The opposing number three served another floating jump. This time, perhaps his second serve, the volleyball traveled even faster, with an even sharper change in trajectory than the first.
I'm a transfer student, the last one to join the team in the third year.
I don't have the towering frame of Hyakuzawa, the captain's super jump, or Hinata's agility, stamina, and explosive power.
But I will push my own specialty to the limit! Even if it's just receiving!
Hoshino Katsuri faced the floating serve with quick judgment. He didn't retreat, he advanced, charging directly at the ball. At the instant the serve finished its sudden trajectory change, before it could alter again, he decisively received it.
I'll turn even reception into a weapon to crush the opponents!
"Good ball! Hoshino-senpai!"
Setter Mori didn't care about the opposing defense this time. His attention was on two things:
One, where the ball was.
Two, where the captain was.
"Ichinose-senpai!"
Another perfectly standard high ball to the far net, Ichinose Guren's favorite.
With a faint, feral smile, Ichinose passed by Hoshino Katsuri. His hair fluttered with his movement, and his tall frame showcased his wild running and jumping abilities.
"Thanks for the treat!"
Another attack completely ignoring the defense, executed with an impossibly high contact point. Shiratorizawa's ordinary, physically strong players with solid fundamentals gave their all to guard the court.
But in Ichinose Guren's eyes, their supposedly fortified, iron-wall defense looked like an empty street at dawn.
Nothing could stop him.
He picked the most favorable gap and smashed the ball down.
Boom! The point scored.
Ichinose licked his lips.
That was fun, though it still feels a little lacking. Well, let's give them some training.
Goshiki, who had just been spiked over, wore a look of existential doubt.
What just happened?
He spiked right over me?
The three of us didn't even touch the ball?
Spirit enough, skill lacking.
No matter how tough a man is, without skill, he's just a "tough guy," not a "true warrior."
This fleeting judgment passed quickly. Ichinose knew that, with just his own strength, Yukigaoka could already reach the national tournament.
And that's precisely why he built the Shiratorizawa system, to go further, even to dominate nationally.
For now, these rare and precious growth opportunities could go to his teammates.
Dealing with minor players held no significance for him.
Not to mention the impact of his "divine spike" on the minds of Shiratorizawa Junior High players.
The elegance of his leap and airborne posture had already completely captivated every spectator.
"What was that?!"
"Is… is that Captain America?"
"Mom! He must be a genetically modified human!"
"Whoa! This guy can really jump!"
"Oh! Yukigaoka has a high chance of making it to nationals!"
"No junior high school students could ever stop that attack!"
The stands erupted in chaos, a mix of first-time spectators captivated by Ichinose's figure, seasoned fans evaluating the move, and longtime Shiratorizawa supporters sighing in resignation.
Seeing the situation, the Shiratorizawa coach called a timeout, trying to disrupt the momentum.
The opposing captain of Yukigaoka… That spike posture is truly mesmerizing, and the power is unprecedented.
Is he another volleyball prodigy like Ushijima whom I once coached?
[Kitagawa and Sengoku coaches weeping: You are not alone.]
[Kitagawa: Wait! Didn't you coach Ushijima before? Serves you right! Now it's your turn to be crushed by individual attacking power!]
"Cough, cough!"
The Shiratorizawa coach gathered the players, beginning to teach how to handle such a high-powered, skillful attack.
"Do it this way, like so…"
Watching his players' enlightened expressions, the coach smiled and nodded.
Goshiki, meanwhile, was practically buzzing with excitement.
I see! Now I can use the super techniques the coach taught me to crush them! You annoying spring-loaded humans and giants!
The Shiratorizawa coach awkwardly sipped from his thermos, taking a tactical drink.
Is this kid really growing up, or still just a child?
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