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Chapter 76: Confrontation
🕑 Added 2024-12-20 14:38:21 +0000 UTCIwaizumi Hajime served the second ball, and Nishinoya Yū effortlessly received it.
"Nice receive!"
Kageyama Tobio set the ball to Hinata Shōyō once again—not out of stubbornness, but because the first touch had been perfect.
Kaedehara Taichi stayed right on Hinata's heels, leaping up immediately with his arms outstretched to block.
"Quick Attack—Version New Monster!"
The block was crystal clear in Hinata's eyes. He adjusted, evading Kaedehara's arms, and spiked the ball down.
Thwack!
Watari Shinji appeared in the very spot no one thought could be covered.
"Nice receive, Watari!"
Oikawa Tōru quickly pushed the ball to the front of the net, and Taichi was already up again—another quick attack!
Hinata was stunned that his spike had been returned, but his body didn't hesitate for a second. This time, he matched Kaedehara's pace perfectly.
"One touch!" Hinata shouted loudly.
Taichi had already noticed Hinata and was banking on the ball rebounding for a chance to reorganize the attack.
But Hinata's sudden speed, coupled with an unexpected hand appearing in front of him, left Taichi no time to aim properly.
Nishinoya returned the ball to Kageyama with impressive accuracy.
It was undeniable—Nishinoya Yū's return had not only strengthened their defence but had also significantly stabilized the first touch.
Kageyama no longer needed to run out of position to compensate, enjoying a rare moment of 'Kenma-like' luxury thanks to Nishinoya's precision.
Kageyama jumped to set the ball as Hinata hit the ground, immediately launching into another attacking run.
Taichi was forced to follow him. In just one rally, the two players' movements already far exceeded three times those of their teammates.
Boom!
To everyone's surprise, Kageyama twisted mid-air during his set and smashed the ball down.
The volleyball hit the ground at Oikawa Tōru's feet.
Kageyama Tobio's setter dump attack—point for Karasuno!
[Aoba Johsai 2 - 1 Karasuno]
The Karasuno players who had prepared for a spike landed on the court, exchanging confused glances.
Kageyama pouted stubbornly, glaring at Oikawa. "Oikawa-senpai, you didn't see that coming, did you?"
"…This brat!" Oikawa snapped back, glaring daggers at Kageyama.
"Kageyama, you're amazing!" Hinata cheered beside him, fists pumping excitedly.
"Hmph!" Kageyama turned his head with a smug expression and walked toward the service line.
Karasuno's serve.
Kageyama's serve was identical to Oikawa's. He tossed the ball up, took two steps forward, and swung with full force.
"Out!" Iwaizumi sidestepped effortlessly.
There was no need to judge—it was a clean hit straight into the wall.
Kageyama's service error. Point for Aoba Johsai.
[Aoba Johsai 3 - 1 Karasuno]
"That ball really flew, huh…" Kaedehara Taichi muttered in awe.
Oikawa mockingly covered his mouth. "Pfft, what an impressive home run!"
"Damn it." Kageyama's face instantly flushed red, and he turned toward his teammates. "Sorry!"
"You're just trying too hard, Kageyama," Hinata said matter-of-factly.
"Don't worry about it!"
"It's fine, it's fine! Just give it your all!"
"Right!"
Aoba Johsai's serve. Oikawa Tōru stepped up to the service line.
"Let me show you how it's done."
Here it comes—Oikawa Tōru's serve!
Two months ago, Karasuno's practice match with Aoba Johsai had ended because of Oikawa's terrifying serves.
But things are different now!
Nishinoya Yū focused intensely on Oikawa. Bring it on! he called out internally, bracing for the serve.
Wham!
The volleyball shot forward, and at first, its speed didn't seem as fast as expected.
Wait—no!
The ball suddenly dropped sharply, landing right in front of Nishinoya.
Oikawa Tōru scored with his serve!
[Aoba Johsai 4 - 1 Karasuno]
It seems Taichi's analysis was spot on—Karasuno's incredible libero, Nishinoya, struggles with receiving float serves.
Oikawa continued to pressure Kageyama. "Well, how's that? Learned it yet, Tobio-chan~?"
"A float serve?!" Ukai Keishin muttered on the sidelines, his expression turning grim. Oikawa's serving abilities were far more threatening than anticipated.
Oikawa's float serve looked incredibly polished, and when paired with his already dangerous jump serve, the effect was more like 1 + 1 > 2.
Aoba Johsai continued to serve.
This time, Oikawa went for a jump serve. The ball streaked across the court like a bolt of lightning, diving straight into Karasuno's territory.
"So fast!"
Compared to the last serve, this one's speed left the Karasuno players stunned.
All except Nishinoya Yū.
He judged the ball's trajectory immediately, stepping into position. As the ball neared him, Nishinoya extended his arms, forming a rock-solid platform.
Thwack!
The ball was perfectly received, soaring toward Kageyama's position—a flawless first touch!
"Nishinoya, nice receive!"
"Whoa, he got Oikawa's serve up!"
"Karasuno's libero really is amazing!" Even Aoba Johsai's students couldn't help but admire him.
"Whoa now, he actually managed to receive that~" Oikawa scratched his head, jogging back onto the court.
"You idiot!" Iwaizumi scolded him. "Why not keep serving float serves? Trying to show off by targeting the libero again?"
"Heh heh…"
Kageyama's sharp gaze shifted to Hinata Shōyō as he jumped to set. Kaedehara Taichi was right behind, sticking close to Hinata.
But this time, the ball flew to the opposite side—to Tanaka Ryūnosuke.
Kageyama's plan seemed to have worked, but when he turned, he saw a faint smile at the corner of Kaedehara Taichi's lips.
Smack!
Tanaka's spike was blocked by Kunimi Akira and Hanamaki Takahiro's double block, the ball slamming back onto Karasuno's court.
Aoba Johsai scored with a block!
[Aoba Johsai 5 - 1 Karasuno]
What? Kageyama froze. Had his visual misdirection not tricked Aoba Johsai?
Kunimi Akira spoke calmly. "Karasuno isn't the only team that's played training matches against Nekoma, you know. We've already seen that trick."
Of course, the truth wasn't that simple.
Kageyama's visual feint was executed nearly perfectly, sending the ball precisely to the hitter's spot even after shifting his gaze. Aoba Johsai was fooled—at least Kaedehara Taichi was.
But Aoba Johsai's strategy against Hinata Shōyō had one clear rule: Kaedehara Taichi was to mark him at all times.
Damn it. Oikawa probably wouldn't serve to Nishinoya again either.
"Sorry!" Tanaka Ryūnosuke shouted loudly. He hadn't been ready for the set, and his spike preparation had been incomplete.
Kageyama clenched his teeth, placing the blame for these mistakes squarely on himself.
Oikawa continued serving, this time with even more power.
Thwack!
The ball struck Azumane Asahi's arms, bouncing out of bounds.
Oikawa Tōru scored another point with his serve!
[Aoba Johsai 6 - 1 Karasuno]
Tweet! Karasuno called for a timeout.
This was completely unexpected. Ukai Keishin had predicted a close, back-and-forth match, but from the very start, Karasuno had been pushed into a corner.
It feels like they've got us completely figured out…
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Igor Ryan
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