They had a deep impression of the match between Inarizaki and Fukuda General, but since they had used Inarizaki's style as a reference during last year's 4-2 formation, it seemed they could now take a good, long look at studying Fukuda General..
Just studying how to handle strong opponents with a stable stance would be enough for them to digest for quite a while.
Hinata said earnestly, "Atsumu-ge said before that the high school volleyball world doesn't lack powerful spikers; rather, it's the teams with a significant advantage in First Receive and Setter that can make it to the end."
Take Shiratorizawa, for example; even though they had Ushijima Wakatoshi anchoring them in previous years, they actually lost in national competitions to teams that didn't have any particularly formidable spikers.
It is enough to simply ensure that you face many powerful opponents.
For example, Karasuno and Date Tech.
Date Tech's advantages lie in their blocking and the advantages they gain in quick attacks thanks to the setter's height.
As long as Karasuno can manage their overall coordination and has a Libero to provide a safety net, their offense will be sufficient to get through, at worst by playing technical balls and grinding down their opponents.
If you had to say.. this style of play places a high demand on the players' own physical stamina.
Thinking of this, Hinata paused for a moment.
He turned and asked, "By the way, how are Tanaka-senpai and the others doing with their technical plays now?"
Kageyama was silent.
Hinata also fell silent.
He had forgotten that technical plays, such as changing the ball's trajectory or tooling the block, were themselves part of high-level techniques.
Even among national-level teams, there are many who simply don't know how to play; most rely solely on scoring points through simple and direct line shots.
Hinata patted Kageyama's shoulder: "It's fine, if all else fails, just go for a tip."
Kageyama didn't seem to mind: "I'll discuss it with my seniors when I get back."
Karasuno is still in the foundational stage, so they don't have much training in technical ball handling. They can perform basic tooling the block, but they aren't like top players such as Hinata or Hoshiumi, who can even proactively create opportunities for tooling the block.
Hinata stared at Kageyama and winked at him, as if implying something.
Kageyama didn't react for a moment, after thinking for a while, he finally spoke, "Thank you."
Hehe," Hinata was satisfied, his whole being practically radiating happy flowers, "You're welcome.
He looked at Kageyama seriously: "We've already played against Date Tech and Aobajohsai. Shiratorizawa should be at the National Sports Festival, so the only ones we haven't faced yet are you, Karasuno."
I'm really looking forward to meeting you all on the national stage.
Kageyama's response was equally blunt: "Don't worry, I'll be there."
It's a deal!
One more!
When Miya Atsumu walked through the entrance of the Inarizaki No. 2 Gymnasium, he happened to see Kageyama set a ball for Hinata that almost exceeded the height of the marker, then Hinata used his knuckles to tip it over like an acrobat.
While his brain was briefly short-circuiting, Hinata's voice rang out across the court: "Great set, Kageyama! Next ball!"
Miya Atsumu??
What do you mean, good? The set is good?
That ball just now, the one that even Kiryu would have had to close his eyes to watch? That was good??
His Shoyo isn't like this!
What kind of medicine did Kageyama give him?!
Miya Atsumu walked to the edge of the court with a somber expression, his hands in his pockets, spoke softly.
To accept undeserved praise after such a terrible set.. you'd better just go home and get some sleep.
Kageyama paused slightly, turning his head to meet Miya Atsumu's teasing eyes: "No, you should ask what's inside Hinata's head."
He even wondered if it was Miya Atsumu's fault, such as when he established a rule at Inarizaki that "no matter what kind of set the setter gives, you must praise it as a good set."
He was truly feeling a bit restless during these few practice rallies.
Miya Atsumu crossed his arms over his chest, lifting his chin slightly as he asked, "Hmm? Shoyo? Is that how I usually teach you?"
Hinata thought seriously for two seconds, then suddenly gave Miya Atsumu a smile. "Of course not, but what comes after that is a secret."
Before he had fully worked it out, he wouldn't easily attempt it in a real match; after all, an average opponent wouldn't push them to that extent.
Not being bound by any specific form of spike.. It sounds exhilarating, doesn't it?
Atsumu raised an eyebrow. "Do you still have secrets from me?"
Hinata shrugged. "It's a surprise."
The two looked at each other for a few seconds before Miya Atsumu gave in first: "Fine, then I'll look forward to it."
He turned and asked, "It's getting late, do you still want to play?"
Hinata turned his head to look at Kageyama beside him, thought for a brief moment, replied, "Actually, I'd want to keep playing, but I feel like if we continue, it'll affect tomorrow's training, so let's just call it a day."
In the moment Hinata wasn't looking, Miya Atsumu shot Kageyama a victor's look: "Then let's go, let's go take a bath."
Without a second thought, Miya Atsumu brushed past Kageyama and followed behind Hinata toward the baths.
He simply recounted Coach Kurosu's words: "Coach Kurosu just released an official announcement saying that the National Sports Festival has been postponed to the end of October, the schedule for the Haruko Preliminary Round has also been adjusted to the second weekend of November."
Hinata recalled last year's situation: "So that means four matches in two days, right?"
Atsumu nodded. "Right, it's still in Kobe this year."
