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Chapter 176: Battle, Exhilaration! (Triple-Length)
🕑 Added 2025-01-23 16:00:10 +0000 UTCTobio Kageyama had stood at the pinnacle of volleyball skills since his first year of high school.
Although Karasuno's humble gym offered little room for technical growth, it provided the essential foundation for him to develop as a setter: the ability to connect with others.
[Tobio Kageyama—Setter. Overall ability: 92.8: Height: 182 cm, Strength: 90, Jump: 90, Stamina: 98, Speed: 90. Attributes: Serve: 95, Set: 97.]
Even when not in peak form, Kageyama delivered consistently outstanding and composed performances.
Standing at the service line, Kageyama focused intently, fully attuned to his body.
Boom!
Kageyama's jump serve was unmistakably reminiscent of Tōru Oikawa's—a powerful blend of force and precision. The ball rocketed toward Shiratorizawa's back row.
Pop!
Hayato Yamagata reacted swiftly, successfully receiving the serve. After all, Shiratorizawa was more familiar with Oikawa than anyone else.
In the stands, Oikawa clicked his tongue, feeling an inexplicable irritation despite Kageyama being the one whose serve was returned.
"Cover!" Reon Ōhira called out, setting the ball high for Wakatoshi Ushijima.
Ushijima jumped from the front row. Facing him were Karasuno's three blockers: Daichi Sawamura, Ryūnosuke Tanaka, and Shōyō Hinata.
Despite their formidable determination, Karasuno's front row at that moment was the shortest possible combination.
Ōhira's set wasn't ideal, but Ushijima attacked without hesitation, aiming for the block. The ball struck Hinata's hands and rebounded toward Karasuno's backcourt.
Two figures launched into action.
Hinata, recovering quickly, sprinted to cover the opposite side of the court, taking full advantage of its width. Meanwhile, Yū Nishinoya dashed out of bounds, executing a perfect save.
Kageyama jumped in place, seamlessly coordinating the next play. Despite being in the back row, his skill was undeniable—he could set the ball precisely to any attacker.
Hinata leapt from the far-left wing, drawing Satori Tendō's full attention. Tendō scrambled to close the gap, but he could do nothing more.
Wham!
The ball didn't go to Hinata.
Instead, Asahi Azumane from the back row smashed through Shiratorizawa's defence, landing the ball decisively on their side of the court.
[Karasuno 2 – 0 Shiratorizawa]
"It was a decoy? How could someone with such a strong presence be a decoy?!" Tendō exclaimed in frustration.
Kageyama's lips curled into a wicked grin. Moments like these were what made a setter's role so exhilarating.
Hinata, muttering "Kageyama, you idiot," under his breath, froze when he felt a murderous glare.
Clutching the back of his head, Hinata yelled, "Killer serve! Go for it, Kageyama!"
Kageyama frowned, his concentration undeterred as he launched another serve.
Boom!
The ball's trajectory targeted the gap between Goshiki Tsutomu and Kenjirō Shirabu. A moment's hesitation between them allowed the ball to land.
The line judge's flag shot up.
"In!"
Though most of the ball had landed outside the line, a sliver had grazed it.
Kageyama's serve scored directly.
[Karasuno 3 – 0 Shiratorizawa]
"Whew—what luck!" Karasuno's players sighed in relief.
"Well served!" Hinata shouted back to Kageyama.
"Idiot! Moron! Imbecile!" Kageyama retorted loudly.
Hinata: "???"
Kageyama steadied his breath, ignoring his orange-haired teammate, and served again.
Boom!
Goshiki received the ball. Shirabu set it quickly to Tendō, executing a one-man quick attack to halt Karasuno's momentum.
[Karasuno 3 – 1 Shiratorizawa]
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The second set showed a clear shift in favour of Karasuno. The synergy between Hinata and Kageyama rivaled Ushijima's devastating attacks.
The score reached: [Karasuno 10 – 8 Shiratorizawa]
Karasuno's serve. Kei Tsukishima aimed for Ushijima, forcing Ōhira to cover the receive.
When Ushijima moved to approach from the right wing, Shirabu surprised everyone by setting the ball to the left.
Goshiki, grinning excitedly, soared into the air, finding his shot.
