The Battle Over the Serve
"Damn it, here it comes again!"
Seeing the positions of Oikawa Tōru and Akashi Asuka, Ukai Keishin instantly realized Seijoh's plan.
Damn it, don't you think you can do whatever you want just because you have two powerful servers?
Irihata Nobuteru: Sorry, having two powerful servers really does allow us to do whatever we want.
BAM!
In a flash.
Oikawa Tōru sent a second serve. This one was aimed at the empty space in Karasuno's backcourt. The volleyball passed through the gap and landed directly for a score.
2:0.
The pressure on Karasuno instantly mounted at the start of the second set.
BEEP!!!
Left with no choice, Ukai Keishin urgently called a time-out. After the time-out ended and the Karasuno players returned to the court, Oikawa Tōru immediately noticed the difference in Karasuno's stance.
In the backcourt defense, Azumane Asahi retreated to the corner, while Sawamura Daichi and Nishinoya Yū both widened their defensive range.
"I see, it's the same as before, using two players with stronger receiving skills to receive the serve? But is that really enough?"
As Oikawa Tōru murmured, the third high-speed serve roared toward them. The speed was slightly reduced compared to the first two balls, but the target was cornered Azumane Asahi.
PA!
Azumane Asahi reached out to receive the ball, and the volleyball flew high back into the sky.
Oikawa Tōru was surprised: "!! Eh???"
Ukai Keishin on the sidelines showed a hint of a smile: "Sure enough, if Oikawa intends to specifically target a certain player for attack, his serving speed decreases."
Without a professional speed measuring device, it is difficult to see the change in the ball's speed with the naked eye from the sidelines.
But as it happened, Karasuno currently had a first-year with excellent eyesight who had alerted Ukai Keishin to this.
After Azumane Asahi received the first pass, Sugawara Kōshi moved into the Setter position and began to organize Karasuno's first attack since he subbed in.
The volleyball flew from Sugawara Kōshi's hands. Initially, Seijoh's defensive players were momentarily confused, vigilant against Karasuno's [Minus Tempo Quick], until they realized that Kageyama Tobio had been substituted out, and Karasuno couldn't execute the [Minus Tempo Quick] right now.
Tanaka and Hinata moved simultaneously, drawing away the two blockers, Kindaichi and Iwaizumi Hajime.
However, when Azumane Asahi in the back court received the set, a high wall still appeared in front of him: it was Akashi Asuka.
Although there was only one blocker, Azumane Asahi felt an incredible pressure wash over him, causing him to suddenly retract his spiking power right as he was about to strike, ultimately using an easy dump shot.
THUD!
The volleyball landed inside the Seijoh boundary.
Karasuno was lucky to win this point.
2:1.
Seeing this, Azumane Asahi let out a sigh of relief, but also broke out in a cold sweat.
The Seijoh players, meanwhile, curled their lips: "Tch~ They got lucky."
Akashi Asuka looked expressionlessly at Azumane Asahi opposite him. To be honest, he was a little disappointed. He had expected Karasuno, as the protagonist team, to bring him some surprises in this match.
However, the current Karasuno is still too immature.
As a result, the match has reached this point, and Akashi hasn't even had to fully exert himself, yet Karasuno is already on the verge of collapse.
Especially Azumane Asahi, who he is matched up against.
Akashi couldn't see any characteristic of an "Ace" in him.
BEEP!
The referee blew the whistle, and Karasuno continued to serve.
The ball was received by Watari Shinji, and Oikawa Tōru organized the offense, setting the ball to Kindaichi. Kindaichi ultimately scored with a high-point spike, going over the top of Hinata Shōyō opposite him.
3:1.
Seijoh regained the serving right.
And the server for this rotation was Akashi Asuka.
All the Karasuno players became extremely serious as they saw Akashi walk to position 1, with one exception.
Libero Nishinoya Yū.
He looked at Akashi Asuka behind the net, his eyes gradually becoming as sharp as an eagle's, his gaze earnest and full of desire, as if constantly saying: "Come on! Come on! Use your greatest power, aim right at me!"
Akashi Asuka, who had already jumped mid-air, seemed to hear Nishinoya Yū's voice.
With a THUD.
The volleyball whistled out from his palm, and its landing direction was precisely where Nishinoya Yū was standing.
In a flash, Nishinoya Yū moved.
He was like a hunting eagle, appearing directly beneath the volleyball in a blur, then gently extending his hands, using an extremely soft force to neutralize the ball's impact.
PA!
The volleyball flew high back into the sky.
Instantly, the expressions of both teams' players, on and off the court, changed dramatically.
However, the Seijoh coach and players were shocked, while Karasuno's side was filled with delight...
"Nice receive, Nishinoya!"
Ukai Keishin immediately stood up from his seat, vigorously waving his arms, showing his excitement.
"Asahi~~"
Just as everyone was celebrating, they suddenly heard Nishinoya Yū shout: "Don't back down! You're our 'Ace'! Let them attack all they want! I'll provide the strongest protection for you from behind... so, don't back down, don't run away! Show them the true power you possess as our 'Ace'!"
The soft dump shot Azumane Asahi hit last time might have looked like a simple error to others, but only Nishinoya Yū saw something completely different.
Because they are partners.
Just like the "Sun" and "Shadow" in the names of Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shōyō.
The names of Azumane Asahi and Nishinoya Yū also carry extraordinary significance.
Nishinoya Yū's words exploded in Azumane Asahi's heart like a thunderbolt, causing his eyes to become teary.
That's right!
Why am I backing down again?
I already know I have my teammates protecting me from behind, so what do I have to be afraid of now?
"Asahi!"
Sugawara Kōshi's voice suddenly rang out. Azumane Asahi, feeling his blood boiling, looked up and saw a volleyball above his head.
A set that was slightly away from the block and a bit high.
That was the attack he was most skilled at hitting.
"Go! Asahi, let them see the true power of Karasuno's 'Ace'!"
Meeting the volleyball in the sky, Azumane Asahi approached and jumped. At the same time, Seijoh's Kindaichi and Iwaizumi Hajime quickly followed with a block. The height of their block was sufficient to defend against Azumane Asahi's spike.
But this time, with a fierce striking sound, the volleyball directly broke through Seijoh's double block and flew far out of the court.
Karasuno scored.
3:2.
"Aww, aww, aww, aww~~~"
The Karasuno players swarmed toward Azumane Asahi, cheering excitedly...
...
On the other side of the net.
The atmosphere among the Seijoh players was somewhat quiet. This sudden change was clearly unexpected by Seijoh—both Azumane Asahi's spike and Nishinoya Yū's serve reception.
"Uh..."
Everyone cautiously looked back at Akashi Asuka.
They had assumed Akashi would be greatly discouraged after his first serve was received.
However, to their surprise, they saw no disappointment on Akashi Asuka's face. Instead, they saw a gaze that was subtly filled with excitement.
The surprise... has arrived.