The back row quickly deploys to defend and strives to do everything they can to perfection!
This ball, even if it returns to Karasuno's side, must not score directly!
Hold on!
Just catch the ball, and there's hope of turning the tide!
But...
With the leap of the tall figure on the other side of the net...
He was like an imposing cloud, devouring all the sun in the sky!
The players of Sarukawa Tech instantly felt... their light of hope was completely eclipsed!
Immediately, a large hand extended from the clouds and slammed directly onto the ball!
Boom!
No matter how unwilling the eyes of Sarukawa Tech were—
The ball that Akira spiked still soared past their blockers and slammed inside their boundary!
Wham!
Karasuno scores!!
All the defenses Sarukawa Tech prepared for Akira seemed pale and weak against his attack!
This is a gap in strength!
Unbridgeable!
"Haha! I knew it would go like this!"
Off the court, Fukurodani, having just finished their match, had gathered beside the Nekoma team.
"I was worried they might get nervous and hold back!"
"But looking at it now..."
"Someone who can go toe-to-toe with me The Bokuto in a practice match wouldn't freeze up!"
Bokuto laughed as he patted Kuroo's shoulder, watching the court.
Behind him, Akaashi quietly reminded:
"Being constantly losing to him doesn't count as being ''toe-to-toe"
"Oops! Akaashi, don't sweat the details!"
"Hahaha!"
"Anyway, Akira's really strong!"
As he said this, Bokuto suddenly turned to Kuroo and asked:
"By the way, how strong are their opponents in this match?"
"They seem oddly familiar!"
"Wait—don't tell me you forgot again??"
At that moment, not only Akaashi, but even Fukunaga and the others looked at him in disbelief.
"Isn't that the team you faced at Interhigh last year?"
Yaku added calmly:
"Even I remember, and I wasn't even on the court."
"Huh? Really?"
"Well, it has been a year. Can't blame me if it's a little fuzzy..."
Bokuto scratched his head sheepishly.
Then he turned to Akaashi and asked:
"So what about their strength?"
"They're a solid team," Akaashi replied, watching the court.
"Their playing style is a bit like Nekoma—good at endurance and defense."
"Hmm, that's true," Kuroo nodded.
"Coach Nekomata once mentioned them. Their coach, Aritaka Shishio, used to be with Nekoma."
"Ohh! Really?"
That was the first Bokuto had heard of that.
"So if their style is similar to yours..."
"Then Karasuno should have no trouble winning this match!"
"You..."
Kuroo turned to glare at him, exasperated.
"Even though you're technically not wrong, why does it still make me want to punch you?"
...
While the group continued chatting, the match resumed.
Sarukawa Tech slowly recovered from the last point.
Because no matter how crushing the moment was, the match would continue.
And before the game began, when they had watched footage of Karasuno's matches—
Aritaka Shishio had anticipated this very situation.
So, even back then, he had mentally prepared the team for setbacks.
That's also why they were able to quickly refocus—the strength of Coach Shishio.
Tweet!
Following the referee's signal, Karasuno continued their serve!
Smack!
Hinata's serve flew into Sarukawa's back row, but they picked it up cleanly!
This time, however, Itaru Shiramine wasn't as calm as he appeared.
Karasuno's No. 7 still stood dead center.
It felt like no matter where they sent the ball, he'd be there to intercept!
And Shiramine knew well—Sarukawa Tech wasn't a team known for offense!
What now??
As the ball soared toward him, doubt flickered in Shiramine's heart.
He feinted!
A quick glance behind him made it seem like the ball was going to the rear.!