It was a bright morning that welcomed Ryūji. He arrived at school with a burning passion, his heart filled with the determination to apply the lessons from the Karasuno vs. Aoba Johsai match to Johzenji's team practice. From then on, he no longer practiced alone but joined the team. Under the guidance of Coach Anabara, the atmosphere of the Johzenji team changed, with Terushima now showing seriousness and beginning to analyze every movement.
Ryūji taught Terushima how to read the opponent's block and control his spike's power for better accuracy, while Terushima showed Ryūji how to play more freely and enjoy every moment of the game.
"Ryūji," Terushima said one afternoon, sweat soaking his forehead. "I don't know how you did it, but thanks to you, I feel like I can see the game in a different way."
Ryūji just smiled. "We'll become a much stronger team, Terushima-san," he replied with full confidence.
A few days later, after practice ended, Coach Anabara called the whole team together. "Listen carefully," he said, holding his clipboard. "I just arranged something. We're going to have a practice match."
Instantly, the entire team tensed up. "We'll be playing against Date Tech," Coach Anabara said.
The name "Date Tech" triggered whispers among the players; they were known as Miyagi's "Iron Wall" because of their incredible blocks.
"This is a golden opportunity to test if we can break through their blocks," Coach Anabara said.
Ryūji felt the anticipation. He knew Date Tech's strength well from his memories of a previous life, and he realized that this challenge was the perfect test for his new power.
The match was scheduled for the following Saturday. On the appointed day, the entire team gathered in front of the school, waiting for the bus to take them. Ryūji felt his adrenaline rise as he saw Futamata Takeharu, the team's ace setter, walk toward him.
"Are you ready, Takumi-san?" Futamata asked, his expression serious. "Date Tech isn't an easy opponent. Their blocks are notoriously solid. I don't know if I can get our spikes to break through them."
Ryūji gave a slight smile. "It's going to be an interesting challenge."
Upon the school bus's arrival, the entire team boarded at once. Coach Anabara took a seat at the front beside the driver, while the players found their own seats. Ryūji sat by a window, and shortly after, Futamata sat next to him, chatting about the upcoming match. Behind them, Terushima and Bobata were joking around.
Coach Anabara, listening from his front seat, simply smiled with satisfaction. With Ryūji there, he knew this was the start of something new for the Johzenji team.
After a while, the bus stopped in front of a building. A large plaque stood before it, reading "Date Technical High School." Ryūji, Coach Anabara, and Futamata stepped off the bus, followed by the rest of the team. The Johzenji players, usually loud and full of energy, were now silent, gazing at the Date Tech gym with awe.
"Alright," Coach Anabara said. "Let's show them what we can do."
Ryūji and Futamata exchanged glances, confident smiles on their faces. They walked inside the gym.
Date Tech's gymnasium had a different vibe from Johzenji's. The floor was cleaner, the air was cooler, and the sound of the ball being struck echoed more loudly.
Ryūji watched the Date Tech players, their faces serious and full of concentration. They were all tall and muscular, and they looked like an impenetrable wall.
"Let's get started," Ryūji whispered to himself. "This is going to be an interesting match."
His eyes swept the court, watching the Date Tech players warm up. He felt a familiar sensation, a blend of excitement, challenge, and adrenaline.
The practice match between Johzenji High and Date Tech High began in the Date Tech High gymnasium, which was filled with the cheers of the students watching the match. The air felt tense but also full of anticipation. On one side of the court stood the valiant Johzenji High team, known for their unconventional and often reckless playing style.
They were led by the energetic acting captain, Yūji Terushima. On the other side was the iron fortress of Date Tech High, famous for their nearly impenetrable blocking, led by their calm captain, Kaname Moniwa.
"Let's have a good game!!" both teams shouted, bowing in respect.
As the two teams took their positions, all eyes turned to a relatively unknown figure from Johzenji: a second-year player wearing jersey number 9, Takumi Ryūji. He was tall and strong, with a sharp gaze that radiated a calm confidence, a stark contrast to his reckless team. He stood behind the line, ready to make the first serve. The Date Tech players, especially their ace, Kenji Futakuchi, simply saw him as an ordinary player. They were prepared to receive a standard serve.
"Let's give them a warm welcome," Ryūji muttered.
