The squeak of sneakers and the echo of the final point still lingered in the gym, even as Date Tech's players filed out with a mix of smirks and grudging nods. The Iron Wall hadn't fallen completely, but it had cracked—thanks to Asahi's relentless power and Akira's surgical precision.
Karasuno's squad gathered at center court. Hinata bounced on his toes, still full of energy despite being stonewalled most of the match. Asahi was stretching quietly, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
"Good game," Akira said simply, brushing past Hinata to grab his water bottle.
"Good game? You destroyed them," Tanaka barked. "That one cross-court kill—you could hear it from the parking lot!"
Kageyama muttered from the sideline, "We could've run more quicks…"
"We did run quicks," Hinata cut in, "they just got blocked."
"That's because you keep—" Kageyama started, but Akira raised a hand.
"He keeps closing his eyes."
The gym fell into a quiet hum of agreement. Even Suga, who had been leaning against the wall with Aya, nodded.
Aya stepped forward, her eyes sharp despite the small smile. "Hinata, you're fast enough now that you can afford to look. If you keep spiking blind, teams like Date Tech will shut you down every time."
"But the whole point of the quick is that I don't—"
"—It's not the same anymore," Asahi's voice cut through, calm but firm. "You're faster. Higher. Stronger. You're not just surprising people now—you can choose how to beat them. And you will need to."
Hinata blinked, chewing on that.
Daichi stepped in, arms crossed. "We'll start working on it tomorrow. You're going to learn the open-eye quick, whether you like it or not."
Tanaka slapped Hinata on the back. "And when you nail it, we're gonna wreck that wall so hard they'll rename it the Iron Gate—'cause it'll be wide open!"
The laugh broke the tension.
They started packing up, but Ukai Sr. wandered into the gym holding a clipboard. The murmurs died as he looked over the team.
"Well," he said, his voice low but carrying, "I've got something you'll want to see."
He turned the clipboard around. The Inter-High Bracket was pinned to it.
The team crowded in.
First Round: Karasuno vs. Yamagata West.If they won—Second Round against Johzenji - Third Round Date Tech High . Semi Finals? Potential showdown with Aoba Johsai .And on the opposite side of the bracket, looming like a shadow— Shiratorizawa Academy.
Tanaka's eyes lit up. "Oh, we're coming for Seijoh this time!"
Kageyama's gaze locked on the far end. "And Ushiwaka."
Asahi's smile faded into something steelier. "Good. Let them see how far we've come."
Hinata's fists clenched, not just at the thought of Ushiwaka—but at the idea of facing the Iron Wall again, with his new quick in his arsenal.
Akira, who'd been silent, smirked slightly. "Looks like our road's already been drawn."
Aya grinned. "Then we'd better make sure it ends at the top."