The Legend Coach: Slam Dunk

After Kudo's retirement ceremony.

"Kudo, what are you planning to do in the future?" Tangze asked warmly.

"Well... I haven't really thought about it yet," Kudo responded helplessly, still troubled by the uncertainty.

"In that case, if you're unsure about your future, why not become my assistant coach?" Tangze suggested.

"Assistant coach?!"

"That's right. I watched your performance during the finals and reviewed the team's past footage. Your techniques are impressive, and you have excellent strategic insight. Even tactically, you're quite professional," Tangze explained. "While you might need some more experience to become a head coach, with practice, you'll develop into a top-notch coach. So why not gain that experience as my assistant for a few years?"

In Tangze's mind: "Kudo holds great respect among the team. If he becomes my assistant coach, I can establish control over the team quickly."

"Thank you for your kind words, Coach Tangze," Kudo replied. "But I still need to think about my career path and consult with my family."

"If this were the old me, I might have agreed to Tangze's offer. But now, I don't even know the basics of coaching. If I say yes, I'd just embarrass myself," Kudo thought with frustration.

"That's a pity," Tangze said with a regretful expression. "If you ever reconsider, feel free to reach out anytime."

"I will, Coach Tangze. Now that it's over, Kawasaki and I will take our leave," Kudo said. "Let's go, Kawasaki."

"Goodbye, Coach Tangze. We'll be heading off now," Kawasaki added.

"Goodbye, Kudo-kun and Kawasaki-kun," Tangze replied.

"Goodbye, Coach Tangze," Kudo echoed.

With that, Kudo and Kawasaki left the basketball gym.

"Kudo, you should have accepted Coach Tangze's offer! It was such a great opportunity," Kawasaki exclaimed enviously as they walked back to her apartment.

"Is such an opportunity really rare?" Kudo, unfamiliar with the current situation, asked.

"Of course, it is!" Kawasaki said in surprise. "Becoming an assistant coach for Fukasawa Sports University's basketball team under a renowned coach like Tangze is a huge deal. You could become a university basketball coach in no time. I was so envious!"

"Oh, I see," Kudo replied stiffly.

"Exactly! What else can basketball players do after graduating?" Kawasaki added, her tone dropping. "Basketball isn't a mainstream sport in Japan. There's no formal professional league, and most of us were recruited as sports specialists. Our only options are becoming coaches, opening sports equipment stores, or working for sports newspapers. We don't know anything else but basketball!"

"Well, I wasn't recruited for sports," Kudo thought, "And right now, I can't even play as well as you."

"So, what will you do now, Kawasaki?"

"Me?" Kawasaki answered. "With three months left until graduation and winter break approaching, I'll return to Kanagawa and start looking for a stable job."

"Kanagawa, huh? You should definitely visit Coach Anzai. I wonder how he's doing," Kudo suggested.

"Of course!" Kawasaki agreed. "By the way, your hometown is also Kanagawa, right? Want to come back with me?"

"I need to think about it," Kudo replied reluctantly. "We'll discuss it later."

"What about you, Kudo? What are your plans?"

"I honestly have no idea," Kudo admitted. "I'll have to see what my family thinks."

"You're lucky, Kudo," Kawasaki said enviously. "Your family has money. They'll probably help you find a great job. You won't have to search on your own like me."

"Yeah... lucky," Kudo muttered helplessly.

That night, Kudo lay awake, contemplating his uncertain future.

"If I hadn't gone to America before, I might have become a coach. But now, I can't do anything!"

"Why did I even get brought here?" Kudo fumed internally. "Other people get overpowered abilities when they travel worlds, but here I am—a nobody worse than the original Kudo!"

"If I'm going to be a protagonist, at least give me some special ability!" Kudo prayed desperately.

As if in response, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind:

"Ding! Activating SD System... Activation successful. Scanning host... Scan complete. Bind system?"

"What the—?! Is this real?" Kudo muttered in shock.

"Ding! Host identified. Bind system? Countdown: 30, 29, 28..."

"There's no time to think!" Kudo decided. "Bind!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Bind it!" Kudo confirmed.

"Ding! Binding successful. SD System activated."

Kudo felt a sharp pain in his head. After it subsided, an electronic interface appeared in his mind.

"What the—?" After staring at it for a long moment, Kudo finally blurted out, "No way!"

Realizing it wasn't a hallucination, Kudo's excitement grew.

"Am I actually the chosen one now?"

"Ding! The system originates from the 23rd century, created by Dr. Oki, a devoted SD fan who designed it as a gameplay tool. Due to unknown circumstances, it traveled through time and bonded with the host."

"What functions does this system have?" Kudo asked eagerly.

"The SD System is designed to train players, enhance the host's basketball intelligence, and improve physical performance based on the host's potential."

"Ding! Mainline missions released:

The Growth of a Rookie CoachEntering Kanagawa's Basketball Scene"

"What are these missions about?"

"Tasks are divided into mandatory and optional. Mandatory tasks are essential for host development, while optional tasks are at the host's discretion. Rewards and penalties apply based on task completion."

"Sounds like those system novels..." Kudo thought nervously. "What's the first mission?"

Mainline Mission 1: The Growth of a Rookie Coach

Mission Description: Master the skills and knowledge required to become a basketball coach.

Mission Reward: Unknown

Mission Penalty: Unknown

"Why are the rewards and penalties unknown? What happens if I fail?"

"This system nurtures the host and imposes non-life-threatening penalties proportional to mission performance."

"At least I won't die," Kudo thought with relief. "What about the second mission?"

Mainline Mission 2: Entering Kanagawa's Basketball Scene

Mission Description: Join a Kanagawa high school basketball team before the storyline year begins.

Mission Reward: Unknown

Mission Penalty: Unknown

"Looks like I need to return to Kanagawa," Kudo concluded. "My family and connections there might help. Completing this mission might not be so hard."

"As for the first mission, I need to start studying coaching techniques. Fortunately, I already bought some books." Just as Kudo pondered this, another "ding" echoed.

Self Task: The Strength of a Star Player

Mission Description: Regain your former top-tier college basketball skills within three months.

Mission Reward: Unknown

Mission Penalty: Unknown

"Wait... you expect me to play basketball now?" Kudo groaned. "And this self-task—mandatory?"

"Self-tasks are tailored to the host's needs and are non-optional."

"Fine," Kudo sighed. "I may not want to, but it's better than facing some mysterious punishment. At least the exercise might be beneficial."

"Three months... just in time for graduation," Kudo muttered.