Ryūji tossed the ball high into the air. As the ball reached its peak, he jumped with full power, his body arched, and his arm swung with an unusual motion. The ball flew through the air with a strange spin, swerving sharply to the side as if pulled by an invisible force. This was no ordinary serve—this was a Curve Jump Serve.
The Date Tech libero, Kōsuke Sakunami, was shocked. He had prepared to receive a standard spin serve, but the ball suddenly veered out of his reach. The ball landed precisely on the line, earning the first point for Johzenji.
A look of surprise was clearly visible on the faces of the Date Tech players, especially Takanobu Aone, who was known for his exceptional composure. He stared at Takumi Ryūji with wide eyes, as if he couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.
Serve after serve, Ryūji continued to dominate. He alternated between the deadly Curve Jump Serve and a floating Jump Float Serve with no spin, causing the Date Tech receivers great difficulty. Every time the ball sailed through the air, the Date Tech players had to guess its direction, and their guesses were often wrong. The score quickly climbed: 2-0, 3-0, 4-0… all from Ryūji's serves.
Futakuchi, who was used to being the main attacker, felt frustrated that his team couldn't even start a rally.
When Sakunami finally managed to receive Ryūji's serve, Date Tech got a chance to attack. Moniwa, the setter, quickly sent a toss to Tarō Onagawa. Onagawa leaped and swung his arm, but suddenly, he was faced with a wall at the net. It wasn't just one, but three Johzenji players who jumped simultaneously: Kazuma Bobata, Nobuyoshi Iizaka, and Yūji Terushima. Their block was perfect, and the deflected ball fell back onto Date Tech's side, ending their attack in failure.
Johzenji continued to press with high intensity. When it was Ryūji's turn at the front, he showed his attacking prowess. Takeharu Futamata, the Johzenji setter, delivered a perfect toss. Ryūji jumped high and swung his arm with immense power. The ball shot out like a flash, piercing through a small gap in the famously solid block of Aone and Kamasaki.
The sound of the ball hitting the floor echoed throughout the gymnasium. The Date Tech players and the watching students showed looks of shock, this time seeing such a powerful and accurate attack from a player whose name they didn't even know.
Futakuchi felt humiliated. He, the Ace, hadn't been able to score a single point. He asked Moniwa to give him the ball, and Moniwa understood. A high toss was sent to Futakuchi, who jumped with suppressed anger. He aimed for a free corner of the court, confident that his attack would be unstoppable. However, he was wrong. Takumi Ryūji was already in the right position. With incredible reflexes, Ryūji leaped, his hands forming a perfect block, and he managed to perfectly deflect Futakuchi's attack. The ball bounced upward, and the agile Terushima quickly took over, tossing it back to a ready Ryūji. Ryūji launched a sharp and unexpected sharp attack, piercing through the Date Tech defense and scoring another point.
Futakuchi was now completely silent. He looked at Ryūji, who simply stood with a faint smile on the court, showing no expression of arrogance or triumph. He was just focused on the game.
Futakuchi's frustration reached its peak. He couldn't score, his attacks were blocked, and his team was falling further behind.
Moniwa, the captain, realized his team was overwhelmed. He called a time-out to strategize.
"We can't let that number 9 keep dominating," he told his team. "Aone, you have to close the gaps in your blocks. Futakuchi, find a way to break through their defense. And Sakunami, we need to strengthen our receives."
After the time-out, Date Tech tried again. But their spirits were already dampened. Every time they managed to receive a serve, they were met with a powerful block or a spike that broke through their defense. On the other hand, Johzenji was playing in their usual unconventional way, but this time, their recklessness seemed to be coordinated by a single person: Takumi Ryūji. He was everywhere, receiving the ball perfectly, blocking attacks, and spiking with incredible power.
At one point, a weak Date Tech attack ball headed for the back of the court. Everyone thought the ball would drop, but Ryūji suddenly sprinted from the front, dove, and made a perfect rolling save. The ball flew high, and Futamata skillfully set it to Terushima. Terushima, who usually delivered powerful spikes, suddenly executed a sly feint. The ball dropped gently on Date Tech's side of the court, leaving the Date Tech players, who were prepared to receive a powerful spike, in a state of confusion.
