For Aoba Johsai's victory, neither Shiratorizawa nor Karasuno felt any surprise.

On paper, Date Tech was undoubtedly the weakest of the top four teams. They were also the only team among them with a completely revamped lineup after their third-years graduated.

Shiratorizawa and Karasuno both had the confidence to defeat Date Tech.

However, neither team believed they could dominate as effortlessly as Aoba Johsai had just done.

Perhaps it was a matter of team matchups. Date Tech's renowned "Iron Wall" was virtually useless against Aoba Johsai's serves.

But then again, could Shiratorizawa or Karasuno handle those serves any better?

The weight of this question was written across the faces of both teams' players.

The Karasuno players sat quietly in their observation area, a rare moment of silence settling over them.

"Leave Oikawa's serves to me," Nishinoya Yū declared bluntly. "But for Taichi's, I'll need your help from the very start."

Oikawa Tōru's serves were powerful, but Kaedehara Taichi's were unpredictable.

It was not the time to let pride dictate decisions, especially when it might cost the team valuable points.

Looking at Nishinoya's calm determination, Sawamura Daichi gradually felt at ease.

"Still," Nishinoya added with a grin, "we need to beat Shiratorizawa first!"

-----

In Shiratorizawa's observation area, the mood was no lighter.

Ōhira Reon noticed a hint of unease on Yamagata Hayato's face. Offering a reassuring smile, he said, "We'll handle the receives together."

But before he could elaborate, a steady voice interrupted.

"I will help with receives," Ushijima Wakatoshi stated firmly.

The ace's gaze was unwavering.

"Only one team will reach nationals."

-----

The second set began swiftly.

Aoba Johsai's new lineup consisted of:

Front row—Middle Blocker Hanamaki Takahiro, Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi, Middle Blocker Kindaichi Yūtarō and Setter Oikawa Tōru

Back row—Wing Spikers Kunimi Akira, Opposite Hitter Iwaizumi Hajime and Middle Blocker Matsukawa Issei (Libero Watari Shinji).

Date Tech, in turn, fielded:

Front row—Wing Spiker Onagawa Tarō, Middle Blocker Aone Takanobu and Setter Koganegawa Kanji

Back row—Wing SpikerYutaka Obara, Middle Blocker Fukiage Jingo (Libero Sakunami Kōsuke) and Opposite Hitter Futakuchi Kenji.

Both teams had made adjustments, but the extent of Aoba Johsai's changes stood out.

The Date Tech coach couldn't fathom it.

Hanamaki and Kaedehara had performed exceptionally in the first set—so, why take Kindaichi off the court?

Moreover, the substitution seemed to reduce Aoba Johsai's blocking height.

From their steady performance in the first set, it didn't seem like Aoba Johsai would be underestimating their opponents.

But the answer to their strategy would soon become evident as the set unfolded.

-----

The set began with Date Tech on serve.

As Kenji Futakuchi stepped onto the service line, he immediately noticed something unusual.

Aoba Johsai's new lineup featured an exceptionally strong receiving formation in the back row: Kunimi Akira, Iwaizumi Hajime, and libero Watari Shinji.

Suddenly, Futakuchi found himself without a clear target.

He chuckled bitterly. So, this lineup is just for my serves, huh?

But it didn't matter—he wasn't on the same level as those two monsters on the other side.

Futakuchi shook his head, banishing the intrusive thoughts. He tossed the ball high and swung with precision.

Boom!

The serve darted straight toward Kunimi Akira, the furthest player from Oikawa Tōru.

Smack!

Kunimi received it cleanly, directing the ball forward. Oikawa darted toward the centre.

—Whoosh!

Without hesitation, he set a quick back-row toss. The ball soared precisely to mid-air above the net.

-----

During the brief break after the first set, Coach Irihata had begun a straightforward analysis of their performance.

He couldn't help but notice Kaedehara Taichi's pensive expression.

"Taichi, do you have something on your mind?" the coach asked.

The rest of the team turned their attention to him. Based on the match so far, there haven't been any significant issues.

If Taichi had a concern, there was likely only one explanation: he had plans.

