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

Fortunately, although the system often gives him the silent treatment, the rewards it sends out are always top-notch.

Xiangyang's instincts were right; the basketball went straight through the hoop without even touching the net—a true swish three-pointer.

beep—

Haichang Sanfen is effective

Takeuchi blew his whistle, his gaze towards Xiangyang filled with surprise. This little...

Wow, he actually has this trick up his sleeve? I wonder how accurate his three-point shooting is from halftime.

The national youth team's number one player rubbed his eyes, making sure he wasn't seeing things. Is this how high school students shoot three-pointers these days? Making them all over the court is considered excellent, making them in the first half is considered average?

The national youth team captain did the same. Unconvinced, he picked up the ball and, before inbounding the ball, attempted a three-pointer at his own basket. "Bang!" It missed. He patted the ball a couple more times to check its weight; it seemed normal, and there didn't appear to be any magnet inside.

"Let him throw another one, I don't believe something so outrageous could happen."

The national youth team captain's face darkened as he gave the order. He wasn't sure if Fang Yang's shot was a fluke; if they rashly changed formation, they might be playing right into his hands.

Seeing that the national youth team was still letting him easily cross the halfway line, Xiang Yang didn't hold back. He carefully felt the ball and found that the feeling of scoring was still there. He raised his hand and made another three-pointer from midfield. As expected, the ball went into the net cleanly again, and the net on the rim didn't even move.

Xiang Yang wasn't mentally prepared for the last goal and didn't dare to mock the national youth team's number one player. It would have been embarrassing if he hadn't scored. This time it's different.

As soon as he released the three-pointer, while the ball was still in the air, he walked up behind player number one, put his arm around his shoulder in a very familiar manner, and pointed to the basket, indicating that he should look at the ball carefully.

The national youth team's number one player was still staring blankly at the ball's trajectory until it entered the basket and Takeuchi blew the whistle, at which point he finally snapped out of it. He turned to look at Xiang Yang, who still had that irritating smile, a smile that was three parts sarcastic, three parts mocking, three parts taunting, and one part nonchalant.

In a fit of rage, Number One pushed Xiang Yang away, his face contorted with fury. Having been humiliated repeatedly by a high school student, his anger had reached its peak. If this weren't Haichang's home ground, filled with Xiang Yang's people, he might have already resorted to violence!

Upon seeing this, Hori and Hayakawa immediately rushed in front of Number One and shielded Xiangyang behind them.

Xiangyang, who had been pushed away, raised his hands with an innocent look on his face. He turned to look at Wu Nei and blinked.

Takeuchi's expression was also very unpleasant. He glared angrily at the national youth team captain, the meaning of which was self-evident: manage your subordinates!

A bead of cold sweat trickled down the national youth team captain's face. He quickly called to his teammates to rush over and pull number one to the bench. Then, glancing at Yuki sitting to the side, he said, "Warm up and get ready to go on."

He doesn't dare use number one anymore, does he? He's deliberately causing trouble in someone else's arena. He doesn't want to leave this arena lying down.

Yuki swallowed hard, slowly stood up, and shuddered as she walked past Number One.

He noticed that Number One was staring at him, a very intense stare.

Yuki walked shakily onto the field, still feeling nervous. When Xiangyang saw his younger brother return to the field, he took the initiative to come over and greet him.

"Oh... why do you look so pale?"

Hearing Xiangyang's question, Yuki quickly turned around and replied, "It's nothing! It's nothing..."

Ok?

Xiang Yang glanced at number one on the sidelines, who was still staring at him... no, staring at Yuki?

Xiangyang stroked his chin, as if he understood something.

"Well, nice to meet you."

Yuki nodded repeatedly. His whole body was stiff, and the forced smile on his face looked pale.

Xiangyang smiled and patted Yuki on the shoulder, then, out of Yuki's sight, wagged his finger at Number One.

Young age, yet plays basketball well—how can someone like that not be arrogant and complacent? On the contrary, seem somewhat weak? There must be something wrong here, and the source of that problem is quite obvious.

