What he did with Kosano was just a single movement, jumping. After all, the Coach said his foundation was good enough, so rather than undergoing further physical training, it would be better to focus more energy on improving his technique.
Hayami looked at Miya Atsumu, her gaze incredibly deep: "Atsumu-senpai, you won't be able to escape it either."
Miya Atsumu's expression froze once again.
—He had already witnessed the scene of his own painful struggle for survival under Kosano.
Miya Atsumu, his face turning ashen, floated over to Coach Unabara's side to act as his assistant. Because of this bad news, he didn't even have the energy to glare at Hayami.
Having arranged the morning practice matches, Coach Unabara turned his head to look at Miya Atsumu: "Starting tomorrow, you don't need to be my assistant for the morning sessions. I've arranged a physical trainer for you; go follow Kosano to train your physical conditioning."
Miya Atsumu's vision went black, he collapsed to the ground.
After a while, he scrambled back up.
It was just physical training; even if it was for Hinata—he would work hard!
Meanwhile, Hinata and Kageyama were still arguing on the court.
Hinata, who had almost collided with Kageyama, was filled with lingering fear: "Shouldn't I have been the one setting that ball just now? A Four-two involves the back-row setter setting!"
Kageyama frowned. "But I said this isn't a complete Four-two. Most of the time I'm the one controlling the play, so I need to maintain the threat of a Second Attack."
Hinata's entire face was scrunched up in frustration as he said angrily, "What Second Attack? The opponent's block was at the center just now; you wouldn't have been able to tip it over anyway."
If I had set the ball just now, you could have scored by retreating to hit a short diagonal; the opponent's receiving is just not good enough.
Kageyama argued earnestly, "You can't use the opponent's poor skill level as a premise. We agreed before the match that we would simulate our own system. In this situation, shouldn't we also push our tactics to the limit during training?"
In an actual match, the opponent's Libero wouldn't have a skill level like this.
Unable to argue, Hinata stopped using his brain: "No one plays like that! If you're going to set, then give me a signal!"
Kageyama frowned deeply, his eyes narrowed, looking very fierce: "Haven't you watched our Karasuno match footage? I only give him hand signals when I need Tokita to set."
Seeing Hinata's expression, Kageyama felt even more guilty, his mood worsening: "You didn't skip it, did you?"
He felt that their Karasuno performance shouldn't have been so terrible that Hinata couldn't find any interest in it.
Hinata argued, "Of course I saw it! But who cares whether you use hand signals or not!"
He had never played as a setter in a four-two formation, so what Atsumu-ge had explained to him was the most basic way to play.
He was only thinking about the guidance Miya Atsumu had given him yesterday, completely forgetting the fine adjustments Karasuno had made for this style of play.
Kageyama felt his temple throbbing: "Anyway.. follow my instructions for the back row, you also need to pay attention to your positioning."
Recalling how Sugawara Koushi had comforted him, he said somewhat reluctantly, "The lineup we've put together temporarily can't coordinate a multi-point attack, so we'll have to rely on your back row defense."
Hinata froze, looking Kageyama up and down several times, as if trying to confirm that the person inside Kageyama's shell was still himself.
Kageyama ultimately couldn't suppress the anger in his heart: "Our Libero is also a Middle Blocker! When the opponents focus all their attention on him, the back row defense is going to collapse. How are we supposed to find the time for a multi-point attack!"
Hearing Kageyama's furious voice, Hinata finally relaxed.
He patted his chest: "Since you've asked so sincerely, leave it to me!"
It was truly a relief that Kageyama hadn't been possessed by some monster!
With a sincere expression, Kageyama's face looked even more sour: "I'll say it one more time, listen to the instructions properly."
Kageyama turned back to the front row, while Hinata made a face at his back.
Having watched the entire exchange between the two, Hanae, on the other side of the net, silently turned his head to look at Miya Atsumu, who was standing by the sidelines with Coach Unabara.
Based on his experience, Miya Atsumu should have already been using his gaze to attack Kageyama at this point.
