Chi Tong Takes the Court (1)

Shendai Liufei walked over with a smile as well.

"I waited for you at the school gate but never saw you. I guessed you might still be practicing here, so I came over. I just didn't expect you and Senior Sendoh to be here..." Chi Tong wiped the sweat from his forehead and said apologetically, "Sorry, it was a last-minute decision, so I didn't have time to tell you."

Shendai Liufei did not mind.

"Forget it. You're drenched in sweat, so hurry up and wash up."

Chi Tong nodded, then headed toward the showers with Sendoh.

A while later, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei parted ways with Sendoh at the school gate.

"See you tomorrow, Senior Sendoh."

Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei said in unison.

Sendoh waved to them both. "All right, see you tomorrow."

Watching Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei each get into a luxury sedan and leave, Sendoh could not help twitching at the corners of his mouth. It was truly enviable. His family was well-off too, but not wealthy enough to have a private car picking him up and dropping him off whenever he went out.

After learning more over the past few days, he had come to understand Chi Tong Lingyu's and Shendai Liufei's family backgrounds. What he found out had genuinely shocked him.

Shendai Liufei was the third daughter of the Shindai family, one of Japan's top conglomerates. Chi Tong Lingyu was even more extraordinary—the Shitong family could no longer be described as merely a conglomerate in Japan. It was firmly one of Japan's three top financial clans.

He watched for a long while until the cars vanished at the end of the road. Only then did Sendoh slowly withdraw his gaze and mutter, "His family is so rich, and he's so good at basketball too. Looks like the basketball world is about to gain another monster!"

As though he had suddenly thought of something amusing, Sendoh's lips curled upward. If I run into that guy again in this year's tournament, with Chi Tong helping me, I wonder what kind of expression he'll make.

Thinking that, Sendoh turned around and gradually walked farther away toward home, seemingly in an excellent mood.

Time passed, and before they knew it, several months had gone by. This year's middle school boys' basketball league was about to begin, and the entire Basketball Club became busy.

During this time, because of Chi Tong's overwhelming ability, Kirihara Sunren had considered stepping down and yielding his position to him more than once. He could have ignored it in the past.

But ever since Chi Tong had joined the basketball team, every ability he displayed had put immense pressure on him. Chi Tong's commanding presence, in particular, made him feel as though he were sitting on pins and needles. Compared with Chi Tong, he always felt like he was nothing as captain.

After learning what Kirihara Sunren meant, Chi Tong ultimately refused his proposal.

It was not that he lacked confidence in leading the team well. After all, Kirihara Sunren was already in his third year and would graduate next year. There was no need to risk things for a moment of satisfaction. Besides, he was still inexperienced, a first-year newcomer. Making everyone listen to him would probably not be easy.

"Hmph. What's there to worry about? That's just cowardice. Just use your strength to force them into submission."

Another self suddenly spoke within Chi Tong's mind.

Over the years, the second personality in Chi Tong's consciousness would always say things to tempt him every few days. Chi Tong had long grown used to it. Most of the time, he chose to ignore it, though he sometimes argued back.

"Relying solely on harsh methods will only damage the harmony of the team."

Chi Tong silently retorted.

Chi Tong's second personality gave a disdainful snort.

"What does the team matter? If you let me out, I alone can take care of everyone."

"Impossible. Don't even think about it!"

Chi Tong rejected him outright. He did not want to become a cold and heartless person.

Chi Tong's second personality said a few more things, but Chi Tong ignored all of them.

"Hmph. How foolish. With your current strength, you can't even bring out all the power of your own talent. Sooner or later, you'll come begging me."

After saying that, Chi Tong's second personality fell completely silent, as though it had never existed.

Chi Tong looked no different from usual, except for the faintly inscrutable gleam that flashed through his mismatched eyes.

The days passed one after another, and in the blink of an eye, game day arrived. Sacred Radiance Middle School's basketball team also welcomed its first opponent of the tournament.

Inside the locker room, "Today's opponent is Ueno Middle School. I'll now announce the starting lineup."

Coach Nakamura declared loudly.

He first swept his gaze around the room, then slowly said, "Center, Kobayashi. Power forward, Kirihara. Small forward, Sento. Shooting guard, Yamamoto. Point guard, Ito."

After finishing the announcement, Coach Nakamura looked at Chi Tong, who stood to one side.

"Chi Tong, you are our hidden trump card. Do not take the court unless it is a critical moment."

"Yes." Chi Tong had no dissatisfaction whatsoever with the coach's arrangement.

It would be best if the existing lineup could defeat the opponent, as that would prove the opponent was not strong. He had little interest in playing against such opponents anyway. Besides, the coach's arrangement was correct. Victory came first in everything, a point on which he was somewhat similar to Akashi Seijuro.

Coach Nakamura continued, "Ueno is not particularly strong, but don't let your guard down. Let's win this first match beautifully."

"Yes!"

Everyone answered in unison.

A piercing whistle rang across the entire court. The match between Sacred Radiance Middle School and Shangye Middle School officially began.

Chi Tong sat quietly in the rest area, watching the game. He had observed Ueno's players before, and their overall abilities could only be called average. If Sacred Radiance's players had not pushed themselves so hard over the past few months, they would probably have been at about this level as well.

But Sacred Radiance was clearly far stronger now, so there was no suspense about the result of this game.

That was indeed the case. The match unfolded exactly as Chi Tong had predicted. Leaving aside the fact that Sento's strength was already beyond Ueno's ability to contend with, even everyone else besides Sendoh could completely overwhelm Ueno. Ueno was crushed by Sacred Radiance in every aspect.

As soon as the game began, Ueno was stunned by Sacred Radiance's sharp offense. The players coordinated flawlessly, their passing was incredibly smooth, and Sento drove and shot like a bloodthirsty bandit, relentlessly ravaging Ueno's basket.

Only five minutes had passed, and the score had already reached 21:5.

Chi Tong knew there was no longer any suspense in this game.

The halftime whistle finally sounded. Sacred Radiance Middle School versus Shangye Middle School ended with a final score of 117:36.

Sacred Radiance Middle School's first game ended perfectly. Two days later, Sacred Radiance Middle School faced its second match, against a team roughly on par with Ueno High School.

Chi Tong still did not play in that match. The score was 124:40, another overwhelming victory without any surprises.

Over the following week, Sacred Radiance Middle School played its third and fourth games in succession. The results remained unchanged. Sacred Radiance defeated every opponent by more than a hundred points, successfully advancing to the quarterfinals.