The sudden turn of events left no one in Nekoma able to react, leaving them to watch helplessly as the volleyball hit the floor.
The whistle blew, Inarizaki scores.
The score jumped to 25:19, Inarizaki took the First Set.
The two sides lined up to switch sides, taking a halftime break to prepare for the Second Set.
Glancing at Miya Atsumu, who hadn't said a single word since returning, a slightly worried Miya Osamu spoke up, "You.."
Miya Atsumu looked up at him as soon as he heard him speak the first word: "How did you spike that last ball just now?"
The words of comfort were forcefully swallowed back down, as Miya Osamu replied expressionlessly, "Didn't I score?"
Why were there so many complaints even after scoring? Miya Atsumu didn't care whether the spike was ugly or not.
Miya Atsumu's expression also contorted for a moment. "No, no, no, what I mean is.. why did you think of a tip?"
Yaku's guided defense on the opposing side was simply maddening; it made it difficult for them to spike comfortably.
In many cases, they were even forced to engage in long rallies with Nekoma, waiting for the Nekoma members to make a defensive error.
Miya Osamu didn't give Miya Atsumu so much as a glance; instead, he turned his head to look at Hinata, who was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“Prepare three plans. Exclude the one that is easiest to defend, then exclude the one you think is the best for scoring, choose the third option, even if it's a bit uncomfortable to spike.”
Since he's uncomfortable, the opposition will definitely be uncomfortable too.
Hinata rubbed his chin after listening, contemplating Miya Osamu's words.
In other words..
Does it mean trying to overcome one's own instincts?
Miya Osamu lowered his eyes again and asked Miya Atsumu, "So, are you going to be okay?"
Although the number of times Nekoma targeted Miya Atsumu's spikes wasn't that high under their strict defense, his overall frequency of receiving balls was already far higher than usual.
Physical conditioning is one thing, but it also consumes a considerable amount of energy.
What could be wrong with me?" Miya Atsumu blinked. "Don't tell me you can't handle it without my perfect, handsome, invincible tosses!
Miya Osamu felt that his rare moment of concern had gone straight to waste: "Get lost."
This guy's mouth is nothing but poison!
Miya Atsumu raised his hand and patted Miya Osamu on the back. "It's okay. Even if you say you can't do it, I won't blame you. After all, I am just that important and handsome."
After driving Miya Osamu away in a huff, Miya Atsumu laughed, feeling in high spirits.
He turned his head to look at Shoyo, who was still lost in thought. "I'm right, aren't I?"
In fact, Hinata, who hadn't been listening to the two of them at all, nodded immediately. "Yeah! Atsumu-senpai is right!"
Facing Suna's look of pure contempt, Miya Atsumu remained completely unbothered.
However, he was indeed right.
Although the overall variety of Inarizaki's offensive tactics is built upon his setting, it doesn't mean they can't score points without using his sets to shake off the blockers.
After all, the only aspects a setter can dominate are lateral distance and speed.
As for Inarizaki's own spikers when it comes to hitting high balls.. they are all quite skilled.
Moving closer to Hinata without leaving a trace, Miya Atsumu softly called his name, "Shoyo."
Hinata, who had been thinking about the three preliminary plans Miya Osamu had mentioned, looked up upon hearing the voice and met Miya Atsumu's eyes, which were right in front of him.
He blinked. "What's wrong, Atsumu-senpai?"
Shouldn't he have answered correctly just now? Did Atsumu-senpai need someone to contradict him?
Hinata pursed his lips, a look of confusion in his eyes.
Seeing him in such a state, Atsumu-senpai found it a bit funny.
But business came first, so he hurriedly whispered, "Stop worrying about me."
This time, Hinata was even more confused: "Why?"
He certainly knew that Miya Atsumu was not going to let him continue receiving his serves.
But he felt that rather than him being able to move freely, it was more important for Atsumu-senpai to be able to perform at his full potential.
Besides.. receiving a set is the responsibility of the Right Wing Spiker itself.
"Listen to me." Miya Atsumu reached out and patted his head.
I have other plans, Atsumu-senpai, so you just focus on spiking. You can spike right through the opponent's defense, right?
—I can't.
Hinata, whose strength was practically at the bottom of the team, blinked but still nodded, "Yeah, I will."
Spiking through the block was practically impossible, except in his dreams, but he had plenty of other ways to deal with Nekoma's defense.
Anyway, all roads lead to the same result: scoring. As long as he scores, Atsumu-senpai won't scold him!
Aran was very worried about these troublesome juniors: "Take it easy, don't go overboard."
Miya Atsumu tried to protest, "How is that possible? Am I that kind of unreliable person?!"
Aran stared at Miya Atsumu and said coldly, "You are."
