After the game between Ryonan and Hainan ended, the crowd in the stands did not disperse; they were waiting to watch the next game between Ryokufu and Shoyo.
During the interval between games, the discussions in the stands surged like a tide.
"Ryonan is too strong; he is simply unstoppable!"
"Hainan was rated A-class last time, so Ryonan must also be rated an A-class team this time."
"I will definitely go to watch Ryonan's National Tournament!"
"Me too; I am now a complete die-hard fan of Ryonan!"
On the other side of the stands, however, a discordant sound was heard.
"Coach Karasawa, that kid named Uozumi is not bad; given time, he might become a 'qualified' center," Shanshan Shouta said.
"Sugiyama, isn't your expectation a bit 'too high'?" Karazawa Kazuo responded faintly.
This conversation between the two immediately caused many surrounding spectators to show displeasure.
Who are these two people? Why are they pointing fingers at Uozumi?
However, the man wearing glasses was exceptionally tall, appearing even taller than Uozumi, which caused the surrounding Ryonan supporters, even with their indignation, to ultimately not dare to act out.
In fact, they were not arrogant without reason.
These two, one is Shanshan Shouta, recognized as the number one center in Japanese basketball, and the other is Karazawa Kazuo, the head coach of Fukazawa Sports University—in the Japanese basketball world, they both hold absolute authority.
"Sugiyama, speaking of which, I personally am more optimistic about Akagi Takenori of Shohoku," Karazawa Kazuo's tone shifted.
"Shohoku?" Shanshan Shouta raised an eyebrow, "They didn't even make it into the top eight in the prefecture; a center from such a team is not what we want."
"Sugiyama, you place too much importance on rankings," Karazawa Kazuo shook his head, "Although Shohoku lost, Akagi Takenori's strength can definitely rank first among centers in Kanagawa Prefecture."
"Perhaps," Shanshan Shouta was noncommittal, "but he indeed does not meet the standard for special recruitment. Moreover, I saw something different in Uozumi's eyes—that is a kind of persistence to be a supporting role for victory, he cares more about the team, and he also knows better how to integrate into the team."
"Then... let's pay a visit tonight," Karazawa Kazuo mused, though he still felt that Uozumi might not be worth it, but it was a pity that Akagi Takenori had completely lost his chance, "If Ryonan can reach the top four in the National Tournament, we can consider specially recruiting Uozumi."
"Coach, I have something to do; I'll leave for a while," Shanshan Shouta said.
"Something?" Karazawa Kazuo looked up at him, with a hint of doubt.
"I want to meet that high school student named Gu Jin. Hiejima Den said he lost to this kid in a one-on-one. And, I am indeed very interested in his strength," Shanshan Shouta explained.
"Gu Jin?" Karazawa Kazuo mused, "He is indeed a good player. It's just a pity that he is not Japanese."
Fukazawa Sports University can be called a springboard for the Japanese national team; many players in the team can be directly sent to the national team, bearing the important responsibility of cultivating national players.
It is precisely because of this that Fukazawa Sports University has an iron rule—never recruiting foreign players.
In the Ryonan Gymnasium in the afternoon, the sunlight streamed through the high windows, casting a warm glow. Taoka Moichi looked at the figure dribbling on the court and couldn't help but say, "Gu Jin, aren't you supposed to be resting for half a day today? Why are you practicing again?"
"Coach, I want to practice a little longer," Gu Jin stopped his movements and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Taoka Moichi's face was full of relief. Talented, strong, and more hardworking than anyone else, what coach wouldn't like such a player?
Just then, the gymnasium door was pushed open with a "creak."
"Excuse me!" An exceptionally tall figure appeared at the doorway, almost blocking half the light.
Taoka Moichi was startled at first, then recognized the other person: "Shanshan Shouta?"
"Coach Taoka, I apologize for the intrusion," Shanshan Shouta nodded slightly.
"You came to Ryonan for..." Taoka Moichi was a little confused.
Shanshan Shouta said no more, his gaze directly falling on Gu Jin on the court: "I came for him."
Gu Jin frowned, looking at the tall, unfamiliar man: "For me? Do we know each other?"
"Perhaps you don't know me, but you should know Hiejima Den," Shanshan Shouta's tone was calm, "He is my teammate, and he said he lost to you. Gu Jin, are you interested in playing a few rounds with me?"
Taoka Moichi's expression changed, and he suddenly took two large steps forward, directly blocking between the two of them, his face showing no politeness, his brows furrowed like a knot: "I don't agree!"
He raised his hand and pointed at Sugiyama, his tone very impolite: "You are now the number one center in Japan, already a professional player!
And Gu Jin?
He is still a high school student, just a young kid!
You came all the way here to 'play a few rounds' with him? I think you just came all this way to bully my player!"
Shanshan Shouta was a bit embarrassed by what was said, and instead bowed slightly, his attitude very respectful: "Coach Taoka, please don't be angry, I really didn't mean anything else, I just heard Hiejima Den mention it and was really curious..."
"Curious is not allowed either!" Taoka Moichi interrupted him, his chin slightly raised, "If you play now, it's clearly you bullying the younger one."
Gu Jin stood by, a little stunned by what he saw.
This Shanshan Shouta, who had shown a professional player's arrogance when mentioning Hiejima Den earlier, how did he become as obedient as a student being lectured by a teacher when he got to Coach Taoka?
The respect in his eyes was not faked. He muttered to himself: What kind of history do these two have?
Shanshan Shouta still wanted to explain: "Coach Taoka, I really didn't..."
"Don't give me that!" Taoka Moichi waved his hand, his protective instinct kicking in, "If you want to play, go find someone else to play with; my players here don't need your 'guidance'!"
Gu Jin, however, took a step forward at this moment, gently pulling Taoka Moichi's arm: "Coach, it's fine."
"How can it be fine?" Taoka Moichi glared at him, "What level is he? What level are you now? You haven't grown up yet; if he really presses you down and beats you, your spirit will definitely be hit! This is not conducive to your growth."
"It won't happen," Gu Jin looked at Shanshan Shouta, a hint of interest burning in his eyes, "Just a professional player, I used to..." He paused, swallowing the latter half of the sentence, only saying, "Since he wants to play, then let's play a few rounds. Best of three, simple."
"Gu Jin, I have absolute confidence in you in the high school world, but this guy is an anomaly even in the national team!" Taoka Moichi was anxious, "You two are not in the same league right now!"
"Won't we know if we try?" Gu Jin's tone was calm, yet it carried a hint of persistence, "Coach, let me play."
Shanshan Shouta saw Gu Jin's resolute attitude, then turned to look at Taoka Moichi, his eyes showing a hint of asking for permission.
Taoka Moichi glared at him, then finally sighed and stepped aside, tacitly agreeing, but still muttering: "Play, play! If you dampen Gu Jin's spirit later, see how I'll deal with you..."
A dark line flashed across Shanshan Shouta's face, then he let out a sigh of relief and made a "please" gesture to Gu Jin, but his eyes held a few more points of seriousness—a high school student who could be so protected by Coach Taoka and dare to challenge himself might really have something.