Back in middle school, Shirabu Kenjirō had once watched a volleyball match between Shiratorizawa Middle School and Kitagawa Daiichi.
At the time, Shiratorizawa's ace was none other than Ushijima Wakatoshi, who single-handedly crushed Kitagawa Daiichi, led by Oikawa Tōru and Iwaizumi Hajime.
From that moment, a thought began to take root in Shirabu's mind: To play the most thrilling volleyball, you needed the strength and height to make every play and attack bow down before you.
"Shirabu, do you know why, even though Semi has greater power, jump height, and speed than you, I still chose you as the starting setter for the team?" Coach Washijō asked, standing beside the focused Shirabu Kenjirō, who was intently watching the game.
"Because Shiratorizawa doesn't need a setter with an overinflated ego," Shirabu replied calmly.
Coach Washijō appreciated this quality in Shirabu—intelligent yet unpretentious.
"Then, is your job just to set up balls for Ushijima? To let him face triple blocks and backline defences every time he spikes?"
"No," Shirabu answered instinctively. He knew that such high sets would only give opponents more time to react. Instead, he clarified, "My job is to help the best ace in the nation execute kills in the most optimal way."
Coach Washijō nodded approvingly. "It seems you've figured it out."
On the court, Goshiki Tsutomu had just received Kindaichi Yūtarō's serve. Satori Tendō leaped into the air, setting the ball mid-flight.
A quick A-attack followed, with Kawanishi Taichi spiking the ball down hard.
A nimble figure appeared in front of Kawanishi in an instant, large hands stretching out to block.
The ball ricocheted off Kaedehara Taichi's arms and fell back into Shiratorizawa's court.
Kaedehara Taichi scored on the block.
[Aoba Johsai 21 - 22 Shiratorizawa]
"Heh, trying to run a quick attack in front of me?"
Tweet! Shiratorizawa called for a substitution—#10, Shirabu Kenjirō, subbed in for #3, Eita Semi.
"Make sure to time your sets with Ushijima's plays," Semi reminded Shirabu as he stepped off the court.
"Yes, I understand." Shirabu gave a slight bow but didn't slow his pace, heading straight to the court.
Semi muttered to himself, "Seriously, not cute at all."
Kindaichi served again.
Yamagata Hayato received it with ease, delivering a flawless pass. Shirabu's eyes scanned the court, settling on Ushijima Wakatoshi, who was poised at the sideline, ready to launch into his approach.
This was it—the perfect opportunity.
With no unnecessary flair, Shirabu set the ball to a spot slightly away from the net, at a height just above the rest of Shiratorizawa's players.
A figure leaped into place, body arching back, with a slight bow-like curve to his spine. His left arm cocked behind him, and at the apex of his jump, his arm swung forward in a powerful, fluid motion.
All of his strength flowed through his arm and wrist as he struck the ball with precision and force.
Kaedehara Taichi, Hanamaki Takahiro, and Oikawa Tōru formed a solid wall—the three tallest players on the court for Aoba Johsai, aside from Kindaichi.
But before Ushijima Wakatoshi, their blockade was nothing. His spike soared over their outstretched hands—a cross-court kill.
The ball slammed into the floor and ricocheted into the second-floor seating.
The previously boisterous crowd fell silent.
[Aoba Johsai 21 - 23 Shiratorizawa]
Shirabu stared at Ushijima's towering figure, filled with awe and admiration.
"Maybe…I'll become the most inconspicuous setter in the world."
"Is…is he really a high schooler?" Disbelieving murmurs began rippling through the audience.
"Receiving a ball like that would take pure courage…"
No one in the stands looked more animated than last year's Shiratorizawa victims—Date Tech. Their 'Iron Wall' had been utterly demolished by Ushijima. Third-year Kamasaki Yasushi had spent an entire season building his strength to seek revenge, only for their team to lose to Karasuno on the first day of the tournament.
Kaedehara Taichi couldn't help but feel relieved that he hadn't gotten to Ushijima's spike earlier. Missing it only cost them a point; attempting to receive it might have cost him the rest of the game.