But to his surprise, Miya Atsumu only gave a casual glance this way and said nothing.
Hanae was shocked; had Atsumu-senpai undergone a complete change of heart?!
Miya Atsumu looked down at his shoelaces, his eyes filled with a faint sense of death.
Could he.. really live until the day after tomorrow?
At this moment, the opposing Libero, who had been subjected to a barrage of careless verbal attacks from Kageyama and Hinata, had already collapsed to the floor.
His receiving is indeed terrible, but.. it shouldn't be enough to scold him like that!
Hinata's cooperation with Kageyama in this set was extremely poor; especially given the opponent's strong block, the effect of the horizontal spread was not good.
After all, Hinata himself was not originally a Setter, his setting skills were not yet capable of providing the multi-point attack that Kageyama required.
However, compared to before, Hinata has become much more proficient; he has no problems with the most basic two-point attack, he can still preserve Kageyama's strong offense.
Kageyama was also experimenting with some Quick Attack plays on Hinata. When he came for training camp last time, he had tried practicing that kind of setting that stops, although he didn't have the chance to use it after returning, he still took some time to study it a little.
Even if he couldn't reach Miya Atsumu's level of proficiency due to the lack of training at this stage, it was still more than enough for temporary use during a match.
Having successfully coordinated a Quick Attack and adjusted into a Short Diagonal, Hinata's face was filled with pleasant surprise: "Kageyama! You did it!"
Kageyama nodded. "Yeah, it was actually quite easy after a bit of practice."
Miya Atsumu, who had finally come back to life after trying his best to cast aside the news of his death tomorrow, stared at Kageyama from the sidelines.
Although he had long anticipated such a day would come, felt happy to be able to witness it, it did not stop him from feeling frustrated about other things.
But after playing this set, Hinata and Kageyama ultimately lost to an opponent with incredibly strong blocking due to the overall lack of team strength.
Standing beside Bai Ze, Hanae made a peace sign toward Hinata across the net.
Although the level of the libero on their side is quite poor, they still have him, the Wing Spiker, on the court. Moreover, his teammates include the 2m player, with an experienced Middle Blocker who plays Setter, their Block can completely pursue Hinata when he lacks sufficient cover.
Although Hinata also tried to provide cover for others, the other Wing Spikers lacked sufficient ability to play technical balls, their success rate for forcing through the block was low. In the end, it wasn't as useful as letting him focus on his own offense.
After the match ended and the brief reflection session concluded, Hinata slumped over and shuffled to Miya Atsumu's side. Before he could ask anything about the match or his technique, Atsumu grabbed his arm.
Miya Atsumu looked at him and said listlessly, "Stay away from him, he has bad intentions toward you."
Aoba Haruka, watching from not far away, said softly to Hanae, "A Spiker like Hinata—I doubt there isn't a single Setter who wouldn't like him; even our Setter has a great impression of Hinata."
Hanae nodded, "Setting aside someone like Yoshitomo who can't do anything yet, Wakamura-senpai also likes Hinata very much."
Hearing this, Aoba Haruka's expression turned solemn: "I think Atsumu-senpai should give up early; there are too many setters who want to cooperate with Hinata."
Although Wakamura-senpai had never had direct contact with him, he had heard rumors, the other party's personality and temperament probably weren't the best.
But then again.. it seems like none of the amazing Setters have good personalities.
Miya Atsumu, Kageyama, Wakamura-senpai have already been mentioned, the legendary Oikawa-senpai is also very difficult to deal with.
And the top performer from before, Iizuna.. it is said that he isn't exactly a kind person, he's quite mean-spirited as well.
Could it be.. that having a bad temper is a mandatory requirement for becoming a top-tier Setter?!
Aoba felt as if he had glimpsed the true essence of the world.
Chapter 483: The 483rd Fox
After the morning's practice match ended, Hanae, who had been forced by Hinata to mop the floor for an entire set, was filled with dissatisfaction, continuing to whisper complaints about Miya Atsumu and Hinata by the sidelines with Aoba.
