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

"When the whole world thought you were going to lose, the game wasn't over. Even now, at 36-38, you're down by two points but you haven't lost. Even if the score is now 36-83, you still haven't lost!"

"The real defeat is when you all admit in your hearts that you have already lost!"

"I don't know what you guys are thinking, but no matter what, losing shouldn't be happening now!"

Chapter 160 Mortal

Xiang Yang's words seemed to have an invisible magic power; the Yangquan people, who were just filled with indignation and secretly annoyed, all fell silent.

Even Murasakibara's expression returned to normal as he quietly watched Xiangyang.

Talent: Chicken soup for the soul has been activated.

Talent: The leader's speech has been launched.

A voice flashed through Xiangyang's mind. The system's tone was still cold and harsh, but at this moment, it was like a powerful stimulant, hitting Xiangyang.

[It worked... Looks like I have a talent for verbal persuasion?]

Xiang Yang's mind was racing, but his expression remained calm and composed.

His inspiring speech was merely to calm the restless hearts of the generals in Yangquan; it was not enough to make them a threat to Luoshan.

"Listen, boys."

Xiang Yang snapped his fingers, pulled out a tactical board from somewhere, and then waved to the Yangquan group.

Himuro was the first to react. He immediately went to Xiangyang's side, glanced at the tactical board, and was surprised to find that Xiangyang wasn't just pretending; there was actually something on the tactical board!

Seeing that Himuro's expression didn't seem fake, the other players from Yangquan exchanged glances and gathered around. Even Murasakibara subtly shifted his feet, using his height advantage to peek at the tactics board and eavesdrop on Xiangyang's words.

"Lawsun is a team strong from point guard to center, with three five-man roster plus a member of the Generation of Miracles. On paper, they seem to be a perfect team. Whether it's offense or defense, the current Lawsun can basically be called unstoppable. They have no weaknesses."

Xiang Yang first acknowledged Luo Shan's strength. He looked up and scanned the room, and after finding that everyone was listening attentively to him, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Coach... no, Xiangyang, how do we defeat Luoshan?"

Himuro couldn't help but ask. After nearly two quarters of intense competition, he realized that what Xiangyang was saying was not an exaggeration. Luoshan really was that strong!

But just knowing that the other side is strong is useless; what's more important is to defeat them.

Himuro did a great job of playing the straight man. Xiangyang pondered for a moment and continued, "That's right. Just by looking at them, the strength that this Rakuzan team possesses doesn't seem to be what a high school team should have. But you've already fought several rounds with them, so you should have discovered Rakuzan's most fatal weakness!"

[What is the most fatal weakness?]

Everyone in Yangquan tilted their heads, waiting for Xiangyang to continue.

"Oh dear, you guys are so slow-witted, you can't even see something so obvious."

Xiang Yang shook his head, looking regretful: "Their point guard is too short, that's the opportunity!"

"Their point guard... is too short?"

Himuro was stunned, Murasakibara was stunned, everyone in Yosen was stunned, even Masako was speechless as she looked at Yosen, thinking he was joking.

The most obvious and fatal weakness of the entire Rakuzan team is actually Akashi??

At that moment, Akashi Seijuro, who was in the other half of the field with his arms crossed and a cool expression, suddenly felt a tickle in his nose, as if he was about to sneeze.

However, as the Akashi family's treasurer

As the sole heir to the valve, Akashi would never allow himself to do something as uncouth as "sneezing" in public.

Forcibly suppressing his impulse, Akashi casually touched his nose, feeling somewhat confused: Did I catch a cold?

Thinking this, Akashi glanced suspiciously at the Yangquan bench, activated his "Eye of the Heavenly Emperor" again, observed the state of the Yangquan team, and after confirming that nothing strange had happened, he looked away again.

"Think about it, that red-haired little bean, although he is the captain of Miracles and Los Angeles, and has a terrifying breakthrough and passing ability, but putting aside the halo you put on him, isn't that guy just a short point guard who is less than 170cm tall?"

Xiangyang's tone was perfectly natural, and there was not a trace of falsehood in what he said.

In an instant, everyone in Yangquan actually believed it…

What the hell!

You yourself said it, with so many dazzling and impressive accolades, can you really let them go?

Facing the questioning gazes of the people from Yangquan, Xiang Yang cleared his throat and began the formal tactical deployment.

"Next, Himuro has the ball, the rest of you spread out and pick on Akashi! Murasakibara, stand in the paint and be aggressive on offensive rebounds. You haven't really exerted yourself yet, so focus on rebounding in the second quarter and conserve your energy for the second half."

Xiangyang's tactics are simple and clear. If you had to summarize it in one short sentence, it would be: spread out and let Himuro hold the puck and play one-on-one!

