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Offense and defense change.
The opposing team dribbles the ball towards their side.
Ryu comes within two meters of the opponent.
The opponent hesitates to attack directly, dribbling in place, looking for an opening.
Just then, the opponent reveals an opening.
A glint flashes in Ryu's eyes as he steps forward to close the distance.
Then he reaches out, ready to steal the ball from the opponent.
Seeing this, a glint of triumph flashes in the opponent's eyes.
Then he flicks his wrist.
The basketball flies towards his teammate in the opposite direction.
He had been tricked.
That's what everyone thinks.
But just then.
A silver figure flashes past.
Ryu, seemingly out of nowhere, blocks the basketball's path.
Thud…
The basketball lands steadily in Ryu's hand.
"How is this possible? Didn't I fool him?"
The one who was just smug is now completely dumbfounded.
Ryu ignored the opponent's thoughts.
After receiving the ball, he immediately sprinted towards the opponent's basket.
Ryu's speed was incredible.
The five opposing players exerted all their strength, but the distance between them only increased.
"Damn it, how can he be so fast?"
The five opposing players were almost in despair.
They could only watch helplessly as Ryu reached their basket.
Ryu made a layup in three steps.
Swish…
The basketball went in.
On the sidelines, Shirogane Kozo's eyes narrowed sharply.
He stared intently at Ryu.
A talent!
An absolute talent!
A talent with the same talent as those four boys.
No, even stronger.
Shirogane Kozo's eyes were filled with fervor.
And Momoi Satsuki covered her mouth in disbelief.
She stared at Ryu in disbelief.
She had witnessed Ryu's performance firsthand.
Ryu was strong, incredibly strong.
That was the feeling Ryu gave her.
She felt Ryu was no less capable than Aomine and the others.
Ryu's actions just now were as if he knew what the other was going to do beforehand.
It was like he could foresee the future.
Could someone really be like that?
And his strength…
She never imagined Teiko would have someone with such talent and he's not on the basketball team.
While Momoi Satsuki was still reeling from Ryu's strength, Shirogane Kozo's voice came through.
"Satsuki-san, do you know his name? Are you sure he's a student at Teiko?"
Momoi Satsuki nodded.
"Yes, I remember his name is Shirogane Ryu."
Hmm ??..Does he have the same surname as my family?? But that's not what matters to him; what matters more is...
Shirogane Kozo continued to ask.
"Such talent should have joined the basketball club, so why haven't I seen him in the club?"
"Ah, this…" Momoi Satsuki was also somewhat puzzled.
"I'm not entirely sure either. When I saw him, he was definitely coming from the direction of the basketball club."
Shirogane Kozo didn't speak, but watched silently.
Soon, the game ended.
Ryu won decisively.
Ryu let out a long sigh.
Then he went to the bench by the court to pack his things and prepare to go home.
Just then.
A voice entered his ears.
"Ryu..."
Ryu looked up.
He saw a pink figure walking towards him.
Ryu asked curiously.
"Momoi Satsuki? What are you doing here?"
Momoi Satsuki smiled at Ryu.
"I came here with everyone for a practice match, and just happened to pass by and saw you playing basketball."
"I see."
Ryu nodded in understanding.
Just then, Shirogane Kozo, standing next to Momoi Satsuki, spoke up.
"Hello, Ryu-kun, I'm Shirogane Kozo, the coach of the Teiko basketball team."
"I heard from Satsuki that you're also a student at Teiko?"
Ryu looked at him, thinking to himself.
'This is Teiko's head coach!'
He nodded.
"Yes."
Shirogane Kozo continued.
"Are you a member of the basketball team?"
Ryu shook his head.
"No, I'm not a member of the basketball team."
"With such basketball talent, why haven't you joined the school's basketball team?" Shirogane Kozo asked, puzzled.
Momoi Satsuki, standing beside him, was also confused.
Ryu shrugged helplessly.
"Can someone with my skill level even join the basketball club?"
Upon hearing this, Shirogane Kozo was speechless.
Momoi Satsuki also wore a speechless expression.
What a joke.
If someone with your skill level can't join the basketball club, then everyone else might as well go play in the mud.
"With your skill, you could easily be a starter in the basketball club," Momoi Satsuki reminded him.
"Is that so?" Ryu scratched his head, looking completely innocent.
Shirogane Kozo pressed on.
"Ryu-kun, would you like to join our school's basketball club? If you're willing to join, you'll be a first-team regular."
Ryu was taken aback.
"First team, huh? That's great!"
Then he said with a troubled expression.
"Is this really okay?"
"Actually, I did apply to join the basketball club when school started!"
"Unfortunately, I was told I didn't meet the recruitment requirements, and the basketball club was already full and no longer recruiting, so I was rejected."
Upon hearing this, both Shirogane Kozo and Momoi Satsuki were stunned.
They didn't react for a moment.
Applied, and then rejected?
The basketball club was full and no longer recruiting?
Who the hell said that?
This talented player was rejected?
Didn't meet the recruitment requirements?
Damn it.
Shirogane Kozo didn't know what to say for a moment.
Momoi Satsuki then said.
"How could this happen? Is there a mistake?"
Shirogane Kozo took a deep breath and said.
"Ryu-kun, I think there's some misunderstanding here."
"The basketball club welcomes all basketball enthusiasts in the school. We never turn anyone away if they want to join."
"I apologize for the basketball club's wrong decision and hope you can forgive us."
"I hereby formally invite you to join the basketball club."
With that, Shirogane Kozo prepared to bow slightly to Ryu.
Ryu reacted quickly, stopping him.
"Coach Shirogane, you don't need to do that. I accept."
"But is this really alright? What if I don't meet the basketball club's requirements? Wouldn't that break the club's rules?"
"No, no, no, the basketball club doesn't have a concept of 'meeting' or 'not meeting' requirements. As long as you're a young person who loves basketball and has a dream, you meet the basketball club's requirements. The basketball club will never turn anyone away."
Shirogane Kozo said seriously.
Ryu nodded.
"Alright then!"
Seeing that Ryu had agreed, Shirogane Kozo finally smiled with delight.
"See you tomorrow, Ryu."
"Okay." Ryu nodded. "I'll report to the basketball club tomorrow."
Momoi Satsuki waved to Ryu.
"Ryu, see you tomorrow!"
"Momoi, see you tomorrow." Ryu waved back.
On the way back.
Shirogane Kozo remained silent.
Momoi Satsuki had never seen the coach's expression so serious before.
She lowered her head, remaining silent.
After a long while, she finally mustered the courage to speak.
"Coach Shirogane, Ryu…"
Shirogane Kozo waved his hand.
"Momoi, could you please help me investigate why Ryu's enrollment in the basketball club was rejected?"
"Huh? Me?" Momoi Satsuki was a little nervous.
"Hehehe..." Shirogane Kozo chuckled.
"Don't worry, I'll ask for help, and I have complete faith in your abilities."
The next day.
Teiko Basketball Club began an investigation unknown to outsiders.
It was led by Momoi Satsuki and the coach.
Everything was conducted in secrecy.
Even few members of the basketball club knew about it.
Soon, the investigation results regarding "Shirogane Ryu" registration appeared on Shirogane Kozo's desk.