The two of them had finally concluded, considering that Miya Atsumu was Miya Atsumu, that it was most likely the latter—that Miya Atsumu's ability as a high-level Setter to attract Wing Spikers was more terrifying than him being Miya Atsumu's billion-dollar rival.
In the end, the two reached the conclusion that, considering Miya Atsumu is Miya Atsumu, it was most likely the former.
After all, Hinata is also preparing to develop toward becoming an Omnipotent Hand, in the future, he will be practically a half-setter as well.
Having already packed his things, Bai Ze waited nearby for several acquaintances from his own grade.
Seeing that no one was ready to leave, he scratched his head in confusion and crouched down, deciding to continue waiting.
Miya Atsumu, who was still explaining the problems with Hinata's setting, keenly sensed that something was wrong. He turned his head to look at Aoba Haruka and Hanae, only to find the two of them were honestly tying their shoelaces.
He withdrew his gaze and continued speaking to Hinata: "Actually, your thinking is clear enough when you spike; just keep considering it this way when you're setting, try to practice thinking from a Spiker's perspective."
Hinata took the idea and applied it further: "Does that mean when I spike, I also need to take the Setter's movements into account to a certain extent?"
Miya Atsumu nodded. "Exactly. Wasn't that the exact same logic you used when you were coordinating with me before?"
Hearing this, Hinata was stunned for a moment.
Oh, so that's the logic? It seems to be true; he does take Miya Atsumu's movements into account to some extent when he makes his runs.
Then today's match not going smoothly was indeed his fault.
He understood Miya Atsumu, so most of the time, he could smoothly and proactively complete plays with him.
But because he and Kageyama had partnered together too few times, their minds often failed to sync up. If one person was leading and the other was just following, it would be fine, but with a Four-two playstyle that requires deep cooperation between two people, they would experience some mental conflicts.
Seeing Hinata's troubled expression, Miya Atsumu smiled. "Don't be too anxious, it's normal. It's just that Tobio-kun is still immature."
Aoba Haruka whispered to Hanae, "Listen, Atsumu-senpai is constantly badmouthing other setters to Hinata."
Hanae replied, "He's always like that. Before, when Wakamura-senpai was talking to Hinata, he ended up getting provoked by Atsumu-senpai."
Miya Atsumu suddenly turned his head toward them, only to see the two of them still tying their shoelaces.
Hinata glanced up at Aoba Haruka, who had untied and retied his shoelaces, continued asking Miya Atsumu, "But I feel like the playing styles of the setters I've encountered so far are all different. If I have to form a new partnership.. I feel like the workload to adapt to everyone would be massive."
Why bother adapting to everyone? For setters you don't need to cooperate with, just play using the logic of individual command.
Miya Atsumu stood with one hand on his hip. "You won't be able to switch through several setters in a single day once you leave this place. Just focus on studying your own team, treat everything else as an enemy to be analyzed."
The ability to adapt to a new team in a short period of time is not something everyone possesses, especially for a player like Hinata, who grew up alongside Inarizaki's extreme playstyle; it will be even harder for him to integrate his abilities into every single team.
Although it isn't necessary for Hinata, who has no intention of specializing as a Setter.. but this is Hinata, the Hinata who has vowed to arm himself to the teeth.
Therefore, regardless of the position, Hinata should learn and master every technique.
Whether it is him or other setters, the prerequisite for them to be able to quickly and accurately adapt to any team is that they have sufficient experience and technical skills to support them.
That was precisely why Hinata wasn't in a hurry to move into their positions at this stage. By studying everyone as an opponent, he could naturally gain a sufficient understanding of one another.
Hinata nodded seriously. "I think I understand."
Miya Atsumu said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll teach you. I'm not like Oikawa-senpai."
Hearing that familiar name, Hinata felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.
He shook his head and cheered toward Miya Atsumu, "Atsumu-ge is truly so reliable."
Aoba turned his head and whispered, "Is Atsumu-senpai and Oikawa-senpai's relationship that bad? I didn't feel that way last time."
He tried to speculate again, "Did they make an enemy of each other during that arm-wrestling match last time?"