Miya Atsumu froze for a moment. "Really? Is that even possible?"
Hinata's learning process began with unorthodox methods. Even though Coach Omimi taught him everything from scratch, he still couldn't break the bad habit of his body moving before his mind could process standard form when it came to receiving and setting.
Although it isn't a major problem, it will lead to a higher frequency of injuries.
His and Miya Osamu's fundamentals are so solid they're impeccable; by comparison, that Karasuno King has some minor flaws when he sets. If he doesn't correct them, it will easily lead to severe wrist wear.
Similarly, Hinata's somewhat improper movements could also lead to sprained ankles or knee injuries.
Coach Kurosu's original intention was to take his time treating Hinata from now until next summer, but a professional has volunteered in the meantime.
Inubata raised his hand and pointed to himself: "Don't worry, you know who I am. I'm a reliable coach who has provided volleyball enlightenment to more than one national player."
With the momentum of the Miya Twins and Aran, he will likely have new national-level students very soon.
Hinata desperately needs someone to re-teach him the basics, helping him find that so-called "Academic Style" feeling through every single bump from the very beginning.
Miya Atsumu quickly began to consider the possibility of signing Hinata up for a class as well: "Shoyo doesn't have any pocket money.. but he should be able to get Coach Kurosu to reimburse him."
There's no need for that, this is a personal matter." Coach Inubata chuckled, "Once you all become famous internationally, remember to send me some signed posters; I'll hang them in the lobby.
It would be even better if you could work hard and win a world championship or something.
Miya Atsumu raised his hand: "There's absolutely no problem."
"Also, keep an eye out for any good prospects for me; boys or girls are both fine." Coach Inubata's passion for nurturing young talent was stirring.
He hadn't seen any top-tier talents like the twins or Aran in these past few years, he was truly itching for more.
Ah, speaking of which.." Miya Atsumu approached Coach Inubata mysteriously, "There really is a sports prodigy who wants to play volleyball.
An all-rounder—can run, can jump, has great endurance, has a very strong ability to learn.
Coach Inubata's eyes lit up: "Where is she? Bring her to me immediately so I can have a look."
Miya Atsumu raised a finger and pointed toward Hinata Shoyo: "His younger sister is very smart, sensible, has a great personality. Her height should be decent too, and.. she's only in second grade."
Second grade of elementary school, the perfect time for enlightenment, even earlier than he himself.
Coach Inubata has extremely wide connections himself; if he is outstanding enough, it is even possible that he could get an opportunity to join the junior national team as early as Iizuna did.
By then, even Shinzan Girls' High School would require Xiaoxia to lead the team.
—Miya Atsumu began to dream.
Coach Inubata's eyes were about to turn into laser cannons: "Where! I want to see it right now!"
Miya Atsumu gave a thumbs-up countless times. "I'll bring it over for you to see tomorrow."
Coach Himegomiya was in no hurry; there were still more than two months left, when it comes to introductory training, the earlier, the better.
Coach Inubata and Miya Atsumu hooked pinkies: "It's a deal!"
While Coach Inubata was enjoying visions of a bright future, Miya Atsumu had already walked over to Hinata Shoyo's side to practice with him.
Very good, today's goal is three hundred percent complete.
Just as he put a volleyball back into the rack, Miya Atsumu's movement suddenly paused.
Wait, shouldn't he be practicing with Hinata? Why has it turned into Hinata following Coach Inubata to learn things?
And.. did Coach Inubata just mean that he should come over here every day after club activities?!
After ten seconds of mental struggle, Miya Atsumu closed his eyes.
Accompany him, he will accompany him.
It just so happened that he also wanted to ask Coach Inubata about more advanced international tactical styles, which would also allow Shoyo to put setter training on the schedule, killing three birds with one stone.
That's right, all of this is for the championship.
Chapter 130 The One Hundredth Fox
Aran, who had finally finished his makeup classes and come to participate in club activities, looked at Miya Atsumu crouching at the entrance of the gymnasium, a string of question marks appearing over his head.
Scanning the gym once more, Aran realized that a certain important player was missing.
He asked the first-year group who had arrived a step earlier than the others, "Where is Shoyo?"
Unabara pointed toward the school gate. "I heard Coach Kurosu found a professional to carefully rebuild Hinata's fundamentals from scratch, so he might not be training with the team for a while."
“I just saw his sister waiting for him at the school gate; they probably left together.”
Another long sigh echoed from the entrance of the gym.
The Inarizaki members turned around and saw a melancholy and desolate figure walking away.
The camera flashes went off, Suna put away his phone the moment Miya Atsumu turned his head.
Miya Osamu isn't here, so he has no one to shift the blame to, this guy's resentment is deeper than a ghost's right now, so he's still.. better be careful.
Staring at Suna for two seconds, Miya Atsumu sighed again.
Just as he was planning to put up some resistance, Coach Kurosu walked into the gym: "Line up! Kita, lead everyone through warm-ups and ten laps around the court."
Next, we'll practice the tactic of having the Ace in the back row, positions three and four, then we'll practice counterattacks.
