Technique: 1 Spike: 5
Speed: 4 Block: 6
Chapter 352: The Three Hundred and Fifty-Second Fox
Having received an answer that satisfied him, Miya Atsumu greeted the two coaches from Itachiyama before leaving.
Inamura, looking like a villain just a moment ago, asked Komori in confusion, "What kind of riddle are you playing? Is there something that happened that we don't know about?"
Everyone from Itachiyama also looked toward Komori, attempting to get an answer that could clear their doubts from the person involved.
It was as if Komori and Miya Atsumu had made some kind of deal regarding the results of the IH tournament behind their backs?
"Ah, back in May, Miya Atsumu asked me if I wanted to join the same team as Hinata in the future." Komori made no attempt to hide it; since they had only brought home third place this time, he felt he should say something that would make the coaches happy.
Inamura froze for a moment. "Eh? Hinata?"
Wait, he remembers Hinata was supposed to have signed a recommendation for Central Physical Education University, right?
Coach Utsunomiya had a look of obvious surprise on his face: "Are you coming?"
He had done the homework for Komori and Sakusa more than once, but Sakusa intended to go to Waseda, whereas Komori had previously refused to budge, wanting to go straight into professional play.
Komori gave a helpless smile: "It looks like he's going after all."
He gave a brief explanation: "When IH first started, Miya Atsumu and I made a bet. I said if Inarizaki won, I would go to Central Physical Education University, if we won, Miya Atsumu would find a way to transfer to the professional team I was going to."
Sakusa, who had observed the entire process, looked at him. "He didn't agree, did he?"
Miya Atsumu's original words were clearly to find a way to help him find a "number one in all of high school" teammate, rather than being about Miya Atsumu himself.
Komori didn't care much about this: "It's about time.
His demand was to play with the truly powerful first string, it would be even better if he could get used to them, so he wouldn't mind even if Miya Atsumu shoved Suna at him.
Inamura's mouth twitched. "Actually, you just want to go, don't you?"
Komori smiled without saying anything, instead looking at Coach Utsunomiya. "Coach.. regarding the graduation thesis, is there any way to be lenient about it?"
Coach Utsunomiya cheered him on: "At least you'll have a bachelor's degree once you graduate. A mere graduation thesis—I'm sure you'll have absolutely no problem with it."
As he spoke, Coach Utsunomiya had moved to the back of the group at some point, holding onto Komori and refusing to let go.
Don't worry, no one has ever failed to graduate because of an unsatisfactory thesis in all these years. You'll have academic teachers to tutor you in that area.
Think about it, neither Bokuto nor Shoyo have ever been troubled by these kinds of issues, so you'll definitely be fine too.
When the youth training ends and Shoyo comes over, you can go with him then and sign the recommendation agreement..
Listening to Coach Utsunomiya's words, which skipped straight to the final step for fear that someone might run away, the people from Itachiyama fell silent.
After thinking for a moment, Inamura gasped, "Sss—Wait, is Coach Utsunomiya building a dream team?"
Now he already had a top-five Ace from the previous Nationals, a 195cm Setter, the Little Giant of Inarizaki, now he had even recruited the High School's First Libero?
If he could recruit two more powerful Middle Blockers.. wouldn't they be unstoppable?
Thinking of this, Inamura turned his head toward Koldorf. "Eh? Is Shimizu-senpai also at Central Physical Education University?"
Koldorf recalled, "Shimizu-senpai went to play beach volleyball."
Inamura followed up by asking, "Then you're going?"
Koldorf responded seriously, "I have no such intention."
Inamura shrugged his shoulders. "That's a shame. I was hoping to see the college students crush a professional team."
Listening to the nonsense from several seniors, Inamoto couldn't help but retort, "That would be quite difficult, wouldn't it.."
The court had been cleared, the scoreboard at the side of the court had been changed to Inarizaki and Karasuno. Media and scouts from various organizations who had come for the Finals were gathered by the sidelines, while two commentators and the invited Minka Shugo had already taken their seats at the commentary desk.
The Inarizaki supporters' section in the stands, which had been performing a bullfight-themed chant, fell silent after the song ended, leaving only the sound of the spectators' low whispers throughout the entire arena.
As Hinata leaned out to look at the court, the voice he had been waiting for sounded from behind him: "Just in time."
Seeing Miya Atsumu arrive late, Hinata was a bit surprised. "Atsumu-ge, what were you doing?"
Miya Atsumu raised his hand to pat his head, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I went to scout some companions for you."
Hinata tilted his head. "Hmm?"
Noticing out of the corner of his eye that a staff member in the court was gesturing to them, Miya Atsumu stopped talking. He grabbed the jacket from his body, yanked it off, tossed it into the volleyball cart being handled by Masaru Haseda.
The red jacket traced a beautiful arc through Hinata's field of vision, leaving him a bit dazed.
Miya Atsumu turned his head to look at him. "Let's go."
Hinata nodded heavily, "Alright!"
Finally, I've made it here, to this final stage.. I'll play the ultimate match against Hoshiumi-senpai!
The moment he stepped out of the Players' Tunnel, the drumming overhead suddenly erupted, the Inarizaki High School anthem was played once again, sounding incredibly magnificent.
