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

Xiangyang was somewhat dissatisfied. It was rare for him to open the champagne halfway through the game, and he wanted to explain things to Gaowei before winning the match.

Upon hearing this, Takao straightened his expression, made a gesture of listening attentively, and waited for Hikari to continue.

"Listen carefully, the protagonist of that new story you're talking about is none other than your Xiude."

"The protagonist is Xiude... Oh??"

Takao instinctively wanted to nod in agreement, but then realized what he was doing and turned around sharply to look at Xiangyang, only to find that the latter's expression had become incredibly cunning.

"Have you realized it yet? You guys who have been relying on Midorima to score points are just like sparrows that have lost their ability to hunt."

Xiangyang smiled, a bright and cheerful smile.

"Think about your teammates. Starting from the second half, they didn't choose to shoot even when we had a few open shots, right? They were useless in this game."

In an instant, Takao's expression became uncertain. The scene of the match just now flashed through his mind, trying to find any discrepancies between it and Xiangyang's description.

Unfortunately... I can't find it.

It wasn't just empty boasting; Xiangyang wasn't talking nonsense. In the current Shutoku team, apart from Midorima and Takao who just broke through and scored, the other three players can't contribute anything on the offensive end except for rebounding and defense.

The fact that they hadn't touched the ball for a long time and relied on Midorima to score had already given them a hint.

[If we pass the ball to Midorima, even if they don't score a single point, we still have a chance to win this game!]

"So that's why you've been letting Xiao Zhen attack since the third quarter... What a clever scheme, Xiangyang!"

Takao bit her lip and stubbornly said, "Then let me tell you a story too. Villains die from talking too much. Even a child knows this. You don't seem to understand?"

If Xiangyang hadn't told Takao, even if he had noticed something was wrong, it would have been too late. But now that Takao knows, even if he can't think of a solution in a short time, he will definitely try his best to make adjustments, at least he won't remain indifferent and suffer a slow death.

"Indeed, I was too arrogant this time, but calling us villains is going too far, isn't it?"

Xiang Yang stretched and yawned, grunting as he glanced into the restricted area.

Yuki and Kise executed a brilliant alley-oop, easily scoring two points.

Even if Xiang Yang doesn't participate in the attack, the current Haichang team won't have any problems at all.

"If we lose this game because of me, I will apologize to my teammates afterward, but..."

"That shouldn't happen, Mr. Takao."

Villains die from talking too much, but protagonists don't.

Chapter 166 91 Points in a Single Game

The third quarter ended.

Xiude leads 91-88.

Midorima sat down on the bench expressionlessly. Although he appeared calm on the surface, his rapid breathing betrayed a lot.

Midorima's stamina is almost gone!

Nakatani Hitoshi scratched his head, feeling anxious but mostly helpless.

Throughout the third quarter, although it's unclear why the pressure on Midorima from the Kaijo defense suddenly lessened considerably, the constant tension in his muscles during the attack must have taken a toll on Midorima's physique.

"There's one last quarter left, and the good news is we're in the lead... Takao, Takao?"

"what!"

Hearing his coach's call, Takao suddenly looked up, snapping out of his daze.

Nakatani Jinliang looked at Takao with a furrowed brow: "Takao, are you alright? Did that guy say anything to you?" After speaking, Nakatani Jinliang also glanced at Xiangyang in the other half of the court. He had seen the two of them chatting in the corner at the beginning of the third quarter.

Takao's lips twitched slightly, but in the end he just shook his head.

Nakatani Jinliang glanced at Takao, then turned back to give Shutoku and the others a renewed instruction on their tactics and tasks for the fourth quarter.

This easygoing coach didn't suspect that Takao had a mental problem; he just assumed that he was too tired from playing for too long.

However, just as Coach Shutoku turned his head, out of his sight, Takao quietly clenched his fist, his expression one of utter bewilderment.

What should I do...?

Even though Xiangyang took the initiative to reveal Kaijo's tactical intentions to Takao, Kaijo's "psychological offensive" had already succeeded by this point in the game.

The Shutoku team scored 91 points, with 62 of them coming from Midorima alone. Of the remaining 20-plus points, a large portion came from Takao. As for the other three Shutoku players, by the time they were on the court in the latter part of the third quarter, they had already lost all will to score.

"As long as we pass the ball to Midorima, we won't need them to work themselves to the bone to score points against Kaijo."

This was a psychological suggestion orchestrated by Xiang Yang and the entire Haichang team for Xiu De.

What's even more terrifying is that they have succeeded.

Should I talk to the coach...? But even if I did, it wouldn't solve anything... They barely touched the ball the whole game; forcing them to have the ball and attack would only ruin the game...

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, and Takao sadly realized that Shutoku had no way out now. What was worse was that all the Shutoku members except him were still clinging to the idea that they could win by relying on Midorima.

Just as Takao was gradually sinking into a state of despair and withdrawal, Midorima suddenly raised his hand, grabbed Takao's chin, and turned his face to face with his own.

"Ah?"

