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

On the field, the two players facing off were unaware of what the crowd was thinking. At this moment, they were both focused on this round of offense and defense.

Despite maintaining a good defensive position, Xiao Wang was getting anxious as Xiang Yang repeatedly probed his defense.

This guy is so patient!

Another probing step on the left, but this time, Xiao Wang's positioning was not perfect.

Xiang Yang's mind raced, and he immediately seized the opportunity. Instead of breaking through, he pulled his right leg back, assuming a shooting stance, his heel slightly raised, as if he were really about to jump and shoot!

Xiao Wang immediately stepped forward, his right hand, which had been raised, blocking Xiang Yang's path in an instant.

However, this was a feint.

Xiang Yang paused for a moment, then extended his right foot to the left again.

Xiao Wang was terrified: Was this another feint?

No! It's okay, I haven't lost my balance yet, I can keep up!

Instantly assessing the situation, Xiao Wang's eyes sharpened, and he swiftly turned, once again blocking Xiang Yang's path.

To his surprise, Xiang Yang did not attack this time either, but instead took a probing step.

Seeing Xiang Yang's movement, Xiao Wang immediately stopped, secretly relieved: "Luckily, this guy wasn't so decisive, otherwise I might not have been able to keep up with that move."

As he felt at ease, Xiao Wang's tense muscles subconsciously relaxed. He thought Xiang Yang would start doing the three-threat probing steps again.

But this time, it's still fake!

As Xiang Yang pounced on the left, he maintained his leftward breakthrough posture. Just when Xiao Wang thought he was about to change his move, Xiang Yang decisively passed the ball, immediately shifting his weight from his left leg to his right leg!

A change in rhythm!

For a moment, Xiao Wang even stopped breathing. He looked at Xiang Yang, who was already half a body length past him, and the defensive awareness he had developed through years of training was now clearly reminding him in his mind.

Unable to defend! Can't keep up! Tactical foul!

Before his mind could process what was happening, Xiao Wang's right hand instinctively grabbed Xiang Yang's jersey, attempting to stop Xiang Yang from scoring by committing a foul. This was just a one-on-one training session.

Xiang Yang, who had just accelerated, immediately sensed something was wrong. He glanced at Xiao Wang to his side, feeling the pull from the side, and his eyes flashed with surprise, but also with a hint of approval.

The fact that he could make such the right defensive choices in such a short time shows that this "Little Wang" has the potential to become a defensive stalwart on the perimeter!

However… that wouldn't be so flattering on me…

Xiang Yang narrowed his eyes and immediately adjusted his posture, forcibly changing the breakthrough move into a pullback between his legs. At the same time, he stretched out his right hand and, using the hidden force of the pullback, gave Xiao Wang a light push in the abdomen.

Normally, Xiang Yang's massage-like force wouldn't be able to budge Xiao Wang at all. However, when a person's body is out of balance, any force can become the last straw that breaks the camel's back!

While still trying to pull at his clothes facing the sun, Xiao Wang felt his body go limp, his center of gravity immediately went off, and he was about to fall backward. His hands flailed wildly in the air, trying to find...

Return to balance.

Unfortunately, it was all in vain.

Everyone watched as Xiao Wang leaned back and lay on the ground. In front of him, Xiang Yang paused for a moment, then flicked the ball from the spot and swished it into the net.

With a whoosh.

The basketball swished through the net and fell to the ground, the "thump-thump" sound seeming to strike the hearts of everyone present.

Regardless of the expressions on the faces of the national youth team members, the usually unmoved Hai Lao had now stood up, his mouth agape as if it were about to dislocate.

That Xiao Wang, the Xiao Wang whose defense was described as an "iron wall" by Hai Lao, actually got faked out...

"Incredible..."

One of the national youth team members couldn't help but sigh. Beside him, the big guy also looked serious. He had switched places with Xiao Wang; if he were the one defending...

It's useless; he'll only get beaten worse. His defense is worse than Xiao Wang's.

"Good shot! Good shot!"

The only person present who could still laugh was undoubtedly Reiko.

She patted her chest and cheered for Xiangyang. The moment the two were facing off at the top of the arc, she was so nervous that her heart was about to jump out of her chest!

Fortunately, the outcome was good.

After Xiang Yang scored, he walked up to Xiao Wang and helped him up.

He's not some arrogant, domineering, low-EQ character. Although he likes to trash talk, it's just one of his little quirks.

Besides, this is just a one-on-one training session. Who are we making such a fuss for? If it were a formal match, he wouldn't mind giving his opponent a celebratory move and a few trash talk to get them hooked. Everything is for the sake of the match. The essential conditions for victory are not just strength, but also mentality. Similarly, as long as it doesn't violate moral principles, Xiang Yang is willing to do anything to affect his opponent's mentality.

Seeing Xiang Yang reach out, Xiao Wang didn't hesitate to grab Xiang Yang's hand, get up from the ground, and while adjusting his jersey, complimented Xiang Yang, "Dude, that was a great shot, your rhythm was amazing."

Unfortunately, he forgot Xiangyang's identity. As a master of acting, Xiangyang would naturally not do anything that would harm his script.

He opened his mouth slightly, looking bewildered, as if he couldn't understand what Xiao Wang was saying.

