Chapter 114: The Black Emperor Dragon Team’s First Match
“It’s starting! It’s starting! The game’s about to begin!”
“I’m so hyped!”
As the match was about to start, the crowd buzzed with excitement.
The players from both teams stood facing each other, exchanging brief greetings. During the exchange, Miyamoto Tokima clearly felt it—the player matched up against him was trembling uncontrollably.
Both sides took their positions as the referee stepped between Jason Silver and Brown, preparing to toss the ball.
Jason Silver flashed a grin at Brown, who was slightly taller than him.
He had no doubt he’d win the jump ball.
Sure enough, the instant the referee tossed the ball upward, Jason Silver exploded into the air. His speed was astonishing.
Under Brown’s shocked gaze, Jason Silver outjumped him by nearly a full hand and slapped the ball straight toward the backcourt.
Nash Gold caught it cleanly and dribbled across half court at an unhurried pace. There was no need for a fast break.
Bobby swallowed hard as he picked up Nash Gold on defense.
He knew Nash Gold was dangerous. From Brown’s earlier reaction alone, it was obvious that Nash Gold was on the same level as Jason Silver.
So Bobby focused with everything he had, putting in two hundred percent effort on defense.
Feeling the intense fighting spirit coming from the shorter guard in front of him, Nash Gold suddenly broke into a grin.
Under Bobby’s puzzled gaze, Nash Gold began dribbling in place. At first, it was ordinary enough—but the rhythm quickly accelerated. Faster and faster, until afterimages appeared.
Bobby’s confusion slowly turned into fear.
And just as that fear peaked, he realized something was wrong.
Nash Gold had stopped dribbling.
At the same time, the basketball vanished from his hands.
Bobby froze.
So did the rest of the Jackets team.
Where did the ball go?
“Hahaha!”
A wild, unrestrained laugh suddenly rang out from behind Brown.
Brown twisted around in horror, only to see Jason Silver already airborne, the basketball clutched firmly in his hand.
“The ball’s right here, idiots!”
Boom!!!
Jason Silver smashed the ball into the hoop with brutal force, the rim rattling and creaking violently.
Brown stared at the scene in disbelief.
The ball… when did it get to him…?
Off the court, the spectators were just as stunned. None of them had seen the pass.
“What just happened? How did the ball suddenly end up with that big guy?”
“I don’t know! Someone bumped into me—I turned around to see who it was!”
The crowd was shaken. If they couldn’t even see the pass, then what was defense supposed to be?
Back on the court.
Bobby stood there in a daze and asked Marlon beside him,
“Did… did you see the ball just now?”
Marlon shook his head, his eyes filled with the same terror.
“No… I didn’t.”
Bobby swallowed hard and turned to look at Nash Gold, who was already retreating on defense.
Monster… absolute monster…
Possession switched.
The moment Bobby crossed half court with the ball, Nash Gold was already on him, applying tight pressure—and trash talk.
“Hey, shorty. You sure you can even dribble properly? I’ve seen old ladies on the street handle the ball better than you.”
While running his mouth, Nash Gold kept reaching in for steals, his pressure suffocating.
Bobby didn’t respond, his face twisted in strain as he desperately avoided the steals.
Sensing something was wrong, Marlon immediately cut out and shouted,
“Here!”
Hearing him, Bobby quickly passed the ball.
Just as Bobby thought he’d finally escaped, he saw a strange smile appear on Nash Gold’s face.
As Marlon raised his hands to receive the pass, a figure suddenly burst forward and intercepted it.
Nick.
He seized the chance perfectly, snatching the ball away.
“Lucky.”
Nick laughed as he dribbled toward the frontcourt.
Marlon reacted instantly and chased him down.
Feeling Marlon rapidly closing in from behind, Nick’s lips curled into a malicious grin.
He deliberately slowed his pace—giving Marlon hope, only to crush it later.
Marlon cut in front of him, spreading his arms wide on defense.
“You’re too slow!”
Nick’s smile stiffened, his eyes darkening.
“I was planning to wait for you to get here before blowing past you… but now?”
“You’re really pissing me off.”
With that, Nick launched into flashy dribbles, constantly shifting Marlon’s center of gravity.
Every time Marlon thought Nick was about to drive, Nick pulled the ball back instead, refusing to commit.
Realizing he was being toyed with, anger surged in Marlon’s chest. He stepped in close, pressing tight to cut off Nick’s dribble.
Nick sneered—and suddenly exploded forward, blowing past him.
Messed up!
Marlon hurried to recover, but the moment he turned around, Nick had already pulled back again.
Toyed with again and again, Marlon’s face twisted in frustration. He reset his stance, this time leaving a bit more space.
Nick looked at him mockingly. Then, with his right hand, he slammed the basketball straight down onto Marlon’s head. The ball bounced right back up, and Nick caught it again.
Marlon was furious—but with Miyamoto Family security standing nearby, he didn’t dare lay a hand on him. Instead, he spat out trash talk.
“Dirty bastard.”
He wouldn’t dare throw a punch in front of Miyamoto Family security, but trash talk? That was fair game. On street courts, it was practically tradition.
Nick wasn’t bothered at all. He sneered back,
“Dirty? I learned that from you guys. Or did you forget how you like to mock others?”
Marlon’s expression darkened. He clenched his teeth but said nothing.
The Jackets’ reputation was notorious. Taunting opponents, throwing the ball at people’s heads, provoking conflicts—it was all second nature to them.
More importantly, they were usually the ones who started trouble. That was exactly why Miyamoto Tokima’s father had arranged for the Jackets to be their first opponent.
One reason was to make a statement.
The other was to win public support.
“Stop wasting time. Attack.”
Nash Gold urged impatiently—Nick had held the ball long enough.
Hearing that, Nick immediately shifted into offense.
Within the Black Emperor Dragon Team, Nash Gold was the second-in-command, right after Miyamoto Tokima.
This wasn’t something Nash Gold decided on his own—it was approved by Miyamoto Tokima himself. Miyamoto Tokima had no intention of micromanaging the team, so he entrusted Nash Gold with the role of second-in-command to keep things running smoothly.
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