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

"The baby-faced guy in the middle is a three-time high school top shooter. According to the data, his three-point shooting percentage on the court is almost 60%! That's almost higher than mine."

"And that guy on the left, I remember him, his name is Fukuhara Toshihide, he was the only one who scored among the guys who played against Yuki!"

"And there's more..."

"Stop!!!"

Takeuchi interrupted Xiangyang with a sharp shout, his face grim. "What's the use of having so many perimeter players? No matter how good they are, can they replace you and Yuki or what? Without a center, how are we supposed to play this year?"

Xiangyang didn't react much, just quietly watching Wu Nei.

"I told the coach, we have no better option than to fire away."

……

……

A week has passed

All teams have completed their new member induction ceremonies and are now gradually selecting their starting lineups in preparation for this year's Summer Split.

Faced with the harsh reality, after repeated persuasion from Xiang Yang, Takeuchi finally decided to make the team's tactical core this year the "gun-and-shoot" offense, and also entrusted the task of selecting the starting lineup to Xiang Yang.

At the same time, the national team training camp organized by the Japanese Basketball Association also officially kicked off.

Five players from this year's graduating class came to participate in this training camp.

They are Kise Ryota from Kaijo.

Aomine Daiki of Touou.

Shiro Rin's Kagami Taiga.

And Reo Shibuchi and Eikichi Netakeya from the Rakuzan team.

This also means that even before the start of this year's summer season, many teams have already withdrawn from the championship race due to the absence of their star players.

As for the remaining teams with their full rosters, they are overjoyed.

As early as the first day the training camp roster was announced, the coaches of both Shiorin and Touou posted "no-show" signs on Twitter.

Although they will still participate in this year's competition, without the help of their star player, they are just playing away games.

Xiude's coach posted a single sentence.

"I have to consider whether this is my only chance to win a championship in the last three years!"

Underneath this tweet, hundreds of thousands of Xiude fans replied: "Xiude champions!"

Another team with a complete roster is Yangquan, led by Masako Araki. Although she hasn't said anything on Twitter, according to Xiangyang's observation, Yangquan's training frequency has more than doubled recently. At least, the number of times Xiangyang has seen Masako at the Shark Gym has decreased significantly.

It seems that Masako also believes that this year may be the best chance to win the championship!

Meanwhile, in a basketball interview program, when asked about the "Summer Season" arrangements, Los Angeles' head coach Eiji Shirakane said the following.

"To be honest, our plan has never changed from year to year, and it certainly won't be the same this year. We will definitely strive for the championship!"

"As for the absence of Nebu and Reo... I don't think it's a problem. Making the most of the players who have the opportunity to play is what a coach should do."

Not only that, at the end of the interview, Eiji Shirogane also pointedly said: "If any coach is so devastated because the team is missing a certain player... then I would think that coach is really terrible."

Host: "Excuse me... are you referring to Mr. Takeuchi Genta, the coach of Kaijo?"

Shirogane Eiji gave an innocent look and said, "Of course not, hahaha, why would you say that? I wasn't referring to any specific person! It was just a little thought of mine, please don't overinterpret it."

Chapter 228 Now this is my team

"...This is just a small thought of mine...please don't overinterpret it..."

Takeuchi sat in his office, expressionless, watching a program on TV, which featured a basketball interview with Rakuzan coach Eiji Shirakane.

Beside him, Xiangyang was reclining on the sofa, savoring tea from Takeuchi's collection.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Coach, your taste is pretty good, isn't it?"

Xiang Yang pursed his lips, savoring the sweet and astringent tea flavor in his mouth, and said with a hint of surprise.

He never expected that Takeuchi, who usually dressed sloppily, would have such unique insights into tea tasting; at least he had never tasted this particular tea on the market.

Just as Xiangyang was about to take another sip to savor it, Takeuchi suddenly slammed his fist on the table, making a loud bang.

This interrupted Xiangyang's actions. He looked at Wu Nei's slightly trembling hand suspended in mid-air and asked with concern, "Doesn't it hurt?"

Upon hearing this, Takeuchi, who was about to rub his palm, paused and replied casually, "So-so."

After saying that, Takeuchi pointed at the TV screen with his other finger and said through gritted teeth, "Listen to what that old bastard is saying!"

Xiangyang glanced at Takeuchi, who was subtly moving the hand that had been tapping the table below. Judging from the cold sweat that had appeared on his face, the tap just now was not as "ordinary" as Takeuchi had said.

Ah, a man who strives for excellence his entire life.

Xiang Yang shook his head without pointing it out, and instead followed up on Wu Nei's words, saying, "After all, we and Rakuzan are mortal enemies, so it's perfectly normal for us to exchange a few sarcastic remarks. Besides... Coach, he seems to be younger than you, and you called him an old bastard, which is a bit inappropriate."

Upon hearing Xiangyang's words, Wu Nei's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered. He cleared his throat, looked at Shirogane Eiji on TV, and said disdainfully, "Although I am older than him in terms of age, haven't you noticed that he looks much older than me?"

"Look at his full head of white hair, would anyone think he's only in his forties or fifties? My dad doesn't even have as much white hair as him! And the wrinkles on his face, they make me want to vomit! Ugh!"

At the end, Takeuchi even spat on the ground, as if only in this way could he vent his dissatisfaction.

Xiangyang looked at Takeuchi speechlessly, then turned his head to examine Shirogane Eiji.