"I just feel that if it's only about winning, it'd be boring." Taichi's eyes began to gleam with intensity, his excitement contagious. "We're up against such an incredible defence. I want to test if I can break through their Iron Wall."

His tone was unusually serious, but even he realized it was an audacious request.

He looked around at his teammates, half-expecting disbelief, but found none.

Oikawa sighed dramatically, smirking. "I figured as much. If there's no challenge, you'll create one, won't you?"

"My only condition is that we win this set," Iwaizumi said simply.

"You better make it quick," Kunimi quipped, feigning exasperation.

"Taichi, go for it!" Kindaichi chimed in, his admiration for the ace evident in his grin.

Thus, Aoba Johsai's lineup changes were revealed to have a singular purpose: fulfilling their ace's request.

-----

Kaedehara Taichi sprinted into his approach, leaping powerfully into the air.

"Double block!" Aone Takanobu and Koganegawa Kanji positioned themselves in front of him.

Boom!

Without hesitation, Taichi's spike collided with Koganegawa's arms, sending a tremor through them.

However, the ball rebounded into Aoba Johsai's court.

"I got it!"

Hanamaki Takahiro dove and managed to save the ball, sending it upward. Oikawa Tōru swiftly repositioned himself, setting the ball high into the air once again.

Taichi retreated, gathering momentum before taking another approach and leaping into the air.

"Double block!"

Date Tech's Iron Wall remained unyielding.

This time, Taichi's view of the court was sharper than ever. He noticed not just the blockers' movements at the net but also Sakunami Kōsuke stepping forward in the back row.

Are they preparing for a tip shot?

Taichi's mind raced as he processed the information. But his arm didn't hesitate for a moment. He swung with full force.

Boom!

The ball struck Koganegawa's arms again, rebounding high into the air.

Right above the net!

As the three players landed, they immediately jumped again.

"Push it over, Aone! Koganegawa!"

"Push it back, Taichi!"

At the net, all three hands met the ball simultaneously. With Aone and Koganegawa's combined strength, the ball deflected back into Aoba Johsai's court.

Oikawa extended his arm and scooped it up with one hand.

From the back row, Watari Shinji leapt and set the ball high into the air.

Even Date Tech could now see what Aoba Johsai's intentions were: they were challenging the Iron Wall head-on.

Don't get cocky!

"Double block!" Aone and Koganegawa rose for the third time.

Even if Taichi managed to score, Date Tech would prove to the spectators that their Golden Iron Wall was unbreakable.

Taichi, unfazed, had just steadied himself. With a single step, he surged forward and leapt into the air again.

This time, his approach was rushed, but his view was the clearest it had been so far.

[Ding! The host has entered burst mode]

[Kaedehara Taichi (Burst Mode):

Height: 188 cm | Power: 99

 | Jump: 90 | Stamina: 95 | Speed: 95

Technique: Serve: 95 | Receive: 90 | Set: 85 | Spike: 95]

Cross-court, a tip to the baseline, tooling the blockers—Taichi's mind visualized all the possibilities.

Left side? Right side? Or the gap between Aone and Koganegawa?

He could score however he wanted. The choice was his.

But none of those options were what he truly wanted.

Taichi's muscles tensed as he swung his arm downward with all his might.

—Boom!!—

The ball struck Koganegawa's arms with such force that they were completely overpowered. He landed awkwardly, falling straight onto his back.

The ball ricocheted off the net's edge, bouncing slightly before dropping onto Aoba Johsai's side of the court.

[Aoba Johsai 0 – 1 Date Tech]

Date Tech had scored a point, but no one celebrated.

Aone landed and didn't even react to help Koganegawa up. He simply stared at Kaedehara Taichi on the other side of the net.

"Sorry."

Taichi's apology was directed at his teammates for his reckless play, which had cost them a point despite their efforts to save the ball.

But his eyes never left Aone's.

On the court, every player—whether they faced Kaedehara Taichi head-on or saw him from behind—could feel two words emanating from his presence:

Fervor.

He would not give up.

As if on cue, Taichi's gaze shifted to Futakuchi Kenji standing at the service line.@@novelbin@@

"Let's go. One more ball!"

_________

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