Hose and Joe Yabuki

As time passed, the scheduled practice match tour also came to an end. Without any surprises, Teiko Junior High School, with its overwhelming talent, bulldozed through all opponents, finishing the practice matches with a perfect win record.

Well, perfect. Although the game against Kirigi First Affiliated Junior High School was interrupted, they were at least leading in score when it stopped. Moreover, they beat up the opposing team's main player afterward, a win-win – meaning they won once and then won again.

"Coach Shirogane, the statistics for these kids' practice matches are complete." Naoto Sanada handed a folder to Kōzō Shirogane. "Except for the first game where Ken Kaneki and Atsushi played together, all subsequent games, even when each player led their team individually, ended with a decisive victory against the opponent. We have a good chance of dominating the national tournament this year."

"Hmm..." Kōzō Shirogane looked at the statistics before him, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. "Among these kids, do you think there's anyone who needs special attention?"

"These kids are all excellent, with extraordinary talent. If there's anyone who truly needs extra attention... I think Ken Kaneki's situation warrants a bit more." Naoto Sanada hesitated as he carefully chose his words.

"Oh? Tell me your thoughts." Kōzō Shirogane looked at Naoto Sanada with interest.

"Ken Kaneki is certainly strong, possesses great strength, a strong physique, and leadership. However, if you'll forgive my bluntness, Ken seems a bit detached from the others."

"Oh? Detached? Is that your opinion?" Kōzō Shirogane countered.

"Yes, detached." Naoto Sanada answered without hesitation. "As you can see, among all the rookies' performance on the court, whether in advanced or raw stats, Ken is the strongest. Not only that, Ken is also the most disciplined among all the rookies. I've looked into his training volume; even many professional star players don't train that much."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Kōzō Shirogane asked, puzzled.

"Yes, Coach Shirogane. But after careful observation, I found that although he gets along well with his teammates, there's a subtle sense of distance – not noticeable, nor overly close, as if he can foresee a day when he'll part ways with his teammates." Naoto Sanada expounded on his viewpoint. "He's too calm. When he needs to perform, he performs. When he doesn't need to, he's happy to give up the ball. He's so different from those kids vying for the spotlight. I don't know how to motivate him; I don't even know what he wants."

"Rather, it's that Ken Kaneki knows exactly what he wants. His goals are too clear." Kōzō Shirogane sighed deeply. "This child's mindset is too mature. He's not suited for conventional coaching, Naoto. Overwhelming talent, an overly mature mindset, and overly clear goals – if used well, he's a once-in-a-millennium prodigy. If used poorly, it might end up destroying him."

While Naoto Sanada and Kōzō Shirogane were wrestling with how to coach Ken Kaneki, this once-in-a-millennium genius was currently in class, secretly reading manga with Atsushi Murasakibara.

Ever since Ken Kaneki displayed his prowess at Kirigi First Affiliated Junior High School and helped Atsushi Murasakibara withstand a surprise baseball bat attack, their relationship had grown closer. Ken Kaneki could not only occasionally eat Atsushi Murasakibara's potato chips but also borrow his manga to read at home. Furthermore, Ken Kaneki had successfully "fleeced" Atsushi Murasakibara out of an A-rank lottery draw and a title: Toilet God of War.

"Hey, Ken-chan, look. Joe's move here is similar to how you hit that guy the other day. Did you practice boxing?" Atsushi Murasakibara pointed at the protagonist, Joe Yabuki, on the page.

"I haven't formally studied it, but I've watched boxing matches on TV." Ken Kaneki rested his chin on his hand, sounding somewhat bored. "Speaking of which, Atsushi, I'm a bit surprised you like these hot-blooded manga."

"No, don't you think it fully illustrates a principle that even a naturally talented genius like Joe Yabuki can only achieve a narrow victory against a master like Jose?" Atsushi Murasakibara said with a serious expression. "Even talented geniuses aren't guaranteed to win every battle. For those without talent, what's the point of their effort?"

"?" A large question mark appeared above Ken Kaneki's head. "I thought you'd say something about passion or effort, but I didn't expect you to say that."

"For those with talent, their effort has value. For those without talent, no matter how hard they try, it's all the same." Atsushi Murasakibara stated. "Honestly, when I was little and playing mini basketball, watching those ordinary people running around, I felt annoyed. It was clear they were destined to lose."

"If that's how you feel, Atsushi." Ken Kaneki looked at Atsushi Murasakibara with a hint of seriousness. "If you truly hold such beliefs, I guarantee you'll be defeated by the 'ordinary' people you look down on one day, just like Jose was defeated by Joe, who was willing to burn himself out."

"Tch, I'm stronger than Jose." Atsushi Murasakibara pouted.

"You should learn more from Joe. Respect the value of effort, because you never know when you might encounter your own Jose," Ken Kaneki said, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Got it, you're so annoying, Ken-chan." Atsushi Murasakibara grew impatient, snatched the manga, turned away, and started reading by himself.

"Teacher, Atsushi is reading manga during class!" Ken Kaneki raised his hand and shouted.

Atsushi Murasakibara flinched, quickly shoving the manga into his drawer. But when he looked up, besides him and Ken Kaneki, there were only a few students slumped over, asleep.

"Honestly, it's free time during PE class. What are you so afraid of?" Ken Kaneki teased triumphantly.

"...You're still my dog, Ken." Daiki Aomine, who had been called out by the teacher to stand guard again, couldn't help but grumble from the side.

"What's it to you? Just stand there properly if you're being punished." Ken Kaneki shot Daiki Aomine a glare. "Otherwise, I'll go report you to your teacher after class, and you'll see what a real dog is."

Amidst the playful banter, the school day once again came to an end. Daiki Aomine, Ken Kaneki, and Atsushi Murasakibara were walking and chatting on their way to the gymnasium when Ken Kaneki's peripheral vision caught sight of a small figure. He grabbed Daiki Aomine and Atsushi Murasakibara.

"Be careful, Tetsuya. You'll bump into someone if you read while walking," Ken Kaneki kindly reminded him.

"You can see me?" Tetsuya Kuroko said, a little surprised.

"You're not a ghost, why wouldn't I see you? Are you going for training? Be careful on your way and try not to get distracted by your book."

"Thank you for your concern." Tetsuya Kuroko bowed in thanks and turned to leave.

"Who was that, Ken-chan?" Atsushi Murasakibara asked curiously.

"Him? He might be your Jose, or he might be Joe Yabuki," Ken Kaneki said with some emotion.

Jose and Joe Yabuki are characters from the hot-blooded manga Tomorrow's Joe. The ending is somewhat bittersweet.

Also, I have something to attend to today, so this chapter will be supplemented tomorrow, or I'll make up for it with a few longer chapters in the coming days.