Ignoring Number One's increasingly grim expression, Xiang Yang turned and walked back to his own half to prepare for defense. This younger brother's playmaking and passing were very threatening. Fortunately, Xiang Yang had already planned to give up on defense in the fourth quarter. He had asked Kise to keep the score close in the third quarter, aiming to go toe-to-toe with the opponent. "We won't defend. As long as we score more points than you, we'll win."

What's that saying again...? Offense is the best defense! Xiangyang, who's unleashing his fourth-quarter dominance, happens to be the second-highest scorer on the court besides Kise. What? Kise's my teammate? Oh well, that's alright then~

Chapter 79 Little Genius

As Xiang Yang predicted, the "King of the Final Quarter" effect was exactly as its name suggests: the boost was all on the offensive end, while the defensive capabilities were not improved.

The national youth team doesn't even need to pass the ball too much. After creating a little space, their inside players can wreak havoc in Haichang's paint.

Kise was also standing in the corner, catching his breath. Until his basic motor skills were restored, he couldn't be of much help.

Fortunately, Xiang Yang frequently fired from the outside. The shooting boost brought by the King of the Fourth Quarter was no joke. He could feel the shot before he even took it. Before the fourth quarter was even halfway through, Xiang Yang had already made five of five shots, scoring fifteen points in the quarter.

For a time, Haichang's advantages actually expanded.

On the field, Xiangyang whistled while looking at the scoreboard.

Haichang regained the lead with a score of 99:96.

Midorima was right; a three-pointer is definitely one point more than a two-pointer.

With the same number of shots, a 40% three-point shooting percentage is comparable to a 60% mid-range shot combined with close-range attacks.

When the shooting percentage is 100%, 6 three-point attempts can offset the damage caused by 9 mid-range shots.

"No... we can't go on like this."

The national youth team captain wiped the sweat from his face. He had fought tooth and nail in the paint, only to have his score tied by a single, effortless shot from Xiang Yang. He couldn't accept it.

"Double him up on the perimeter, and once he crosses midcourt, shut him down."

The national youth team captain glanced at Yuki, but ultimately decided to abandon the one-on-one defense strategy. He pointed to Kasamatsu's opponent and said, "Go help Yuki double-team him."

Upon hearing this, Kise's opponent was taken aback. He pointed to his face and asked, "Huh? Why don't you let me go? That guy is completely out of energy right now and poses no threat."

The national youth team captain immediately rejected the idea, insisting, "No, you just guard that guy and let him go."

The impression Kise made on the Chinese youth team in the third quarter was so profound that even though Kise remained stationary in the corner throughout the fourth quarter, the captain of the Chinese youth team decided to send someone over to accompany him.

Compared to Kise, Kasamatsu's threat is practically nonexistent. Today, Kasamatsu was off his game on offense and was also being exploited defensively. By the end of the third quarter, he had gone 0-for-7 from the field, with an efficiency rating of 0.

When it was Kaijo's turn to attack again, Xiangyang dribbled the ball across half-court, and Yuki and Kasamatsu's opponents immediately rushed up to double-team him.

Huh? They're double-teaming right after the halftime break? Aren't they worried about disrupting their defensive formation?

Xiang Yang was quite surprised and kept dribbling and adjusting his position to deal with the double-team defense. Ever since number one pushed Xiang Yang and left the court, the national youth team's overall defense has become much more subdued. Facing this kind of defense, Xiang Yang, whose basic skills are nothing short of freakish, handled it with ease.

With a slight glance, Kasamatsu had already moved to a high position, his hands raised in front of his chest as if to receive the ball.

Xiang Yang flicked his right hand, delivering a surgical pass to Li Song. At that moment, everyone on the national youth team stood still, showing no intention of coming up to help defend.

Damn it... do they look down on me?

Kasamatsu gritted his teeth, raised his hand, aimed at the basket, and released a three-pointer. Unfortunately, the basketball rolled once around the rim and bounced out. Seeing this...

Kasamatsu's expression changed; he had already gone 0-for-8.

During the rebounding phase, the national youth team captain firmly blocked Kozo behind him, reached out with his right hand to grab the rebound, and then made a long pass to Yuki who was rushing forward.

