Jaguars, Set Off Again!

After the offseason break ended, teams gradually reassembled to prepare for the new season. The Jaguars began gathering immediately after the draft concluded.

Although the Jaguars had been unable to select the players they wanted in the previous draft due to their low pick, they traded with other teams, exchanging this year's pick for next year's. For the Jaguars, their young players were already enough to develop slowly. Even if they drafted rookies, there would be no playing time for them, so it was better to focus on the present.

"Long time no see!"

Coach Omoki had been waiting at the entrance to the training facility early, greeting every arriving player with high-fives. With a new training camp underway, Coach Omoki wanted every player to feel something fresh and new.

"Wow! Hahaha! You two, hahahaha! Big Gorilla, I found people even darker than you—and there are two of them! Hahaha!"

When Sakuragi saw Mitsui and Miyagi, tanned black as charcoal, he doubled over with laughter.

"You little punk!!!"

Sakuragi had not only angered Miyagi and Mitsui with that remark, but had also dragged Akagi into it. The three of them flared up in fury and took positions as if ready to gang up on Sakuragi.

"Moron!"

Rukawa Kaede watched the commotion from the side. Judging by his physique, he clearly had not wasted the break. Between visiting family and various commercial events, he must have kept up his training and continued demanding the most from himself.

On the road to becoming a superstar, talent alone was not enough. There also had to be relentless effort afterward, including maintaining high standards at all times. Even during vacation, one had to preserve one's physical condition. NBA Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, nicknamed Flash, never drank carbonated beverages in order to maintain his muscle density over the long term and keep his body functioning at its best.

So even if someone possessed outstanding physical gifts, if he did not train hard afterward, he would ultimately end up like a child prodigy who faded away.

"How was everyone's vacation?"

Back to the matter at hand, the Jaguars had finished assembling, and Coach Omoki asked the players about their breaks.

"Pretty great. I really wish vacation had lasted a little longer. There were still plenty of nearby countries I didn't get to visit, like Indonesia and Laos!"

Miyagi smiled blissfully as he recalled his vacation.

"Yeah, yeah! It really is great to get out and see the world!" Mitsui agreed.

"Honestly, what a bunch of people wasting their potential. Such a great vacation, completely squandered! You should have been training hard! Through this genius's special training, I've improved tremendously in every area. Next season, this genius is definitely going to explode!"

Sakuragi declared confidently.

"Oh! Sakuragi, what special training did you do this time?" Coach Omoki asked curiously.

"Haha, this genius underwent extremely professional training. You guys couldn't handle it."

"Then what exactly was it?"

Sakuragi kept them in suspense, prompting Miyagi to ask again.

"Simulated diving training!!"

The moment Sakuragi said that, everyone was somewhat stunned.

"It's basically just a trampoline that kids play on."

After the crowd had fallen silent for a while, Rukawa Kaede said coldly.

"Damn fox! What's it got to do with you? You've never been there, so how would you know!"

Sakuragi's previously spirited expression was thoroughly doused by Rukawa Kaede's cold water.

"I've been there before. That simulated diving training facility is basically an amusement park..."

"Damn it, what amusement park?! You ignorant know-it-all! What do you know?!"

Sakuragi flew into a rage, while Miyagi and Mitsui strained to hold him back. It seemed that whenever those two spoke, this sort of scene would happen.

"Honestly, there's nothing I can do with these kids!"

Coach Omoki had long since grown used to scenes like this and merely watched as though enjoying the show.

After the fooling around came training time. On the first day of camp, the team did not arrange much tactical training. Their main focus was restoring stamina, so they began running laps around the court with no set limit.

"Too slow, too slow! I'm practically about to lap all of you! Faster, pick it up!"

Sakuragi's special training over the break had clearly paid off, at least judging by his current condition. He was still in the same shape he had been in before the season ended, with solid physical reserves across the board. So this kind of lap running was effortless for him. The entire team was jogging at an easy pace, but Sakuragi alone kept accelerating, completely out of rhythm with everyone else—and the more he ran, the more energized he became!

"Alright, everyone stop. That's it for this morning's training. In a little while, we'll work on specific tactics!"

