It was a very standard high ball to Position 4, it was also a technique Hinata had become quite proficient with recently.
As for the height of the toss?
He calculated it based on Rishia Heisuke, adding about ten centimeters to Rishia's height and vertical reach.
Of course, this was something Coach Inubata taught.
By using an acquaintance with relatively poor jumping ability for estimation, one can basically obtain a baseline for a target spiker's ability.
Tsukishima frowned, but since the toss had already been given by Hinata, he had no choice but to spike it.
Under Kageyama Tobio's somewhat surprised gaze, Tsukishima Kei took a running approach and jumped, raising his hand to spike the ball right over his block.
—A complete over-the-top spike.
Coach Saito laughed, "That's so much like Miya Atsumu."
It's almost as if he's saying that if you can't reach that height, you're useless; if I set it, you must spike it to death.
"Yeah." Coach Washijo nodded.
Although Shiratorizawa is based entirely on the Ace-centric theory, requiring the setter to serve the Ace completely, for a player like Miya Atsumu, it is possible to coordinate his personal style with serving the Ace.
He can even push the Ace's strength to one hundred and fifty percent, while the other players can reach one hundred and twenty percent.
This is a style different from both Shirabu and Wase, yet it is the type that comes closest to perfection.
No matter which team he is placed in, he will be a great setter.
Tsukishima didn't say anything either; he just gave Hinata a high-five at his insistent request.
So amazing.
Hyakuwa stared at Hinata's back; not only could he jump incredibly high—even reaching above his hands—but he was also amazing at setting and receiving.
He himself.. even when receiving a serve, he needs the seniors to cover him the entire time; he is not even remotely close.
True powerhouses are like Hinata, whereas he has nothing besides his size.
Is he.. really suited for playing volleyball?
Watching Hinata's beautiful jump serve, someone by the sidelines spoke softly, "I don't know if it's just my imagination.. but it seems like everyone from Inarizaki can do everything?"
Serving, passing, spiking, receiving—both of them performed quite well, to the point where it was hard to tell what their specific positions were.
It felt like any position on their team could be filled by them.
Kindaichi couldn't help but say, "A true all-rounder."
Should I say they truly live up to their reputation as national champions?
Even if they are their individual weaknesses, they could be considered strengths here.
Just then, Goshiki Tsutomu's voice rang in Kindaichi Yutaro's ear: "Are you playing a match?"
Kindaichi turned around and saw Goshiki Tsutomu coming in to change his shoes.
The other person wasn't alone; a guy about 1.78m tall was following behind him, wearing the Shiratorizawa Junior High uniform.
Realizing the other person was asking him, Kindaichi nodded: "Yeah, we're playing two-on-two."
Goshiki Tsutomu nodded in thanks, finally said to Yura Shota beside him, "Yura, this is Kindaichi Yutaro from Aobajohsai."
Yura bowed to Kindaichi: "Hello, Kindaichi-senpai."
Kindaichi, who hadn't been called "senpai" in a long time, stood up straight. "Hello, Yura-kun."
While greeting him, he sized up Goshiki Tsutomu.
They didn't have much interaction during daytime training, but seeing him now.. this guy has changed a lot.
I don't know if it's because he's preparing to take over the position of vice-captain as the rumors suggest, but although he still looks surprised whenever Coach praises him, he has become much more composed than before, his personality has become quite a bit more reserved.
Speaking of which, being already earmarked for the Vice-Captain position before even becoming a second-year.. this guy is incredible.
Glancing at Hyakuwa Takehiro, who was staring blankly at Hinata from the corner opposite them, Goshiki Tsutomu said nothing.
Noticing the crowd growing, Hinata raised his hand and waved at Goshiki Tsutomu. "Is there a referee? Or maybe someone to flip the scoreboard—"
Yura Shota volunteered, "I'll do it, Hinata-senpai."
Although they hadn't officially met, he had already heard of Hinata's great reputation more than once.
Watching the junior high schooler climb up to the referee's position, Hinata took a sudden step back.
—S-senpai!
Tsukishima Kei narrowed his eyes, a faint look of disdain emanating from him.
This guy.. is being way too pathetic.
When Hinata returned after checking the scoreboard, Rishia Heisuke prepared to serve.
Glancing up at the clock on the wall, Tsukishima looked at Hinata: "We stop playing once we hit 15 points; I have something to do at home."
It wasn't that; it was just that he wanted to make a trip back to Karasuno.
Shiratorizawa and Karasuno aren't that far apart; if he goes back now, he should arrive just as evening practice is starting.
"Okay." Hinata nodded, then subconsciously began scanning the court, trying to find his next partner.