"Double block!" Hinata and Sawamura reacted in tandem, with Hinata shifting slightly to seal Goshiki's straight shot.
Bang!
Goshiki exploited the gap between their hands, threading the ball through the block. The volleyball landed cleanly on the baseline.
A sharp cross-shot!
[Karasuno 10 – 9 Shiratorizawa]
"Focusing solely on the line won't work. I plan to surpass Ushijima-senpai in technique!" Goshiki declared, brushing his bangs aside as he addressed a stunned Hinata. "Your block is pathetic—I could tell at a glance!"
"Damn it…" Hinata gritted his teeth, thinking he'd made a clever block.
"Idiot! Keep your hands steady while blocking! The back row can't track the ball properly if you flail around!"
The scolding was expected, and Hinata braced himself.
"Stupid Kageyama…no shred of humanity," Hinata muttered.
The serve rotated to Shiratorizawa. Goshiki stepped up.
As a first-year, Goshiki was already a formidable server, capable of powerful jump serves.
Though he hadn't scored directly in the first set, his serves consistently disrupted Karasuno's rhythm.
Goshiki tossed the ball, took two steps, and leapt high, his body stretching to its limits.
Watching Ushijima's form had clearly inspired adjustments in his technique.
His arm coiled back like a spring, then snapped forward. Karasuno dropped their stances, preparing for the incoming serve.
Thud!
A short, crisp sound followed. At the last moment, Goshiki decelerated his swing, sending the ball gently over the net into the gap between Karasuno's front and back rows.
"Damn it!"
Caught off guard, Kageyama dove forward, saving the ball with a sprawling dive.
"Nice save!"
Flat on the floor, Kageyama couldn't orchestrate the next play. Hinata slowed his pace, seamlessly integrating into Karasuno's offence.
From the back row, Nishinoya leapt and set the ball. The target: Hinata again.
Tendō reacted instantly, springing up to block.
Without his usual speed or height, what could Hinata possibly do against the block? Tendō locked his gaze on the diminutive spiker.
In the next instant, Hinata gave his answer.
Smack!
The ball ricocheted off Tendō's hands and flew out of bounds.
[Karasuno 11 – 9 Shiratorizawa]
Landing on the floor, Hinata stared at his right hand.
Finally, he had achieved it—the ability to fight in midair, alone.
Shiratorizawa's players grew sombre. In Hinata, they caught a glimpse of another remarkable first-year.
They now had even more reason not to lose.
Karasuno's arsenal expanded. With Azumane's serves and Hinata's rapid growth, their morale surged. Shiratorizawa struggled to regain control of the game.
Coach Tanji Washijō roared in frustration, but for every point Shiratorizawa managed to score, Karasuno found a way to snatch it back.
The match entered a stalemate, one Karasuno welcomed. Like in the first set, they maintained their initial lead, inching closer to the set point.
-----
[Karasuno 24 – 22 Shiratorizawa]
As Shiratorizawa switched to defence, they opted for an all-out attack.
The referee's whistle blew. Shiratorizawa requested a substitution—Eita Semi IN, Ōhira Reon OUT.
Placed in the high-pressure role of a decisive server, Semi's composure betrayed no signs of nerves. In fact, his expression was one of calm confidence, perhaps even enjoyment.
Born with an innate resilience and a hunger to perform under the spotlight, Semi might not have found his ideal fit at Shiratorizawa, but he had no regrets about his three years here.
At this crucial moment, his only thought was to lead Shiratorizawa to a comeback.
He tossed the ball into the air, took a deep breath, and with a grin, licked his lips.
His body executed the motions he had practised countless times, sending the ball hurtling toward the opposing court.
At that moment, it felt as if the entire gymnasium held its breath, everyone waiting for the outcome of this serve.
Smack!
Yū Nishinoya managed to receive the ball, but at this critical moment, the ball floated backwards slightly.
The volleyball, which had been barely touched by Nishinoya's fingertips, landed just outside of Karasuno's baseline.
Semi Eita scores with his serve!
[Karasuno 24 – 23 Shiratorizawa]
"Beautiful serve, Semi-senpai!" Goshiki Tsutomu shouted enthusiastically.
Semi Eita, however, remained composed as he stepped back to the service line. Shiratorizawa was still one point away from averting the crisis.
