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Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Main Quest Updated

"Compared to the wild, flood-like attack of the first-years, the third-years of Karasuno are like an stable sheet of ice," Coach Nekomata said calmly from Nekoma's bench. "And when a flood crashes into a glacier, it's hard to merge… until the moment they finally become one."

On court, the second set was heating up. Nekoma had pulled ahead and now reached set point, 24–23.

Just then…

*Ding!*

"Main Quest Updated: Stage 3 unlocked!"

Objective: Integrate into the team during the second set against Nekoma. Win 2–0.

Current integration level: 20%.

"...Integrate into the team?" Jin blinked.

He was already Karasuno's ace in name. But the system was right, his "matching" with the team was still low. Up to now, he'd been playing like a lone cannon, blasting away wherever he pleased. Powerful yes, but not the way Karasuno's volleyball was meant to be played.

He suddenly understood why Coach Ukai had benched him earlier. Karasuno didn't need a solo act. They needed an ace who could play 'with' the team, not just above it.

Jin stood up and marched toward the coach's box.

"Coach, let me back in," he said, hands behind his back, eyes firm.

Coach Ukai studied his expression, then smirked. "Looks like you finally get it. Alright, Karasuno's ace… go on, lead your team to the win."

The whistle blew for substitution. Jin stepped in for Sugawara, sliding into the back row.

---

Kuroo spun the ball in his hands on Nekoma's side. "Subbing in the back row? Guess they're planning to defend with him…" He tossed the serve up and jumped. His sharp serve came knifing down toward the open area between Jin and Daichi.

"Captain, I've got it!" Jin called, stepping forward.

He steadied his arms and received the ball clean. It wasn't perfect, but it was just enough.

Kageyama sprinted under it, hands already raised. Nekoma's blockers split to cover the wings. At the last second, Kageyama flicked his wrist, dumping the ball over the net.

"Cheeky brat!" Kenma muttered in the floor. He read it, just barely catching the ball.

The game played back. Fukunaga stepped in to set, sending the ball high to Kuroo on the left.

"Asahi, Tsukishima, double block!" Coach Ukai shouted from the bench.

Both went up, sealing the straight.

Kuroo smirked. His eyes shifted left, baiting Tsukishima, then.

"Too easy, rookie," he sneered, spiking the ball cross-court.

"Damn! He tricked me with his eyes." Tsukishima cursed midair.

The ball shot toward the back row.

"Not so fast!"

Jin was already there, sliding low. His arms braced, and received the ball sent straight up.

"...He saw through me?" Kuroo thought, stunned.

*Ding!*

"Integration 40%..."

"Nice save!" Daichi called.

Kageyama was under it instantly. "Front! Prepare!"

"Give me the ball!" Asahi roared from the left.

Tsukishima cut across from the right, pulling Nekoma's blockers with him.

Kageyama smirked, then whipped the toss not to the wings, but back to the pipe.

"Back-row attack!" Yachi gasped from the bench.

Jin launched from the three-meter line, silver hair streaking upward. He swung with everything, blasting the ball between the late-arriving blockers and into the floor.

"Point, Karasuno!"

*Ding!*

"Integration 60%..."

"Hell yeah!" Asahi cheered, pumping his fist.

Daichi clapped Jin's back. "That's how you connect with the team, ace!"

Jin grinned, chest heaving. He then picked up the ball, twirling it in his palm. "Alright… one more to finish this set."

---

From Nekoma's bench, Coach Nekomata rubbed his hands together. "That boy… he's starting to cast a shadow across the whole team."

On the field, Kenma narrowed his eyes. "...This is gonna be troublesome."

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