Indeed, just as he said, Shirogane Eiji's appearance and the aura he exudes are completely those of a middle-aged man. Combined with his congenital white hair, it is easy for outsiders to mistake his true gender.

However, Eiji Shirogane's facial features are very handsome, and even the wrinkles on his face add a touch of composure to him.

Among the many fans of Rakuzan, there are quite a few young female fans who love the older man because of Eiji Shirakane.

On the other hand, Takeuchi Genta... well, let's not bother watching him.

Xiang Yang stretched and took out a piece of paper from his pocket, which listed the players among this year's freshmen who were strong enough to be Haichang's starters.

"teach

"Lian, take a look. These players all have good potential and their immediate impact is satisfactory. With proper development, they should have no problem becoming starters."

Takeuchi took the note from Xiangyang, his eyes narrowed into slits, and read softly, "Fukuhara Toshihide... Shimamura Toshiyoshi... Tanaka... Tanaka?? I remember this person isn't the one you mentioned. Isn't his strength inferior to Kobori's center?"

Takeuchi looked at Xiangyang with a surprised expression, clearly unable to understand his intentions. He had just told Xiangyang that this person was not up to the task, yet he had added his name to the reserve list of starting players.

Seeing Takeuchi's puzzled expression, Xiangyang scratched his cheek and said, "I was just thinking that you've never been a big fan of artillery bombardment tactics, so I added him to the starting lineup. Maybe with some training, he might bring some unexpected surprises!"

As he spoke, Xiangyang winked at Wu Nei, as if he were considering his feelings.

Takeuchi stroked his chin, lost in thought. After a while, he shook his head and said, "No need. Just assemble the starting lineup according to your own ideas. Since you're so confident in your artillery and bombardment, you don't need to worry about my feelings. After all, my trust in you is one hundred percent!"

At this point, Takeuchi paused, then looked at Xiangyang with a suspicious gaze and asked, "Speaking of which... are you actually the kind of person who would consider my feelings? I thought that after you decided on the starting lineup, you wouldn't even let me see it."

Upon hearing this, Xiangyang trembled violently, then, as if he had suffered a tremendous injustice, he sobbed and said, "Coach, how could you see me like this? It's truly disheartening..."

Seeing that Xiangyang looked like he was about to cry, Wu Nei panicked and quickly patted Xiangyang's shoulder apologizing, "Xiangyang, I was just kidding, don't take it seriously! Actually, even if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have cared, because you've always done a great job! I feel very reassured with you as captain of Kaijo!"

After saying this, Takeuchi got up to pour Xiangyang another cup of tea, but the latter refused. Xiangyang waved his hand, choked with emotion, and left Takeuchi's office.

pat!

The office door closed quietly. Looking at the doorway, Takeuchi sighed, "He's still just a young man who hasn't been an adult for long. His mentality is so fragile. I'll have to be more careful in the future..."

Just as Takeuchi was reflecting on his actions with a sense of guilt, Xiangyang, standing outside the door, wiped away the tears he had forced out of his eyes, let out a long sigh, and said, "Honestly, it's such a hassle to appease your own coach... It seems like Coach Takeuchi really thinks I put Tanaka in the starting lineup for his own good..."

"This is terrible. How am I going to explain this to him during the actual competition?"

Xiangyang touched his nose in distress, and walked towards the basketball court while thinking about it.

In fact, putting Tanaka in the starting lineup was not to make it easier for Takeuchi to coach, but to hide his true abilities!

Such an unconventional tactic, which has both weaknesses and strengths, like artillery bombardment, should not be used as soon as the game starts!

The true value of artillery bombardment lies in its ability to deliver a fatal blow when facing a key and powerful enemy!

As for dealing with weak opponents before the official match, all you need to do is put Tanaka on the field to pretend and confuse your opponents.

complete

Below the Miracle level, even in a four-on-five situation, Hai Chang can do it with ease.

"Forget it."

Xiang Yang shook his head, dismissing the thought, and walked to the edge of the training field, shouting, "Twenty-minute break, then we'll play... a freshman training match!"

……

……

"Hmm... let's put the groups like this!"

With a black pen dangling from his mouth and looking at the draft paper in his hand, Xiang Yang announced loudly, "There are 15 teams in total. Everyone, remember your team's number and gather at the court after I announce your name."

Xiangyang looked around and muttered, "That's strange... Where's Ohara?"

"I am here to greet the sun, senior."

Before Xiangyang could finish speaking, Ohara Hiroshi appeared out of thin air and stood in front of Xiangyang.

"Is there a problem?"

Ohara asked.

Xiangyang thought for a moment and then asked, "Where did Yuki go?"

Ohara: "He was chatting with his girlfriend outside the stadium."

"Oh, so you were chatting with your girlfriend... What???"

Xiang Yang suddenly looked up, and the black pen fell out of his mouth.

"When did he get a girlfriend? And I remember, high school students aren't allowed to date, right?"

Xiangyang asked, half gossipy and half puzzled. Just then, Yuki walked in from the door, carrying a cup of milk tea that he had only taken a few sips of.

Xiangyang narrowed his eyes and carefully examined Youji. Just as he confirmed that there were some red marks on the top of the straw on her milk tea, Xiangyang immediately stood up from the stool and gasped.

He casually took the black pen that Ohara handed him, which had fallen to the ground, and walked around Yuki, his face full of ambiguity.

"Yuki...did you do it?"

Yuuki: ? ? ? ? ?