Kunimi Akira, sitting on the bench, shifted uncomfortably further back. He resolved that he would avoid playing against Shiratorizawa until Ushijima graduated.
"It's just one point—get the next one!" Iwaizumi Hajime shouted, his voice cutting through the tension as he rallied his teammates, trying to stop the dip in their morale.
"Yes!" Kyōtani Kentarō and Kindaichi Yūtarō responded in unison.
Hearing Kyōtani's reply, Kaedehara Taichi couldn't help but glance back at him.
"Taichi! What about you?"
"Yes—!" Iwaizumi Hajime, ever the captain-like figure, wouldn't let anyone off the hook.
Shiratorizawa's serve. Kawanishi Taichi sent over a floating serve.
From Kaedehara Taichi's observation, the spin on the ball wasn't as sharp as his own serves, and he smugly felt that he'd won the "Battle of the Taichis." From now on, he thought, he could call himself Taichi Pro.
Watari Shinji received the ball cleanly with an overhead pass, and Oikawa Tōru set it high to Taichi's left side.
"Double block!" Ōhira Reon and Tendō Satori rose in front of Kaedehara Taichi.
The volleyball grazed the sideline and bounced out.
Kaedehara Taichi scored with his spike.
[Aoba Johsai 22 - 23 Shiratorizawa]
"Was that a straight shot?"
They had never seen Kaedehara Taichi execute such a shot before. Based on their positioning, they should have completely shut down his regular attack routes. The only threat they'd anticipated was a tool shot off their hands.
What they hadn't accounted for was someone suddenly switching hands mid-game to spike with their non-dominant hand.
On the sidelines, Oikawa Tōru chuckled. He'd once considered trying a similar move during a match but ultimately decided it wasn't worth the risk.
However, given Taichi's exceptional ball sense, it seemed like a gamble that paid off.
Conventional methods were proving less effective in this back-and-forth battle.
Acknowledging this, even Oikawa had to admit that Ushijima Wakatoshi's overwhelming presence forced Aoba Johsai to constantly adapt.
Aoba Johsai's serve. Oikawa Tōru stepped up to the service line.
His powerful jump serve disrupted Shiratorizawa's reception. However, Shiratorizawa, being the formidable team they were, adjusted quickly.
Direct aces became increasingly rare after the initial adjustment to the serve's speed and spin.
Shirabu Kenjirō moved into position, setting the ball close to the net.
Ōhira Reon went for a powerful spike, only for Hanamaki Takahiro to block it at the net.
Watari Shinji dove to save the ball, and Oikawa Tōru sent a high set to the left side, where Kyōtani Kentarō was waiting.
Kyōtani charged forward, his approach fast and explosive. He leaped high, spiking the ball with all his might toward the net. However, waiting on the other side were a pair of strong, bronze-toned arms.
Kyōtani didn't hesitate.
The volleyball slammed back into Aoba Johsai's court at an even greater speed.
Ushijima Wakatoshi scored with a block. Shiratorizawa reached match point.
[Aoba Johsai 22 - 24 Shiratorizawa]
For the first time, Kyōtani Kentarō felt a deep sense of frustration. Ushijima was superior to him in every conceivable way.
In middle school, Kyōtani had been the ace of his team, leading the unremarkable Minami Daisan Middle School into the quarterfinals.
Even in high school, he only considered Iwaizumi Hajime slightly better than himself (Oikawa Tōru played a different position, after all). At the town gymnasium, none of the older players posed much of a challenge to him either.
But today, he realized that someone of his playstyle could reach such extraordinary heights.
"The higher you climb, the stronger the opponents you'll face," Iwaizumi said, as if reading Kyōtani's thoughts.
"Yes!" Kyōtani responded with uncharacteristic patience, resolved to face the challenge head-on.
"Guard the next ball. Don't let Ushijima score so easily!"
The match remained close. If possible, Iwaizumi wished it could have ended at this very moment.
[Aoba Johsai 22 - 25 Shiratorizawa]
A powerful serve landed right on the backline of Aoba Johsai's court, sealing the end of the second set.
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