Rumors About the Captain

He looked at Chi Tong and gave a wry smile. "I lost to you again. You're getting more and more terrifying!"

At Sendoh's words, the surrounding players, who had no idea what was going on, immediately became interested.

Yueye Hongming could not help asking, "Again?"

"Sendoh, you mean..." As he spoke, he raised a hand and pointed at Chi Tong, his eyes full of disbelief.

The others also turned their gazes toward Sendoh, waiting for his explanation.

Sendoh shrugged helplessly and sighed. "That's right. During middle school, Chi Tong and I had a one-on-one match once, and I lost. Today makes the second time."

The moment those words left his mouth, it felt as if a nuclear bomb had exploded in everyone's minds. They were all too stunned to speak.

Just then, applause sounded from the sidelines.

Tiangang Maoyi clapped as he walked over, then announced loudly, "That's enough for today. Normal training resumes tomorrow."

After saying that, his eyes gleamed as he looked meaningfully at Chi Tong.

"Chi Tong, come with me for a moment."

As they watched Chi Tong leave, the others were filled with complicated emotions, unable to put their feelings into words.

They knew that from this day onward, Ryonan had gained another ace like Sendoh.

In a quiet corner outside Lingnan High School's basketball gym, Chi Tong silently followed Tiangang Maoyi there.

Tiangang Maoyi turned around, and the stern expression on his face instantly changed into a warm smile.

"Chi Tong, I heard you and Sendoh were teammates in middle school?"

Chi Tong nodded calmly. "Yes, Coach. Sendoh and I met during our first year at Saint Radiance Middle School. We only parted ways in our third year."

"Hm?"

"Saint Radiance Middle School?"

Tiangang Maoyi nodded lightly and said thoughtfully, "There were rumors that that school had won two consecutive championships, but their results in the third year were not ideal. Why was that?"

As a high school basketball coach, he naturally followed the middle school leagues as well. He had long heard of Saint Radiance Middle School's back-to-back championships, and that was when he first began paying attention to Sendoh. Unfortunately, he had not been able to watch either of those years' games in person.

Later, when Sendoh mentioned Chi Tong, he had planned to scout them in person during their third year. Unexpectedly, Chi Tong had already withdrawn from Saint Radiance Middle School's Basketball Club that year, and the two had missed each other.

Thus, he had always been curious. An ordinary person, after winning two straight championships, would surely give everything to pursue a three-peat. Yet this boy had chosen to leave the Basketball Club instead, leaving Tiangang Maoyi unable to read him.

Chi Tong nodded calmly. "During my third year of middle school, I withdrew from the Basketball Club because of some personal matters."

"I see!"

Tiangang Maoyi slowly nodded, then asked, "Now that you have officially become a member of Lingnan High School's Basketball Club, what are your thoughts on the team?"

The question was both concern and a test.

Chi Tong's performance on the court had shown that he possessed extremely strong control and an excellent sense of rhythm. It could be said that he naturally had the qualities of a leader.

Though Tiangang Maoyi still found it hard to believe, he truly saw the shadow of that person in Chi Tong—Mu Shenyi, captain of Kainan University Affiliated High School's basketball team.

What shocked him even more was that, based on Chi Tong's performance in the game, even if Mu Shenyi himself had taken the court, he might not have done any better. And that was exactly what Ryonan needed most right now.

Hearing Coach Tiangang's question, Chi Tong looked at him, a gentle and composed smile appearing on his lips. "I do have some thoughts about the Basketball Club."

"First, as a point guard, Senior Uekusa has not been able to effectively direct his teammates or organize the offense. More often than not, he waits for others to make their choices."

"Then there is his mid-to-long-range shooting. Although a point guard's primary duty is to organize the offense, reliable mid-to-long-range shooting is also essential."

"Yet Senior Uekusa's number of shots throughout the entire game was almost negligible."

"Defense, offense, consistency..."

The moment Chi Tong began speaking, his analysis was organized and logical. Every sentence struck at the heart of the issue with astonishing precision.

As Tiangang Maoyi listened, he froze, his eyes widening more and more.

As a coach who had taught for many years, he had never analyzed Uekusa Zhizhi's problems as thoroughly as Chi Tong had.

Yet after Chi Tong finished speaking, he thought back on it and realized that it really was true.

Next, Chi Tong began naming players one by one. Uozumi, Yueye Hongming, Chishang Liang'er, and Sendoh—every key player was called out, and their problems were analyzed without mercy.

Afterward, he turned his attention to the first-year newcomers, pointing out each person's technical weaknesses, mental state, and habits on the court.

As Tiangang Maoyi listened to Chi Tong list each issue and offer specific suggestions in a calm tone, every word cut like a blade.

Tiangang Maoyi was completely dumbfounded, his heart filled with endless bewilderment and shock.

Was this guy really just a first-year freshman?

He was practically a monster!

After the shock passed, Tiangang Maoyi silently committed every suggestion Chi Tong had made to memory.

At that moment, a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind. If I let this kid become the team captain, I could save myself a lot of trouble as a coach!

Once Chi Tong finished, Tiangang Maoyi's eyes shone as he tentatively asked, "Chi Tong, if I made you the team captain, what would you do?"

"Are you confident you can lead the team well?"

Hearing that, Chi Tong looked directly at Tiangang Maoyi. The corners of his lips curved upward in a steady, confident smile.

"Of course."

The reason he had said all that was because he wanted to compete for the captain's position. Originally, he had only intended to plant a seed in Tiangang Maoyi's mind and prove that he had what it took to be captain. He had not expected Tiangang Maoyi to raise the matter so directly.

But after thinking about it, he understood. The current captain was Uozumi. On one hand, it was because he had been with the team the longest; on the other, he was also the team's indispensable starting center.

But now that Sendoh had joined and quickly become the team's spiritual core, Uozumi's leadership role as captain had naturally weakened as long as Sendoh was there.

However, if Chi Tong became captain instead, the situation would be completely different.

With his strength and control on the court, he would surely stand alongside Sendoh and become a new pillar of the team.

Moreover, his innate leadership qualities would better unite the entire team as one.

Tiangang Maoyi lowered his head and pondered for a long time.

Finally, he raised his head, looked straight at Chi Tong, and slowly said, "Chi Tong, I can give you an opportunity."

He paused, his tone turning solemn. "Uozumi is the team captain right now. Whether you can make everyone acknowledge you as captain will depend on you."

"I understand."

Chi Tong's expression remained unchanged as he answered calmly.

He was in no hurry. As long as he wanted it, the captaincy of Ryonan's basketball team would eventually be his. It was only a matter of time.

"Yes, Captain!"

Just then, a clear voice came from not far away. The two turned toward it and saw Shendai Liufei standing some distance away, lightly waving at them.