Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 550: The Young Teeth Bite Back

Age.

The harsh reminder of time.

Kai had always been aware of it. However, it was only today that he felt the implication of it. Well, to be frank, he was pretty young, so it wasn't a problem.

Athletes had a lifespan shorter than most careers. No matter how skilled or experienced a player was, time was unforgiving. That reality was part of the reason the veterans were being replaced.

Not because they weren't talented or seasoned but because they weren't young anymore. And Kai, in his youthful confidence, knew it was their greatest advantage.

From the sidelines, Coach Xu Wei watched intently, arms crossed.

His gaze moved between the veterans and the younger team, his eyes catching the subtle change in energy. He could see that the group of young boys had talked about something.

"They're finally acting like a team," Coach murmured to himself.

On the court, the veterans were trying to keep up. Marcus barked out instructions, trying to reel in his teammates as Kai darted down the court with the ball. Muyang stepped up to meet him.

Kai faked right, darted left, and zipped past Muyang with startling agility. Dong was waiting under the court, arms outstretched, ready to block. But before he could react, Kai launched a no-look pass behind his back. The ball zipped straight into Jimmy's hands.

"Ugh," Jimmy grumbled under his breath. He wasn't thrilled about receiving a pass from Kai, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. With Dong focused on Kai, Jimmy had a clear shot. He leaped, his arm outstretched, and banked the ball off the backboard for a layup.

The whistle blew as the ball swished through the net.

22-27.

"Those two," Coach Wu Xei muttered. "It still looks like they don't get along."

On the court, Jimmy scowled as he jogged back on defense, muttering, "Don't think this makes us friends."

Kai smirked, his voice teasing as he replied, "Didn't say it did."

The game continued, the pace quickening with each possession.

Zheng intercepted a pass intended for Jaw-Long and immediately kicked the ball out to Jimmy. Jimmy launched a deep three-pointer without hesitation. The ball sailed cleanly through the hoop. No cheers came, of course—despite them narrowing the gap to two points.

The only two spectators in the game were in favor of the veteran team winning.

25-27.

Coach Xu Wei nodded approvingly. "They're getting it," he said under his breath.

Max, who had been quieter throughout the game, positioned himself near the arc.

After coming to terms with the fact that his skills weren't as flashy as the other boys, he knew that his role in this game was to support his teammates. Every time Kai or Jian drove into traffic, Max was there, ready to reset the play or drain an open shot.

When Muyang tried to bulldoze his way into the paint, Max stepped up, planting his feet. The whistle blew, and Muyang groaned, frustration seen across his face.

"Damn kids," Muyang muttered as he pulled himself up.

Max placed his hands over his mouth. "I think I failed to control my strength!" he exclaimed.

Muyang glared but didn't respond, his chest heaving as he jogged back to his side of the court.

Jaw-Long called for the ball, strategizing the next play. He dribbled smoothly. As Zheng stepped up to challenge him, Jaw-Long pulled up for a mid-range jumper, the ball arcing through the air and sinking into the net.

25-29.

"Nice shot!" Bam yelled from the bench, pumping his fist.

But the Elite Five weren't rattled. They regrouped quickly. Kai glanced at Jian, giving him a quick nod. Jian sighed but nodded back.

Zheng inbounded the ball, and Kai took off, sprinting down the court. The veterans struggled to keep up with his pace, their legs not moving as quickly as they used to.

Kai reached the top of the key and passed to Max, who immediately lobbed the ball to Jian in the post.

Jian caught it, but Dong was right on him, his towering frame casting a shadow over Jian's smaller figure.

"Let's see what you've got," Dong taunted, his arms outstretched.

Jian gritted his teeth, using his footwork to create just enough space for a hook shot. The ball arced over Dong's outstretched hand and dropped through the hoop.

27-29.

"That's what I've got," Jian said flatly as he jogged back on defense.

Kai couldn't help but chuckle.

From the sidelines, Bam and Jie exchanged wide-eyed glances.

"What's with these kids?" Bam muttered.

"They're…pretty good?" Jie replied in disbelief.

Back on the court, the veterans were starting to feel the strain. Their movements weren't as crisp, and their reactions a fraction slower.

Meanwhile, the Elite Five seemed to be gaining momentum. However, of course, they still kept the gap.

30-34.

Kai stole the ball from Jaw-Long and took off on a fast break, his feet pounding against the hardwood. Marcus was the only one who managed to keep up, his eyes narrowing as he closed in on Kai.

Marcus focused on cutting off Kai's angle to the basket. But just as Marcus thought he had him, Kai pulled up short and spun, launching the ball to Jian, who was trailing behind.

Jian caught it and sank another three-pointer, the net snapping loudly.

"Boom!" Max yelled, feeling excited to see the gap shrink once again.

32-34.

The game paused for a while, the older players feeling slightly threatened.

"They're faster," Don't muttered, wiping sweat from his brow.

"They're faster than us," Dong said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Jaw-Long nodded. "And they're finally playing as a team."

Muyang stared across the court at the Elite Five, clicking his tongue. "We underestimated them," he admitted.

Honestly, the boys didn't think that they had a chance at winning this. However, with the two-point gap, they began to think it was possible.

"The Elite Five aren't the Elite Five without a reason," Zheng proudly muttered.

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Kai stood at the center of the court, his expression determined. "Let's finish this," he said.