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

Damn it...

Kagami gritted his teeth. With the entire Kaijo team targeting him, even with Kuroko's assistance, he couldn't find an opportunity to pull the trigger. Even if he was left out on the perimeter, Kise was always by his side, and he would occasionally be double-teamed by Hori and Hayakawa. This highly targeted defense made him extremely uncomfortable.

Needless to say, this was Xiangyang's idea.

He had a clear understanding of Seirin's playing style. Although they prioritized teamwork, in their regular offensive play, the Seirin players would subconsciously favor Kagami over possession of the ball. This seemed fine, since the ace player naturally had better control over the ball than the other players.

However, Vulcan has a fatal weakness: he has to pull the trigger to activate his zone! Without activating his zone, he has no way to break through Kaijo's defenses against opponents of his caliber.

Once you understand this, dealing with Shiro Rin becomes very simple!

Kise was tasked with guarding Kagami one-on-one. Whether it was using a flawless imitation or a foul, the goal was to prevent Kagami from pulling the trigger with a Meteor Dunk. This was the task Xiangyang had given him: to shut Kagami down in the first half!

As we all know, Jōrin, like Tōō, is an offensive team. However, what will happen to the defense when an offensive team cannot score consistently?

Xiangyang expressed it through his actions: a complete mess.

With a few simple dribbles and a backflip, Yi Yue had to shift her weight forward. Once inside the zone, Xiang Yang's shooting range was terrifying, and she could even pull up for a long-range three-pointer.

Seeing Yi Yue step forward, Xiang Yang's expression remained unchanged. The hand that was about to close the ball suddenly changed its posture, and he easily passed Yi Yue with a Buddhist gesture.

Hinata, who was prepared, immediately came up to cover. He glanced in the direction of Kasamatsu and saw that there was an open space there after Hinata came up to cover.

Kasamatsu had already crouched down slightly, ready to receive the ball. Just as Xiangyang was about to pass the ball, the hairs on his arm suddenly stood on end.

Talent: Danger Warning Activated!

Although he didn't know why, Xiangyang was very confident in his judgment. He paused in his passing motion, changed to a dribbling turn, twisted his body close to Hyuga's, and turned past him cleanly.

Upon seeing this, Teppei, who was still marking Kasamatsu in the paint, changed his expression, instantly lost his strength, and pounced on Xiangyang.

"The defensive cover was spot-up very quickly..."

Xiangyang looked at Tieping in front of him and murmured to himself. At the same time, his hand movements changed. He changed his motion from passing the ball to passing it to Xiaojue to gather the ball. He moved closer to Tieping, who was lunging over his head, and simultaneously pushed the ball upwards.

With a flick of the wrist, it was an airball layup... but it wasn't that simple.

Talent: The Birth of an Actor has begun!

beep—

As expected, the referee's whistle blew.

Hai Chang No. 2 committed a shooting foul.

Two free throws!

Tieping opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing. He looked at Xiangyang's ambiguous smile and scratched his head.

Kids these days are really something else!

As Tieping sighed, Xiangyang's free throw was already over.

Both free throws were made.

15: 4.

The point difference between the two sides has reached more than ten percent.

On Shiro Rin's bench

Reiko kept biting her nails, feeling extremely anxious.

We've already called a timeout at the start of the game. If we call another one now, we'll have used up two timeouts before the first quarter is even over.

What should I do... The point difference has widened, should I call now... If I don't call, will it collapse even faster?

Reiko was caught in a dilemma, unsure of what to do.

Kuroko suddenly appeared on the sidelines and gave her an OK sign.

Kuroko's actions successfully calmed Reiko's heart. She clasped her hands together and prayed silently.

On the court, Kuroko disappeared again, weaving among the Kaijo players. For some reason, his usually invincible steals by disappearing were completely ineffective against Xiangyang! It wasn't because Xiangyang could anticipate Kuroko's location, but because every time Kuroko reappeared to steal the ball, Xiangyang could react at lightning speed and protect the ball.

But you can't actually see me, can you, Xiangyang?

Kuroko lowered his eyes, scanning everyone on the court, and quietly lay in ambush next to Kasamatsu. Itsuki, who possessed the Eagle Eye, saw Kuroko's movements and understood his intentions.

Yi Yue adjusted her defensive position, leaning to the left, which created a space on the right.

Xiang Yang frowned slightly. Although he could tell that Yi Yue's action was intentional, there was really no reason for him to refuse such a free breakthrough opportunity.

Without much hesitation, he quickly broke through with the ball. Taking advantage of his weight, Xiangyang easily broke through Yiyue's defense. Seeing this, Hyuga quickly came over to help defend.

Of course, in contrast, Kasamatsu was once again left wide open beyond the three-point line!

Xiangyang glanced at Lisong, pretended to pass the ball, and the lack of a warning signal reassured him slightly, so he eventually passed it.

The pass arrives slightly higher than a typical chest pass, which is Kasamatsu's favorite receiving position.

