It wasn't some hidden skill—Aoba Johsai's players were equally stunned as they watched Kentarō Kyōtani.
That was the first time any of them had seen him use a tip shot in a match.
"An attack isn't satisfying unless it's at full force!"
During their practice game with Nekoma, even when Tetsurō Kuroo's blocking repeatedly stopped his attacks, Kyōtani had brushed it off with those words.
In subsequent matches, Kyōtani merely adjusted his angles—switching between cross-court and straight spikes—to avoid the blockers.
Every player has their own style, and for someone like Kentarō Kyōtani, this level of adjustment was probably his limit—or so everyone in Aoba Johsai, including the coach, had thought.
The Aoba Johsai players surrounded Kyōtani. Iwaizumi Hajime tousled his hair, while Tōru Oikawa and Takahiro Hanamaki patted him on the back. Even Akira Kunimi and Taichi Kaedehara stood nearby, their smiles restrained but present.
"Nice set, Kunimi," Taichi suddenly said in a low voice.
The set had offered an excellent view and left little time for Inarizaki's blockers to adjust.
Noticing the spiker's state while setting—Kunimi truly showed the instincts of a setter.
Kunimi was momentarily startled, then suppressed a smile. "Just average."
Aoba Johsai prepared to serve. Inarizaki's cheering squad continued their relentless distractions, but Kunimi paid no heed.
The ball soared sharply toward the back corner where Rintarō Suna stood.
"What's with this team? Do none of their players care about distractions?" an irritated member of Inarizaki's cheering squad muttered. This was the third player in a row to ignore their interference completely.
Kunimi's serve was dangerously precise, skimming the edge of the court. Suna hesitated for a split second but ultimately decided to receive it.
Miya Atsumu wasted no time, sending the ball to an ideal position at the centre of the net.
Aran Ōjirō leapt up and spiked hard.
Iwaizumi and Kyōtani jumped to meet him at the net.
Even so, Aran Ōjirō, one of the top five spikers in the country, blasted the ball over the block and scored.
[Aoba Johsai 6 – 4 Inarizaki]
"Inarizaki hasn't been rattled by Aoba Johsai. They're clawing their way back using their best strategies."
"Although they're still trailing, they're finding their rhythm again."
Inarizaki's serve. Osamu Miya dragged out the full eight seconds before delivering the ball.
Taichi was a split second late in his reception, and the ball veered toward the sideline.
Takahiro Hanamaki scrambled to save it, and Iwaizumi, blocked at the net, resorted to tipping the ball softly into Inarizaki's backcourt.
"Chance ball!" Osamu called out, and the first touch sent the ball perfectly into position.
Miya Atsumu leapt on the right side, faking a set. Instead, he executed a quick attack of his own, scoring cleanly.
[Aoba Johsai 6 – 5 Inarizaki]
"Miya Atsumu's movements are as steady as ever—it's nearly impossible to predict his next move!"
"And Osamu's set was excellent too. If you don't pay close attention, you might not even tell them apart..."
"I've got a brilliant trick, though. Want to hear it, Aoi-san?"
"Oh? Do tell, Ōtomo-san!"
"Just look at their jersey numbers!" Ōtomo declared with absolute confidence.
Kunimi received it, and Oikawa set the ball to the left wing. Iwaizumi jumped, drawing away a blocker.
The real attacker was Taichi Kaedehara, coming in from the back row!
Ren Ōmimi, standing tall, formed a perfect solo block.
Taichi spiked with his left hand.
The ball ricocheted off Osamu's waiting hand at the boundary and flew out of play.
Taichi blinked in surprise.
Osamu stared at his hand, equally baffled.
[Aoba Johsai 7 – 5 Inarizaki]
"Kaedehara Taichi has always been a fiercely competitive player. After losing a point from his mistake earlier, he immediately took it back with a powerful back-row attack."
"Aoba Johsai's back-row attacks are becoming increasingly refined. Iwaizumi's decoy opened up a great opportunity for Kaedehara's spike."
