Chapter 20: The New School Year

After successfully persuading Sugiyama Shota to transfer to Shoyo, Kudo Shinichi faced the next challenge: convincing Sugiyama's parents. What he initially thought would be an easy task turned out to be far more difficult. If Sugiyama's parents had been easy to persuade, Sugiyama wouldn't have spent three frustrating years at Urayasu Commercial High in the original timeline. However, Kudo was determined not to give up, especially since he was more than halfway through his mission.

Kudo realized that his own parents might hold the key to convincing Sugiyama's parents. He explained the situation to Akitake Kudo and Nobuko Kudo, detailing the challenges Sugiyama faced and the potential benefits of transferring to Shoyo. While Kudo struggled to persuade Sugiyama's parents directly, he was confident that his own parents could make a compelling case.

Akitake and Nobuko, after hearing Kudo's heartfelt plea, agreed to help. They met with Sugiyama's parents and assured them that Sugiyama would be well taken care of at Shoyo. Akitake even offered Sugiyama a future position at his sports equipment company if basketball didn't work out, while Nobuko promised to care for Sugiyama as if he were her own son.

Their efforts paid off. Sugiyama's parents, reassured by the Kudo family's support, finally agreed to let their son transfer to Shoyo. As soon as the decision was made, the system notified Kudo of the mission's completion.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the player mission: The First Player's Regret. Mission Reward: One Hook Hand Training Scroll (Advanced), 500 SD Points."

Kudo was thrilled with the reward. "An advanced hook hand training scroll? This is perfect for Shota. With his height and skill, mastering the hook shot could make him unstoppable in high school basketball."

He also reflected on the rarity of the hook shot in Japanese high school basketball. "In the original timeline, no one really used the hook shot. Even Sawakita's throws were considered a secret weapon. If Shota can master this, it'll give us a huge advantage."

Kudo's excitement grew as he imagined the possibilities. "I'll need to find some NBA tapes to study. Even if Shota doesn't develop a sky hook like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a reliable small hook could be a game-changer."

With Sugiyama's transfer secured, Kudo felt confident about Shoyo's chances in the upcoming Summer Nationals. "With Shota on the team, we can not only reach the nationals but also challenge Hainan's dominance."

As spring break came to an end, the Kudo family returned to Kanagawa, with Sugiyama Shota accompanying them. Sugiyama moved into the Kudo household, as agreed, and Kudo Akitake helped finalize his enrollment at Shoyo, ensuring he received the special treatment reserved for talented athletes.

On April 8th, the new school year began, and freshmen arrived at Shoyo to apply for club memberships. The basketball team, being one of Kanagawa's powerhouses, attracted nearly a hundred applicants. However, Kudo decided to limit the number of new recruits to ten, with the rest joining the cheerleading squad managed by Takamoto.

To screen the freshmen, Kudo organized a grueling long-distance run. He believed that perseverance and determination were essential qualities for any basketball player.

"You may not have natural athleticism or skills," Kudo told the freshmen before the run. "But to become a qualified basketball player, you must have the willpower to endure hardship. If you can't give your all in this run, don't even think about joining the team."

The freshmen began the run, with some struggling to keep up while others tried to cut corners. Kudo carefully observed their efforts, weeding out those who didn't take the challenge seriously. However, he temporarily retained those who showed genuine effort, even if their physical fitness wasn't top-notch.

After the run, Kudo addressed the remaining freshmen. "Congratulations, you've earned a temporary spot on the team. But if you can't adapt to the training regimen within the next week, you're free to leave. For now, take a break, then head to the gym to have your height, weight, and positions recorded. If you're new to basketball, let us know. Tomorrow, meet at the playground at seven sharp. If you're late, don't bother coming back."

With that, Kudo left the freshmen to recover while he returned to the basketball gym. There, he was pleased to see the returning players training diligently. Sugiyama, despite being a newcomer, had already integrated well into the team. His height and work ethic earned him respect, and even Oshima, the team's jokester, couldn't help but pester Sugiyama for tips on growing taller.

As the new school year began, Kudo felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Sugiyama on the team and a group of determined freshmen, Shoyo was poised for greatness. The journey to the nationals—and beyond—was just beginning.