Taking a deep breath, Xiangyang's pass was perfect, even taking into account Kasamatsu's receiving preferences. There was no reason why this ball wouldn't go in.

Slightly crouching down and looking at the basket, Kasamatsu was just about to jump and shoot when he felt his center of gravity shift. Looking down, he saw that the basketball had been stolen by Kuroko!

Damn it, when?

Before Kasamatsu could even react, Kagami had already run towards Kaijo's half of the field, a determined look in his eyes.

This shot... you absolutely have to pull the trigger!

Kuroko's pass soared across half-court and landed in Kagami's hands, a pass that Kagami caught comfortably. Stepping just outside the free-throw line, Kagami leaped, his body outstretched in the air, the basketball poised and ready to shoot!

Behind him, Kise's eyes sharpened, and a golden light flashed around him as he re-entered Murasakibara Mode. However, the connection between Kuro and Kagami this time was perfect, and Kise wasn't entirely confident he could stop Kagami from scoring.

Well then... let's leave it at that.

Kise jumped hastily, his power not fully charged, and he was still shorter than Kagami. However, his goal wasn't basketball...

Snapped!

A loud thud echoed through the air.

beep—

Haichang's thug committed a foul.

Shiorin's two free throws

The trigger of Vulcan is stuck.

Chapter 111 A dog that bites doesn't bark.

Haichang applied for suspension

With a mischievous grin, Xiangyang patted Kagami's butt, and Kise once again broke Kagami's trigger by committing a foul.

Looking at Kagami's face, which was almost as black as coal, Takeuchi sighed inwardly: This kid is truly a genius.

"We don't need to pester him like this anymore. Just put some pressure on him. If he wants to join the zone, let him be."

Xiangyang glanced at the score and said to Kise.

Haichang has a significant advantage, with a score of 15:4.

However, Kise paid a heavy price for preventing Kagami from entering the zone. He had already committed two fouls before the first quarter was over. If Kise's fouls continue to accumulate, Kaijo will end up shooting themselves in the foot.

(Basketball trivia: In international basketball, five fouls result in elimination; in the NBA, six fouls result in elimination.)

Of course, the effects of these two fouls were quite significant.

On the bench of Shiro Rin, Kagami kept rubbing his face. His repeated failures to score had begun to affect his mentality. Naturally impatient, being repeatedly targeted by the opposing team on such a big stage as the finals, preventing him from breaking through, made Kagami very anxious.

"Vulcan, your current condition is not good."

Kuroko gently tapped Kagami's head and said coldly, "Don't rush. Try to find that feeling again. Kaijo is very strong. If this continues, the chance of turning the tide will only get smaller and smaller."

After hearing Kuroko's words, Kagami was slightly taken aback, and the feeling of ease he had in the fourth quarter against Rakuzan came to mind.

He nodded vigorously, looked up in the direction of Haichang, and his eyes flashed with fighting spirit again.

The timeout ended, and both teams returned to the court.

Because Kaijo called a timeout at the same time as Kise committed the foul, Kagami's free throws were delayed until the timeout ended.

"Hey, Mr. Vulcan, you shouldn't miss your free throws, right?"

Xiangyang put his hands on his hips and teased Vulcan with a smile.

Vulcan glanced at Xiangyang but ignored him, slowly walked to the free throw line, let out a long sigh, received the referee's pass, and his breathing became calm again.

Xiang Yang was somewhat surprised. Given the Fire God's personality, how could he remain calm despite being targeted like this?

Swish!

Swish!

With a calm mindset, Kagami made both free throws. Kuroko walked over and bumped fists with Kagami, and the two smiled at each other.

Xiangyang stood aside watching this scene, and curled his lips. Kagami in his rage state was not scary. Only when he calmed down could Cheng Lin possibly enter the "realm beyond the zone", which was what Xiangyang was most afraid of.

To be fair, could the "zone" version of Hikari, combined with the "perfect" Kise, defeat the "complete" version of Shiro Rin?

Xiangyang wasn't confident, and he disliked doing things he wasn't sure about.

During Kaijo's offensive possession, Xiangyang dribbled past half-court and glanced at Kagami, who was closely marking Kise. His mind raced.

"Mr. Vulcan, after watching your match against Los Angeles, I've had a question in my mind."

Ok?

Kagami, who was still cuddling with Kise, looked up when he heard Xiangyang's words.

Xiangyang waved to Kagami and said with a sneer, "Akashi can shake you off so easily, I don't think I'm any worse than him."

what…

ha? ? ?

Upon understanding Xiang Yang's meaning, Vulcan instantly flew into a rage, veins bulging on his face. He looked at Xiang Yang, who was still waving at him from the top of the arc, and wished he could immediately call out to switch positions with Yi Yue, but... he held back.

Taking a deep breath, Vulcan's mind returned to calm.

If he were to defend against Hiyori now, not to mention whether he could defeat Hiyori who had entered the "zone" in a normal way, just having Itsuki defend against Kise, he could instantly think of more than ten ways that Soryu would lose points!

Pfft... You didn't fall for it?