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

"Is this your idea, or the Basketball Association's idea?"

Masako's tone remained unchanged as she asked again. This time, her patience seemed to be waning, and she secretly tightened her grip on the katana with her right hand.

At this moment, the national youth team's number one player, whose life was hanging by a thread, felt it deeply. In an instant, he seemed to see his head fall to the ground, blood splattering everywhere.

He shuddered and pleaded, "It's the Basketball Association! It's the Basketball Association's decision! President Kurikuo doesn't think much of his physical talent! I was wrong, I was wrong... I was jealous of him, I deserve to die! Sister Yako, please don't kill me! Please don't kill me, please don't kill me..."

By the end, the national youth team's number one player could barely speak, and could only repeatedly beg for mercy.

Snot and tears streamed down her face, almost dripping onto Masako's katana.

Masako immediately sheathed her katana, kicked him in the chest, sending the national youth team number one flying, and looked at him with disdain.

The security personnel were all stunned by Masako's actions. How could a criminal actually kick a hostage away?

Despite their initial surprise, the security personnel at the stadium were highly professional. Two of them immediately rushed forward and carried the national youth team's number one player away, while the rest of them, armed with batons, confronted Yako.

Just then, the police arrived. Several officers, armed with batons and wearing portable bulletproof vests, rushed into the stadium. After surveying the surroundings, they immediately identified the target of the operation. The lead officer waved his right hand, and the officers immediately charged forward in formation.

Masako also heard the commotion behind her and slowly turned around.

"You are surrounded. Give up your futile resistance, confess and you will be treated leniently, resist and you will be punished severely. Immediately put down the katana in your hand, and then... Miss Masako??"

Just as the lead policeman was about to finish reciting the persuasion speech, his expression changed drastically when he saw Masako's face, as if he had seen a ghost.

Before the other police officers could figure out what was going on, one hothead was even eager to rush up and take down Yako. He had just stepped out of the line when the lead officer slapped him on the head, leaving him completely dumbfounded.

On the court, Xiangyang, who had been squinting and observing the situation, took in the whole scene and a knowing look appeared on his face. Sure enough, with Masako Araki's background, she really could do whatever she wanted here.

She's not just a rich woman, she's a big shot too.

In another corner of the stadium, the three members of Miracle Team who had come to watch the game looked at each other in bewilderment. Aomine couldn't help but ask, "Murasakibara, isn't that your coach? Is it okay?"

Murasakibara hummed in agreement, popped the last bit of snacks from the bag into his mouth, and replied, "It's okay, she'll be fine even if something happens to us."

Akashi stroked his chin without speaking, simply observing Masako's situation. Akashi had heard of the Araki family's power in the underworld, but of course, it was still slightly inferior to the Akashi family's conglomerate.

But compared to ordinary people like them, they are enormous!

The lead policeman was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat and regretted his actions: If he had known it was this young lady causing trouble, he wouldn't have come!

However, the hot-headed young man who had just tried to rush up and take down Yako seemed a bit confused. He asked blankly, "Captain, why did you hit me?"

"Oh! I see. This time I didn't see your hand signals. My question, Captain. Give the order!"

The young man suddenly realized what was going on, nodded seriously, and waited for the captain's order. As soon as the order was given, he would rush up and take down the criminal!

The captain was speechless and slapped the young man on the head again. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Yako, who was walking towards them.

"Drive me there."

Masako spoke calmly, completely ignoring the police and security personnel, and walked straight towards the entrance of the stadium.

Behind her, the police captain reacted swiftly, giving a proper military salute.

"Hi!"

"Watch your step, Ms. Masako."

The onlookers were so shocked their jaws nearly dropped; this was completely different from what they had expected.

Ah, shouldn't the police swarm in, rescue the hostages, and then arrest the criminals to combat the spread of crime?

Fortunately, as the person directly involved, the national youth team's number one player still had a clear understanding of the situation. He had anticipated the police's inaction. At this moment, he broke free from the support of the two security guards and ran quickly towards the other exit of the stadium. He needed to find a place to hide before Yako extinguished the fire! Otherwise, there might be another corpse on the Shinano River tonight.

As the "male and female protagonists" of the incident left the scene, the onlookers dispersed and found new seats. After all, this was a basketball arena, and of course, they were there to watch the basketball game. Although the little episode was interesting, the main point should not be forgotten.

The referee blew his whistle, signaling the players to take their positions, and the game resumed. Since the ball was in the possession of the Shiro Rin team before the timeout, it was now Shiro Rin's turn to serve.

Xiang Yang propped himself up on his knees, watching Yi Yue dribble the ball across half-court, but he couldn't help but recall what had just happened.

Ok?

As Yi Yue advanced with the ball, she subconsciously glanced at Xiang Yang's defense and suddenly noticed that the kid was actually lost in thought.

Yi Yue made a decisive move, choosing to go one-on-one instead of passing the ball.

Caught off guard by his distraction, Xiang Yang was surprised that Yi Yue would choose to isolate him. His lapse in concentration immediately paid off. Yi Yue drove to the mid-range line and made a mid-range shot.

Shiorin's two points are valid!

With six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Kaijo's aggressive offense initially put Shirou under considerable pressure, but the point difference remained limited.

At 69:55, with Yi Yue hitting a mid-range shot, the score difference was reduced to within 15 points.

"Xiao Xiangyang, are you alright?"