"Sorry!" Yū Nishinoya called out.
In terms of jump float serve techniques, Semi Eita was, without a doubt, the best on the court at that moment.
"Bring it on!" Nishinoya readied himself. He couldn't let Karasuno's victory slip away because of him!
Boom!
Semi's second serve launched into play, the volleyball wobbling in the air as it clipped the top of the net.
"Damn it!"
Nishinoya stared helplessly as the ball dropped slowly in front of the net, just out of his reach.
Smack!
Tobio Kageyama lunged forward, catching the ball with one hand and shouting to the back row, "Nishinoya-senpai!"
Nishinoya surged forward again, jumping from the back row and setting the ball to the left wing—his most familiar position.
"I got it!"
Asahi Azumane roared, running along the sideline to approach and leap into his attack. This ball carried the weight of victory!
Boom!
Smack!
Kawanishi Taichi and Goshiki Tsutomu formed a double block, halting the ball.
"One touch!" Kawanishi called out.
Semi Eita jumped from the back row, executing a flawless set.
"Shirabu!"
"Yes!" Shirabu Kenjirō leapt in the front row, preparing to spike.
Tsukishima Kei reacted swiftly, blocking him one-on-one.
"Goshiki! Get in position!" Semi shouted.
"On it!" Goshiki sprinted to the front row and jumped.
At that moment, Shirabu switched from spiking to setting, delivering the ball perfectly to Goshiki's hands.
Boom!
Without hesitation, Goshiki smashed a straight shot, hitting Ryūnosuke Tanaka's hands in the back row. The ball ricocheted out of bounds.
[Karasuno 24 – 24 Shiratorizawa]
"Woahhhhh!"
"They've tied it!!!" Shiratorizawa's cheering section erupted.
"Tendo, another one!" Ushijima Wakatoshi glanced over. "Finish it now."
"Got it!"
Semi's serve rotation wasn't over yet.
At this crucial moment in the match, Shiratorizawa revealed they had a decisive server in their setter!
Karasuno was caught off guard. From the serves, the sets, to his commands, Tobio Kageyama realized that Semi Eita was no less capable than Shirabu Kenjirō as a setter.
Semi served again, the ball darting sharply over the net and dropping fast. Nishinoya dove forward to save it.
Karasuno's offensive core had to move!
Kageyama stepped into position, setting the ball to the left wing where Asahi Azumane awaited—he hadn't scored on his last attempt.
-----
"Tobio-chan always seems so ruthless in moments like these. This set isn't trust—it's a challenge," Oikawa Tōru murmured with a small smile.
"But to break through long-standing barriers, a gentle push isn't enough," Kaedehara Taichi replied, turning his head.
Oikawa and Taichi exchanged glances, recalling the practice match that had forever changed them.
Their own metamorphoses had been forced by that little monster…
-----
As the team's ace…
No matter the situation, every ball must lead to a point.
Tear through the opponent's block.
One dramatic strike…
Enough to shift the entire atmosphere.
Asahi Azumane's mind was flooded with thoughts until his brain emptied.
He ran instinctively, jumped, and locked his eyes on the set destined for him.
In mid-air, swinging his arm, Asahi's mind honed in on a single thought—score!
The weight of being the ace?
His teammates' trust?
There was no need to dwell on any of it—just score this point.
—Boom!!!
"Triple block!" Shiratorizawa's front-row players leapt with all they had, knowing how crucial this point was.
—Smack!
The ball ripped through Shirabu Kenjirō's block, slamming into Shiratorizawa's court with undiminished force.
[Karasuno 25 – 24 Shiratorizawa]
Karasuno's ace turned the tables once again!
Karasuno reclaimed the set point!
"Asahi-senpai!! You're amazing!!!" Karasuno's support trio shouted in unison.
"Tweet!—"
Shiratorizawa requested substitution—Ōhira Reon IN; Semi Eita OUT.
The match wasn't over yet—Karasuno was still one point away from winning. Kageyama Tobio walked to the service line.
At this critical juncture, he felt a rare hint of nervousness, though he preferred to call it excitement.
He exhaled deeply and tossed the ball skyward.
Boom!
A serve that combined speed and power streaked toward Shiratorizawa's backcourt.
