Haikyuu: Rise of Sengoku

Matsukawa Issei felt a pounding headache.

Right now, he seriously suspected that his coach had "fallen for someone new", completely forgetting his old favorites.

Otherwise, if there were still a shred of conscience left, there was no way the coach would have put together such a lineup with the rookies.

Bang!

Iwaizumi hit another rebound ball that struck Kindaichi's arm and bounced back into the white team's court, beginning the third attack of the fourth point.

Oikawa caught the ball and calmly started organizing the offense.

After a simple screen, the ball was still passed high above Iwaizumi. But the moment Iwaizumi leapt, a massive shadow suddenly loomed over the net.

Six arms raised high, even Kunimi's relatively lower jump was enough to block Iwaizumi's spike at its highest point.

As expected, Akashi Asuka's blocking was strong, and Kindaichi and Kunimi were no less skilled. Both of them had been main players on Aoba Johsai's first team since their freshman year in the original story.

Keep in mind:

Aoba Johsai had plenty of substitute players. In fact, the second and third years had enough backups to form a whole second team.

Yet despite that depth, these two had still made the first team as freshmen, which spoke volumes about their skill.

So when Akashi, Kindaichi, and Kunimi all blocked together, the pressure they applied rivaled even the white team's own defense, and their height advantage was significant.

"Don't get too cocky, little freshman."

Though the red team's block was fierce, it wasn't enough to crush Iwaizumi, one of the (vice) main players. Suspended midair, facing an immovable wall of defense, Iwaizumi finally spotted a small gap between Kunimi's hands and swung hard, 

Bang!

The ball hit an arm, but not Kunimi's. At the crucial moment, Akashi stretched diagonally and covered the gap in Kunimi's block.

Thud.

The ball bounced back onto the court behind Iwaizumi, and for a split second, his expression froze.

But then, 

"Beeeeep!"

The referee's whistle blew as an arm rose, signaling the block was out of bounds. The white team scored.

3–1.

"Tsk, looks like luck isn't on our side today." Akashi clicked his tongue.

Actually, it wasn't entirely luck. Even though Akashi made a timely save, being in midair made it impossible to fully control his body, so it was barely a successful block, an out-of-bounds call was totally normal.

Still, blaming luck here was a way of putting psychological pressure on the opponent.

Watari Shinji said, "No worries, we'll try harder next time."

Kunimi said, "Sorry, that one was my fault. I won't miss the next one."

Sanashita said, "Don't sweat it, we're still ahead!"

Akashi: "..."

Man, you really are good teammates.

I was saying that to the opponents, but you guys took it seriously?

"Lucky, lucky!"

"Iwaizumi, good job!"

"One more point!"

Back in white team, the players cheered each other on. Iwaizumi's face still showed strong momentum as he exchanged encouragement with his teammates.

But Oikawa noticed something off.

Though Iwaizumi had scored well during this warm-up match, he had missed several key points.

If he were just a normal spiker, it wouldn't be such a big deal.

But Iwaizumi had always held himself to the highest standards as the ace spiker. So a few recent failures inevitably shook his confidence.

Especially when there was a stark contrast on the other team.

Oikawa knew this feeling all too well.

"You pulled me out of the abyss before. Now it's my turn to do the same for you." Oikawa murmured quietly.

….

Beeeeep!

The referee blew the serve whistle.

The ball returned to the white team's control, and after a rotation, Hanamaki moved to the backcourt while Oikawa stepped into the frontcourt.

Though a setter, Oikawa's frontcourt presence was no less imposing, a typical all-around player.

Directly blocking Akashi's spike would be difficult.

Because Akashi, while not yet among the country's top aces, already had impressive height, strength, and a comprehensive offensive skill set.

Even Aoba Johsai's main defense struggled to stop Akashi unless they formed a triple block.

But just because they couldn't block him outright didn't mean they had no other ways to defend.

Oikawa was well-versed in this tactical defense.

Soft blocks, tactical blocks, solo blocking to cut off lines, backcourt cooperative blocks... The variety was almost dizzying to watch.

Under such a defense, Akashi's scoring efficiency dropped significantly, and even the length of each offensive rally slowly increased.

Before long, 

The score reached 21–20.

The gap in basic physical conditioning between red and white teams finally started to show.

After over an hour of play, except for Akashi and Watari Shinji, the rest of the red team was already panting heavily.

Meanwhile, the white team was only sweating lightly.

And just then, it was Oikawa's turn to serve.

Watari Shinji said, "Oikawa's vibe feels different from before."

Akashi replied, "Maybe something triggered him."

Akashi didn't know exactly what had changed, but he could feel it. To put it simply: the old Oikawa was serious, but now there was an added drive, a new force behind his seriousness.

Momentum is a strange thing.

Though invisible and intangible, in close matches, the team with stronger momentum can sometimes overwhelm the other.

And when a player's momentum reaches a certain level, it can even affect the entire opposing team.

Like Oikawa right now.

Bang!

Oikawa launched a powerful serve from behind the white team's baseline.

The volleyball arced through the air and instantly slammed onto the red team's backcourt floor.

From start to finish,

Neither Kunimi nor Watarimon the red team reacted in time.

"Too fast!"

Only after the referee called the point did Watari Shinji snap to attention, eyes wide in disbelief at the opponent.

Meanwhile, Oikawa had already grabbed the ball and returned to the baseline, his clear gaze scanning the court, radiating an aggressive aura.

"One more... point!"

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