Watching the few people having a brief exchange in front of the Net, Amatori felt a surge of curiosity in the stands: "What are they talking about? I feel like they look really angry?"
Komori rested his chin in one hand and gave a precise guess: "Someone's natural talent for provocation is at work again, isn't it?"
To be honest, both he and Sakusa had, to some extent, been provoked by the other, leading them to make somewhat irrational decisions.
He didn't hate this feeling; on the contrary, he enjoyed challenging himself under the other's provocation. Although he didn't know what Sakusa was thinking, for him, this might be a great opportunity to try.
But this kind of challenge was only possible if one had sufficient ability; if Hakuma were actually successfully provoked, he might end up giving Inarizaki a point.
—No, he already gave up a point just now.
Actually, no matter what, that last ball should have been a direct kill. Neither Tokura nor Hinata are masters of blocking; they didn't have the ability to shut down a heavy spike, so it ultimately resulted in a touch and a subsequent rally.
As long as the defense was successful and Asahina could provide a better offensive opportunity, Hakuma would have been able to score even against Inarizaki's incomplete block.
Watching Hakuma return to his position, Hoshiumi called out his name, "Meisei."
He didn't know what to say either; it was true that he had been the one constantly urging Hakuma to practice technical balls, but..
Hakuma replied, "Yeah, I understand."
Hoshiumi was stunned.
Understand what? What did this guy understand?
No, he certainly wasn't encouraging Hakuma to keep challenging himself in a situation like this—
The Head Referee blew the whistle, signaling that Ginjima had the service right.
Hoshiumi closed his mouth and focused his attention on Ginjima on the opposite side.
Forget it, no matter what kind of spike the offensive player delivers, the defensive player has the responsibility to clean up the mess.
He admitted that their counterattack wasn't good enough yet, that he would keep a closer eye on that side moving forward.
As for Hinata.. how has he become so proficient at using provocation as a skill?
Ginjima delivered another quite perfect serve, sending the ball toward the area near Karasuno's midcourt, attempting to interfere with Asahina's movement.
Karasuno didn't take the bait; Asahina adjusted his position to circle around from the side, Takahashi performed a diving save to pick up the ball.
The conditions for this attack were excellent, everyone in Inarizaki's block was fully alert.
Tokura was also using his brain, utilizing his knowledge to analyze the situation.
Considering Hakuma's recent failure and his current lack of focus, Asahina is eighty percent likely not to consider Hakuma for this play.
There is still Hirugami in the front row, but either Hoshiumi or Norikura Isao will definitely stay back to carry out a counterattack..
To put it in terms of Inarizaki's usual playstyle..
This ball will go to Hirugami.
The moment he reached that conclusion, Tokura's center of gravity shifted slightly toward Hirugami, just as Asahina's set was delivered.
Just as Tokura had judged, Asahina's set for this ball was delivered at an extremely high angle to Hirugami Yukio, who was playing a flat ball from Position 2.
He and Miya Osamu quickly followed up, the two of them working together to block in front of Hirugami Yukio, forcing Hirugami Yukio to hit a line.
Hirugami raised his hands and lightly tapped the ball, sending it over in a tip.
Unabara Uta quickly followed from the back row, using his hands to receive the ball and send it up toward Miya Atsumu's head.
"Great save!" While praising Unabara Uta's reaction speed, Miya Atsumu transitioned the ball into an extremely fast Flat Ball, sending it straight to Hinata, who was positioned near the Center.
The ball was extremely fast; the change in tempo combined with the shortest-distance back quick meant Karasuno's block failed to react in time, but fortunately, Takahashi, who had been watching Hinata, lunged forward just in time to save the ball.
The quality of the ball was not good, so Asahina didn't have much time to make a decision and could only send the ball to Hirugami once again.
With insufficient height, Hirugami's spike was blocked straight by Miya Osamu.
Hoshiumi-senpai, having anticipated it, stepped forward and performed a low dig under the ball, sending it directly over the net.
Unabara Uta, who had just made the save, didn't have time to retreat, Ginjima's position was a bit too far away; the ball flew over his head and landed in Inarizaki's back row.
With a loud bang, the ball hit the sideline, Karasuno scored.
Chapter 536: The 536th Fox
A counterattack score?
Amatori in the stands was dumbfounded, unable to find words to describe the shock in his heart.
It wasn't just that Inarizaki's defense had shut down Hakuma; he actually managed to see a score from a counterattack in his lifetime.
Hoshiumi truly lived up to his name; he could achieve many things that were simply unimaginable to ordinary people.
Iizuna rubbed his chin, contemplating seriously, "Coincidence, or.."
—It wasn't a coincidence.
Hoshiumi, having high-fived Hakuma, couldn't help but let a smile slip across his face.
Even though his body was exhausted, being able to score at a time like this and decisively disrupt Inarizaki's plans.. was truly incredibly satisfying.
The placement of the ball they just sent over was sharp enough to successfully draw away Inarizaki's defense; he had chosen to play it that way only after noticing that Unabara and the others had not yet been able to get back into position.