Takao was stunned. The sudden turn of events caught him off guard. Soon, his scattered pupils focused again, and he looked directly at Midorima in front of him, asking, "What's wrong, Shin?"

Midorima's breathing was still unsteady due to excessive physical exertion, but his gaze toward Takao was very serious.

"Something's wrong with you, Takao."

Takao was stunned; he hadn't even...

Before he could speak, Midorima said again, "Can we put everything that has nothing to do with victory behind us, Takao? We don't have time to think about that now."

After saying that, Midorima looked at the scoreboard. Shutoku was indeed leading by two points, but Midorima knew in his heart that with his current physical strength, it was impossible for him to win the game.

He needs help!

Takao didn't speak, but covered his face with one hand and smoothed his bangs up his forehead. He looked up at the lights above the stadium and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Xiao Zhen, can I take that as you telling me you need me?"

Takao looked at Midorima with a mocking expression, and Midorima turned his head away awkwardly upon hearing Takao's words, saying in a stiff tone, "I didn't, I was just reminding you that the competition is still ongoing."

Haha, you're quite the tsundere, aren't you?

Takao chuckled, a hint of cleverness flashing in his eyes once more.

"Oh, thank you, Xiaozhen. I know what to do next."

beep—

The referee blew his whistle at that very moment.

The fourth quarter of the decisive battle between Shutoku and Kaijo has finally arrived.

"They've left. They've been performing for a whole episode, and giving the other side a bit too much hope seems a bit excessive."

Xiang Yang waved and led the Haichang team back to the field. Behind him, none of the Haichang players showed a trace of tension. Instead, they displayed only a thirst for victory and confidence.

Unwavering belief that victory belongs to them, even when trailing in the score, without a doubt. This is the legacy and championship pedigree of Haichang.

"Huh? Takao, your eyes seem to have changed."

Xiangyang took the initiative to walk up to Takao and start a conversation with him. His eyes swept over Takao and he keenly noticed the change in him.

Takao didn't answer, but looked at Hiyori standing beside him, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

If Haejo wants to win the game without giving Xiude any chance in the fourth quarter, they will go all out from the start.

Given that Midorima's stamina is already exhausted, it's quite obvious what tactics Kaijo will employ to completely suppress him.

Man-to-man defense throughout the game!

Realizing that Takao had seen through his intentions, Xiangyang simply shrugged and laid his cards on the table.

With his knees slightly bent, Xiangyang spread his arms to block Takao, raising his eyebrows and saying, "Come on."

Beep!

As the whistle blew for the serve, the experienced Takao immediately ran to the side, leaving Xiangyang's defensive range and defusing the serving crisis.

However, the most damaging aspect of "man-to-man marking" begins at this moment.

With a sudden step, Xiang Yang squeezed Takao to the side. The advantage of his weight made it impossible for Takao to fight back or break free. Fortunately, Takao's outstanding speed allowed him to use a half-turn to successfully bring the ball across the halfway line.

In the first five seconds of the fourth quarter, the point guards of both sides had already engaged in several offensive and defensive exchanges. Although Takao did not lose the ball, the continuous acceleration in a short period of time still made his breathing somewhat disordered.

As the defender, Xiang Yang also expended a lot of energy. However, having prepared for the full-court press in the fourth quarter from the very beginning of the first quarter, he managed his stamina well.

In this aspect, it's miles ahead of Takao.

At this moment, he looked at Takao with a smile in his eyes, occasionally stepping forward to pretend to steal the ball and disrupt Takao's dribbling rhythm, causing the latter great pain.

"Takao!"

Seeing his point guard in trouble, Midorima, who had already taken all the responsibility upon himself, immediately ran to his position and reached out for the ball. Even though his steps were a little unsteady, his gaze remained firm.

If I can't stand up at a time like this, then who will?

A roar came from his heart. Midorima received the pass from Takao and faced Kise's defense without hesitation. He decisively broke through and, at the moment of rushing out, he instantly pulled back with a crossover dribble, leaping into the air and sinking another difficult three-pointer!

A clean swish into the net, Xiude scores a three-pointer!

"Good shot! Good shot! Go Xiude!!"

"This guy's shooting accuracy is incredible!"

As Midorima sank another difficult three-pointer, the audience erupted in gasps.

So far, Midorima has scored 66 points, tying the single-game scoring record set by Aomine last year. Once this game ends, it is almost a certainty that Midorima will become the new record holder.

Meanwhile, Midorima also made his twentieth three-pointer of the game!

Many spectators in the stands were now fans of Midorima, including some former Kaijo fans who had switched sides at the last minute, but were now impressed by Midorima.

"Wow, sorry, sorry, the way Little Green plays is so hard to defend!"

Kise raised his hand and apologized to his teammates. Even though he knew Midorima would definitely choose to shoot a three-pointer, he still couldn't stop him.

A 100% success rate for such a difficult three-pointer is simply too abnormal.

The Kaijo members certainly wouldn't blame Kise for this, since even Kise in his "perfect" state couldn't defend against Midorima, let alone anyone else.

"It's okay. I'd believe it if you told me that guy would collapse on the ground any second now."