Before the Haruko, they must thoroughly master their counterattacks, as Karasuno will become a formidable opponent of theirs by then, Hakuma's growth rate is truly terrifying.
Moreover, by that time, Hinata Shoyo will no longer be a newcomer, his Quick Attack and tactics will certainly be thoroughly studied by his opponents.
To achieve this effect, they would either need to introduce something new or refine what they already have until it was flawless.
Generally speaking, the former does more harm than good; after all, whether or not a suitable new tactic can be found remains uncertain, it is even more likely to cause the existing coordination to fall out of sync.
The latter is the best choice at present.
Volleyball is not a sport that can be won simply by having strong offensive or defensive capabilities; to stand firm upon the throne, one must absolutely avoid being one-sided in any aspect.
For example, Kita Shinsuke's value in offense is limited, so he is always a substitute for Aran and Ginjima.
The top priority remains getting the starters to practice their defense, so they can move away from relying entirely on Akagi for counterattacks as much as possible.
After all, given the intensity of the blocking from Itachiyama and Karasuno, even if they defend, the opposition might still continue to suppress them.
Next.. it was time for them to defend their throne.
Inside the Inarizaki Volleyball Gym, the battle was fierce, but at this moment, the youth volleyball classroom was peaceful.
Hinata Natsu, having entered the line, received the ball tossed by Coach Inubata with stability, looking nothing like a beginner.
Coach Inubata nodded in satisfaction: "Nice receive, Natsu. Next, Shoyo, you're up."
Hinata, mixed in with the group of little ones, stepped forward and received a ball just as beautifully.
Although the power of the spike had clearly increased, Coach Inubata still treated Hinata entirely like a child: "Good receive. Watch your shoulder position. Next, Little Gray."
Following behind his sister for the next round, Hinata felt a great sense of accomplishment, while simultaneously recalling how Coach Inubata had adjusted his movements bit by bit when he had first arrived today.
When his parents took Xiaoxia to sign up for a trial lesson before, Coach Inubata had explained everything to him, starting from the warm-up movements.
Although it was much like what Coach Kurosu taught.. it was indeed more detailed, with many other points that required attention.
Xiaoxia looked back at her brother: "I didn't make a single mistake."
Hinata clenched his fists: "Xiaoxia is the best, but.. I won't lose!"
Coach Inubata watched the interacting siblings with a smile, unable to help but nod.
Even in such simple and monotonous training, they show no signs of impetuousness; their love for volleyball is real, so is their ability to learn and absorb knowledge from various training sessions.
Even after winning the championship, he remained neither arrogant nor impetuous. This attitude.. was something entirely worth dedicating his lifelong experience to cultivating.
However..
Watching the Inarizaki footage again yesterday, he paid special attention to Hinata Shoyo.
He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he always felt that whether it was Hinata's serves or his spikes on certain technical balls, it always gave him a sense of familiarity.
—It's not even the same kind of familiarity.
And.. just who taught him that jumping spike form!
Is that even a volleyball technique?!
By comparison, his star pupil, Aran, was far too honest, so standard that it moved him.
But.. when an Ace wants something, he shouldn't be so well-behaved; he should boldly demand the ball and smash through the block!
Well, I hope my new little disciple Hinata can be a bit more obedient.
Miya Atsumu relied on his solid foundation to grow freely, whereas Hinata.. was purely growing without any foundation.
He certainly learned a lot and a wide variety of things, but aside from the quick attack and the spike themselves, he isn't proficient in anything else.
Considering it, Kurosu had originally intended to let Hinata settle down a bit; most of his frequent appearances during the National Sports Festival were due to Miya Osamu's issues, so now is the perfect opportunity to consolidate his previous knowledge.
I hope that by the time the Haruko comes.. he can truly undergo a complete transformation.
After experiencing a standardized volleyball class with his sister, Hinata left the classroom feeling satisfied when it was already dark outside.
Actually, class had ended a long time ago, but he had been delayed for a while because he was practicing footwork and helping the coach clean up the court.
He was brought here by his parents; after all, they had to go to school to find him first, when they returned, he took care of Xiaoxia himself.
Standing at the door, Hinata waved goodbye to the curly-haired Coach: "See you tomorrow, Coach Inubata!"
He looked down at his sister: "Xiaoxia, say goodbye to Coach."
"See you tomorrow, Coach!" Xiaoxia raised both hands to say goodbye to the coach.
Coach Inubata was practically overflowing with bubbles of happiness. "See you tomorrow, see you tomorrow."
Leading Xiaoxia out of the club's main gate, Hinata prepared to return the way he came: "How are you feeling today?"
These are all main roads, so the way home is easy to find. Just follow the river, if all else fails.. he can always call his dad.
Xiaoxia nodded: "Yeah, I've learned it all, and.. it's a lot of fun."
Hinata was very happy: "Really? Then let's go back and reinforce it. Since Atsumu-senpai is here, he can toss the ball for us."
Nothing could be more joyful than his younger sister proactively choosing the same path as him, if there were anything..
Her path must be much smoother than his.