Glancing at Hinata out of the corner of his eye, Bokuto immediately withdrew his gaze, focusing all his attention on Miya Atsumu's movement as he prepared to toss the ball.
He wouldn't throw a tantrum, nor would he let a bad performance affect the match.
—He wants to be an ordinary Wing Spiker.
The sound of footsteps running up reached his ears, instantly drawing Hinata's attention.
He had to listen closely to that sound; the moment the server hit the ball, he would need to move into position for the follow-up coordinated defense.
The sound of Miya Atsumu's footsteps on the floor reached him accurately through the floorboards.
Three steps.
The sound of the footsteps wasn't very heavy, so the stride wasn't that large.
Judging by that frequency and the sound made during the jump.. it's a Jump Float Serve, isn't it?
In the next second, the sound of the hit appeared in Hinata's perception.
He immediately moved toward the sideline to prepare to guard Bokuto, while at the same time, his mind became even more certain of his previous judgment.
That sound of the hit, it really was a Jump Float Serve.
The ball flew over the net and into Hinata's field of vision; its speed wasn't particularly fast, but it had almost no spin.
It was indeed a very beautiful Jump Float Serve.
Hinata silently pumped his fist in celebration in his heart.
Great! You guessed it right!
In that instant, he inexplicably recalled what Miya Atsumu had said before.
So.. it really is possible to completely visualize the spiking motion in one's mind, one-to-one, just through sound alone.
The ball landed short, so Komi decisively abandoned the forearm pass and lunged forward into a diving position.
Before that, the approach distance Atsumu had taken was six steps, so they were initially prepared to receive a power serve.
In this state, he had no way to ensure the quality of his dig after moving into position, so he decisively chose a more conservative diving receive instead.
Although the quality of the first receive would decrease overall, it wouldn't have too much impact on the subsequent set by the setter.
The conditions for this ball were relatively good; Akaashi lifted the ball toward Osamu Noboru as planned from the start, allowing Bokuto a brief moment to catch his breath.
Osa Noboru also used his maximum hitting point, relying on his exceptional height to successfully reach above Inarizaki's block.
But Osa Noboru's jumping ability itself wasn't excellent, so he only managed to create a tiny bit of distance.
Suna slightly adjusted his position for the block and successfully touched the ball: "Touch."
Osa Noboru's expression was grim, but the situation was already decided and could not be changed; all he could do now was defend the next ball.
Akagi felt very relaxed right now.
The overall improvement in the quality of the blocking made him feel very comfortable, the process of receiving the ball became much less taxing.
Even though Hinata was currently managing the front row block under Suna's direction, the back row defense and receiving were not affected in any way.
Miya Atsumu followed up with the set, delivering the ball precisely into the hands of Miya Osamu on the side.
The two's coordinated quick attack once again created a diversion, targeting the back row of Mokoba.
Glancing at Bokuto, who was intently watching the ball, Akaashi experienced a split-second of hesitation.
Should he pass it?
Even knowing that the Ace isn't in good form, he still chose to selfishly pass the ball over?
Even though it was obvious that this spike wouldn't be a good one?
But this hesitation lasted only for a split second; in the next moment, Bokuto's shout rang out, powerful and resolute.
Akaashi! Give me the ball!!
Almost the moment Bokuto spoke, Akaashi had already sent the ball over to him.
The decision was not made simply because the Ace asked for the ball, but was a choice made out of absolute trust in him.
Setting the play is the job of the Setter, setting the ball is the Setter's right.
So.. he can be willful.
Jump up and spike the ball.
Bring a score to the team!
The Ace!
Inarizaki's triple block stood before Bokuto.
Akaashi's ability to set the ball to Position 4 was extremely strong, so the ball hung in the air for an incredibly long time just before reaching its destination.
Bokuto stared at the Inarizaki block in front of him, his mind—unusually calm despite the high-intensity heat—rapidly analyzing the current situation.
The set provided by the setter was his best way to break through; in this situation, he could actually use a time-lagging method.
