Rebirth 1996

"Fuck, fuck, my head hurts." Kobe sat up in bed clutching his head, his face twisted in pain.

Gasping for breath, Kobe felt as though his soul were being torn apart. The intense pain and dizziness made him cry out.

"What's wrong, Kobe?" A tall Black man pushed open Kobe's bedroom door. Seeing his son in such agony, he hurried over to ask.

Kobe had no time to worry about anything else. It took him a while, still clutching his head, before he finally recovered. The moment he could think again, his eyes widened.

"Old Joe?" Kobe blurted out. "Why am I seeing you? And why are you so young?"

"You little punk, have you lost your mind?" Joe Bryant's temper flared. If he hadn't seen his son screaming in pain just now, he would have already thrown an old-fashioned punch at him.

"I told you not to stay up so late talking to Brandy on the phone. You never listen," Joe Bryant said bluntly.

"Brandy? Brandy Norwood?"

"Oh, do you know another Brandy?"

Kobe was stunned. What was going on? Wasn't I dead? Wait... in that darkness, I think I heard something about a Life Restart System.

Looking at the bewildered young Kobe, Joe Bryant rubbed his forehead. This kid had never listened since he was little. What had he gotten himself into this time? Brandy had probably charmed him stupid.

"Get some proper rest! Since you've decided to enter the NBA draft, you need to get your head straight. Don't think those achievements in high school mean anything. The NBA is full of the chosen ones from all over the world. Without hard work and dedication, you'll only end up as a passing face!"

Joe Bryant sighed, seemingly reminded of his own basketball career. He had placed all his basketball hopes on this son of his. And young Kobe had not disappointed him.

During his senior year of high school, Kobe led his team to its first state championship in fifty years. As a senior, Kobe averaged 30.8 points, 12 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.8 blocks, leading Lower Merion High School to a 31-3 record. By the end of his high school career, Kobe had surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron Simmons, breaking the high school scoring record for southeastern Pennsylvania with 2,883 points.

Thanks to his senior-year performance, Kobe won several awards, including the Naismith High School Player of the Year, Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, McDonald's All-American Team, and First-Team All-American honors.

Those honors led young Kobe to skip college and enter the NBA draft directly, just like Kevin Garnett. He would also become the first guard to enter the draft straight out of high school.

"Wait, Old Joe. It's 1996 now?" Kobe immediately caught on. He realized that after the accident, just like in those Chinese web novels, the Life Restart System had helped him return to June 1, 1996.

"Of course it's '96!" Joe was speechless. This kid had really been bewitched by Brandy. Not wanting to say anything more, he turned and closed the door.

I restarted. I restarted my life. This was 1996—a magnificent era, the beginning of my career, the start of my lifelong campaign. Kobe's thoughts began racing the moment he understood.

What about Gianna? My Gigi? Kobe began to worry. The images of the crash, the helicopter exploding, were still vivid in his mind. If he had died, then Gianna probably couldn't have escaped it either.

"Ding. The Life Restart System has activated."

"Current date: June 1, 1996. Main quest: Life Achievement S+ (Current achievement: C+)."

"Current system energy is insufficient. A side quest must be completed within one month (optional). Failure to complete one will permanently shut down the system."

"Side Quest 1: Defeat an active NBA starting player in a one-on-one matchup."

"Side Quest 2: Attend the graduation prom with Brandy."

"Side Quest 3: Earn $1 million."

"Current system energy is insufficient. The system will enter dormancy until a side quest is completed."

Sure enough, it wasn't an illusion. Kobe heard the system's voice again.

"Old Joe! Can you hear anything?"

"I can hear the noise coming out of you, you little punk! Shut up and get some rest!"

Kobe burst into laughter. He hadn't heard this kind of scolding from his father in a long time. After marrying Vanessa, Kobe had cut off contact with his parents and relatives. His family had not approved of that wedding.

In this life, I'll make sure my family supports me marrying Vanessa!

Now that he was back in 1996, Kobe secretly swore that he would make up for every regret from his past life, one by one! But first, Kobe looked down at his hands—long, strong hands that had never suffered broken bones or dislocations. Then he looked at his Achilles tendon, his knees, and his still-slender body, all untouched by injuries. This was my young body!

Kobe grew excited, feeling as though his body had endless energy. Unable to stay still for even a moment, he changed into a white hoodie, put on basketball shorts and a pair of Adidas sneakers, grabbed a basketball, and ran outside.

"What the hell are you doing now, you little punk? Get back here and rest!" Watching the son who had just been clutching his head and screaming run out of the house, Joe Bryant panicked. That damned kid must have really come down with something today.

