Irihata Nobuteru changed.
He was no longer the middle-aged man with squinting eyes who always smiled at everyone.
The fourth day of the devilish special training had just begun, and Irihata Nobuteru increased the intensity of the training. Previously, when practicing 'in-circle bumping', Aoba Johsai players would get one 500-meter cross-country run for every five mistakes.
But now, it had changed to one 500-meter cross-country run for every three mistakes.
After three days of training, the Aoba Johsai players, who had just managed to adapt to the training rhythm, were back to square one overnight.
However, Oikawa Tooru and Kyotani Kentaro, who had just arrived, were even worse off. Although their fundamentals were among the best in Aoba Johsai, it was inevitable for them to make mistakes when first starting out.
So, today, just one hour into the special training, both of them had already run three laps consecutively.
By the time of the mid-session break.
The innocent smiles that Oikawa Tooru and Kyotani Kentaro initially had were nowhere to be seen on their faces.
Washijo Tanji also changed.
Although Washijo Tanji used to advocate 'Spartan training methods', overall, he still followed his own training rhythm, unperturbed by external factors or personal emotions.
But ever since the Aoba Johsai people arrived at the Beach after eight o'clock, this old man suddenly had his youthful fighting spirit ignited.
He waved his hand and said boldly:
"Come on, add one more lap!"
Thus, the punishment for Shiratorizawa's training changed from one lap of long-distance running to two laps.
Oh, right!
Let me briefly explain here: Shiratorizawa's punishment was to run one lap around the guesthouse they rented.
And because Aoba Johsai's training base and the guesthouse Shiratorizawa rented were very close, plus the area of the guesthouse and the fishing house Aoba Johsai rented were similar, the terrain and distance for long-distance running were almost identical for both sides.
Then Irihata Nobuteru changed again.
To win the game, training must not be lost first.
If Shiratorizawa can add, then we can add too. He immediately made a decision and issued an order, also extending the long-distance run to two laps.
Then Washijo Tanji changed again.
The training volume continued to increase...
Just like that.
The two old coaches, whose combined age exceeded a hundred years, engaged in a battle of wits, their eyes meeting as if sparks were flying.
Only the players of the two teams, who were on the side, were all sprawled on the sand like dead dogs.
"Huff, puff~~ What's going on? Was the old man always this competitive?" Shirabu Kenjirosupported himself with his hands on the sand. The continuous training plus at least three laps of [500-meter cross-country] made him almost unable to catch his breath.
"Damn it, who knew we'd be training with Aoba Johsai this time... Huff, huff!"
"What's wrong with Aoba Johsai? Haven't we played against Aoba Johsai before?"
"Isn't that obvious? We've never lost to Aoba Johsai before!... Huff, puff!"
Semi Eita took a few deep breaths, and after feeling his breathing finally calm down a bit, he continued: "Don't underestimate the coach's competitiveness. After losing to Aoba Johsai in the National Tournament preliminaries last time, he was sulking for a long time. This training probably just allowed him to release all the pent-up frustration he had before."
On the other side.
The Aoba Johsai people were equally confused.
Especially Oikawa Tooru and Kyotani Kentaro, who were completely bewildered: "Huff, huff~~ What's going on? Did you guys train like this the past few days too?"
Everyone turned their heads and glanced at the two, not replying, because they simply didn't have the strength to speak.
Then, in the afternoon.
As expected.
Irihata Nobuteru and Washijo Tanji were at it again, and the result was that Aoba Johsai and Shiratorizawa played against each other once more.
Don't misunderstand.
This refers to playing a match.
However, unlike yesterday afternoon's match, today's practice match had a penalty of five laps of [500-meter cross-country] for the losing team.
This news immediately made the players of both teams tremble.
Especially Akashi Asuka, whose eyes were practically glowing.
Akashi Asuka: "Good heavens, if we lose this match, won't it be a legitimate opportunity to engage in internal competition?"
Others: "o(?Д?)っ!"
You're not right!
What kind of shocking words are those?
Irihata Nobuteru seemed to have seen through Akashi Asuka's 'scheming', and then added another sentence.
Every member of the losing team would have to accept the punishment.
At this moment.
Akashi Asuka's idea of secretly engaging in internal competition was directly burned to ashes.
After all, internal competition is only fun when it's done secretly. If everyone joins in, what's the point of internal competition!
Yesterday they played indoor volleyball, and today it was Beach volleyball.
After both teams' players finished warming up, they went onto the court one by one. And when Iwaizumi Hajime from Aoba Johsai's side entered the court, Oikawa Tooru immediately noticed something unusual.
"Hey! Iwaizumi-chan, you're in the wrong position."
"I'm not in the wrong place."
Iwaizumi Hajime shook his head, then took a deep breath, turned around, and loudly said to all the Aoba Johsai members: "Starting today, I will serve as the team's reliable Defensereceiver. Please bear with me."
"What? Iwaizumi, you're not going to continue as the ace spiker?"
Iwaizumi Hajime's sudden decision immediately surprised the team members.
Iwaizumi Hajime exhaled, a look of relief on his face, and said: "No, I won't. Now that we have Akashi and Kyoutani in the team, it's enough. If the team wants to challenge for the National Tournament, we not only need to strengthen our offense but also our Defense."
Iwaizumi Hajime had been thinking about this decision for a long time. To be precise, he had been considering it since before the National Tournament ended.
Before they had made it into the National Tournament, Iwaizumi Hajime still held a glimmer of hope, but this National Tournamentmade him truly see his limits.
Throughout the entire National Tournament, Iwaizumi Hajime's individual contribution to the team was almost zero.
Facing national-level strong opponents.
Iwaizumi Hajime's individual attacking power had almost no effect, and he didn't even score a single crucial point. Although he did score points during the tournament, those were basically only successful when he coordinated with Oikawa Tooru.
So, were those points due to Oikawa Tooru's credit or Iwaizumi Hajime's credit?
Although it was cruel, physical conditions had indeed become a rigid constraint on Iwaizumi Hajime's growth.
Originally, Iwaizumi Hajime had always been hesitant, but after yesterday's practice match with Shiratorizawa, he finally completely came to terms with it.
Aoba Johsai is a complete team.
When this team climbs towards the peak, it's impossible for everyone to shine like the sun. Some people always need to make sacrifices, to be hidden in the shadows.
As the vice-captain, Iwaizumi Hajime believed that he should be the first to contribute to the team.
Iwaizumi Hajime said: "Let me be the cornerstone for Aoba Johsai to dominate the nation!"