Coach Kurosu rubbed his chin.
Actually, that technical player from Fukurodani also plays quite well, in many respects, he might be exactly the kind of Ace Hinata imagines.
—That is, assuming he is in normal condition.
But it's not a big deal; I'll definitely be able to see it when I go to Niigata later.
Also, the Interhigh schedule should be coming out soon..
The warm-up ended, the practice match officially began.
Hinata put on his jersey marked with number 17 and, following the coach's signal, stood next to the coaching bench with Rishia. Only Kita and the current starting Middle Blocker, Oori, were in the waiting area.
Shiratorizawa Setter Shirabu served first.
Suna raised his hand to block in front of him, quietly watching Goshiki Tsutomu, who was standing almost directly in front of him.
Hinata blinked. "Ushijima-senpai is standing in Goshiki's position."
This seemed to be the first time he had seen an Ace playing in the setter or opposite positions; including Aran and Kiryu, most were basically wing spikers on the left wing.
In his impression, the Setter and Opposite positions were more about providing a strong, all-around support role, much like Miya Osamu.
Kurosu nodded. "Yeah, it's a style of play that's starting to rise internationally, also known as the 'Stronger Opposite.' The wing spiker and the libero are responsible for receiving, allowing the Ace, who is positioned opposite the setter, to focus entirely on the task of attacking."
This style of play can maximize the effectiveness of a spike from Position 4.
Hinata firmly memorized Coach Kurosu's words.
You can focus on their Position 4 today, also.." Obscured by the front row, Coach Kurosu couldn't recall Goshiki Tsutomu's number for a moment, so he could only say, "The bowl cut.
"Understood," Hinata nodded seriously.
Rishia Heisuke wanted to say something, but in the end, he still didn't complain about the coach.
Help, there are so many things to complain about every single day..
Author's Note:
Happy New Year!! I'm giving out red envelopes to everyone in this chapter!
Wishing everyone a smooth year ahead, with dragons soaring, prosperity arriving, peace throughout the four seasons, five blessings arriving at your door, everything going smoothly, bright stars shining upon you, wealth coming from all directions, unity in all things, absolute perfection!
May everyone pass all their exams with flying colors! May those preparing for civil service or postgraduate entrance exams succeed in their endeavors! May those working find promotions and wealth! [Confetti][Confetti][Confetti]
Chapter 45: The Forty-Fifth Fox
Hinata turned his gaze toward Shirabu Kenjiro, who was preparing to serve.
Shirabu's serve wasn't anything special; the sole purpose of Shiratorizawa S1 was to ensure that Ushijima Wakatoshi started the game in Position 4.
Just as the coach said before the match, Shiratorizawa puts all of its resources into its Ace.
Miya Atsumu also decisively chose to strike first, sending the ball to Suna in the center.
Suna Rintaro's height was also the second highest in Inarizaki, so his hitting point was naturally very high, combined with that flexible body that could adjust between straight and cross shots at any moment..
Even when facing that person, he showed no fear of the predicted block.
As Shiratorizawa's block closed in, Suna decisively twisted his upper body and spiked a straight shot along the edge of the block.
Tendo shouted immediately, "It's happening! The noodle twist! It's so annoying after all—"
Suna, who was dropping down, narrowed one eye.
What is this guy talking about?
Yamagata Hayato quickly moved in from the back row, diving to receive the ball: "Setter!"
The first pass on this ball was quite off-target, after following up, Shirabu didn't provide a more stable ball, but merely controlled it to be sent toward Position 4.
Following Shirabu's set, his gaze shifted to Ushijima, Hinata rubbed his chin, feeling even more confused.
Generally speaking, the Setter will only give the ball to the Ace for a spike when he can ensure he provides a good set.
And when the attacking conditions are poor, the ball will be given to the other two Wing Spikers to handle, ensuring that the Ace's condition is maintained and that such suboptimal balls can be spiked steadily.
So.. wouldn't it be better to give this ball to Position 4 or Position 8?
But in the next second, heavy footsteps entered Hinata's hearing.
Like the sound of a heartbeat, after one most violent strike, the Ace wearing the number 1 jersey leaped high in front of the net, raising his hand to prepare for a spike.
That sense of balance in mid-air, the hang time, that incredibly decisive step forward into the spike..
"So amazing—" Hinata's eyes widened.
He could clearly feel that Ushijima did not hesitate at all because of the initial errors in receive and set.
The ball is coming; it's time to fulfill the Ace's duty and spike every single ball to death.