Xiangyang attempted to intercept the ball, but Yuki's height advantage allowed him to easily receive the pass. He then coordinated with his teammates for a fast break, scoring and narrowing the score gap.

Oh no! Missing an open three-pointer and giving up points for the team is a huge mistake. And this is still considered good... If Kasamatsu-senpai's mentality is affected...

Xiangyang glanced at Kasamatsu, who was standing silently with his head down in the front field. After a brief moment of thought, he walked up to Kasamatsu with a grin and asked, "Kasamatsu-senpai, you didn't get beaten up and become withdrawn, did you?"

Kasamatsu didn't speak, but his fists clenched slightly, and a look of resentment appeared on his face.

"That won't do. If Kasamatsu-senpai doesn't help me, it will be very difficult to win."

Xiangyang rested his hands behind his head and glanced sideways at Lisong as he spoke.

"My problem, wasn't it..."

Before Kasamatsu could apologize, he was interrupted by Xiangyang, who patted Kasamatsu's butt and said, "I didn't mean to criticize you, senpai."

"What I'm trying to say is, I need you, Captain. For the sake of Haichang, pull yourself together."

Talent: Chicken soup for the soul has been activated.

Kasamatsu stared blankly at Xiangyang, feeling a sense of relief. The anxiety of going 0-for-8 had vanished from his mind.

Seriously, why is this guy so good with words? He always manages to come up with such eloquent and encouraging things.

"Got it! You bastard, if I have a chance to shoot and you don't pass it to me, I'll kill you after the game."

As he said this, Kasamatsu kicked Hikari's butt.

Xiang Yang chuckled, unconcerned, and walked over to receive the serve, beginning his attack again.

The Chinese youth team continued to employ a strategy of single-target defense against Kise, double-teaming Xiangyang, and leaving Kasamatsu open.

Just past half-court, Xiangyang was double-teamed again, but this time it was different. Facing the defense of two people, Xiangyang glanced at Kasamatsu, who was standing at a 45-degree angle waiting to receive the ball, and a feeling rose in his heart again: Pass it! This ball can go in!

It turns out that the "King of the Fourth Quarter" can not only sense the aura of a goal, but also the aura of a teammate passing the ball to another teammate that could lead to a goal.

A sudden inspiration struck him. Without the slightest hesitation, Xiangyang jumped into the air and used the higher passing space to pass the ball directly to Kasamatsu.

The national youth team captain glanced at Kasamatsu but had no intention of going forward to cover.

A shooter who goes 0-for-8? There's no need to defend him.

Kasamatsu crouched down slightly, took a deep breath while looking at the basketball hoop in front of him.

As the team leader, it's one thing to be unable to help, but to cause trouble for the team? Sorry, Kasamatsu Yukio isn't that shameful.

Raise your hand, thrust your elbow, and strike—all in one fluid motion.

beep—

Haichang Sanfen is effective

The national youth team captain glanced at Lisong, but didn't care. He was a shooter who made 1 out of 9 shots; even his grandmother could be that shooter. It didn't matter. He continued to let him shoot.

The national youth team did not change their defensive strategy and continued to double-team Xiang Yang, which gave Li Song a lot of shooting space.

Shot, goal, shot, goal...

When Kasamatsu hit his fourth three-pointer of the game, the national youth team captain finally realized the problem.

The seriousness of the situation was realized, but it was too late. The national youth team not only failed to widen the score gap, but also fell slightly behind. After resting for most of the quarter, Huang Se finally had the ability to attack the basket again. With "perfect imitation" and "king of the final quarter", he launched a 14-5 run in the final moments of the game and successfully won the game.

beep—

The final whistle blew, and Haichang won 118-111.

A look of relief appeared on Hori's face; only his jersey knew the extent of the injury he had suffered.

Takeuchi's face crinkled with laughter; now, his team would have two members selected for the national youth team! This year's performance has been outstanding.

Thank you for your guidance!

During the greetings between the two sides, the number one player from the Chinese youth team did not appear, seemingly having already returned home early.