Just as Miya Atsumu was about to turn his head to find Hinata to back him up, he found that Hinata had already gone over to Miya Osamu, seemingly to ask questions about spiking.
Hearing the laughter of Aran and Suna in his ears, Miya Atsumu collapsed completely to the ground.
Although the tactics had been somewhat effective, the atmosphere among the Nekoma members on the other side of the net remained incredibly heavy.
In terms of results alone, they actually failed to close the score gap.
Inarizaki was indeed playing under a lot of pressure, but it had almost no effect on their overall offensive rhythm.
"It's fine," Kenma said softly, his head lowered.
Number 11's setting is much less stable and lacks the variety of Number 7's, but in the long run, he will adapt much faster. Just keep playing like this.
"Alright." Kuroo nodded.
Nekoma's only strong offensive players were Yamamoto and Lev; no matter what the others did, they had no way to score smoothly against Inarizaki's high-level defense.
It would be better to shift the focus toward targeted spiking to tie up the defense, thereby creating scoring opportunities for his team's block.
After thinking for a moment, Kenma shifted his gaze toward the uncontrollable Lev.
To be honest, if this guy's performance could be just a little more stable, even if he could just manage to spike the ball properly according to his arrangements every time, they wouldn't be struggling as much as they are now.
This guy is a complete double-edged sword, most of the time, he's the one being cut by it as the setter.
Sensing Kenma's resentment, Yaku glared directly at Haiba Lev: "Lev, focus on your spiking."
Lev stood at attention: "Don't worry! Leave it to me!"
Kenma was completely despondent.
It's impossible to communicate with this guy at all! And even if I could somehow manage to understand him, the final outcome is still anyone's guess.
Kuroo forced a smile: "Relax, everything will work out in the end."
Even if we take the most conservative view, Lev's overall performance in both offense and defense was still superior to Inugami's.
Especially with his innate physical advantage, he can basically overpower an opponent's block.
The last time they faced Inarizaki, they had already considered this issue.
At their current stage, even when facing Inarizaki, their defensive level would not fall into a disadvantage.
But no matter how solid their defense is, it is difficult to gain an advantage without strong offensive means. After all, as long as Inarizaki can maintain their high-level offense, it will ultimately be Nekoma that is worn down.
With Lev here now, at the very least, he can be used as a decoy to create offensive opportunities for the others.
Especially like now, it allows Fukunaga and the others to have openings to target Miya Atsumu.
Just keep stalling; playing a war of attrition is one of Nekoma's strengths.
As long as they can wear down Miya Atsumu's condition, or wait until Inarizaki's coordination falls apart.. that will be the time for Nekoma to counterattack.
Just before taking the court, Hinata, having suddenly thought of something, approached Miya Atsumu.
By the way, Atsumu-senpai, I have an idea, let me know if you think it'll work..
Seeing the two of them not taking the court after so long, the referee frowned and blew his whistle softly, warning the two of them with a look.
After hearing Hinata's suggestion, Miya Atsumu was completely stunned.
As he dragged Hinata toward the court, Atsumu's face was filled with disbelief: "You and Nekoma's setter are actually friends?"
Hinata tilted his head. "Of course Kenma and I are friends."
This time, it was Miya Atsumu's turn to be speechless: "Then why do you—"
Looking at Hinata's straightforward face, Miya Atsumu was speechless.
He waved his hand, gesturing for Hinata to take his position. "I think it's perfectly doable; I'll leave that to you."
Hinata raised his hand and patted his chest. "Don't worry! I guarantee the mission will be completed!"
He's a professional at this!
Hanae from Municipal Kobe had even come over specifically to praise him, though for some reason, his gaze was very fierce and terrifying.
In the Second Set, Nekoma still chose an S1 Opening, Inarizaki also chose their usual strategy of having Miya Atsumu in Position 1, which is also Oori in Position 1.
Nekoma didn't bother gambling on the positioning of any specific person from Inarizaki, since for them, it made no difference who they blocked.
Kenma walked to the service position while holding the ball, quietly waiting for the referee to blow the whistle.
He could be said to be completely clueless when it came to things like jump serves, but that didn't mean his serve lacked any threat.
On the contrary, among all the serves from the Nekoma members, Kenma's serve was, in a certain sense, the most terrifying.
Almost the very instant the referee blew the whistle, Kenma tossed the ball from his hands into the air.
The referee on the sidelines, responsible for monitoring the court with electronic equipment, pushed up the glasses on his face and replayed the surveillance footage of Kenma's serve several times before ultimately deciding not to call a service fault.
The speed of sound is greater than the speed of light.
Kenma's timing for the toss was observed through sight rather than by listening for the whistle, which is why there was such an eerie sense of "synchronicity."