This was the second of the "Three Great National Spikers" that Hinata had encountered.
Including Kiryu, whom he had already known, they were all different from Aran-senpai, who occasionally lost his form on the Inarizaki side.
Every single move they make is..
Truly worthy of the title "Ace."
He was as steady as a mountain, standing there like a pillar that supported the entire team.
That was.. the heart of the team.
A heavy sound echoed in Hinata's ears, like a massive hammer striking his heart.
With heavy rotation, the spike smashed right through the block of Suna and Ginjima in front of them. Akagi in the back row attempted to receive it, but the ball struck his arm and flew high out of the court.
A spike from the super Ace, it was the very epitome of power..
Hinata couldn't help but stand up: "So cool—so incredibly cool!"
Ushijima, who had circled around the net to release his momentum after scoring, came to a slight halt near Hinata.
Ushijima looked down at the little guy who was staring at him like an idol for half a second, then nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you."
"As expected of Ushijima," Akagi remarked with emotion.
If you were to talk about which of the three top Wing Spikers has the hardest spikes to receive, there is no doubt it would be Ushijima.
Kiryu is absolutely stable, while Sakusa's variations can be neutralized through blocking and anticipation.
And Ushijima's spike.. is just pure, unreasonable power.
Combined with that special left-handed spin, it only leaves people with a profound sense of helplessness.
Coach Kurosu said to everyone on the court, "Yui, Osamu, watch the flanks and follow up; Rintaro can't handle Ushijima alone."
After saying that, Kurosu looked at Hinata and Rishia: "As for you two, how would you handle a ball like this?"
Rishia thought for a moment and answered decisively, "Touch it, then leave it to the back row to receive."
Hinata followed up: "Me too."
Kurosu nodded in satisfaction: "Exactly, well said."
It's easy to get injured by trying to force a block against a spike like this. Even Rintaro and Ren wouldn't easily choose to block it; just trust the back row.
Then he looked at Hinata: "Shoyo, you can try to judge where the ball will land after it touches the block; you'll have to go up and receive it in the next set."
"Alright!" Hinata nodded vigorously.
Just as Kurosu said, even if they couldn't directly neutralize Ushijima's spike, Inarizaki could handle it through coordination between the front and back.
On the contrary, Inarizaki's dense coverage of firepower actually caused some chaos over at Shiratorizawa.
Shirabu stared at Miya Atsumu on the opposite side: "He's as flexible as I thought."
It's a bit hard to guess who the opponent will actually pass the ball to, the Quick Attack they used when playing against Municipal Kobe hasn't made an appearance yet..
The rotation shifted to Shiratorizawa's service turn, at the same time, the team moved to the back row to accommodate Ushijima Wakatoshi, entering the range where they could exert pressure through serves.
"Watch closely." Kurosu nodded toward Ushijima Wakatoshi.
A left-handed power jump serve is the hardest to receive in the realm of powerful serves.
Before Hinata could even react, Ushijima had already decisively tossed the ball into the air.
Accompanied by a deafening boom that made one's scalp tingle, the volleyball soared over the net in an instant, smashing down toward Akagi in the back row of Inarizaki.
So fast!
Unable to adjust his position in time, Akagi instinctively raised his hands in front of his face, preparing to attempt a reception.
With a loud bang, Akagi, whose center of gravity was unstable, was knocked over by the ball, while the volleyball flew toward the net at an extremely high speed.
Shirabu took a glance.
The set was too low to support the hit, there was a possibility that the second touch would still be too low, ultimately causing the Spiker to touch the net.
Atsumu!!
The Inarizaki members called out to Miya Atsumu.
Miya Atsumu lunged forward, seeing that he didn't have enough height, he lowered his center of gravity again without hesitation; his back knee hit the ground, at that moment, his hands made contact with the volleyball.
“Aran!”
Whether it was a setting under extreme circumstances or using the set itself to pull the blockers away.
That posture was just like..
—Paving the way for every Spiker with absolute devotion.
"Touch!" Shiratorizawa's block also chose a conservative approach against Aran's spike.
Yamagata Hayato immediately followed up: "I've got it!"
With a bang, the volleyball dropped toward the front of the net.
Shirabu adjusted his position, preparing to set the ball.
There was no time to cheer for Miya Atsumu, so Hinata quickly looked toward Shirabu.
Watching Shirabu's hand movements, images from his previous three-on-three match against Miya Atsumu at Inarizaki flashed through Hinata's mind.