When it was Ryūji's turn at the front again, he showed the variation in his attacks. He jumped as if to deliver a powerful spike, making the Date Tech blockers jump with him. However, in mid-air, he quickly changed his hand and performed a clever feint. The ball floated slowly over the jumped hands of Aone and Kamasaki, landing softly in an empty spot on Date Tech's side. Aone and Kamasaki, the Iron Wall duo, could only freeze in mid-air, unable to believe they had been fooled by such a simple trick.
The first set was a complete domination by Johzenji, led by the phenomenal performance of Takumi Ryūji. The score was 24-10 for Johzenji. The match was nearly over. Johzenji needed only one more point to win the set.
Futakuchi, completely frustrated, decided to make one last attempt. He asked Moniwa for the ball. A high toss was given to him. He jumped with all his might, aiming for a small gap in the block.
But once again, he was faced with Takumi Ryūji. Ryūji, already in the air, swung his hands and managed to execute a perfect block. The ball rebounded hard and fell on Date Tech's side of the court. The first set ended with a resounding victory for Johzenji High, 25-10.
As the two teams switched sides, the Date Tech players looked exhausted and bewildered. They couldn't contain the domination of a single player. Moniwa approached Futakuchi and patted him on the shoulder.
"Futakuchi, we have to find a way to stop him. If we don't, we won't be able to win." Futakuchi just nodded, his eyes still fixed on the figure of Takumi Ryūji. The Iron Wall of Date Tech had cracked, and the crack was caused by one player they had not anticipated at all.
The atmosphere in the gymnasium intensified as the second set began. The decisive defeat in the first set was a harsh blow to the Date Tech team. Their coach, known for his composure and meticulous strategies, took charge during the break. He gave strict instructions to his players, especially to Aone and Kamasaki, the two main pillars of the front line. "We can't be careless anymore," he said. "Our focus now is to stop Takumi Ryūji. He is the heart of their offense."
Moniwa, the captain, took the initiative. He motivated his teammates, especially Futakuchi, who still looked desperate.
"Futakuchi, we are a team. We won't let one person defeat us. Our Iron Wall won't crumble so easily." Moniwa's words seemed to inject new spirit. Futakuchi nodded, his eyes once again lit with determination.
The match resumed. Date Tech scored the first point of the set. Futakuchi made a sharp spike, capitalizing on a very accurate toss from Moniwa. This point became a turning point, boosting the team's morale. However, their happiness was short-lived. Johzenji quickly reclaimed the point, and it was Takumi Ryūji's turn to serve again.
Ryūji tossed the ball up, and this time, he chose a Jump Float Serve. The ball floated with minimal spin, making it unpredictable. Sakunami, the Date Tech libero, had learned from his previous mistake. He didn't just rely on instinct but also on his positioning. He shifted his body slightly to the side, managing to receive the ball perfectly. The ball flew high, and Date Tech was able to start an attack.
However, Ryūji soon showed his versatility. He wasn't just an attacker but also a clever player. When the ball returned to Johzenji's side, he made it seem as if he would do a hard spike, making Aone and Kamasaki jump with him. But at the last second, he changed his hand direction and executed a cunning feint. The ball sailed gently, falling right behind the Date Tech block. Point for Johzenji.
Date Tech didn't give up. They were now more focused on Ryūji. Every time he was at the front, Aone and Kamasaki positioned themselves tightly, aiming for his hands. Johzenji, on the other hand, began to capitalize on this. Futamata, the setter, realized that Date Tech's attention was focused on Takumi Ryūji. He started giving tosses to other players, like Terushima or Bobata.
However, Date Tech's defense had returned to strength. They easily blocked attacks from the other players, making it difficult for Johzenji.
Finally, Ryūji got the ball again. Futamata gave him a perfect toss. Ryūji jumped with full power. Aone and Kamasaki, with incredible coordination, jumped at the same time. They formed a perfect wall. Ryūji swung his arm, and the sound of a hard spike was heard. The ball hit both of Aone and Kamasaki's hands, but couldn't break through. The ball fell back on Johzenji's side. A perfect block from Date Tech.
"Incredible!" Ryūji exclaimed.
The Johzenji players' faces looked shocked. This was the first time Ryūji's spike had been perfectly blocked. However, Ryūji showed no expression. He just smiled slightly. He knew this would be a much more difficult match.