He wanted to try every position, but this relatively fixed two-on-two format didn't give him any chance to block, so he might as well play three-on-three.
Akari is here, Seijo's Kyaku-tou is also here, the rest..
When his gaze swept over a figure by the wall, Hinata's eyes lit up.
Chapter 149: The One Hundred and Forty-Ninth Fox
Hinata and Tsukishima took a 4-point lead to reach 15 points first, after an unwillingly reluctant high-five with Hinata, Tsukishima quickly grabbed his things and left the gym.
Without even a moment's hesitation, Hinata rushed toward Hyakuwa Takehiro, who had been sitting by the wall.
Hyakuwa-kun! Let's play volleyball together!
Watching those eyes, filled with envy and anticipation, drawing closer and closer to him, Hyakuwa couldn't help but shrink back.
"I'll pass," Hyakuwa said, refusing, but Hinata shot him a look of intense confusion.
“You all have great skills—you can spike and jump, you can receive and set, you can easily overcome that kind of block.” Hyakuwa lowered his head, avoiding Hinata's eyes.
And besides being big, I have nothing else. I'm slow at learning things, too. Honestly, I'm probably not even suited for playing volleyball..
What are you talking about!
Hinata's eyes widened, a look of shock in his gaze as he looked at Hyakuwa: "He has nothing except for his size—"
Ahhh! So frustrating!
Watching Hinata suddenly start spinning around in a frenzy before turning back to stare at him again, Hyakuwa recoiled once more.
What's wrong? Why such a big reaction?
Hinata suddenly took a step forward, leaving Hyakuwa with no way to avoid him.
The envy on his face was completely undisguised: "I practice all sorts of techniques desperately just so I can arm myself to compete on the same stage as someone two meters tall!"
If I had to choose between having well-rounded skills or being two meters tall.. I'd definitely choose being two meters tall!
You can practice serving and receiving, but height is a natural talent! I dream of growing to two meters! I'm so envious!
Hinata took another half-step forward: "Two meters is—the! Strongest!"
The words got stuck in his throat; Hyakuwa looked up at Hinata, but couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.
He knew, he could tell, that every word from this guy was his true, heartfelt thought.
The national champion spoke to him with utmost sincerity, saying that he envied him.
"But.. I really can't play well." Hyakuwa lowered his head, doing his utmost to avoid Hinata's gaze, which was so fervent it left him nowhere to hide.
Hinata crouched down immediately, forcing his way into the other's world: "Then let's practice! Skills can be trained, you just have to try bit by bit."
No time to lose, let's start right now! We're just waiting on you!
Without waiting for Hyakuwa to answer, Hinata had already reached out to grab him: "Let's go! Let me see your block!"
It must be as terrifying as Hakuma-senpai, just thinking about it makes me excited.
Goshiki and Yura Shota were already standing on the other side of the net, both looking up at Hyakuwa at the same time, their eyes filled with vigilance toward the two-meter height.
As expected, if a person like that is on the other side.. just standing there creates enough of a powerful sense of pressure.
Hinata looked at Rishia, who had walked to the sideline to check the scoreboard. "Eh? Heisuke, aren't you playing anymore?"
Rishia waved his hand. "I have something I want to observe; I'll head back on in a bit."
That's right, he wanted to observe Shiratorizawa; it wasn't because he was trying to slack off.
Hinata decisively turned his head and locked onto Kindaichi, who was just about to run to the sidelines. "Hey.. student from Aobajohsai! Let's play together!"
Kindaichi, who ultimately couldn't escape, fell silent. Looking at Kageyama Hinata and Hyakuwa Takehiro, who were already standing on the same side, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he didn't want to be with Shiratorizawa, if he were forced to choose, he would still choose Shiratorizawa.
Kageyama looked at Hinata, then looked at the two-meter-tall Hyakuwa, feeling a bit dazed.
Opposite them, Goshiki Tsutomu serves.
Full of confidence after a month of intensive serve training, Goshiki Tsutomu tossed the ball up after the whistle, took several large strides forward, leaped into the air with a heavy thud to spike.
The volleyball arched over the net and landed near the baseline.
Hinata shifted slightly to the side, then raised his hand to signal: "Out."
Rishia also made an out gesture, as the ball had indeed landed nearly ten centimeters out of bounds.
Goshiki Tsutomu leaned back, his expression pained and a bit frantic: "Damn it—just a little more!!"
The moment Yura looked over, he quickly pulled back his movements and gave a light cough, as if he hadn't just been acting crazed.
Kindaichi's mouth twitched.
I can tell; he's trying to save some face in front of his juniors.