章節 51: Chapter 51: Time skip
The rhythmic sound of basketballs echoed through the air, setting the stage for an intense showdown. The well-maintained hardwood court sparkled under the bright stadium lights, and sunlight streamed in, adding a natural glow.
One side of the court was dominated by a formidable team dressed in black jerseys with vibrant green accents. They confidently controlled the ball, showing their prowess.
On the opposite end, the opposing team, wearing pristine white jerseys, put up a strong defense. They did their best to prevent the black-clad players from scoring.
However, the momentum shifted when one of the players in black jerseys had a gleam in their eye. With astonishing skill, they effortlessly broke through the defense and scored successfully.
As the game concluded, it was clear that the team in black jerseys emerged victorious, as the excited commentator announced:
"And there you have it, folks! The winners of the Black Bull's Invitation Tournament are the Jabberwock!"
The crowd cheered, and the Jabberwock players' faces lit up excitedly.
They couldn't have imagined reaching this point in their lives, becoming well-known in the streetball scene in the United States, and clinching the championship in such a prestigious tournament.
The credit for their victory was owed to a tall, handsome young man of Asian descent, standing at roughly 188 centimeters in height with black eyes. He nodded with satisfaction as the team members turned their attention to him.
Their team manager, an equally tall and attractive Latina with an hourglass figure, approached the Asian man. She handed him a report.
"Boss, here's the report for today's tournament," she said. "It appears that today's tournament was a tremendous success. It extended its reach to regions as far as Europe and Asia, significantly boosting the popularity of streetball on the global scene."
Three years had passed since Tsuna's return to the United States.
During this time, he had successfully persuaded his father to grant him control over one of the companies within the Kazama group. This company was known as Black Bull, a major player in producing an energy drink for athletes, which had gained immense popularity worldwide.
Tsuna had given the company considerable autonomy to assist him in his mission to dominate the streetball scene, much as they had in other sports worldwide.
Initially, the company's response to Tsuna's plan to conquer the streetball scene had been lukewarm.
However, Tsuna managed to turn the tide by collaborating with numerous companies to expand awareness of the sport and its competitive tournaments. He emphasized the substantial prize money at stake, which was unprecedented then.
Tsuna had also made substantial investments during this time, including a multimillion-dollar contribution to Instakillo amid its Series A investment round. This investment transformed his group into the company's primary shareholder.
In addition, he harnessed the power of the company's social media platform to promote the sport, resulting in a significant increase in the platform's user base.
His family called him to discuss these bold investments in the first year. His father, in particular, wanted to understand the rationale behind Tsuna's actions, as these investments had consumed millions of dollars.
Tsuna had anticipated this conversation, so he presented the data from their rapidly expanding social media platform.
He explained that with their aggressive marketing approach, the platform had the potential to become a billion-dollar company. Moreover, it could be a valuable asset for their conglomerate, serving various aspects of daily life.
Hirutora, Tsuna's father, couldn't fully grasp the significance of this strategy but decided to view it as a valuable learning experience for his son.
Even if it failed, it would teach Tsuna valuable company management lessons. So, he supported Tsuna's vision and allowed him to proceed as he saw fit.
As time went on, their financial reports showed signs of progress. While they were still investing heavily to establish their presence across society, they began to turn a profit through brand deals that sought to promote their products at the tournament and on their social media platform.
In the second year, they dialed back their aggressive marketing but achieved a significant milestone. Black Bull successfully dominated the streetball scene in the US, gaining recognition among the general population.
Their social media platform, Instakilo, also experienced a breakthrough, with user numbers skyrocketing since they became the company's major shareholder three years ago.
This year marked the creation of the largest streetball stage in the world. They had extended invitations to renowned teams from around the globe to gather in the US and face off against each other.
Among the invitees was Jabberwock, a team that had gained fame in the US.
"Boss, we've won!" Silver exclaimed, bubbling with excitement as he shared the obvious news.
During Tsuna's tenure as Jabberwock's investor, he brought a proper coach to enhance their competitive abilities. He also maintained a close relationship with the team.
Whenever they had spare time, Tsuna would join them on the court, actively participating in practice sessions and sparring games.
Tsuna strongly desired to join his team in an official game, but the rules prevented him from doing so. His personal investment in Jabberwock and his role as a director overseeing Black Bull, the tournament's organizer, made it a conflict of interest.
While Jabberwock was his team, the company belonged to the Kazama Group.
Despite being unable to play officially, Tsuna's exceptional skills on the court garnered immense respect. As they played together, their eyes were filled with nothing but admiration and excitement, all directed towards Tsuna.
Tsuna had not only elevated their basketball skills to their peak but also earned them admiration for his unwavering dedication to training, even amidst his busy company management schedule.
Upon returning to the US, he took an accelerated program and an early exam, allowing him to complete middle school immediately. Money had its way of bending the rules.
In the midst of congratulating them for their tournament victory, Tsuna dropped a bombshell, "Starting today, I won't be able to come around as I have to go far away. That's why..."
Jabberwock's reaction was palpable. This news took them aback. If they had their way, they wouldn't want Tsuna to leave. To them, he was more than just an investor; he was a cherished friend.
However, Tsuna remained composed as he signaled to one of the men standing beside the Latina to step forward. "Our coach here, Demetrius Micthel, will be the team's coach and manager. Of course, I will have my team assist him to ensure he can settle into the new role smoothly."
Saying these, Tsuna instructed his secretary to provide them with all the necessary details. As he bid them a proper farewell, he left, heading back to his family's mansion.
As he settled comfortably in the passenger seat of his car, Tsuna gazed out of the window with a faint smile. "Let's go, Sebas."
"Of course, Young Master," Sebas replied, and they drove away.
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