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

He dribbled forward again, but this time Masako simply stole the ball from Xiangyang's hands. Even the danger warning couldn't help Xiangyang.

"Why? Why do you make me feel so uncomfortable by guarding against me?"

Xiang Yang finally couldn't help but ask, "Even though I don't feel much pressure from Ya Zi's defense, she still can't score any points for me."

For the first time ever, Masako actually smiled. Perhaps it was because she had regained her pride, but she smiled very happily.

"When physical abilities are similar, the offensive player's job is to use skills to score. Since basketball is a sport that encourages offense, the defensive side is at a disadvantage in terms of the overall rules."

At this point, Yako glanced at Xiangyang and, seeing that he was listening attentively, nodded in satisfaction and continued, "The most crucial thing in defense is experience. Experienced defenders can roughly predict the next move of an attacker based on just one action, which is the basis of gamble-style steals."

"But you have a strong desire to protect the ball and react very quickly, so I just changed my defensive strategy. Everyone has offensive methods they are not good at. If you can't shut someone down, you just have to force them to make a mistake."

Force him to make a mistake?

Xiangyang stroked his chin, pondering Yako's defensive tactics during their one-on-one duel. He seemed to have grasped something.

"Observe his offense to determine his preferred scoring methods, and try to force him to take the shot in an uncomfortable way..."

Of course, all of this is based on the premise that the physical differences between the two sides are not significant; otherwise, even with superior technique, one can be easily overpowered.

After saying a lot, Masako took a breath and looked at Xiangyang, who was deep in thought, and said, "I've said so much, you probably won't understand it right away. Give me the ball."

Hearing Masako's words, Xiangyang temporarily put aside his thoughts. He tossed the ball to Masako and, seeing her posture, understood what she meant.

Theory is just theory. To master it, practice is essential. Basketball is not a sport that you can improve by lying in bed, listening to a few lessons, or watching a few highlights.

The morning passed quickly. In addition to defensive skills, Masako also took the time to give Xiangyang a shooting test, which did not surprise Masako.

Xiangyang's shooting is indeed accurate, and he even has a super long-range three-pointer with a respectable shooting percentage. However, his release speed is not fast, so in Yako's database, his shooting ability is only average.

Morning session: Endurance training + defensive skills + basic shooting.

Afternoon strength training + dribbling relaxation + massage.

Masako strictly controls all three meals, with one indulgent meal every week to ensure that Hikaru's taste buds don't lose their sense of taste.

More than three months passed like this. The Winter Cup qualifiers had already begun, and the top three teams from the Summer Tournament had directly qualified for the main tournament: Haichang, Luoshan, and Yangquan. Therefore, Xiangyang was even more focused on improving himself in preparation for the Winter Cup main tournament.

In the past three months, Xiangyang's body has undergone tremendous changes! That's an exaggeration... but it's definitely a major improvement.

Let's look at Masako's data book first.

Name: Xiang Yang

height:

body weight:

Wingspan:

Strength: Average

Speed: Poor

Shooting: Average

Endurance: Average

Sports IQ: Good

Defense: Good

Three months of dietary planning combined with strength training promoted bone growth, and Xiang Yang, whose body was still in its developmental stage, saw breakthroughs in both height and wingspan. Of course, the biggest breakthrough was in weight. Conversely, the increased weight caused Xiang Yang to slow down, but he wasn't a speed-oriented guard to begin with, so it wasn't a major issue.

In three months, Xiangyang grew by a whole

He gained a full 11kg, all from forcing himself to eat more. Originally, Masako's plan was for Xiangyang to only gain weight to 80kg. However, because of the "big vs. small textbook," which states that as long as his weight is higher than his opponent's, Xiangyang can improve his strength even if he is shorter, he took the initiative to gain more weight. His reason was that he really liked fighting opponents who were lighter than him.

Although Masako had some reservations about this, she did not object. She could also sense that Xiangyang was good at using his weight advantage, but in their daily one-on-one training, she was often bullied by Xiangyang with his big butt.

……

"What's wrong, Ms. Masako? You've been dribbling for so long; in a real game, wouldn't that be a 24-second violation?"

"Stop nagging!"

Inside the basketball court at Shark Gym, Xiangyang was still doing defensive training with Yazi. However, today was different from before. Xiangyang could now use his disgusting defensive methods to torment Yazi to the point of wishing she were dead.

Xiangyang kept using his small tricks to restrict Yako's dribbling space. Yako had no choice but to keep dribbling and looking for space, but she couldn't find an opportunity after dribbling for a long time. She forced a lean back shot, but it missed.

"Oh dear, what's going on, Ms. Masako? Should I teach you how to break this defense pattern?"

After three months of getting to know each other, the two had become quite familiar with each other. Yako had long since gotten used to Xiangyang's trash-talking personality and no longer pulled out her greatsword to cause trouble and commit violence as she used to.

Hearing Xiang Yang's sarcasm, she just rolled her eyes and said irritably, "Go eat your lunch now, and get back to Haichang after you finish your strength training and stretching."

Next week, the Winter Cup official tournament will begin. As the team's starting point guard, Xiang Yang will definitely need to go back early to reconnect with his old teammates, since they haven't seen each other for more than three months.

