"We have to win. From here on, coordinate properly with Kyotani."
"Put everything into supporting Hank."
Toru Oikawa glanced at Kyotani, who had once again entered the court, and a plan had already formed in his mind. Aoba Johsai no longer had Iwaizumi's blocking, which meant Hank would have to shoulder the responsibility of blocking next. His stamina would drain even faster.
But there was no other choice.
After all, without blocking, Wakatoshi Ushijima's spikes would tear straight through their defense. Only a block could stop that. As long as it meant victory, even if Oikawa had to leave the court, he would accept it.
From here on, he had to conserve even more stamina and work with Hank to take this set!
"Kyotani, get ready to handle the blocking. Give it everything you have. Even if you risk getting hurt, you have to stop them."
Oikawa turned his head and spoke sternly. His eyes were filled with seriousness. Kyotani, who was usually somewhat unruly, could not help muttering inwardly when he saw that expression. This was the first time he had ever seen Oikawa look like this.
In his mind, Toru Oikawa was supposed to be someone who always wore an approachable smile.
But now… he was terrifyingly serious.
"People who truly want to win don't have smiles on their faces."
Hajime Iwaizumi, who knew Oikawa better than anyone, sat on the bench and noticed the change in him. He knew Oikawa was about to give everything he had. For Toru Oikawa, this was already the limit, but under the extreme hunger for victory burning inside him…
He could only keep breaking through that limit.
"Damn it. Why are they fighting with everything they have on the court, while I can only sit here?"
An ice pack had already been applied to Iwaizumi's right ankle in time, but inside, he was filled with torment. They had finally made it this far, and yet… because of him, the team was being forced under even greater pressure.
Every time he thought about that, his heart filled with overwhelming regret.
"Looks like I'll have to handle both blocking and offense at the same time. Kyotani was originally a right-side hitter, so he isn't very familiar with blocking."
"Right now, I'm the only one in the entire front row who can make reactive blocks."
Hank glanced at Wakatoshi Ushijima, Satori Tendō, and Kenjiro Shirabu, who were also in the front row. He knew that the three players in front of him absolutely would not be trapped by a simple block. He had to use reactive blocking. Only then could he weaken their offensive pressure.
With that thought, Hank already knew what he had to do.
After hearing that the back row had received the serve, Wakatoshi Ushijima in the front row moved like an incredibly precise machine. First, he took a slight step back, then swung his arm and rose into a power spike. However, Hank caught that movement, reached out, and directly blocked it.
The ball struck his palm, then slid down smoothly. On both sides of the court, the members of the Aoba Johsai club subconsciously clenched their hands, praying in their hearts that the ball would fall. If it did, Aoba Johsai would score.
But unfortunately, Tendō beside him took advantage of his long reach. He threw himself toward the left side and immediately saved the ball.
Although the ball rose very high, fortunately… it did not go out of bounds. It could still be recovered.
"Right now, Hank has to defend and carry the entire team's offense at the same time. What are they supposed to do!? Even someone made of iron would be worn down like this!"
"Only now can we truly understand what kind of genius Hank is. His height and jumping ability aren't his greatest talents. His greatest talent is his spirit. Under this kind of crushing pressure, he can still choose to keep saving the ball!"
"Come on! Go, Hank!"
(End of Chapter)
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