Jin stepped onto the court, replacing Tanaka.
Against Date Tech's "Iron Wall" momentum, the substitution came at the perfect time. Karasuno's rhythm had been faltering, their nerves shaken by the pressure of the Iron Wall. But Jin's arrival balance both teams momentum.
He tilted his chin toward the opposite side, eyes locked on Date Tech's formation.
"The next point is mine. I'll break through first. That's if you can even handle my serve."
The gym buzzed. Date Tech was stiffened at his arrogance.
Moniwa tightened his jaw. "Kamasaki, Aone, keep your eyes sharp. Don't let him through."
Kamasaki nodded, fists clenched. Aone stood wordlessly beside him, gaze fixed on Jin.
On Karasuno's side, Kageyama met Jin's eyes. No words were exchanged, only a single nod. Jin wanted the challenge. The setter would give it to him.
Jin rolled the ball once in his palm, then tossed it high. His arm snapped forward, sending the ball shot like a bullet across the net.
"I got this!"
Sasaya lunged, arms stretched, but the ball spun away, bouncing out of bounds.
The referee tossed another ball back. Jin caught it and grinned. Same stance, same toss, same sharp jump, but at the last instant, he changed his motion, pushing the ball with his palm.
The short serve dropped in front of Moniwa. The receiver's late dive came half a beat too slow.
The ball land to the court. Point Karasuno.
"Nice serve!" Nishinoya shouted. The team also erupted in cheers.
Jin smirked. "One more."
He fired again. This time Kamasaki steadied the pass. The ball rose toward Aone.
The massive middle blocker slammed forward, spike crashing down but Hinata launched himself, body twisting in mid-air. His fingertips brushed the ball.
"One touch!" Hinata called.
Nishinoya reacted instantly, arms steady, pulling the ball back up.
"Nice receive!"
Kageyama was already beneath it. His eyes locked to Jin, and Jin was ready.
The toss flew out of his hands, lightning-fast, three times quicker than normal.
"Huh!?" Moniwa gasped.
The blockers froze. They had no time to adjust.
Jin came to the net, leaping before Aone could react. His arm whipped down *BOOM!* The ball slammed into the floor.
Cheers shook the court. Jin landed and looked across the net.
"If you think I'm only about tricks, you're dead wrong."
Karasuno's momentum surged. Jin's and Kageyama's speed shredded Date Tech's timing. Even after Date Tech's called for a timeout, the Iron Wall looked shaken.
The scoreboard ticked closer. Match point was in sight.
"Karasuno, match point!"
The announcer's voice rang through the gym.
In the stands, Oikawa watched with a furrowed brow. 'If we have to face them… how do you stop this guy?'
On the court, Aone's expression didn't waver. His eyes never left Jin. No matter how many times the ball went his way, he would not back down.
"Guard him!" Kamasaki shouted.
Kageyama's hands moved again. Everyone in the gym knew where the ball was going. The set shot toward Jin.
Aone shifted, sliding diagonally into the lane, arms raised like iron bars. His timing was perfect.
But Jin only smirked.
"That's not the Iron Wall. If you want to block me… Then I'll broke through you!"
His full swing crashed into the ball.
Aone's fingers grazed it, twisting its path slightly, but the ball still ripped past and struck the court.
The whistle blew.
"Set over! Karasuno wins!"
The court erupted. Karasuno's bench leapt to their feet, flooding onto the court. Jin clenched his fists and exhaled, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face, grinning like a mad dog who had just bitten through steel.
Across the net, Date Tech stood frozen. Aone's hand still tingled from the block attempt, but his head bowed. Moniwa clenched his fists at his side. Kamasaki and Sasaya stared down at their shoes.
Victory and defeat.
On one side, Karasuno looked up at the lights of the gym, cheering with every ounce of energy they had.
On the other, Date Tech stared at the polished floor beneath their feet.
Competitive competitions have always been like this, the victors look up at the lights of the stadium, the losers look at the reflections on the soles of their feet... a few.