Xiangyang didn't mind and happily went to eat his lunch, which was the same as always: broccoli, chicken breast, fish, and rice. Only the plate was much bigger than it had been three months ago.

During this special training, besides his weight, Xiang Yang's defensive ability improved the most, and he even gained an additional talent in the system's talent bar.

Talent: Death Coil (Harassment Version)

Under your defense, the offensive player's shooting percentage drops by 10% and their turnover rate increases by 10%.

(A talent that the host has independently developed.)

"I never expected that I could comprehend my talent on my own," Xiangyang exclaimed as he picked at the rice on his plate.

Since he mastered this talent, not only has his defensive ability improved, but his ability to anticipate the defender's thoughts during offense has also improved. Well, this is all something he has learned from his daily one-on-one matches with Yako.

Masako came out of the changing room, quickly wiped the sweat off her body, draped a towel around her neck, and carried her lunch in her hand before sitting down next to Xiangyang.

I don't know when it started, but Masako has been dining with Hikaru.

Neither of them spoke; they simply focused on finishing the food on their plates.

After Xiangyang finished eating, he leaned back in his chair, picking his teeth with a toothpick, and even let out a burp, completely disregarding his image.

Yako, standing next to him, moved much more gracefully. She picked up a napkin and gently wiped her mouth before getting up to pick up her and Xiangyang's plates. Before leaving, she gave Xiangyang a disdainful look.

"Ms. Masako, thank you so much for all this time."

Watching Masako's departing figure, Xiangyang shouted loudly.

"I will make it into the national youth team! I definitely will!"

Upon hearing Xiangyang's voice, Yako paused slightly, then waved to Xiangyang to indicate that she understood.

"However, if I encounter Yangquan in the Winter Cup, I won't hold back."

Xiangyang laughed heartily. If it had been three months ago, Masako would have drawn her sword at Xiangyang if he had said that.

But now, Masako merely frowned slightly and muttered a curse under her breath.

That brat…

The national youth team isn't as good as you think...

Chapter 85 Civil War in Haichang

Haichang High School

"Hurry up over there!"

Three months later, Xiangyang returned to this place. He could hear shouts coming from inside even before he entered.

That voice… Kasamatsu-senpai? He really is full of energy.

A smile involuntarily appeared on Xiangyang's face; it had been a long time since he had seen them.

During the special training, Kise did talk to Xiangyang on the phone a few times, but because Masako's training intensity was very high, Xiangyang would fall asleep as soon as he got home, so the two did not meet.

As he approached the stadium entrance, Xiang Yang took a deep breath, composed himself, and tried to return calmly.

After gripping the doorknob and rubbing it to make sure he had calmed down, Xiangyang pushed open the door and slowly walked in.

Kasamatsu, who was directing the training, heard a strange noise, turned his head to glance at the entrance of the stadium, and was about to look away when he seemed to remember something. He suddenly turned his head and exclaimed, "Hidamari!"

“Oh, Kasamatsu-senpai.”

Xiangyang nodded to Kasamatsu with a warm smile, convinced that his gesture was impeccable and perfectly polite. However, the rest of the Kaijo group were not as composed as he was.

"Xiangyang!! Haha! I miss you so much!"

This is Xiaojue, who was already breathing heavily through his nostrils. He rushed up and hugged Xiangyang tightly.

"Well... Kohori-senpai, I miss you too."

Xiang Yang maintained his smile, but his hands were secretly pushing Xiao Gui away. Xiao Gui's enthusiastic hug made him feel a little breathless.

"Little Xiangyang??? You're back!"

Without even looking, you can tell that this name belongs to Kise. He originally wanted to rush up and give Hikaru a big hug, but when he got closer, he realized that Hikaru seemed to be "monopolized" by Hori.

Having no other choice, he could only grope Xiangyang, making curious noises: "Hey? Little Xiangyang, you seem to have gotten a lot fairer, and you've grown taller too! Hey, have you gained weight?"

Soon, not only Kise, but also the other members of Kaijo rushed up and surrounded Xiangyang, asking him all sorts of questions. The scene was exactly like a morning market.

Kasamatsu stood to the side, watching this scene with a twitching mouth. He had originally wanted to go up and stop the crowd, but their enthusiasm made him give up on the idea.

Oh well... the person in charge at home is back, so it's fine if they're a little happy.

Kasamatsu shook his head, his gaze softening as he looked at Xiangyang, who was sandwiched between several people, and a slight smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

It feels so good to have everyone here!

However, this "heartwarming" scene did not last long. Hearing the commotion, Takeuchi hurriedly ran out of his office. When he first saw Xiangyang, his face lit up with joy, but then he realized that something was wrong. Xiangyang's face was pale, and he looked like he was about to faint.

"Get out of the way! Stop! Everyone, scatter!"

Takeuchi was in a panic. His own defender was about to faint on his first day back home? What kind of situation was this? He rushed over and chased everyone away.

At this moment, Xiangyang's hair was disheveled and his clothes were in disarray, completely destroying the refined image he had tried to cultivate before entering the room.

"Xiangyang...are you alright?"

Takeuchi helped Xiangyang straighten his collar and asked cautiously.

“早

"Ah, Coach, I'm fine."

Xiang Yang waved his hand dismissively, smoothed his messy hair, and smiled gently.