Haikyuu: Rise of Sengoku

Ryuhei Sanashita didn't quite understand it.

But he did respect the strength of the senior third-year players.

After all, when Akashi Asuka was in good form, managing to return serves while only losing two points was a level of skill Sanashita had never encountered before in Junior High.

The score stood at 3–2.

The serve returned to the White Team.

Powerful jump serves remained rare even in high school. First, because mastering a strong jump serve was difficult, ordinary players already spent all their energy training basic skills, leaving little stamina for extra practice. Second, even professional volleyball players didn't need to master every technique; a team of six with specialized roles formed a complete unit.

When all six were strong, the team was even stronger.

After a rotation, White Team's Hanamaki Takahiro moved to position one and launched a steady overhand serve.

The ball's landing spot was tricky, but that didn't faze Watari Shinji. Unlike Akashi and the others, Watari was Aoba Johsai's main libero and knew his teammates' tendencies and mindset inside out.

Smack!

The ball was received.

Sanashita shifted, preparing for the set, while glancing at the opposing blockers.

White Team had two front-row blockers: 187 cm middle blocker Matsukawa Issei and 179.3 cm outside hitter Hajime Iwaizumi.

Choosing the shorter Iwaizumi as the attack target was a smart move.

But the question was, could Sanashita coordinate well with the Red Team's lone front-row attacker, Yūtarō Kindaichi?

His thoughts raced.

Moments later, Sanashita chuckled to himself.

"Why overthink? I'm not the kind of setter who needs perfect synergy! When faced with challenges, I always have one answer."

Whoosh~

Sanashita's fingers flicked the ball high into the air.

Suddenly, a tall figure leapt from the back row, 

"Trying to attack from the back row? You're too green, first-year! Your passing intentions are way too obvious!"

The ball had just left Sanashita's hands when Iwaizumi and Matsukawa jumped up, forming a towering block.

But the next moment, 

A ferocious spike came flying with unstoppable force, smashing through Iwaizumi's hands, breaking the block, and landing for a point.

"Passing intentions?"

Sanashita turned calmly to face Iwaizumi and Matsukawa.

"Sorry, senpai. Our outside hitter doesn't need to hide anything."

…

Time passed.

The match grew more intense.

Playing against these seasoned seniors from Aoba Johsai reminded Sanashita and Akashi of their battle against Kitagawa back in Junior High.

Just like then, it was a fierce battle of offense and defense.

One team centered on their outside hitter, the other on their setter, different attack styles, but both displaying incredible offensive power.

"Iwaizumi!" Matsukawa Issei signaled a set to Iwaizumi, who jumped decisively.

The ball flew precisely to his sweet spot.

But just as Iwaizumi raised his arm to strike, a pair of hands suddenly appeared directly in front of him, blocking height completely surpassing his hitting point.

"Damn it..." Iwaizumi's expression changed sharply.

In a split second, he switched his spike to a tip, sending the ball just out of bounds off Kindaichi's arm.

Bang!

The ball hit Kindaichi's arm and flew out of bounds.

Point to White Team.

Score: 23–21.

"Nice job, Iwaizumi!" Matsukawa spread his arms, running over to celebrate, but Iwaizumi barely noticed.

His gaze locked on Kindaichi, expression growing serious.

Akashi's brilliance had distracted Iwaizumi from noticing the other Red Team players, but Kindaichi's sudden emergence reminded him, their blockers besides the setter were no pushovers.

…

"Sorry, I couldn't block it." Kindaichi panted on the court.

"No worries, just a bit off. And we're still leading, so no rush." Watari smiled, patting Kindaichi's shoulder.

Watari's mood was excellent now.

At first, being assigned to the Red Team had irked him a little.

But now, he was already planning how to tease the others for the next month.

The Aoba Johsai traditional welcome match, 

A first ever: seniors getting beaten badly by freshmen.

In a way, Akashi and Sanashita had just broken the volleyball club's history again.

Watari silently thanked his luck for not being put on the senior team, or else he might be branded a "historical disgrace" too.

…

"Don't sweat it, we'll take this point back." Sanashita patted Kindaichi's shoulder.

White Team to serve.

Yahaba Shigeru sent a simple overhand serve.

The ball crossed the net and was easily received by Watari, who passed it to Sanashita without hesitation.

Sanashita immediately set the ball above Akashi's head.

This open, unprotected attack made front-row blockers Matsukawa and Hanamaki furious.

"Damn first-years, don't underestimate the seniors' strength!"

At 187 cm and 184 cm, Matsukawa and Hanamaki were among Aoba Johsai's tallest players.

Both jumped, forming a towering block to Shigerut down Akashi's straight spike.

Akashi was mid-air, ready to switch to a cross-court shot.

But then he noticed Matsukawa standing in the backcourt cross-court line of sight.

"Trap!"

Akashi halted his cross-court attack.

In that instant, inspired by his improved hang time, he adjusted mid-air and swung forcefully straight at the block.

Bam!

A thunderous crack.

The ball, trailing white streaks, grazed Hanamaki's arm and curved just enough to slip past the block, landing sharply on the floor.

Beeep!

The referee's whistle sounded.

Suddenly, silence fell.

Players from both teams stared at the referee.

Seconds later, the referee raised his hand toward the Red Team.

The Red Team erupted in cheers.

24–21.

Match point for Red Team.

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