Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

In the city of Beijing...

"We do not have time to waste," Fang said, stretching as he lined the first-year players in the court.

"I have stayed quiet during the past league because I wanted to see you all improve at your own pace," he continued.

"However, this won't do. You guys are all useless. The team will crumble because of you."

The first-year players of the Huolan Guardians looked down at the ground like they were being scolded by the mothers who birthed him.

Jackson, the current team captain, walked next to Fang and placed his hand over his shoulder.

"Let me handle this," he said.

Fang clicked his tongue and glared at the other players.

"I have no intentions of playing with worthless, useless, and untalented players. You have been enjoined in this team since the recruiters believed you had some potential. However, I think they made a mistake."

"Potential isn't made," he continued. "It's something you are born with. No matter how hard you tried, if you weren't born with it, then you will only hit a ceiling."

"So, for those who don't have the innate talent, I suggest you guys just leave," he continued with a smirk.

"Some people just aren't meant to play basketball," Fang ended, making some of the players teary-eyed.

Two of them couldn't take it and gathered their bags to leave the court.

Jackson's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wait—"

"Leave them be," Fang said, holding onto Jackson's shoulder.

"Now," Fang said, not letting Jackson speak. "I want you to put your everything in this training camp."

"We will win this year's Interhigh Preliminaries and Nationals!"

"Rui," Jackson called. "Carry the water for everyone."

"On it, Jackson."

Meanwhile, in a big training facility in the heart of Beijing...

"That's Zheng Zhang, right?"

"Goodness! Zheng Zhang is actually here with us."

Zheng sighed in frustration as more people peeked through the door.

"Lock the doors," he said in a powerful tone, sending shivers down the spines of his teammates.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"This is a private practice."

The newbies of the Ying Eagles quickly followed his instruction before standing back in their line.

A small smile finally arose from Zheng's lips.

"Silence...finally," he muttered. "Now, let's get straight to business."

His teammates, despite finding him as a friend, also respected his leadership.

With that, they listened intently.

Your journey continues at empire

"This year, we will be facing bigger opponents."

"This is my last year...my last opportunity to win," he continued.

"With that, I need you to make the most out of this training camp. I do not want any slackers in my team. Got it?"

"Yes, captain," the Ying Eagles said in unison.

***

Now, in a snowy field in Shanghai...

"What are they even doing here?" Justin asked, watching as the Yin Yang Knights ran in circles around the football field.

"They're training," Junior answered. "Isn't it obvious?"

"But why in our field?" Justin grumbled. "Don't they have the basketball court?"

"They're just jogging," Junior chuckled. "They'll go in later."

The Yin Yang Knights' Capitan raised his hand to signal the team to stop running.

Max let out a deep breath as he sat on the bleachers.

"Our warm-ups are intense," he said.

Fabin and Ailun turned to glare at him.

"Oh, whose fault is that I suppose?"

Max raised both eyebrows. "Is it mine?"

"Is it mine?" Fabin asked in a mocking tone. "Of course, it's your fault! You asked the captain to make our training regimen harder."

Max chuckled and leaned both elbows against the upper part of the bleachers.

"Well, we need to level up our training," Max said. "Don't you think that the Interhigh Preliminaries are going to be particularly difficult this year?"

Ailun shrugged. "It's difficult every year, though. In the end, we'd still win. I believe the Feng Foxes will retain their current skills."

Max shook his head as he chugged his energy drink.

"I'm not talking about the Feng Foxes, though," he muttered before standing and encouraging his teammates to start training once more.

A collective groan was heard in the field.

***

Back to Shenyang...

"Why are we out here so early in the morning?" Riley groaned, feeling like his fingers and toes were going to fall off from the harsh coldness of the wind.

Dafu, still with his eyes closed, looked up at the skies.

"The sun isn't even out yet," he complained. "How can we train this early in the morning?"

Meanwhile, Guri looked around and found a bed of frozen leaves and twigs on the ground.

Without any hesitation, he laid down on the bed of plants and allowed himself to sleep.

"Guri's sleeping," Riley complained.

Fenhua, who was always grumpy in the morning, clicked his tongue.

"Let him be. That's why he lost against Kai."

With Fenhua's statement, Guri came back to life, his eyes showing more determination than ever.

"What was that?" Guri asked. "Is the training going to start? I'm readier than ever. What are we going to do?" he eagerly said.

Calvin shook his head in amusement.

"I'm glad all of you guys are here," he said. "We still have three days left for the training camp, so let's do our best for the remaining days."

Fenhua groaned. "Even I think this is excessive, though. Who the heck trains this early in the morning?"

"The Shizi Dogs," Calvin deadpanned, making the Longyu Dragons pursed their lips in shame.

"Well, those guys are...crazy," Dafu said, scratching the back of his head.

"Speaking of, where are those crazy dogs?" he asked.

***

"We got the goods," Shang smirked as they arrived at the train.

Just in time, the doors closed, leaving the passengers in fear of what they were witnessing.

"Kids these days," an old woman muttered while shaking her hand.

The Shizi Dogs huddled over in one corner, peeking inside Shang's backpack.

Kun gasped. "Don't you think we'll get in trouble?"

"It's okay," Jet reassured. "Lina and Yuze wouldn't find out."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "I still think this is a bad idea."

"What's a bad idea?" Yuze suddenly asked, making the team go back to their seats and pretend like everything was normal.

"Nothing!" Shang exclaimed.

"We're just so excited to train!"