With the new season drawing closer every day, no one knew what surprise Coach Omoki had prepared for this training camp. But one thing was certain: they definitely would not be heading to a military base like last year. The team's cohesion should have improved greatly during the season that had just ended. For the current Jaguars, the most important thing was tactics. A rich tactical system would allow the team to handle all kinds of opponents with ease.

"Today, we'll practice a new tactic!"

"Haha, are you finally designing tactics for this genius?! Haha!"

Would Sakuragi's wish come true? And what exactly was the new tactic Coach Omoki had mentioned?

"Sorry to disappoint you, Sakuragi, but it has nothing to do with you..."

Upon hearing Coach Omoki say that, Sakuragi instantly wilted like an eggplant struck by frost.

"Then what kind of tactic is it, Coach?" Akagi asked.

"Actually, it isn't exactly a tactic. I recently reviewed last season's games and found that most of the time, once Rukawa Kaede's offense was contained, we couldn't move the ball effectively. In other words, once Rukawa Kaede was shut down, we fell into a passive position!"

"How is that possible?! There's still me, Sakuragi! If he can't do it, I can lead the team's offense and still win!"

"Wait until I finish, Sakuragi!"

Coach Omoki did not explain much to Sakuragi and continued describing the new tactic.

"To prevent that situation from happening in the new season, our coaching staff held several discussions and decided!!"

As Coach Omoki reached that point, every player focused his gaze on him.

"We've decided that next season, Rukawa Kaede and Mitsui Hisashi will switch positions. In other words, starting next season, Rukawa Kaede will play forward, while Mitsui will play shooting guard."

"Hm?"

"Hm?"

The two players involved, Rukawa Kaede and Mitsui, voiced their surprise at the same time. Neither quite understood what difference such a decision would make.

"In the new season, we may design more tactics around Mitsui, giving him more touches and more shot opportunities in half-court offense. That way, not only can we free up Rukawa Kaede, but we can also diversify the team's offensive options. Rukawa Kaede won't be at much of a disadvantage playing forward, either. When you came back this time, I noticed that you seemed to have grown taller and stronger. So I believe you'll be suited for forward—and you'll like the position."

As Coach Omoki explained, Rukawa Kaede and Mitsui nodded as though they understood, though the change had probably come too suddenly. The two of them would need actual practice to adapt.

"Rukawa Kaede playing forward..."

Sakuragi, on the other hand, began pondering it.

"Ah! Does that mean Rukawa Kaede will get the ball much less often from now on?!"

Sakuragi arrived at his own conclusion.

"More or less..."

"Fantastic! I approve of this new tactic. Great tactic!!"

Seeing Coach Omoki acknowledge his idea, Sakuragi beamed with delight.

"Alright, talking without practice is useless. Everyone, warm up with some running first. After that, we'll explain the tactical changes that come with switching positions."

"Yeah~~!!"

Coach Omoki called out, and the players responded in unison. After camp began, their enthusiasm for training only grew stronger. Perhaps that was a trait unique to a young team.

"Run! Come this way! Pass the ball! Get back on defense, quickly! Get back! Rebound! Watch your man, stay with him!!"

Coach Omoki personally joined in, leading the players through tactical drills. From choices in off-ball movement to defensive footwork, he attended to every detail. He was completely different from the Coach Omoki of last season who had merely stood on the sideline watching practice. He directed them with all his strength and shouted loudly. Perhaps Coach Omoki, too, hoped the team would make tremendous progress in the new season.

Every day of training camp, Coach Omoki tirelessly guided the players in the Jaguars' training facility, hoping they would improve faster. The players sweated profusely as well. With last season's results as a foundation, they hoped the team could rise to another level this season.

Before they knew it, the new season was drawing near. Before the official games began, there were still preseason games.

Perhaps influenced by what had happened during last season's preseason, the Jaguars arranged only one exhibition game this year, against the Osaka Iron Horses. There was no bad blood between the two sides, and the game ended in a peaceful atmosphere. Although the Jaguars ultimately lost, what they truly cared about was the regular season that was about to arrive.

"It's finally coming, Takano Jinglei!!! I'll make you pay in blood!!"

Sakuragi stared at the schedule, fists clenched, his rage soaring to the heavens.