The specific arrangements for the National Sports Festival haven't been announced yet, only that the venue has been moved back to Tokyo. But the venue itself doesn't affect the number of slots for each prefecture; it's still one team per prefecture.
Hinata paused in his tracks, turning his head to look back at Miya Atsumu. "This time.. Atsumu-ge, you'll be the one carrying the flag, right? The Tournament Championship Flag."
Of course," Miya Atsumu said with a slight smile, "the Tournament Championship Flag will return to our hands in the end.
Also.. Shoyo, are you going up to take the oath?
Chapter 398: The 398th Fox
Hinata's footsteps faltered slightly as he looked up at Miya Atsumu with anticipation, "Is it okay? For me?"
Miya Atsumu lowered his eyes, a smirk playing on his lips as he reached out to pat Hinata on the head. "Of course. As long as you want to, there's absolutely no problem."
After all, you're our Ace, aren't you?
Hinata's head swayed left and right following Miya Atsumu's hand, as he looked up from below at Miya Atsumu's eyes, which were curved with laughter.
He chuckled and reached out to grab Miya Atsumu's arm. "Then I'm going to go win the Tournament Championship Flag, too."
“That won't do, this is mine.” Miya Atsumu narrowed his eyes and leaned in slightly toward Hinata.
If Shoyo wants it.. then let's win another championship.
Hinata felt a slight sense of regret, but responded with full confidence instead: "That's a must."
Rather, it was more like.. this was their goal all along, but it was also a necessary condition for him to be able to lead the team as Captain and carry the Tournament Championship Flag next year.
Before Miya Atsumu could straighten up, Hinata, who had been staring at Miya Atsumu's face for a while, suddenly leaned in and gave him a quick, light kiss.
Stepping back to create some distance from Miya Atsumu, Hinata stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Miya Atsumu with great satisfaction.
Got him.
Miya Atsumu pressed his fingers against his lower lip and spoke softly, "What? You felt lonely just because I was gone for a little while, Shoyo?"
Hinata shrugged. "Of course! I haven't had a chance to work with Atsumu-ge for the past two days, I'm dying of loneliness."
Coach Unabara was determined to break his connection with Miya Atsumu, tirelessly arranging all sorts of different partners for him.
Among the players selected for this Junior National Team training camp, he had already collaborated with almost all of the setters, there were even many players from other positions who had been called upon to play setter.
A low chuckle escaped Miya Atsumu's throat as he stood with one hand on his hip, tilting his head to look at Hinata.
“But you were having so much fun playing with Tobio-kun just now?”
Hinata was quite blunt: "Yeah, after all, it wasn't Atsumu-ge, his technique isn't good."
However, what he actually needed just now was a set that wasn't so poor in technique.
But looking at Atsumu's expression.. for some reason, he felt that the number of times Atsumu had been jealous during this Junior National Team training camp had significantly increased?
Miya Atsumu said with satisfaction, "I can't do anything about it here, but once we get back, Shoyo, I'll set as many balls as you want for you."
Hinata chuckled and started walking toward the dormitory first. "So, Atsumu-ge, what were you doing just now?"
But reporting to Coach Kurosu shouldn't have taken that long, right?
Miya Atsumu replied, "Coach Arakune stopped me. He told me about the training camp arrangements, the news about the delay of the National Sports Festival and Haruko Preliminary Round, the upcoming matches next month."
Hinata's back of the head radiated envy: "I'm so jealous."
But the first round of the Haruko Preliminary Round shouldn't involve us; it'll be a period of adjustment until the National Sports Festival begins. Since Atsumu-ge will be out competing, let's secretly get stronger and give him some surprises.
Miya Atsumu kept pace with him: "That's certainly something to look forward to."
The training continued as usual. Everyone in this training camp gradually adapted to the concept of rotation, moving from the initial confusion to now being able to fulfill the different responsibilities of each position quite well.
However, Hayami was an exception.
Because of his leg injury, the coach hadn't assigned him any position other than Libero throughout this training camp, as the thing his knee injury needed to avoid most was frequent jumping.
On the way to the Inarizaki No. 2 Gymnasium after lunch, Hinata looked at Hayami, who was moving with him, said, "Atsumu-ge said that some players from the Junior National Team will be coming to play matches with us tomorrow."
Because she lives right next door, Hayami has been following Hinata around these past few days.
Of course, that was only if Miya Atsumu wasn't around.
Meanwhile, Miya Atsumu was at a stage where he had just officially joined the National Team, he had been extremely busy these past few days, being called away by the coaches every other day to sign forms, fill out paperwork, take photos, or undergo interviews and such.
Whether it was due to Miya Atsumu's excellent image or not, the Volleyball Association's publicity department was working incredibly hard to build up his hype, intending to mold him into the face of this U20 tournament.
In contrast, Komori was relatively free, spending most of his time over with them.
However, creating such hype itself carries risks, the Volleyball Association's decision to do so must have been made with Miya Atsumu's consent.
After all, Miya Atsumu had absolute confidence in his own strength and talent, so there was no reason not to fight for better resources.
Really?" Hayami was a bit surprised. "Then we'll have to prepare thoroughly.
As far as he knew, the National Team's training camp wouldn't have such an arrangement. It was a rare opportunity, he had to seize this confrontation to properly adapt to the high-pressure environment of the court.