Worried that something might happen to Kobe, Joe Bryant hurriedly got up, put on his shoes, and followed him outside. He muttered to himself that this kid never gave anyone peace of mind.

The moment he reached the backyard, he saw the basketball trace a beautiful arc through the air.

Swish. Nothing but net. Kobe grinned, flashing his bright white teeth. Being young was great. What came next was Kobe's chance to show Old Joe Bryant every skill he had learned in the NBA of the future. The father and son did not return to the house until the sun had set.

Philadelphia was warm in June. After training all afternoon, the father and son immediately went to shower when they got home. Even at dinner, Joe Bryant's mouth still hadn't closed. He had known his son was a genius, but he never imagined that after one night, Kobe would seem to have suddenly awakened. The dazzling dunks, precise shooting, and nimble footwork—it was as if he wasn't playing basketball at all, but a master performing his art.

"You two went out to practice ball all afternoon again? Hurry up and eat, both of you." Pamela Bryant, Kobe's mother, had already prepared dinner.

"Mom! Thank you." Kobe had not eaten his mother's cooking in many years, and his voice caught in his throat. He buried his head in the food and began wolfing it down.

"Why are you being so polite with your own mother, you little punk?" Pamela said with a smile.

Kobe silently vowed that in this life, he would have both family and love.

After dinner, Kobe lay down on his bed when the phone rang.

"Boss, I failed two subjects." A male voice, choked with emotion, came through the phone.

Kobe immediately recognized Lamar Odom. His high school teammate, and the indispensable helper who would aid him in winning two straight championships in the future—the left-handed Magic, Lamar Odom.

"Hey, Llama." That was what Kobe had called Lamar Odom in high school. "So you won't be able to play during your senior year next year?" Under American high school rules, students who failed classes could not participate in athletic competitions.

"Yeah. I'm planning to transfer to St. Thomas Aquinas. The teachers there said they could find a way to let me play." Lamar said, "Coach DeGregorio has taken good care of me, so I won't be able to help you look after Lower Merion High School anymore, Boss."

"That's fine. Study hard and bring your grades up. We'll meet in the NBA next year!" Kobe no longer had such childish feelings toward Lower Merion High School. Even without Lamar and him, Lower Merion would still be a top basketball high school.

"Boss, are you ready for prom? It's the day after tomorrow. Is your date that singer Brandy?" Lamar sounded excited. He loved gossip like this.

"Hey, kid, none of that stuff matters. I'd advise you to stay away from all kinds of women and focus on basketball. I still want to fight alongside you in the NBA!" Thinking of Lamar's later experiences, Kobe couldn't help but say.

Lamar scratched his head, having been lectured by Kobe again. "Okay, boss. I will."

The moment he hung up on Lamar, another text message came in.

"Little Kobe, have you decided yet? What color should I wear?"

Kobe's head immediately started to ache. Although he had returned to his younger days, he had no desire to go through all that youthful ambiguity again. Vanessa was the only one in his heart. But where was Vanessa now? Kobe scratched his head, unable to think of an answer. I can only look for her slowly.

Kobe still politely declined the singer Brandy's invitation to attend the prom together. Lying on the bed, he felt his energetic body and breathed in the air of 1996. He couldn't help but marvel at his own good fortune.

Since he had returned to this life, he might as well live it even more brilliantly! The urgent priority was to complete the system's side quest and avoid being erased. So he would start by defeating an NBA starter in a one-on-one matchup and earning himself $1 million!

With Kobe's battle-hardened skills and his young, vigorous body, he believed he wouldn't lose to anyone. Of course, Kobe had never believed he would lose at any point in his life.

He was already impatient to enter the NBA and test himself against Jordan. 1996 was the first year of Jordan's second three-peat. At the moment, Jordan had already swept the Magic—the team that had beaten him the previous year—4–0 and advanced to the Finals.

Shaquille O'Neal, who averaged 25+10+5, and Penny Hardaway, who averaged 23+5+6, were no match for Jordan at all, suffering the humiliation of a sweep. It was as if their victory over the Bulls the previous year had been nothing but a dream. That was the terrifying power of Jordan once he had adjusted his form. It was also one of the reasons Shaquille O'Neal left the Magic and headed to Los Angeles to build a dynasty with him.

In the Western Conference, the SuperSonics and the Jazz were tied 3–3, with Game 7 set to begin on June 2. The SuperSonics, led by the Glove Payton and the Reign Man Kemp, had battled the Jazz duo of Malone and Stockton to their hearts' content. Clear star-on-star matchups and bone-crunching collisions—the final game would come tomorrow.

In this magnificent era, Kobe Bryant had arrived.

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