However, he hadn't used that technique many times before, but.. he wouldn't make a mistake.
The spiker's hang time after jumping and extending his arms would naturally be longer than a block that jumps from a stationary position and falls almost vertically.
Relying on that tiny difference, Bokuto suddenly turned the moment Miya Osamu and Suna began to descend in his field of vision.
The ball was instantly slammed down by him, its trajectory overlapping with the arc of the Setter's drop, but it was not any of the spike paths Suna had anticipated.
The ball grazed Suna's arm as it dropped, a shot that was almost a Woguo, but its landing point was behind the block.
Suna had a somewhat dazed expression on his face.
This kind of turn-and-dump is a type of play that Hinata and Miya Atsumu have used before; it is a technique that requires extremely high precision regarding timing and the state of the attack.
And the current Bokuto.. does he still possess that level of judgment?
Bokuto took a step back with his rear foot to touch the floor, slightly squatting to control his center of gravity.
Inarizaki's most powerful server, Miya Atsumu, has ended his service turn.
—A play interrupted.
"Hell yeah!!" Bokuto clenched his fists tightly.
That's it.
He will not give up; he will fight to the very last moment.
So please, everyone, watch him—watch him, so ordinary yet so powerful.
Cheer for him!
Miya Atsumu wiped his face with his shirt. "So cool."
It was just a pity about his service turn; he had originally planned to use a power serve on the next play to give the opposition a scare.
Komi and Washio Tatsuki swapped positions and left the court, while Osa Noboru, who had taken the ball, had also walked to the service position.
Oikawa Tooru's spirits rose: "Fukurodani's real chance to turn the tide has arrived."
Unlike Osa Noboru, whose offensive power is somewhat lacking, the wing spikers and opposites who are tied down by their receiving duties, Washio Tatsuki is a player with strong offensive capabilities and excellent physical condition, who only needs to focus on blocking.
This also meant that he would not lose his offensive capabilities due to Inarizaki's disruptive playstyle, allowing him to provide the best cover for Bokuto.
Oikawa could think of this, naturally, Miya Atsumu could too.
Without showing any panic, he instead exchanged a glance with Suna in the front row.
Be a little gentler.
"I've got it!" Akagi received the opponent's serve steadily.
Under the cover of the Double Quick, Suna's spike was just inches away from scoring, but Saru Yamato managed to save it at the very last moment.
Akaashi!
Akaashi, who had chased after the ball, passed it to Washio Tatsuki, while Aran received the spike that had been slammed down from above the net.
Atsumu!
Miya Atsumu glanced sideways at Washio and Bokuto on the opposite side, after performing a fake set, he sent a back set to Hinata, who had moved to Position 2.
Hinata jumped to spike, his arm slowing down the moment before contact.
Realizing that Hinata was going to perform a dump, Bokuto's expression turned sharp.
Capturing the moment Bokuto's hand pressed downward, Hinata couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile, his face filled with the excitement of a successful scheme.
—He took the bait.
With only the sound of a single touch, the ball landed within Inarizaki's court.
Hinata landed on one foot, perfectly controlling his balance.
Oikawa Tooru, in the stands, narrowed his eyes: "Did Fukurodani score a block?"
It was too far away for him to see clearly, but the ball had indeed landed on Inarizaki's side.
Kenma's voice and the Head Referee's whistle sounded almost at the same time.
No, Fukurodani touched the ball over the net.
Chapter 232: The Two Hundred and Thirty-Second Fox
Damn it.
Watching Inarizaki score another point with a jump, Bokuto felt a bit frustrated.
Hinata's movements weren't particularly subtle; he should have noticed them in advance.
But his exhausted brain still caused him to lose his sharpest judgment, stepping straight into the trap set by his opponent.
Calm down, stay calm.
The situation wasn't too bad; Hinata also moved to the back row after scoring this point, which would make things a bit easier for Fukurodani.
But since Hinata went to the back row, the person taking over his front row attacking duties became Aran.