Xiao Wang slapped his forehead and immediately gave Xiang Yang a thumbs up, expressing his admiration for Xiang Yang in the simplest way.

"Xiao Wang!"

Seeing this scene, Elder Hai couldn't sit still any longer. He looked at his disciple's defeated expression and quickly shouted that his bet with Xiang Yang was still in effect!

Although there would be no real loss even if he lost, given Hai Lao's personality, it would be strange to ask him to bow down and apologize to a young man who is not even twenty years old.

His reputation... does he even care about his old face and his lifelong honor?

On the field, Xiao Wang shuddered upon hearing his coach's call, immediately recalling his task. He rubbed his face vigorously, and his gaze towards Xiang Yang became serious once more.

He will protect the honor of the Chinese national youth team!

Kobayashi was killed at the start, but his defeat gave them intelligence!

The reason Xiao Wang volunteered to go second wasn't because the last person to go was the strongest, but rather...

On the contrary, among the current national youth team players, apart from the big guys, Wang is the strongest.

Why didn't he choose to go on last, to conserve his energy and wait for Xiangyang to tire himself out a bit before going on?

Because they crave an opponent!

After Wang's defensive skills reached a high level, none of the Chinese perimeter players could satisfy him anymore.

No perimeter player of his size can penetrate his defense; at most, they can use pick-and-rolls or other advantages to steal a basket from him.

As for Xiang Yang, a small guard who is capable of breaking through his defense one-on-one, this is the first time Xiao Wang has ever met one!

"Come on! Don't hold back!"

Xiao Wang forcefully spread his arms wide, not caring whether Xiang Yang could understand him or not; his eyes were full of fighting spirit.

Beyond the three-point line, Xiang Yang wore a thoughtful smile.

I never expected to encounter such an interesting opponent on my very first day in China.

"What a pity, we met in the wrong place, otherwise I really wanted to trick you into coming to Haichang."

Xiangyang let out a sigh, and at the same time, he used his right arm to hold the basketball, changing to a one-handed holding posture.

Xiao Wang's reaction just now changed his mind.

"If there were more guys like you, it wouldn't be impossible to take down those monsters on the international stage."

Xiang Yang murmured something, his voice wasn't loud, but for some reason, it reached the ears of everyone present.

However, since he spoke in Japanese, no one present except Reiko and Ebi could understand him.

Lingzi pursed her lips; she seemed to understand Xiangyang's meaning—those "monsters"...

There's no one else but the "Generation of Miracles" who deserves such high praise from Xiang Yang, right?

Unlike Lingzi, Hai Lao was initially confused, but he soon understood Xiang Yang's meaning.

"Although it may be too cruel for you, experiencing this power firsthand will be beneficial for you."

Xiang Yang glanced at Elder Hai, a slight smile playing on his lips. He wasn't saying this to Xiao Wang.

"Come on, round two."

As Xiang Yang lightly pulled up his pants with his left hand, a flash of white lightning streaked across his eyes.

Having already anticipated what was to come, Reiko couldn't help but cover her eyes with her hands, unable to bear watching any longer.

On the contrary, Hai Lao watched intently, eager to know what trump card Xiang Yang had that made him say those words.

Soon, Hai Lao's eyes widened, and in the end, he simply stood on the sidelines of the court, even throwing away the cane he had been using to walk.

Beside him, the group of national youth team reserve players all had expressions of utter disbelief, as if they'd seen a ghost in broad daylight.

"Is such a thing... even possible?"

……

……

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Xiangyang was holding a large bowl of ramen and was forking noodles into his mouth. The soup and noodles made a loud noise as they rubbed against his lips.

Across from him, Reiko ate much more elegantly, but if you listened carefully, you could still hear the sound of her slurping noodles.

Unlike other foods, making louder noises while eating noodles does not necessarily indicate good manners.

The lack of thoughtfulness in the presentation doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of appreciation from the customer; rather, it shows how highly the customer values ​​the bowl of noodles.

"Mr. Xiangyang, is it really that delicious? It's just a bowl of ramen, and as a Japanese person, can you really get used to this taste?"

Seeing Xiangyang wolfing down his food, Lingzi secretly broke out in a cold sweat and finally couldn't help but ask.

"Hmm, it smells delicious."

Xiangyang nodded as he picked up the bowl and swallowed the last mouthful of noodles with the soup.

What they were actually eating was Lanzhou ramen, a street food that can be found in all parts of China.

In his past life, when Xiangyang was in junior high school, he would often go to a Lanzhou noodle shop near the school for a late-night snack whenever he played basketball with his friends until very late.

Although the taste was just average, the familiar yet unfamiliar feeling definitely increased Xiangyang's appetite.

He picked up a napkin from the table and wiped his mouth. Looking at Reiko, who was leisurely eating her noodles, he chuckled and said, "And you're one to talk. Miss Reiko, you've been in Japan for so many years, haven't your tastes changed at all?"

Hearing Xiangyang's words, Lingzi tilted her head and thought for a moment, then nodded seriously and replied, "It tastes a little strange, but it's also a bit novel."

Just now, when the noodles were served, Lingzi even habitually put her hands together in front of her chest and said "Thank you for the meal" under Xiangyang's amused gaze.