"Oikawa-senpai," Taichi murmured, "it seems they've figured it out." The previous play made it clear—Miya Osamu had read his straight shot, positioning himself perfectly at the boundary.
"It was bound to be noticed eventually. Scoring won't be as easy from now on," Oikawa said grimly, his sharp eyes glued to Inarizaki's lineup. Aoba Johsai had revealed most of their cards—what about Inarizaki?
"Aren't you just useless, Osamu? Couldn't even catch that ball in position," Atsumu taunted his twin brother with a look of mock disdain.
"You idiot, Atsumu! Spin from a left-handed hit isn't the same as from a right-handed one—it takes time to adjust," Osamu instinctively retorted.
A setter's sensitivity to an attacker's hitting style was unparalleled.
Last night, Coach Kurosu had emphasized the diversity of Aoba Johsai's #10's attacks.
Atsumu, watching the footage alone, had posed a critical question.
"When #10 hits a straight shot, does he use his left hand?"
It was an odd characteristic but one easy to verify.
Aoba Johsai's serve. Hanamaki Takahiro jumped and delivered a powerful jump serve.
Michinari Akagi smoothly received it. Atsumu set it up to the left. With a perfect first touch, it was now up to the ace to finish the play.
Aran Ōjirō sprinted and leapt into the air.
"Double block!" Oikawa and Iwaizumi sprang up at the net.
With Oikawa replacing Kyōtani in the block, the overall height noticeably increased.
Aran's spike smashed into Iwaizumi's arms.
"One touch!" Iwaizumi's strength matched Aran's.
Kunimi immediately set the ball high over Oikawa, initiating a multi-directional attack.
All five Aoba Johsai players—except Oikawa—charged toward the net.
Oikawa sent the ball to the far right. Kyōtani hammered it down, scoring decisively.
[Aoba Johsai 8 – 5 Inarizaki]
"What's going on? Doesn't this team care about defence?"
This aggressive style of attack left no room for recovery if the block read them right. Aoba Johsai's opening plays were riskier than expected.
Aran glanced at Iwaizumi. He had used all his strength, yet he hadn't broken through the block. Truly, a man who bore the same #4 jersey.
If Iwaizumi were just a little taller, he might've been an even tougher opponent.
Aran flashed a friendly grin, his pearly white teeth gleaming.
"Iwa-chan, that guy you just blocked is glaring at you with a scary pitch-black expression," Oikawa teased in a low voice.
"My skin is already black!" Aran shouted back, exasperated.
Hanamaki served again. Osamu's perfect first touch sent the ball straight above the net. Atsumu was right there, spiking it immediately.
Kunimi received the ball cleanly, and Oikawa stepped in to set it toward the net.
Iwaizumi powered the ball down with a fierce spike.
Akagi dived, barely saving the ball. Atsumu set it high to the left wing, and Aran came in for another spike.
A sharp cross-court spike avoided the block, but three defenders awaited it in the back row!
Hanamaki managed to keep the ball in play, though it ricocheted back into Inarizaki's court due to the sheer force.
"Watch the quick attack!"
Atsumu didn't rush to receive the ball. Instead, he glanced toward Osamu.
Osamu seemed to understand instantly as if their thoughts aligned.
Akagi's first touch sent the ball directly above Atsumu.
Osamu ran forward and leapt from the back row. Just as he assumed his spiking form mid-air, the ball Atsumu set arrived at the perfect spot.
The position. The angle. The timing.
Aoba Johsai's blockers couldn't react in time. Osamu scored with a clean hit.
[Aoba Johsai 8 – 6 Inarizaki]
"Th-that play just now..."
"Wasn't that the Oikawa-Kaedehara super quick attack?!"
"The Miya twins just perfectly replicated Aoba Johsai's ace combo!"
"Pfft~ Of course, we're not as polished as that setter over there. I just wanted to copy their flashy special move," Atsumu said with a sly grin.
[T/N] - If you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on my . Trust me, it's awesome!
Link - (P)atreon.com/Iseeblack [Remove the brackets]