Kise walked over to Xiangyang and asked with concern. He knew that Masako and Xiangyang had a special relationship, and now that Masako was in trouble, it was only natural that Xiangyang would be distracted.

"It's okay, it's mine."

Xiangyang touched his nose, banishing everything from his mind that wasn't about the competition.

Now, they have only one goal: to win this game!

After adjusting his mindset, Xiangyang refocused his attention on the competition, but as expected, something unexpected was about to happen.

As Kagami drove into the paint, using Teppei as the passing hub, he dunked over Kise.

Shiro Rin's aura changed.

Xiang Yang, who had just been gradually taking control of the situation on the field, immediately sensed this change.

At this moment, it was as if an invisible thread connected the five members of Cheng Lin. They could know and even predict each other's every move, as if they were of one mind.

"This is troublesome..."

Another shot! Standing at the top of the arc, Xiangyang watched helplessly as Hyuga received a screen from his teammate, faked a shot, and then passed to Kagami in the paint for an alley-oop. This was clearly not the mindset of a normal shooting guard. Xiangyang immediately understood: Seirin had entered their "spot"!

"Oh well, we have to face it eventually."

Xiangyang closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again, a flash of white lightning streaked past.

Maintaining a high-intensity game pace in "zone" mode was taking its toll, even for Xiangyang. But there was no other way; at this stage of the game, only by holding onto the belief of squeezing out every last drop of fuel could they see any hope of victory.

Behind him, Kise looked up and howled in pain. A moment later, golden light also shone from his body.

"I'm exhausted! I've committed my third offense! It's a double torment, both physically and mentally."

Kise muttered something under his breath, his words sounding dejected, but his eyes grew even brighter.

That's exactly how it should be! Facing an opponent who keeps getting beaten up is utterly pointless.

"Come on, let me see what it really means for five people to be of one mind."

(I read all the comments. I just kept writing until the competition ended. I thought it was quite fun that way, but I guess I was just being sentimental… My mistakes, brothers, are okay. Just correct them! Actually, I'd be scared if my writing went smoothly all the time. Update times will still be 12 PM and 6 PM, both 3000 words! It shouldn't feel so short anymore. Extra chapters will usually be at midnight! There will be an extra chapter next Monday.)

(P.S.: Criticism is welcome, just please refrain from personal attacks! I have a strong heart.)

Chapter 118 Nothing is more interesting than a champion losing.

"Ms. Masako, we've arrived. Be careful not to bump your head when you get off the bus!"

The police squad leader, sitting in the driver's seat, spoke respectfully to Masako in the back seat.

Masako didn't speak, but just quietly looked out the window at that familiar building, the Japan Basketball Association!

After a while, Yako did not get out of the car, and the police squad leader did not dare to make a sound. He secretly glanced at Yako through the rearview mirror and found that she was staring blankly at her phone.

Silence fell over the air. After what seemed like an eternity, just as the police squad leader was on the verge of suffocating with tension, Yako spoke.

"Turn around and head to Shark Gym."

"Hi!!"

Upon hearing Masako's words, the police squad leader immediately straightened his back, turned the key to start the car again, but was somewhat puzzled: Shark Gym? That place is in a completely different direction from the Basketball Association! What is this lady up to?

Of course, he wouldn't dare ask such offensive questions to his face; he could only mutter them to himself.

Masako rested her chin on her hand against the car door, holding her cell phone in the other. The phone displayed a number that belonged to a high-ranking member of the basketball association, who had a long-standing friendship with the Araki family.

Once that call is made, Xiang Yang's entry into the national youth team will be a sure thing. After all, anyone who knows a little about basketball and watches Haichang's games will know that the comments written by the national youth team's number one player are complete nonsense.

When Masako saw the notebook in the basketball court, she was determined to come to the basketball association to prove Xiangyang's strength. But when she actually arrived at the basketball association, she hesitated.

Upon seeing that familiar place, Masako's long-buried memories surged forth.

Looking back on her basketball career, there seem to be few happy memories. Her poor physical talent led to her being looked down upon, and even after proving her abilities, she still didn't receive the recognition she deserved.

"Was joining the national youth team... really the right choice?"

Masako murmured something, leaning her head against the window, her bangs covering her eyes. She took a deep breath and put her phone aside.

"Call me when you arrive."

"Hi! You can rest easy!"

The police squad leader kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead, trying to keep the car as steady as possible. After a while, he glanced at the rearview mirror and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that Yako seemed to have really fallen asleep.

"Forget it, turn around and take me back to the basketball court."

"..."

"What's the problem?"

"Hi! No problem!"

……

When Masako returned to the stadium, the third quarter had already ended. Fortunately, she returned just in time for the fourth quarter to begin.

Masako glanced at the scoreboard, somewhat surprised.

76:72, Haichang is still in the lead, but the gap has been narrowed to 4 points.

Masako raised an eyebrow; it seemed that something interesting had happened on the field after she left.

Looking around, unsurprisingly, there were still no seats. With no other option, Masako had to find a decent spot again and stand to watch.

On the bench of Haichang, Xiangyang looked at the Shirakawa group who were cheering each other on in the distance and spat lightly.

Since the third quarter, the five members of Shiro Rin have been of one mind.

After that, Xiangyang finally understood why Rakuzan lost; there was a reason why Akashi couldn't withstand the pressure!

Is it even possible for humans to play a game where five people act like one, with perfect understanding and an outrageous level of teamwork?