Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 590: Is This Really Happening?

As the third quarter stretched on, the Japanese team began to feel what they hadn't expected—a creeping sense of dread and defeat.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

"We said China would be the easiest win," Saito Ren muttered under his breath as he wiped the sweat from his forehead during a quick break. His voice carried frustration, his gaze darting toward his teammates. "Why does it feel like we're drowning out there?"

Kenta, one of their forwards, nodded grimly while panting. "The first half was already tough, but this…"

He glanced across the court, where Kai Guo and the rest of the young players stood. "They're as young as my brother, and my brother is definitely not this energetic."

65-63.

The score was in favor of the Chinese team now. And it definitely wasn't luck. It was because their teamwork had improved over the course of their training!

They almost had perfect teamwork. Almost.

Jimmy, true to his stubborn nature, still refused to give Kai the spotlight.

At least now, he would pass to him. However, it was clear that he didn't want Kai to get the glory.

But even so, Jimmy was doing well on his own for this game. He had already racked up double digits in points during the third quarter.

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Jimmy grinned as he drained another two-pointer. His face lit up, and he pumped his fist in celebration. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Max jogged over to him, slapping him on the back. "Alright, superstar. Save some for the rest of us."

Jimmy laughed. "What can I say? I'm feeling good tonight."

Jian smirked as he sprinted past, calling back to Jimmy, "Maybe pass once or twice, though?"

"Pass to who? Kai?" Jimmy shot back without hesitation.

On the sidelines, Coach Xu Wei furrowed his brow. He had noticed the tension between the two players, but for now, it didn't seem to be costing them.

"Focus!" he barked toward the court. "Stay sharp!"

Despite the internal friction, the Chinese team held their ground.

Zheng was doing well as their point guard, channeling his glory days with the Ying Eagles. Max drew fouls and converted free throws. Jian's defense disrupted the Japanese rhythm.

But there was no denying it: Kai Guo remained at the center of attention.

Even when Jimmy ignored him, Kai was on fire.

He moved with an unpredictable elegance—one moment gliding across the court, the next charging into the lane with blinding speed.

With less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Kenta drove into the lane, aiming to lay the ball in. Kai stepped up, planting his feet for the block.

The referee's whistle sliced through the air.

"Foul! On number seven, by Kai Guo!"

Kai nodded to himself while the Japanese team cheered as Kenta stepped to the free-throw line.

As Kenta made his first free throw, Kai stood near the baseline, hands on his hips. Max nudged his shoulder.

"What was that about? You don't usually foul," he said quietly. "I thought you wanted to stay disciplined for this game."

Kai shrugged, watching Kenta prepare for his second shot. "Just wanted to test something."

Max gave him a look. "You're insane, you know that?"

Kenta's second shot bounced off the rim. Kai snagged the rebound and pushed the ball up the court, scanning for options. Jimmy was already streaking ahead, calling for the pass.

Despite Jimmy's hesitance toward Kai, the latter made sure to always keep the team in mind. With that, Kai still passed to him, firing the ball at Jimmy.

Jimmy caught it, drove to the elbow, and pulled up for a mid-range jumper. It sank cleanly.

"Sixty-seven!" Gina exclaimed.

The Chinese team's fans erupted into cheers. Jimmy pointed at himself, grinning ear to ear. "Can't stop me today!"

Saito Ren clicked his tongue, seemingly losing patience.

"Enough!" he barked at his teammates."Get it together!"

The fire in his eyes burned fiercely as he took the ball up the court, dribbling with a speed that sent defenders scrambling. He drove straight at Kai, his frustration bleeding into his movements.

Kai stayed with him step after step, his calm demeanor trying to gauge Saito's explosive energy. For a moment, it seemed like Saito might break through, but Kai was still there.

Saito spun, pulled back, and launched an off-balance shot.

The ball hit the rim and bounced out. Jian secured the rebound, and before anyone could react, Kai was sprinting down the sideline, calling for the ball.

Jian didn't hesitate before tossing it forward.

The crowd held its breath as Kai caught the pass in stride, a defender right on his heels. Without breaking momentum, Kai planted his foot, dribbled once, and shot from just inside the three-point line.

The ball soared through the air, time slowing to a crawl as every eye followed its arc.

Swish.

Two points.

Kai landed lightly, turning back up the court with a composed expression as his teammates rushed to congratulate him.

Coach Xu Wei, still standing at the edge of the court, pressed his lips into a thin line. His gaze lingered on Kai for a long moment before going to the scoreboard. 69-65.

"How is it," he muttered to himself, "that they're not struggling at all?"

He had expected the young players to falter. I need time to adjust to the pace of an international team. And yet here they were, taking the lead against one of Japan's most disciplined squads.

It didn't make sense. But then again, maybe it did.

Coach Xu Wei glanced around the gym, taking in the excited crowd and how energetic they seemed compared to the first half.

'This is why high school basketball has become so popular.'

He looked back at the court, where Kai stood among his teammates. Coach Xu Wei allowed himself a small, knowing smile.

'Maybe I underestimated them.'

The whistle blew, signaling the end of the third quarter. Jimmy was all smiles, waving to the crowd as they cheered.

Muyang elbowed Caleb before whispering into his ears.

"Are they really going to beat us?"