"Damn it!" Satori Tendo was furious that the block didn't result in a direct point. "Opportunity ball!" Oikawa shouted loudly, passing the v
"Damn it!" Satori Tendo was furious that the block didn't result in a direct point. "Opportunity ball!" Oikawa shouted loudly, passing the v
"Damn it!" Satori Tendo was furious that the block didn't result in a direct point. "Opportunity ball!" Oikawa shouted loudly, passing the v
"Damn it!" Satori Tendo was furious that the block didn't result in a direct point.
"Opportunity ball!" Oikawa shouted loudly, passing the volleyball to Iwaizumi Hajime who was jumping from the back row. Iwaizumi aimed for the gap between the front row players of Shiratorizawa and swung his arm with full force to hit the volleyball.
The biggest disadvantage of a back row attack is that it gives the blockers more reaction time. Seeing Iwaizumi's movement in midair, Tendo's mind raced, instantly judging the ball's trajectory.
"Left!" he yelled, signaling Taichi Kawanishi and Kazuyoshi Taira to jump and block on the left side of the net with him.
"I touched it!" Taira exclaimed.
The volleyball brushed off Taira's fingertips, slowing down slightly, and began to fall toward the backcourt.
"I got it!" Tsutomu Goshiki jumped up and caught the ball that was about to hit the ground.
"It's our opportunity ball! Ushijima-senpai!" Kenjirō Shirabu shouted without hesitation, immediately setting the ball into Wakatoshi Ushijima's hands.
At that moment, the three front-row blockers of Aoba Johsai seemed to see a fierce white eagle soaring before their eyes, its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the sky.
Ushijima's leap was full of power, without any hesitation. His left hand swung hard, and the volleyball, carrying an unstoppable momentum, smashed through Hanamaki Takahiro's block, hitting Aoba Johsai's backcourt.
Oikawa and Iwaizumi felt the wind pressure from the volleyball rushing past them, and the next second heard a crisp thud.
"Beep—"
Ushijima scored with a spike.
Score: Aoba Johsai 9, Shiratorizawa 4
"Nice hit!"
"Ushijima's spike was great!"
The Shiratorizawa team surrounded Wakatoshi Ushijima, cheering loudly.
"He really is a monster…"
Oikawa wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Yuma Kikuzawa and Yuuki were also frozen in place for a full two seconds.
"It's the first time I've seen such absolute power from someone my age." Yuma recalled the scene from last year when he played training matches against professional players and twitched his mouth.
That was last year when Yuma's parents took both brothers to a friend's gathering, where Yuma and Yuuki joined a team of active volleyball players for a practice match. The parents even reminded their old friends not to hold back. That day, the Kikuzawa brothers either lost or were on the verge of losing, and after the match, both were emotionally shut down, their minds haunted for days by the adults' sinister smiles.
Absolutely unbeatable power.
Had Wakatoshi Ushijima already reached this level in high school?
Shiratorizawa kept scoring continuously. Ushijima stepped up to serve for the third time.
"Only allow him to serve this one more time!" Oikawa shouted to everyone.
Ushijima's third serve slammed straight into Aoba Johsai's backcourt. This time, Yuma Kikuzawa barely managed to receive the ball, but it flew back over Shiratorizawa's court.
"Opportunity ball! Ushijima-senpai!" Kenjirō Shirabu shouted, rushing over without hesitation to set the volleyball toward Wakatoshi Ushijima.
Seeing Ushijima's imposing figure appear again in front of the net, the three front-row players of Aoba Johsai quickly reacted.
"Watch the block! One, two… jump!" Matsukawa Issei controlled the rhythm, jumping to block together with Yuuki and Hanamaki Takahiro.
All four players soared into the air simultaneously. At this moment, Ushijima prepared to spike, scanning the three blockers in front of him for any openings.
Right after jumping, Hanamaki realized something was wrong. Among Aoba Johsai's triple block, he was actually the weak link. His palm height was noticeably lower than his teammates on both sides, forming an awkward concave shape.
Normally, this small flaw wouldn't matter much. But now, facing the county's number one ace, Wakatoshi Ushijima, this tiny gap was enough to become his breakthrough opportunity.
Ushijima naturally didn't let this chance slip away. He adjusted his arm motion slightly and aimed his powerful spike directly above Hanamaki's hands.
Smack!
It wasn't that the volleyball hit the ground directly; it was the sound of the ball colliding with the fingertips of the blocker.
"I touched it!"
Because Yuuki rarely spoke, his shout sounded unfamiliar to the Aoba Johsai players.
Anticipating that Ushijima might target the blocker with the lowest reach, Yuuki had just shifted his arm in front of Hanamaki at the exact moment of Ushijima's spike, successfully touching the ball.
Yuuki fell to the ground, curling his aching fingertips, then immediately looked back toward the backcourt.
Even slowed by the touch, Ushijima's spike still carried astonishing speed. Could the back row receive it?
The answer was yes.
"Oikawa-senpai! Set!" Yuma Kikuzawa dove forward to the three-meter line, stretching out the back of his hand exactly where the volleyball was landing.
The ball flew back into the air.
"Nice receive!" Oikawa took two steps forward and raised his hands to meet the volleyball.
Seeing Ushijima's spike turn into an opportunity ball for the opponent, Shiratorizawa's players were briefly surprised but quickly adjusted their stance, preparing to counterattack.
Who would get the ball? Would it be set to the front row for a quick attack? Or to the ace for a back-row attack?
Satori Tendo guessed Oikawa's intention. After less than a second's hesitation, he decisively rushed to the right side of the net and jumped with Kazuyoshi Taira to form a double block, blocking the straight spike.
"Watch the diagonal shot!"
"I got it!" Tendo's reminder prepared Tsutomu Goshiki to receive. Full of confidence, he squatted down, raised his arms, and looked up to track the volleyball's trajectory.
"Ugh! (ᗒᗩᗕ)"
Trying to look cool, Goshiki failed spectacularly as the volleyball slammed "thwack" onto his forehead, sending the promising Shiratorizawa rookie sprawling on his back.
"That hurts!" Goshiki quickly got up, bowed apologetically, "Sorry!"
Coach Washijo's forehead veins bulged as he roared from the sidelines, "Goshiki! You idiot! Catch the ball properly!"
"┗|｀O′|┛ Aww~ I'm really sorry! I'll practice catching extra after the match!"
Although Goshiki's fall was embarrassing, the ball bouncing off his forehead miraculously landed perfectly for Kenjirō Shirabu to set.
Shirabu didn't see his teammate's receiving stance behind him and nearly blurted out "Nice receive!" before Coach Washijo's furious scolding made him swallow it back.
Almost got scolded with Goshiki.
A cold sweat slid down Shirabu's temple as he flicked his fingers, sending the ball flying to the front of the net.
Aoba Johsai's block hadn't formed yet. Ushijima spiked directly into the open spot, scoring.
"Beep—"
Score: Aoba Johsai 9, Shiratorizawa 5
Shiratorizawa scored another point, but Aoba Johsai felt little frustration.
All the mixed emotions vanished when they saw Tsutomu Goshiki enduring the scolding with his forehead flushed red.
"I always feel a bit sorry…"
Iwaizumi quietly looked away.
Getting injured while playing is common, but this was the first time they'd seen someone get scolded after getting hurt.
And the scolding was harsh.
"Ah… I don't think it's Iwa-chan's fault," Oikawa comforted softly.
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