In regular games, when tactical execution repeatedly falters, having the team's strongest one-on-one player step up to break the scoring drought seems like a flawless strategy. However…

"I... might not be able to beat Akashi..."

Himuro hesitated, realizing he was being conservative. To avoid offending Hikaru, he deliberately avoided using overly absolute terms, only saying "not necessarily." However, everyone could hear the lack of confidence in Himuro's words.

To everyone's surprise, Xiang Yang waved his hand dismissively and said, "Don't worry, like I said, stripping away his aura, he's just a small guy. As long as he doesn't steal your hand, beating him is a piece of cake!"

Ice Room: ...

"Besides..."

Xiangyang paused, then suddenly put his arm around Himuro's shoulder, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Right now, Yosen needs someone to step up and revitalize the team's confidence. Murasakibara's stamina can't be wasted. You are the best... and the only one."

"Himuro, your teammates need you now."

Himuro shuddered and looked up, reviewing every word of Xiangyang's words in his mind.

The way his teammates were looking at him at that moment

He was worried, afraid that Xiangyang would force him to do things he couldn't do.

There are doubts, with some believing he has no chance of beating Akashi.

There was also encouragement; regardless of winning or losing, everyone hoped he would take the competition seriously.

But more than anything, there is anticipation!

I hope he can defeat Akashi, I hope he can step up now, and I hope he can lead Yosen to victory in today's match!

For a player, what could be more motivating than the thought that "the team needs him"?

"I understand! I'll defeat Akashi!"

……

……

Pause ended

The minor incident that occurred on the Yangquan bench did not...

It interfered with the progress of the game.

The referee glanced at the situation briefly, and after finding no fighting, blew the whistle to resume the match.

As Himuro entered the arena, he rubbed his right wrist and glanced up at the scoreboard.

Los Angeles leads 36-38.

call--

Himuro took a deep breath. For some reason, after Xiangyang's encouragement, he felt clearer than ever before. Even though he hadn't touched the basketball yet, he had already entered the "brain-empty" state he usually experienced during training.

I'm in great shape...

Himuro thought to himself, his confidence growing stronger.

"Hi-muro!"

Just as Xiangyang had instructed, Changzhe gave his teammates a brief word of encouragement before handing the basketball to Himuro. Without stopping, he rushed to the corner and left the high post entirely to Himuro.

Not only Chang Zhe, but also Zi Yuan, who was still standing in the paint, all the other Yangquan players were scattered in the corners, creating an empty area on one side of the court.

"Is Yangquan going to challenge Akashi to a one-on-one fight???"

In the stands, many spectators understood Yangquan's intentions and didn't need to know much about football.

After all, Himuro and Akashi were standing at a high position facing each other, while the others were more than five meters away from them. It would be strange if they didn't want to have a one-on-one fight.

Akashi, whose face was usually expressionless, now wore a slight smile as he looked at Himuro with interest, his lips moving slightly.

"Interesting, come on."

With a casual air, as if speaking to a challenger, Akashi spread his arms wide, his golden pupils faintly visible in his eyes.

Himuro didn't rush to attack, dribbling the ball while trying to clear his mind.

He was still recalling what Xiangyang had told him.

Clear your mind...focus on the basketball...whether you're dribbling or shooting, keep your thoughts focused...

Having assessed his own condition, Himuro slowly dribbled the ball, finding his offensive rhythm.

He dribbled between his legs several times. At first, Himuro's movements were slow, but gradually, his hand movements quickened. Under these circumstances, his breathing rhythm did not change at all.

Keep breathing... keep your mind blank...

Ice Room moved; Hardaway changed direction and broke through on the right.

Akashi's eyes sharpened, and he activated "Emperor's Eye," anticipating Himuro's next move. He shifted his feet to the side, and his right hand, like a scythe, went straight for the basketball in Himuro's hand.

[A calm and still mind... then pull the trigger... and you can enter the "zone," right?]

In that moment of crisis, Himuro watched helplessly as Akashi's hand drew ever closer, yet his mind remained clearer than ever before.

A click sounded, like the shutter button of a camera being pressed, or perhaps... the trigger of a pistol being pulled...

Suddenly! Akashi felt a sudden unease, and the source of this feeling was Himuro Tatsuya, whom he was about to steal the ball from!

The next second, the scene in front of Akashi changed. The basketball that was just inches away had turned into Himuro's calf!

Akashi looked up in astonishment and saw Himuro in the air, his left hand holding the ball and his right hand flicking out a shot. A flash of blue lightning passed through his eyes!

“纳

…Ne?

Akashi's mouth was slightly open, and he forgot that his right hand was still reaching forward, directly touching Himuro's calf.

The referee's whistle blew immediately.

At the same time, Himuro's shot went in cleanly.