"Save the ball!"
Kuroo Tetsurou, lying prone on the ground, shouted loudly. Right behind him, Fukunaga Shouhei immediately moved to fill the spot and steadily bumped the falling volleyball back up over Kozume Kenma's head.
Across the net, Kenma and Yuuki exchanged glances, both silently thinking the same thing: This guy's got brains.
"I'm coming!"
Inuoka Sou quickly repositioned, crossing the entire net to the sideline in an instant. He leapt high and swung his arm to spike the ball.
The next second, the volleyball smashed through Aoba Johsai's double block and flew toward the backcourt.
Because the blockers reduced its power and speed, the ball was barely caught by Matsukawa Issei in the backcourt and passed to Oikawa.
Iwaizumi Hajime and Yuma Kikuzawa jumped simultaneously, both shooting Oikawa a look asking for the ball. Oikawa observed the opponents' defense distribution and pushed the ball toward Iwaizumi, who was farther from the block.
With force from Iwaizumi's swing, the volleyball suddenly curved in midair, crossing the net and flying past Inuoka's attempt to intercept. It slammed hard into an undefended corner in Nekoma's backcourt.
"Beep——"
2:0
"Nice spike!"
"Good job, Iwa-chan!"
The Aoba Johsai players gave Iwaizumi high fives in celebration.
The second ball was served by Oikawa again. His powerful jump serve landed in Nekoma's backcourt, where Fukunaga passed it to Kozume to cooperate with Yamamoto Taketora for a quick attack. However, after Yuuki's touch, the ball flew over Oikawa's head. Oikawa and Yuma Kikuzawa quickly coordinated for another quick attack in return. The ball bypassed the block completely but was spectacularly saved by Kuroo diving from the backcourt.
The volleyball flew back and forth fiercely between the two teams, crossing the net five full times before Yuma slammed a fierce spike full of fiery energy that finally pinned the ball down on Nekoma's court.
"...I hate... teams with good defense."
Aoba Johsai scored another point, but Yuma was far from happy.
"Oikawa! Serve again!"
"Serve for a point, Oikawa!"
"Come on, senpai!"
"Don't make it sound so easy, you guys!"
Oikawa grumbled, serving the volleyball for the third time.
Perhaps the exhausting rally just now broke Oikawa's serving rhythm; his toss was too low, and the ball directly hit the net.
"Sorry, that one's my fault..."
Before Oikawa finished speaking, Matsukawa and Hanamaki Takahiro immediately booed him disdainfully, not caring about their captain's pride at all.
"Hey! That's too much!" (#`O′)
Their interruption instantly turned Oikawa's regret into anger, and the tension vanished.
Nekoma rotated positions; Inuoka served.
Matsukawa received the ball and passed it toward the net. Oikawa started moving as soon as the opponent served. As the ball dropped, he reached the net and jumped.
His arms slightly bent, fingers flexible, he supported the volleyball.
The next second, Oikawa retracted his left hand while forcefully pushing the ball over the net with his right.
Second attack!
This sudden move startled Nekoma's players into trembling, but fortunately, Kuroo was in the front row. The ball quickly descended beside him, and catching it by hand was impossible. Instinctively, he raised his leg and kicked the ball.
Smack!
Kuroo lost his balance and fell to the ground, but the volleyball flew back up into the air.
"Damn it! How did they still save that?!"
Seeing the failed sneak attack, Oikawa quickly told his teammates to prepare for the counterattack.
...The opposing setter is clever too... Kozume observed Aoba Johsai's reaction while raising his hand to meet the ball.
...Then, use the same method to counterattack...
Thinking this, Kozume flipped his wrist. Instead of tossing the ball high, he sent it flying rapidly over the net, descending sharply.
Another second attack? No way, too fast!
The blue-and-yellow volleyball brushed past Hanamaki and slammed onto the ground with a loud smack behind him.
Iwaizumi and Hanamaki reached out to save the ball just as it hit the floor.
"Beep——"
Point for Nekoma.
"Nice!"
"Great job, Kenma!"
The score was tied.
"Ahhh! That setter actually learned to do the second attack like me!"
Oikawa yelled in frustration.
"You idiot Oikawa! The second attack isn't your exclusive skill!"
Iwaizumi thwacked Oikawa sharply.
"Senpai, you got tricked after trying to trick others, so lame~"
Yuma added fuel to the fire with a radiant smile, clearly having learned how to deal with Oikawa properly from the third years' example.
"Beep——"
The referee blew the whistle, signaling the game to continue.
Kuroo took advantage of the momentum and encouraged his teammates: "Let's win point by point like this!"
"Yeah——!"
Inuoka served for the second time, still a simple overhand serve.
This time, Oikawa didn't try any tricks, sending a solid high ball toward Yuma.
Two towering mountains appeared before him—arms of Kuroo and Haiba Lev raised high, forming an almost impenetrable defense line.
...Ah, too bad I'm not really a power player.
Seeing the solid block in front of him, Yuma in midair was a bit helpless.
He could produce jump serves almost as powerful as Oikawa's by using his "routine action" to force himself into peak condition, increasing the chance of an extraordinary performance for a short time.
But outside the serving zone, Yuma was still that poor guy whose power didn't reach 90.
His spiking motion lost power halfway; his palm lightly tapped the middle-lower part of the volleyball. The once fierce spike instantly turned into a floating shot, drifting through Kuroo's fingertips and landing softly in Nekoma's frontcourt.
Aoba Johsai scored.
"Good judgment, Yuma! That floating shot was beautiful!"
Oikawa slapped Yuma's shoulder hard, his smile unstoppable.
"Heh heh, thanks."
Wearing a forced smile, Yuma's inner self was biting his handkerchief, whining.
If only he had absolute strength, who would bother with these little tricks! Just wait! Once I increase my power, I'll shock the whole arena with violent spikes!
Nekoma replaced Inuoka in the backcourt with Morisuke Yaku, while Aoba Johsai rotated positions—now it was Yuma's turn to serve.
Grabbing the volleyball and lifting a faint smile, Yuma stepped onto the serving area one step at a time.
"Watch out! This guy's serve is fierce; he can serve with his left hand."
Kuroo, knowing Yuma's abilities, loudly warned his teammates.
Kozume moved close beside the main receiver Morisuke Yaku to support: "He can do powerful jump serves and jump floating serves. Count on you, Yaku."
"Got it. Kenma, you all move aside and leave space for me."
Facing a strong opponent valued by both the captain and the "brain" of the team, Morisuke showed no fear but was full of fighting spirit.
If he wanted to become a top libero, he absolutely could not fear the opponent's serve!
"Oh~ This is the first time someone can still smile while I'm serving, quite brave."
Yuma radiated a demon lord-like aura, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
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