Uozumi took a deep breath, met everyone's gaze, and spoke in a steady voice: "I believe Coach Morita's promise. If I can play basketball while learning to manage my family's store, then I choose Shonan Institute of Technology."
"Good kid, you have good judgment!" Morita praised Uozumi first.
A smile instantly bloomed on Morita's face. He was about to pat Uozumi's shoulder and say something when his gaze was suddenly pulled by a commotion on the court—
After Uozumi left the court, the adjusted team continued to train.
There was nothing unusual, but at this moment, Gu Jin was tightly double-teamed by three opposing players at the three-point line.
But what was strange was that the defenders seemed even more nervous, which made Morita wonder.
The three men spread their arms, forming an impenetrable wall. Morita couldn't help but frown: "This ball is going to be lost..."
Before he finished speaking, Gu Jin suddenly started with a change of direction, his left shoulder slightly lowered as if to break through, faking the left defender into shifting his center of gravity. In that instant, he sharply stepped half a pace to the right, slipping through the gap between the two like a loach!
His movement was so fast that only an afterimage remained, and even Sendo couldn't help but let out an "Oh."
Immediately after, he drove the ball into the restricted area, facing the substitute center who came to defend, without slowing down at all.
Morita subconsciously held his breath, only to see Gu Jin forcefully push off the ground with both feet, his entire body springing up as if equipped with a spring, his right hand slamming the ball hard towards the hoop—
"Bang!"
With a loud bang, the hoop vibrated violently, and even the backboard hummed.
Gu Jin hung on the hoop, his arm muscles bulging. When he landed, he landed steadily, casually wiped the sweat from his forehead, and his eyes held a wild glint.
The sidelines instantly fell silent.
Morita's mouth was wide open, and he didn't even notice his briefcase falling to the ground with a "thud."
He had only noticed Gu Jin's tactical talent just now and was still pondering how to exceptionally recruit him under the name of "tactical genius." But this dunk—that explosive power, that body coordination, that judgment to tear open the defense in a double-team, how was that the level of an ordinary first-year high school student?
"Holy crap..." Morita subconsciously blurted out a curse, his eyes wide like copper bells, "This athletic talent..."
He suddenly turned and grabbed Taoka's arm, his voice trembling: "Taoka! This, this, this... What kind of monster is this Gu Jin? His tactics can be designed even more precisely than an old coach, and he plays so fiercely?!"
Just now, he still thought "exceptional recruitment" was a special favor for Gu Jin, but at this moment, he realized with a shock—this was no favor, it was clearly a treasure found!
An all-around monster who can design his own tactics and also physically tear apart defenses on the court, let alone graduating from high school, he should be pulled into a university team as a core player right now!
"You saw it?" Taoka's arm ached from being shaken, but he couldn't help raising an eyebrow, "This kid is wild, and he's a genius in all aspects!"
Morita didn't respond, staring intently at Gu Jin, who, after a steal, was again in possession of the ball on the court—this time he didn't go for a solo play. Instead, after shaking off his opponent, he made a precise bounce pass, tearing open the defense and sending it to Fukuda, assisting him for an easy layup.
He can both dunk powerfully himself and connect the entire team. Where in the world did this all-around king come from?
"No," Morita suddenly clenched his fists, a raging fire burning in his eyes, "Taoka, I must have this Gu Jin! Forget about him graduating from high school, I want him to go to Shonan Institute of Technology now. I'll go to the Ministry of Education to apply for a special recruitment!
Tuition, living expenses, and scholarships will all be doubled. He can use training equipment as he pleases. Whatever tactics he wants to research, I'll invite the best analysts in the country to stay up with him!"
He no longer cared about "tactical talent" now; his mind was filled with the image of Gu Jin's dunk just now—a talent like this, who can excel both strategically and physically, is good enough for professional play. Keeping him in high school would be a waste of talent!
Taoka's head ached from his shouting, but he couldn't help feeling proud: "Save it, Gu Jin is only a first-year high school student right now."
