Ushijima, Bokuto, Aran are about to graduate; even if they wanted to gain more experience against heavy hitters, now wouldn't be the time, would it?
Hirugami spoke of them as if he knew them all by heart: "Shiratorizawa has Goshiki, Inarizaki has Rishia and Kumagai, Fukurodani has Saru among next year's freshmen. Oh, Aoba from Rakusan is also very formidable."
Hearing this, Hoshiumi's mouth tightened even more: "The reserve strength of these powerhouse schools is truly abundant."
Hirugami patted Hoshiumi's shoulder: "It's fine, our Karasuno will only get even stronger."
He laughed heartily, "We're going to take the championship next year."
Hoshiumi crossed his arms over his chest, his expression arrogant. "Of course. No matter how strong they are, they're just freshmen; they're not worth mentioning."
After Ichibayashi defended Miya Osamu's spike, he regained the initiative in the attack, Kuroe Kao once again mobilized Hoshinoya for a back row spike.
But the Middle Blocker moving to the front row at this moment was Oori, who possessed both superior experience and physique, so he wouldn't be easily blown away like Suna or Hinata.
Oori's steady voice rang out: "Touch."
Atsumu praised, "Beautiful!"
Being unable to break through the defense made Hoshinoya exceptionally restless.
Several rallies had already taken place since he served, Ichibayashi had been attempting full-power spikes almost every time, but Inarizaki managed to defend every single one of them.
Really.. it's so annoying.
Akagi completed his mission once again, steadily sending the ball right over Miya Atsumu's head.
Miya Atsumu scanned the opponent's defensive formation and decisively sent the ball toward the height of Position 4.
Hinata's scoring rate is usually higher than Aran's not just because Aran is closely marked by the opponents, but more because he can simultaneously maintain both height and speed, which are two factors crucial to an attack.
When Hinata is in top form, it is difficult for a Block to catch up to him.
Moreover..
Hinata jumped from the back row, raising his hand and preparing to spike.
The moment they caught the trajectory of Miya Atsumu's ball, both he and Hayakawa, who had rushed over from the other side of the net, froze for a split second.
Both reached their peak at the same time, but Hinata did not spike, Hayakawa's hand was also withdrawn in time without hitting the ball over the net.
The ball hit the net directly, but then was inexplicably popped up by Hayakawa's hand.
Hinata's pupils contracted, he swung his arm down the moment the ball flew upward and slightly over the net.
Bang!
The volleyball flew over the block and landed precisely on the open space by Hoshinoya's feet.
Kuroe Kao felt a throbbing sensation in her temple.
Finally, he raised his hand and gave Hayakawa a thumbs-up: "Taichi's sets are great."
Well, even if it was a pass to the opponent.
Hayakawa's face was contorted in pain; although he had narrowly avoided being fooled by a tip over the net, he had ended up inadvertently setting up a perfect opportunity for his opponent.
The spiking awareness of this Little One from Inarizaki is just too terrifying!
He really can spike just about anything!
Author's Note:
Osamu: I can accept if you two are truly innocent and have no relationship, I can also accept if you two are actually dating.
Osamu: But if you're getting handsy with someone without even having a name to your relationship, that's just being a rogue! Pervert!! [Cracked]
Chapter 205: Two Hundred and Five Foxes
Miya Osamu's service turn could only be described as mediocre; after relying on defense and counterattacks to extend the rally, it was still broken by Hoshinoya's powerful attack.
Watching Ichibayashi's Ace jump again and again, Iwaizumi Hajime felt a slight tingling on his scalp. "Isn't this guy tired?"
Having played against the same type of Ushijima for so many years, even Ushijima's physical limits only reached as far as playing until the fifth set in the prefectural finals.
When Shiratorizawa plays in the national tournaments, signs of exhaustion begin to appear by the afternoon of the third day.
Even though they have an extra day for rest and adjustment now, for a team with an ace core like Ichibayashi, the ace himself probably wouldn't be able to withstand that kind of exhaustion.
Oikawa Tooru rested his chin in his hands, narrowing his eyes as he watched the ball being passed to Ouji Son on the court.
First of all, Ichibayashi's setter can provide the Ace with the best attacking environment regardless of the situation; in that regard, they are miles ahead of Shiratorizawa.
Iwaizumi nodded: "That's true."
Shiratorizawa's first receives relied half on Ohira and half on Yamagata. It was fine when playing at the prefectural level, but when playing in national-level matches, especially against teams with exceptionally strong offensive capabilities like Inarizaki, serious problems would arise with their first receives.
Because Shirabu is only in his second year, he lacks experience, his handling of many situations can be somewhat lacking.