But..
What's with that 'I've learned something' look on your face!
Hoshiumi bared his teeth at Hinata across the net, his face clearly written with the desire to hit someone.
Hinata froze for a moment, then said with total sincerity, "No, I just think Hoshiumi-senpai is amazing. You use those techniques during an offense, but Hoshiumi-senpai actually managed to use them on defense, even scored a point with it."
He hadn't considered that possibility before, but looking back now.. one truly must consider the possibility of scoring directly at all times.
He can utilize a Second Attack during setting, the same logic applies to receiving.
Anyway, he isn't a Libero, so he doesn't have many strict restrictions regarding scoring or "offensive intent."
Glancing at Hinata's expression on the large side screen, Shiratori had already anticipated everything: "Shoyo is going to put what he just learned into practice in a moment."
Back then, when Hinata didn't know nearly as much as he does now, he would make that exact same expression whenever he saw something novel.
At that time, he also quickly took their playstyle and put it to use.
—However, considering it was the Finals at the time, he wouldn't necessarily use such a high-risk play right then and there.
Akaashi felt a bit of regret. "It's a shame, but Karasuno won't give him that chance."
Of course, he didn't mean that Karasuno lacked the technical ability to save such a ball.
Hoshiumi's receiving level was the best on the court at this moment, even far surpassing the liberos of both sides. Moreover, his small stature provided enough agility; while there wasn't enough time for Unabara Uta to reposition, there was certainly enough time for Hoshiumi to dive in again.
What Akaashi truly cared about was.. that the opponent "knew" he would do that.
Once the basic concept is established, handling the subsequent steps becomes much simpler, which is precisely the purpose of preparation.
Shiratori curled the corners of his mouth, a look of deep admiration flashing in his slightly narrowed eyes: "But for Inarizaki.. this might actually be a good thing."
Akaashi turned his head to look at him, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.
As Miya Atsumu watched Tokura walk toward the service position, he regained the Service Right and calculated the current situation in his mind.
That play was actually quite extreme; it would be practically impossible for them to replicate it.
But.. that is enough.
Facing Inarizaki, the greatest pressure doesn't actually come from their fundamental skills, but rather from the ability to analyze the reality of the situation.
Inarizaki's offense has plenty of variety and their defense is well-equipped; on the opposite side of the net, whether it's offense or defense, they have to take many extra things into consideration.
Every additional factor that needs to be taken into consideration will inevitably place double the pressure on an opponent who is already lacking in energy.
Afterward, they will unconsciously avoid hitting close-range shots after long-distance balls.
For Karasuno, who already lacked sufficient defensive personnel, this was enough to be fatal.
Hoshiumi narrowed his eyes and stared at Tokura, who was already preparing to serve after the whistle blew.
In other words.. the same applies to Inarizaki.
When it comes to endurance, he wouldn't lose to anyone. As Karasuno's final line of defense, he would never let a single ball pass.
Takahashi took a step to the side, chasing down Tokura's spike: "I've got it!"
Tokura, who had not yet mastered the way to apply power during a hit or the feel of the toss, was unable to produce a heavy ball when tossing it himself; after all, in a solo situation, he wouldn't have a Setter thoughtfully delivering the ball to his hands in its most perfect state.
Hinata had also gone through this phase when he was practicing his jump serve, even now, Hinata's serve has not been able to perfectly replicate the form he has when he spikes.
Because of this, even though Tokura's spike produced enough tricky spin through his body's tilt at the moment of contact, it was still easy for Takahashi to handle.
Asahina, having secured a good receive, quickly followed up, sending the set to Hakuma once again.
Hakuma's spike was touched by Inarizaki's side and countered, but fortunately, Takahashi's reaction speed was fast enough to dive and receive the ball that Miya Osamu had spiked with full force.
The ball flew wildly off course, landing directly above the net.
Hinata and Hakuma both lunged for the ball almost simultaneously, both taking off from near the edge of the net, one after the other, as they chased down the ball.
Using his sufficiently fast takeoff speed, Hinata jumped a step ahead and slapped the ball with one hand.
But at the very moment he was about to touch the ball, a shadow suddenly descended from the opposite side, Hakuma's two hands hit the ball simultaneously, slamming it back into Inarizaki's court with maximum force.
The whistle blew, the Head Referee signaled that Karasuno's score was valid.
Hinata landed on the ground, unable to help but purse his lips, looking up at Hakuma with a look of slight resentment in his eyes.
Being tall really does allow you to do whatever you want.
Even though he jumped nearly half a second late, he still reached the highest point a step ahead of him, even touching the ball with both hands.
So hateful, so enviable.
"Right?" Reading Hinata's thoughts, Hoshiumi shrugged and spread his hands.
After exchanging a challenging glare with Hakuma, Hinata turned and walked back to his own position.
Watching Hinata's huffing back, Miya Atsumu gave a helpless smile.
He wasn't the type to offer comfort, nor would he say something meaningless like, "You'll definitely win next time."
In that situation just now, no matter what, Hinata wouldn't have been able to touch the ball first.