Morita, however, seemed not to hear, his eyes fixed on the court, muttering repeatedly: "He's too amazing... If he were on the university court, wouldn't Shonan Institute of Technology turn all of Japan upside down this year?"
He immediately turned to Taoka, his tone carrying an undeniable persistence, "Taoka, Uozumi's matter is settled. As for Gu Jin... you at least have to give me a few minutes to talk to him, right?"
Just as Taoka was about to refuse, Chairman Shenmu chimed in from the side: "Taoka, just let Coach Morita say a few words to the boy. It also shows our Ryonan's generosity."
Taoka snorted, signifying his tacit approval.
He then shouted towards the center of the training gym: "Gu Jin! You come over here too!"
Gu Jin had just made a three-pointer and was stunned when he heard the shout. He then quickly ran over, seeing Uozumi, Morita, and Chairman Shenmu all standing aside, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes—he had just finished playing, covered in sweat, what was this setup for?
"Gu Jin, let me introduce you." Taoka pointed to Morita, "This is Coach Morita from Shonan Institute of Technology."
Gu Jin quickly nodded: "Hello, Chairman Shenmu. Hello, Coach Morita." He was even more puzzled. A university coach coming to a high school gym to find a first-year high school student like himself, surely it wasn't to give tactical guidance, right?
Morita then became serious, extending his hand proactively: "Hello, Gu Jin. I just watched your training and the tactics you designed; they are very impressive. To be honest, I originally came for Uozumi today, but now I'd like to talk to you about your future plans."
Gu Jin paused as he shook his hand, his eyes filled with doubt, "Future plans?"
"Yes, you are the most talented player I have ever seen." Morita released his hand, his tone becoming more earnest, "So some things need to be planned in advance. For example... have you thought about which university you want to go to after three years?"
Gu Jin scratched his head and honestly said, "I haven't really thought about it. Right now, I just want to play well in the current games."
"I understand that." Morita immediately interjected, as if afraid he would run off, "But I can give you a promise—if you are willing to come to Shonan Institute of Technology after graduating from high school, during these three years of high school, whatever tactical materials, training equipment you need, or even if you want to train with the university team, I can arrange it.
Once you're in university, free tuition and living expenses are basic. The school will also provide a monthly living allowance, not only for you personally but also for your family.
In addition, we can assign you a dedicated tactical analyst. If you have any ideas, you can always find someone to put them into practice."
He looked into Gu Jin's eyes and added a significant condition: "And I can guarantee that you won't have to start from the bench after enrollment; you'll go straight into the main rotation—with your ability to design tactics and play basketball as you just did, you deserve this position."
Gu Jin was completely stunned. He looked up at Taoka, as if confirming this wasn't a joke.
Taoka stood by, arms crossed, deliberately keeping a straight face without speaking, but in his heart, he thought: This old man is really going all out to poach players.
In fact, another important reason why Morita Shishio dared to offer these conditions was that he was not only the coach of Shonan Institute of Technology but also a high-ranking official at the school.
"Coach Morita, thank you for thinking so highly of me." Gu Jin thought for a long time before saying earnestly, "But I really don't have the energy to think about these things right now. However... if Ryonan can achieve good results in my third year of high school, and you are still willing to give me this opportunity, I can consider it."
He paused and added, "If I really go to Shonan Institute of Technology then, I might have additional conditions!"
Morita's eyes lit up. This kid was not just talented; he immediately decided: "No problem! As long as you're willing to come, just name your conditions!"
Taoka then spoke, interrupting him in an exasperated tone: "Alright, stop making empty promises here. First, let's process Uozumi's paperwork. Gu Jin still needs to train. If you delay the National Tournament, can you take responsibility?"
Morita then gave up, but before leaving, he gave Gu Jin a deep look, as if to say, "This isn't over."
Gu Jin watched his retreating figure, rubbed the back of his head, and turned to ask Taoka: "Coach, was I too direct just now?"
Taoka snorted, but a rare hint of a smile appeared: "You said it well. Remember, with talent comes confidence. The fact that they're fighting over you means you're worth it."
With strength as a foundation, why fear a lack of options for the future?