Oikawa Tooru continued his critique: "Secondly, Ichibayashi isn't actually a single-core team. The left wing Spiker, Ouji Son, is also an extremely experienced and highly skilled player who can alleviate the pressure on the Ace to the maximum extent possible."
After saying that, Oikawa Tooru waved his hand, his face full of disdain for Shiratorizawa.
“And Goshiki is just a raw novice; Coach Washijo actually wants to apply Wakatoshi's style to him, which is leagues behind Shiratorizawa.”
And the Ace himself..
Before the guy in the front row wearing a mask could turn his head to look over, Iwaizumi finally, finally reacted.
He hurriedly reached out to stop Oikawa Tooru's mouth from continuing.
Stop, stop, stop! You're being way too biased!
It started with a serious analysis, but things went downhill once he began critiquing Goshiki Tsutomu's latter half and Ushijima.
Oikawa Tooru clicked his tongue lightly. "Tch."
Cheers from girls erupted from the side stands; Ouji Son was preparing to serve.
Oikawa Tooru, who was already in a foul mood, sneered again, "What kind of celebrity welcome ceremony is this? It's simply.."
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone from Seijo looked at him collectively.
Stared at by a dozen pairs of eyes, Oikawa Tooru went completely silent.
Ouji Son spun the ball several times around his finger quite handsomely, then raised his hand and tossed the ball into the air in the final second of the service time limit.
Oikawa Tooru narrowed his eyes: "Oh my.."
With a heavy thud, the volleyball spiked by Ouji Son curved around the side of the net and slammed into Inarizaki's back row.
It was a very standard Banana Ball; even if Oikawa Tooru had played it himself, it likely would have had the same effect.
Akagi stepped forward, reaching out to take the ball.
Since Miya Atsumu is not in the back row right now, their defense will also be more flexible.
This Banana Ball is certainly impressive, but compared to the likes of Oikawa, Sakusa, or Ushijima, it still lacks a certain level of refinement.
Great First Receive!
The volleyball was sent into Miya Atsumu's hands, he organized the attack.
Oori spiked the ball on the other side, but it was quickly sent back by Ichibayashi.
Akagi dove across the court to save the ball, barely managing to send it toward the attack line.
"Osamu!" Miya Atsumu called out, then quickly sent the ball to Aran.
Aran's heavy spike was equally powerful, but Hayakawa followed it up with a successful touch to neutralize it.
Having secured the ball, Kuroe Kao used a feint to take advantage of the situation, using Fujisawa Kafka to severely disrupt Inarizaki's block.
Hinata stared at Hoshinoya, who was preparing to spike.
He already knew the movement of a heavy spike by heart, he had received quite a few of them so far.
Although the final results were somewhat unsatisfactory, but..
And he can't keep going on like this forever, can he?
Even if his build is small, even if his body isn't solid enough and lacks much muscle, it doesn't mean he should just accept that he can't do it.
He didn't have a base as stable as Yaku-senpai's, which was why he was being knocked off balance time after time.
And to maintain one's center of gravity under these circumstances..
In his field of vision, Hoshiumi's hands were already infinitely close to the volleyball.
The descending block failed to cause even the slightest interference for Hoshinoya. Without any touch, the difficulty of receiving such a ball was no less than catching a cannonball with one's bare hands.
Hinata watched Hoshinoya's movements without blinking, his eyes reflecting nothing but the volleyball and the opponent's hands.
He was locked on.
But the trajectory of the ball was very obvious; it was a line shot landing to his left.
Akagi-senpai definitely wouldn't have had enough time to receive it; with the speed of a ball like this, if he tried to do a diving save from his position, he might get hit directly in the head by the ball.
The probability of dislocating or breaking a bone with a one-handed side reception is almost one hundred percent, so that is absolutely not an option.
Then..
“I'm coming!!”
A loud shout echoed throughout the entire court, Hinata's naturally high voice made him the absolute focus of the entire arena in that instant.
Hinata's insight's second point—when necessary, you can catch everything on the court.
The moment Hoshinoya struck the ball, his right leg stepped diagonally backward, his entire body leaned forward as his center of gravity dropped.
His right knee pressed against the floor, as the originally cold ground became his most solid and reliable support.
While avoiding wrist flexion, he kept his arm tight, shifting the primary load-bearing weight from his thin arm to his entire back.
When receiving a heavy spike, one must avoid snapping the wrist; otherwise, at best, they will fall, at worst, suffer a fracture—a point Hinata remembers very well.
Don't imagine yourself as a board meant to deflect the ball; instead, become a pocket that catches the heavy spike.
Yaku couldn't help but smile in the stands, his entire mood completely swept up by Hinata.
“He will make a great receive.”
BANG!!