Smack!
Ushijima received the ball cleanly, executing a perfect pass to Shirabu. Ushijima's movements were seamless as he rushed forward.
"Give me the ball," Ushijima said calmly.
Karasuno's front row—Sawamura Daichi, Asahi Azumane, and Tsukishima Kei—formed their strongest blocking formation. There wasn't a shred of fear in their eyes as they stared down Ushijima.
—Bang!
The ball flew straight through the middle, landing on Karasuno's side.
Shirabu Kenjirō had ignored Ushijima's request, opting for a setter dump instead!
[Karasuno 25 - 25 Shiratorizawa]
"I've thought it through. My duty isn't just to set for Ushijima-senpai." Shirabu Kenjirō's calm voice broke the tension.
The two teams were once again tied at the same starting line.
With a single play, Shiratorizawa broke Kageyama Tobio's serving streak, and more importantly, Ushijima Wakatoshi returned to the front row.
The serve switched hands. Goshiki Tsutomu stepped back to unleash another powerful jump serve. Nishinoya Yū read the ball perfectly and received it cleanly.
Kageyama worked with Tsukishima Kei to execute a delayed attack, but Tendō Satori saw through the play with ease.
Pop!
"One touch!" Tendō called out loudly, his voice sharp and full of energy.
On the bench, Hinata Shōyō could only sit in frustrated silence. Unless Karasuno scored another point, he wouldn't be able to rotate back into the front row.
At that moment, he felt a deep sense of regret about his receiving skills. If only his defence were stronger, he could have stayed on the court longer to make a difference…
Ōhira Reon delivered a perfect pass to the setter.
"Ushijima-senpai!" Shirabu now called confidently for the ace he trusted the most.
Ushijima approached for his spike, his form as flawless as it had been at the start of the match. The earlier play hadn't shaken him in the slightest.
"Three-man block!" Karasuno's front row leapt into action, determined to stop the spike they had failed to contain earlier.
—Boom!—
The volleyball smashed against Tsukishima's arms and ricocheted far into Karasuno's backcourt.
Nishinoya sprinted after the ball, but it was out of reach. All he could do was watch as it hit the wall of the gym.
[Karasuno 25 - 26 Shiratorizawa]
Shiratorizawa reclaimed the lead!
The absolute ace—Ushijima Wakatoshi!
With this, Shiratorizawa reached set point!
"Damn it!" Nishinoya growled, his voice filled with frustration.
The second set's lead had completely evaporated, and Karasuno was now backed into a corner.
"Don't dwell on it. Next ball!" Sawamura Daichi called out, his voice both a reassurance for his teammates and a reminder for himself to stay composed.
Goshiki stepped up for his second serve.
Nishinoya delivered a perfect first touch. Kageyama set the ball high to the left wing—when Hinata wasn't on the court, the team had to rely on their ace!
Azumane Asahi pulled back, creating space as he prepared for his approach. Each step carried the weight of his resolve.
One point for himself. One point for Ushijima Wakatoshi.
What must a true ace accomplish? That question hung in the air as he approached the net.
Asahi jumped, his body stretching to its limit. For the first time, it felt like he was looking down upon the entire court.
"Double block!" Tendō and Ushijima leapt to intercept him, their timing perfect.
Sensing the challenge from the rival ace, Ushijima aimed to shut this ball down completely.
For a fleeting moment in the air, it was a clash between aces.
—Tap!—
Instead of powering through, Asahi opted for a feint, delicately tipping the ball over Shiratorizawa's front line and into the space behind them.
"It's not over yet!" Shirabu dove forward, his arms outstretched as he dug the ball with all his strength.
The ball sailed back over the net, floating above Karasuno's court. Suddenly, a pair of large hands appeared and slammed the ball downward.
"This point ends here…"
Thud, thud, thud…
Tsukishima Kei blocked the returning ball, sending it straight into Shiratorizawa's side of the court.
[Karasuno 26 - 26 Shiratorizawa]
"I thought for sure that was going to be a full-powered spike!"
"And that guy in glasses—his reaction was so quick! How is he so calm in such a tense situation?"
Asahi's surprise tip and Tsukishima's composed follow-up saved Karasuno from the edge of defeat.
This match wasn't over—not yet!
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