to discuss them quietly with the people next to them.

This strict team discipline immediately filled Xiang Yang with awe.

Hai Lao quietly observed Xiang Yang's expression, and upon noticing it, nodded almost imperceptibly, feeling a surge of joy in his heart.

His elite team, which he personally trained, has finally found someone who appreciates its value.

Those old guys at the Basketball Association said something like, "Basketball is basketball, don't make it like the military." What do those old fogies know?

The football field is like a battlefield!

Only a disciplined team can carve out its own path!

However, although Hai Lao's impression of Xiang Yang improved slightly, he still needed to learn a lesson!

After all, as a reserve candidate for the national youth team, Xiang Yang will also be his future disciple, so appropriate guidance is very necessary.

Considering that Xiang Yang was the first player to witness his team's dominance and would be his disciple in the future, Hai Lao decided to give him a chance.

"Kid, I won't bully you. You can choose three people to fight, and the bet still stands."

Hai Lao said confidently, "One-on-one is not the whole game. Height and physique play a significant role in one-on-one battles!"

Perhaps Xiang Yang dared to say those words because he does have some skill, but height is a fixed factor; among all the players present, he is the shortest! Moreover, it's three consecutive one-on-one matches. Even if each game is three points, his stamina will be stretched thin by the end.

This game is a sure win!

Seeing Hai Lao's confident demeanor, Xiang Yang was both amused and exasperated, but he didn't say much. Instead, he took the initiative to choose three of the stronger members of the crowd.

"Let's just have the three of them."

Xiang Yang casually pointed out three people. Hai Lao, who had been leisurely and nonchalant just moments before, couldn't help but show a surprised expression after seeing who Xiang Yang pointed to.

He frowned slightly as he looked at Xiang Yang, inwardly shaking his head: "I thought this kid had some skill, but he can't even pick his opponents? He took away the three strongest guys besides Xiao Gao... really..."

Fine, fine, let this arrogant brat learn his lesson!

Having made up his mind, Hai Lao remained expressionless. He switched back to Chinese language mode and said, "Xiao Lin, Xiao Zhang, and Xiao Wang, step forward."

With a synchronized thud, as if an army were on a mission, the three players recently selected by Xiang Yang stepped forward from the national youth team.

"This is... Excuse me, what's your name?"

Halfway through his introduction, Hai Lao suddenly remembered that he didn't know Xiang Yang's name, and quickly...

He asked in Japanese.

"Facing the sun".

Xiangyang shrugged, not caring.

"It's alright, old man. You'll remember my name in a little while."

Although he wasn't in the match, Xiang Yang's trash talk had seeped into his very bones. Even without the system's upgrade flashing through his mind, Xiang Yang knew that this attack had probably hit a vital spot.

Because Hai Lao's face suddenly turned ashen, and on his loose skin, one could even vaguely see the marks of his teeth protruding.

"Xiangyang is a basketball player from Japan. Like you, he will soon participate in the selection for the new generation of the Chinese national youth team. As for his assessment of your abilities... well."

Hai Lao let out a muffled groan, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Xiang Yang's expression remained unchanged, but he was speechless inside: this stubborn old man was somewhat vengeful.

Sure enough, the faces of those national youth team reserve players instantly turned somewhat ugly.

Old Hai wasn't finished, he added fuel to the fire: "So, he's very interested in you, and just now he challenged the three of you to a one-on-one fight."

"Play well, don't let our foreign friends down!"

At the end, Mr. Hai emphasized his words.

The three players, whose surnames all started with "Xiao," were brimming with even greater enthusiasm. They were all rolling up their sleeves, ready for a big fight!

"One person plays three balls, right, Xiangyang?"

Hai Lao looked calm and smiled at Xiang Yang, saying, "Although our bet has been made, I still hope that you can play one match against each of them. Don't give up after losing just one match."

Xiangyang bent over to tie his shoelaces without looking up, and said quietly, "Don't worry, old man, your worries are not a problem."

……

……

"Serve three balls in quick succession, let him attack."

Hei Lao sat motionless in the audience, looking as steady as a mountain.

His disciples naturally had no objection to his suggestion.

The first one to go was Xiaolin, with a buzz cut, an estimated height of around 190 cm, and a resolute face.

He remained silent in front of Xiangyang, flicked the ball to Xiangyang with one hand, and immediately crouched down to take a defensive position. Although his posture was correct, the expression on his face suggested that he did not take Xiangyang seriously.

Judging from his height alone, Xiangyang didn't seem like someone who could defend against him. As long as he could defend one ball, Xiaolin was confident that he could launch a scoring run and completely overwhelm Xiangyang!

"...Am I being underestimated?"

Xiangyang was both amused and exasperated when he realized Xiaolin's thoughts. He couldn't blame anyone else; Xiaolin's appearance was simply too deceptive.

For those unfamiliar with Xiangyang, it's hard to believe that Xiangyang, who is over 180cm tall, is a master of one-on-one combat!