The match grew more intense. The score continued to be neck and neck. Date Tech managed to tie the score, 10-10. Futakuchi was starting to find his rhythm. He used various techniques, from straight spikes to curved ones, trying to break through Johzenji's defense. But he was always met by Takumi Ryūji. Ryūji, with his incredible reflexes and positioning, managed to receive Futakuchi's sharp balls. Even Futakuchi's hard spikes, which were usually difficult to receive, he received perfectly. Futakuchi felt frustrated, as if every one of his attacks was coming back to him.
Seeing the strong defense from Johzenji, especially Ryūji, the Date Tech coach made a bold decision. He asked Kanji Koganegawa, the first-year setter, to replace Moniwa. Koganegawa, with his large stature and fiery spirit, entered the court. He might not have the experience and precision of Moniwa, but his tall build allowed him to do a better block.
Koganegawa's entry changed the rhythm of Date Tech's game. The tosses Koganegawa gave were often too fast or too high. This made it difficult for their attackers. However, he also managed to surprise Johzenji with some unexpected tosses.
At one point, Koganegawa gave a very high toss to Onagawa. Onagawa, unaccustomed to such a toss, struggled to manage it. But at the same time, Aone managed to jump very quickly and successfully block. Point for Date Tech. This was proof that their blocking was now strong again, even without Moniwa.
Seeing this situation, the Johzenji coach also made a decision. He replaced Takumi Ryūji with Katsumichi Higashiyama, a second-year WS/Outside Hitter. This decision surprised everyone, especially the Date Tech players. They thought Johzenji would continue to rely on Ryūji.
Without Ryūji, Johzenji's offense became less varied. Terushima and Higashiyama tried to attack, but they were always met by the solid wall of Aone and Kamasaki. Date Tech's block was now their deadly weapon again. They were no longer just blocking Ryūji's attacks, but also all of Johzenji's attacks. Futakuchi, now with renewed spirit, managed to score several points with sharp and unstoppable spikes.
Johzenji started to get overwhelmed. They lost point after point. The score reversed, 20-15 for Date Tech. Terushima, the acting captain, tried to motivate his team. "We have to keep fighting! We have to show the Johzenji party team spirit!"
But without Takumi Ryūji, they found it difficult to break through Date Tech's defense.
On the sideline, Ryūji just sat calmly, observing the course of the match. He knew this was part of his coach's strategy. The coach wanted to test how well his team could survive without him. He also wanted to give other players a chance to develop. But he also knew that if he didn't return to the court soon, this set would end in a loss.
When the score reached 24-20 for Date Tech, Moniwa re-entered the court, replacing Koganegawa. He wanted to end this set perfectly. He gave a toss to Futakuchi, who jumped and made a hard spike. Terushima tried to receive, but the ball was too powerful. The ball hit the floor, and the second set ended with a win for Date Tech High, 25-20.
The Date Tech players cheered excitedly. They had managed to win this set, proving that they were an Iron Wall that couldn't be easily destroyed. On the other hand, the Johzenji players looked dejected. This loss showed that they were still too dependent on one player.
As the two teams switched sides, Futakuchi walked past Takumi Ryūji. He stopped for a moment and stared at him. "I admit, you're amazing," he said. "But our Iron Wall won't give up. In the third set, we will stop you completely."
Ryūji just smiled. "I'll accept your challenge," he replied calmly, his eyes radiating an aura of absolute confidence.
The real battle would begin in the deciding set.
The deciding set began with tension at its peak. Score 1-1, this was not just a friendly match, but a battle of pride between two teams with very different philosophies of playing. Johzenji, with their free-spirited style, against Date Tech, with a defense as strong as steel.
As the third set began, the Johzenji coach immediately put Takumi Ryūji back on the court. The Date Tech team, especially Futakuchi and Aone, took on a serious expression. They knew the real fight had just begun.
Johzenji got the first serve, and as expected, it was Ryūji serving. He tossed the ball high into the air, and this time, he chose his deadly Curve Jump Serve. The ball twisted through the air with a strange spin, swerving sharply, surprising Sakunami. However, this time, Kamasaki helped. Both of them managed to receive the ball, albeit with difficulty.
Date Tech managed to start an attack. Moniwa gave a perfect toss to Futakuchi. Futakuchi jumped with full power, aiming for a small gap on Johzenji's side of the court. But he was suddenly shocked because Terushima suddenly appeared in a perfect position, jumping and managing a perfect block. The ball bounced hard, falling onto Date Tech's side, scoring the first point for Johzenji. This point was a statement from Johzenji that they would not let Date Tech dominate again.