At the end of their line of sight, a group of people dressed in blue and white uniforms also emerged from the Players' Tunnel, entering the court through a gap in the sidelines' barrier that had been opened by the staff.
Hoshiumi Hikari stood a step away from Hirugami, as the two captains shook hands, he looked toward Hinata.
Their gazes met in the air, an uncontrollable smile spread across Hoshiumi's face.
A hand appeared in his field of vision, he reached out to grab it without a moment's hesitation.
The moment the two hands made contact, there was a sharp, light slapping sound.
Hinata's eyes burned with intensity, his gaze toward Hoshiumi-senpai filled with a desperate craving for competition: "Hikari-kun, let's settle this!"
Hoshiumi laughed, "I couldn't ask for anything more!"
[Next is the men's division finals of the National High School Comprehensive Sports Tournament. The match will be between Inarizaki High School, representing Hyogo Prefecture, Karasuno High School, representing Nagano Prefecture.]
[The match is about to begin.]
“It's finally here, the match between the Little Giants.” Inunari leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, watching the players who had already finished their warm-ups and were waiting in their respective waiting areas.
He tilted his head slightly toward the person sitting beside him. "Do you have any comments to make? Mr. Initial Little Giant?"
"Don't say that, they are all much better than me." Unai Aman gave a light smile.
“My skills weren't nearly as good as theirs when I was in high school. My fundamentals, talent, mindset weren't very good, I wasn't the first to be called the Little Giant. That title has existed on the international stage for sports like basketball, volleyball, badminton for a long time, though it can't exactly be called the original."
The temperature in the stands was very high, Unai's long-neglected hair made the heat even more noticeable.
He searched through his pockets for a while but couldn't find a hair tie; it seemed he had left it behind when he arrived.
"Here." Inunari reached into his backpack and handed him a hair claw clip.
Unai skillfully took the hair clip and pinned her hair up at the back of her head: "Thanks, I feel like a new person—"
Without the hair covering his neck, he felt much cooler all over.
Seeing him like this, Inunari couldn't help but chuckle, "But not everyone thinks that way."
At least for Hinata and the others, you are the starting point of their dreams.
Unai said helplessly, "That's too much credit for me.."
Recalling Hinata's previous excitement, Unai paused for a moment before saying helplessly, "Even without me, with Hinata's talent and physical condition.. he would have thrived in other sports."
I was just.. merely the catalyst that made him yearn for volleyball.
It's already incredible," Inunari said softly, "Hinata will take the path of volleyball because of you, in the future, there will definitely be someone who chooses volleyball because of Hinata.
A seemingly insignificant opportunity can become a long, flowing river.
To put it another way.. what kind of mindset do you have when creating a manga centered around volleyball?
Unai did not answer, perhaps there was no need to.
They all knew the answer to this question very clearly, there was no need to state it explicitly.
The captains from both sides had already stepped forward, the coin was tossed by the Head Referee between the two of them, then fell.
Tails, Karasuno serves first.
Hoshiumi clenched his fist, raising it to high-five Hirugami as they cheered, "Yes!"
On the other side, Miya Osamu watched Miya Atsumu return, his face full of disdain. "Did you even wash your hands?"
Drawing a late serve, especially given Karasuno's already powerful serves, this late serve could be considered a very bad draw.
I'm done for!" Miya Atsumu glared fiercely at Miya Osamu. "I even prayed to the Inari God!
Suna added, "You weren't sincere."
Miya Osamu complained to Coach Kurosu, "I told you we shouldn't let him draw, his luck ran out long ago."
Hearing Miya Osamu's ridiculous claim, Miya Atsumu protested, "Used up? How is that possible! I didn't do anything!"
The Inarizaki Third Years fell into a collective silence, silently watching Hinata, who was still stretching his arms.
Coach Kurosu also fell silent for a second.
He suddenly felt that Miya Osamu made a good point. Setting everything else aside, he remembered Aran telling him that Miya Atsumu had even made a vow to the Inari God..
After a brief moment of thought, Coach Kurosu looked at Vice-Captain Miya Osamu. "Next time, Osamu, you go serve."
Miya Osamu agreed readily, "Okay."
Hinata, looking a bit confused by everyone's reactions, leaned over and asked, "What's happening?"
Coach Kurosu waved his hand. "It's nothing, but since we're playing second, I'll make a simple adjustment to our rotation."
Since Karasuno is starting with Hakuma in Position 1 this year, we'll start our rotation from our Position 1. The task of marking Hoshiumi will be left to Rintaro and Shoyo, the same logic applies to our offensive pushes.
The strategy of "Tianji's Horse Racing" doesn't work here.
Although they could adjust to have Inarizaki's strong range target Karasuno's weak range centered around Bessho Chigen, the situation on the other side would be completely reversed.
With the two sides offsetting each other, it might actually leave Inarizaki in an even more disadvantageous position. After all, compared to Karasuno's core Middle Blocker successor, Bessho Chigen, Tokura is merely a fledgling newcomer.
In this situation, using the strong ranges of both sides to offset each other would be the best choice.
On Karasuno's side, Coach Aran also quickly completed the rotation sheet and handed it to the Head Referee via Hirugami.
Their rotation didn't change much; Karasuno's system was already well-established. There was no need to change it under non-extreme circumstances; responding to all changes with constancy was their best answer.