Hearing Xiangyang's mutterings, Xiaolin frowned slightly. He had never learned the Japanese language and assumed that Xiangyang was greeting him. However, judging from Hai Lao's expression, he didn't want him to go easy on him.

"I'm sorry, but the coach has spoken, so I can only embarrass you."

Xiao Lin apologized in a low voice, even though he didn't think Xiang Yang would understand.

"Haha... Haha, then I should thank you."

Xiang Yang chuckled softly, said no more nonsense, and directly passed the ball to Xiao Lin in the face of his defense, preparing to start the attack.

Based on his brief observation just now, Xiang Yang had a good understanding of this opponent.

We've made a general assessment of their style and capabilities.

His shooting and driving abilities are both good, but his strength lies in playmaking. If he were to play full-court, he'd likely be a point guard like Xiang Yang. In terms of playing style, he's somewhat like a larger version of Yukio Kasamatsu? His defensive attitude is quite good, but unfortunately…

"Their defense is too weak. There are many things that attitude alone is not enough."

Xiangyang took a step and hung in the air, instantly drawing Xiaolin's defensive focus. Then, with a change of direction, he dribbled past Xiaolin with a crossover step and went straight for Xiaolin's front foot!

Xiao Lin's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Xiang Yang to be so cunning in his attack. Unable to turn around and defend in time, Xiao Lin could only stand there and watch Xiang Yang break through to the left side, even managing to do a jelly layup.

Wow! Xiangyang is so handsome!

Lingzi, who was watching the game from the sidelines, was delighted and clapped her hands. After all, Xiangyang was someone she had brought, and her pride was in his success.

On the field, Kobayashi, who had just conceded a goal, was not annoyed. He rubbed his face, stood up in his defensive position again, and his eyes remained as determined as ever.

"Not bad, not bad."

Xiangyang smiled, received Xiaolin's serve, and hit the ball again. He used the same step and hang in the air, and used the same move to get past Xiaolin once more.

"Again!"

Xiaolin was not satisfied and hurriedly picked up the ball and passed it to Xiangyang again. He was hit by the same move twice in a row, and even the usually calm Xiaolin became a little anxious.

In the audience, Hai, who had his arms crossed, sighed silently as he watched this scene; he had already guessed Kobayashi's fate.

As expected, Xiangyang used the same old trick, still falling and lingering in the air. However, this time, he changed his direction of breakthrough and quickly got past Xiaolin's defense, completing his first battle of the day!

"Good shot!"

Lingzi clapped excitedly, but in contrast to her happiness, the faces of the national youth reserve players were rather unpleasant.

Xiaolin's defeat was not without value; they had already realized that Xiangyang was no pushover!

"I'll go this time."

In the national youth team, a player said in a deep voice, "I am one of the three who were just called out by Hai Lao, Xiao Wang!"

Seeing Xiao Wang take the stage, a sense of relief welled up in Hai Lao's eyes.

Xiao Wang is currently the player most favored by Coach Hai, apart from that big guy, among the reserve players of the national youth team!

At 188cm tall, he's not particularly outstanding among guards, but his incredible 196cm wingspan makes him an exceptionally strong perimeter defender! Combined with the personalized defensive training he received from coach Hai, it's no exaggeration to say that he is currently the most formidable one-on-one perimeter defender in the national youth team!

"You're too kind!"

When Xiao Wang came on the court, he nodded and greeted Xiang Yang without caring whether Xiang Yang understood or not. After serving the ball, he immediately went into a defensive stance.

Xiang Yang licked his lips; he naturally remembered this person as well.

With outstanding physical attributes, a strong defensive desire, and decent defensive skills, even in Kuroko's Basketball, this "Little King" would be at least a fifth-tier player!

However, basketball is a sport that encourages offense, and in matches between players of the same skill level, the offensive side always has the advantage. This is because, legally speaking, the rules favor the offensive player.

Moreover, to be able to be considered a rival of the same level as Xiang Yang, it would have to be at least a "miracle".

Instead of rushing the ball, Xiang Yang extended his right foot with a probing step. Xiao Wang shifted his foot slightly, and seeing that Xiang Yang's move was just a feint, he immediately adjusted back. Throughout this process, he maintained his center of gravity very well, not giving Xiang Yang a good opportunity to break through.

Xiangyang wasn't in a hurry. He made another probing step, this time to the left. Xiao Wang still moved his feet slightly, without revealing any flaws.

At this moment, the air in the stadium seemed to have fallen silent, with only the sound of the two players facing off on the court and the swishing of their shoes on the ground.

Off the field, Lingzi clasped her hands together in front of her chest, a worried look on her face.

The other members of the national youth team also held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.

Even Elder Hai was secretly sweating bullets at that moment.

If even Xiao Wang can't stop Xiang Yang, then his bet is in danger.

Xiao Wang! You have to hold on!

I'm taking a day off tomorrow.

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Chapter 147 The Stone in the Outhouse