Serve after serve, Ryūji continued to score points. He alternated between the Curve Jump Serve, Jump Float Serve, and Jump Shot. His attacks left the Date Tech defense in disarray. The score quickly became 5-0 for Johzenji. Date Tech called a time-out.
"We can't panic!" Moniwa shouted to his teammates. "He's amazing, but he's also just one person. We are the Iron Wall. We have to stop him!" Moniwa then gave detailed instructions to Aone and Futakuchi. "Aone, you have to focus on his hands. Futakuchi, you have to be ready with a counter-attack!"
After the time-out, Date Tech returned to the court with a new spirit. They managed to receive Ryūji's serve, and Moniwa gave a toss to Aone. Aone, who usually only focused on blocking, this time did a quick spike. This attack surprised Johzenji, and Aone managed to score the first point for Date Tech. This point was a turning point.
The match was now even more intense. Both teams were chasing each other's points. Takumi Ryūji continued to show his dominance.
When he got a toss, he not only did a powerful spike but also a sharp and unexpected one. At one moment, he jumped as if he would do a hard spike to the left side. Aone and Kamasaki jumped quickly, but Ryūji changed his hand direction in the air and did a sharp spike to the right side, piercing through the Date Tech defense.
On the other hand, Date Tech didn't give up either. They capitalized on their strong blocking. Aone, with his incredible speed and instinct, managed to block Johzenji's attacks.
At one point, Terushima, who tried to do a hard spike, was blocked by Aone and Futakuchi simultaneously. The ball fell on Johzenji's side, and the loud sound of the block was heard throughout the gymnasium.
However, Ryūji also showed his defensive skills. When Futakuchi tried to do a hard spike to the corner of the court, Ryūji, who was in the back position, ran quickly and made a perfect receive. The ball flew high, and Futamata skillfully gave a toss back to Ryūji. Ryūji, already in the air, ready to attack from behind the attack line, swung his arm, and this time, he made a very powerful spike, breaking through the block of Aone and Kamasaki.
Futakuchi was now truly shocked. He felt he had tried everything, but every time he faced Ryūji, his attacks always came back to him. He looked at Ryūji, who just stood on the court calmly, as if nothing had happened.
"He's not human," he thought to himself. "He's a monster."
The match was now at its climax. The score was 24-24, deuce. The next point would decide everything.
Johzenji got the serve. Takumi Ryūji was serving. He tossed the ball high into the air, and the entire gymnasium fell silent. He chose his Curve Jump Serve again.
The ball twisted in the air, and Sakunami managed to receive it, although the ball flew with a strange spin.
Date Tech managed to start an attack. Moniwa gave a toss to Futakuchi, who jumped with all his remaining strength. He aimed for the empty corner of the court, but Ryūji was already there. Ryūji showed incredible versatility, his hands forming a perfect receive, and he managed to receive the hard spike from Futakuchi.
Futamata positioned himself in a perfect spot and gave a high toss into the air.
"End this, Takumi-san!!"
Date Tech's front players formed a triple block, leaving no room to maneuver.
Ryūji ran from the back row and jumped high into the air. As if the wind was helping him in the air, Ryūji reached his maximum height, then he swung his arm powerfully. The volleyball passed the hands of the blockers. The sound of the volleyball being hit and the sound after the volleyball hit the court hard signaled the end of the match. The referee blew the whistle, signaling the last point for Johzenji.
The third set ended with a score of 26-24 for Johzenji High. The entire Johzenji team cheered happily, rushing onto the court to celebrate the victory. Terushima immediately hugged Ryūji, his face showing uncontrollable happiness. "You're amazing, Ryūji! You're our savior!"
On the other side of the court, the Date Tech players looked disappointed but also proud. They had fought with all their might, but they could not contain the domination of one player.
Futakuchi approached Ryūji and extended his hand. "Congratulations," he said. "You deserve this victory. You are truly an amazing ace."
Ryūji smiled and accepted Futakuchi's handshake. "Thank you," he replied. "You guys were also great. Your Iron Wall is the best."
This friendly match wasn't just about winning or losing. It was about experience, about learning from mistakes, and about finding new strength. Johzenji High, initially considered a reckless team, had shown their incredible potential, led by their new ace. And Date Tech High, the Iron Wall, had found their weakness, and they knew they would come back stronger than ever.