Chaoqi shrank back, his face full of guilt.
They had heard that Sendoh of Ryonan was a monster-level player!
The second- and third-year players had long since become wary at the mention of Ryonan.
That tense mood quickly spread. Even the newly joined first-years were infected by it, each of them looking strained, their palms sweating.
Only two people remained completely unfazed.
One was Liu Chuanfeng. That was simply his personality. No matter how strong you were, he lived in his own world, fearless in his eyes.
The other was Sakuragi Hanamichi. It was not that he feared nothing; he simply had no idea what fear was.
What kind of place was Ryonan?
What village was this Sendoh Shu from?
He looked utterly baffled, completely unable to grasp the situation.
The notice for this practice match had come suddenly and felt rather rushed.
After announcing the news, Anxi Guangyi offered no further explanation and directly ordered an intrasquad game. He needed to see for himself just how capable Shohoku was now!
Soon, the Shohoku Basketball Team's intrasquad scrimmage officially began.
Akagi, center, No. 4; Mumu Gongyan, the third-year Shohoku Basketball Team captain, small forward, No. 5; Liu Chuanfeng, the third-year vice-captain, small forward, No. 11; Sakuragi Hanamichi, first-year power forward, No. 10; An Tian Jingchun, second-year point guard, No. 6; Chaoqi Zheshi, second-year reserve guard, No. 8; Jiaotian Wu, second-year reserve center, No. 9; Shijing Kentaro, first-year reserve forward, No. 12; Zuozuo Gangzhi, first-year reserve forward, No. 13. Days passed one after another. Several days later, at Lin Nan High School's Basketball Gym—
"This is the latest information on the Shohoku Basketball Team that I got yesterday."
The moment Xiangtian Yanyi stepped into the gymnasium, she held her notebook high, her face filled with pride and smug delight.
"You'd never guess it! Aside from Liu Chuanfeng, Shohoku is hiding another incredible guy!"
The first-years immediately perked up and crowded around her.
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Besides that Liu Chuanfeng, could there be another expert in Shohoku?"
"I know that Liu Chuanfeng. He was already very active in middle school. Is there really someone as strong as him?"
They all spoke over one another, guessing who the remarkable person Xiangtian Yanyi had mentioned could be.
As for the second- and third-years, although they were curious as well, they did not crowd around to question her like the first-years. They merely stood nearby and listened silently, thoughtful expressions on their faces.
As for Chi Tong, he had long known whom Xiangtian Yanyi was talking about.
In the original story, when Xiangtian Yanyi went to Shohoku to gather intelligence, it seemed she had only met Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Sendoh walked over to Chi Tong's side, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Aren't you curious at all?"
"Captain Chi Tong!"
Chi Tong merely smiled faintly and said calmly, "Hmph. No matter what they do, it won't change the outcome. All we need to do is go all out and crush our opponents!"
Sendoh wore an expression that said he had surrendered, shaking his head helplessly. "Just as I thought, you're always this calm. Sometimes I seriously wonder whether you're really only sixteen."
Yu Zhu and the others beside him all nodded silently in agreement.
In their eyes, Chi Tong did not resemble a teenager at all.
He was steady and mature, experienced in handling matters. No matter what problem he faced, he could always cut straight to the heart of it and resolve it in the most direct and effective way.
Although his decisive style had initially taken some getting used to, over time, everyone had instead begun to enjoy that clean, efficient rhythm.
Ever since Chi Tong became captain, the changes in the entire team had been obvious.
Training had become more organized, tactical execution more efficient, and even the chemistry between teammates had quietly improved. This visible, tangible progress was something they had never experienced before.
For that reason, from the players to the coach, everyone's respect for Chi Tong deepened day by day.
Yueye Hongming looked around the gymnasium and suddenly remarked, "Come to think of it, the coach seems to be showing up less and less lately."
Shishang Liang'er smiled with feeling.
"Of course. Ever since Chi Tong became captain, the coach has rarely interfered with team affairs."
Uekusa Tomoyuki sighed, his tone carrying both envy and disappointment.
"Why is the gap between people so huge?"
"We're both point guards, so why am I this weak?"
Shishang Liang'er patted him on the shoulder and comforted him with a smile. "Hey, why do you have to compare yourself with Chi Tong?"
"Isn't that just asking for trouble?"
"Having a goal is good, but you have to face reality too!"
"I know," Uekusa Tomoyuki sighed helplessly.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, the day of the practice match had arrived.
Lin Nan High School Basketball Gym.
That day, everyone from the Ryonan Basketball Club arrived early at the gymnasium to warm up and prepare. The atmosphere was tense yet orderly.
Taoka Moichi personally took his position by the sideline, his gaze sweeping across every player before he declared loudly, "For the game later, just follow Chi Tong's instructions. Understood?"
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison, their voices loud and unwavering.
Every face was filled with trust, without the slightest hint of reluctance.
Everyone had witnessed Chi Tong's abilities firsthand. If the coach was absent, then on the court, Chi Tong was the sole authority.
Taoka Moichi then turned toward Chi Tong, and his tone softened unusually.
"Chi Tong, no problem?"
"No problem."
Chi Tong replied blandly. His tone and attitude made it seem as if they were merely discussing something, as though the two of them were calmly deciding what to have for dinner.
The surrounding players could not help the corners of their mouths from twitching.
Hey, Coach, where did your usual authority go?
What happened to your imposing presence?
Why did you instantly change the moment you encountered Chi Tong, like you became a different person?
Though everyone grumbled inwardly, not one of them dared say it aloud.
They could not help it. Chi Tong had that kind of ability. They did not.
"Hasn't Sendoh arrived yet?"
Taoka Moichi suddenly frowned and looked around, only to find no sign of Sendoh in the gymnasium.
The moment he said that, everyone's expressions changed slightly.
The next second, nearly everyone silently observed three seconds of mourning for Sento.
Their gazes quietly drifted toward Chi Tong.
Although Chi Tong had not explicitly stated what would happen to those who were late after becoming captain, nor had he established any similar rule, the authority he had built in everyone's hearts had long seeped into their bones.
What they did not know was that Chi Tong did not care about such things. Being late or absent, he could forgive either as long as it did not affect the outcome of the game. This was precisely how his personality had become more balanced after the fusion of his two personalities.
Of course, once he gave an order, that order was absolute. This was also something everyone on the team had to obey.
After an unknown amount of time passed, the gymnasium doors were abruptly pushed open, and a voice followed. "Hello, Ryonan."
Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a group in Shohoku uniforms standing neatly at the entrance. Leading them was Akagi, standing like an iron tower with a steady, imposing presence.
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