"Haha! Today's game was really exciting!"
In the evening, walking down the bustling streets of Tokyo, Tanaka couldn't help but shout excitedly.
Since their hotel was very close by, it only took less than ten minutes to get there.
So the members of Karasuno didn't take public transportation to and from the venue.
"Yeah! Oh, yeah!"
"That team called Tsutate is clearly so strong! But in the end, they still lost!"
"In other words, Mujinazaka High ,Kamomedai is the real powerhouse!"
"I really don't get why they're not a seeded team!"
...
Everyone happily chatted about the matches from earlier today.
In this national tournament, where strong teams constantly emerge, the overall skill level was clearly on display!
Battling more top-tier teams is exactly what they wanted!
"Huh?"
"Hinata, what's wrong with you?"
"You've looked out of it since earlier."
Sugawara, always observant, noticed that Hinata—who was usually energetic—was unusually quiet.
Tsukishima, walking beside him, commented coolly.
"He's been like that since watching Kamomedai's match."
"Was it that Number 5 who got to you?"
"You..."
"Don't say that!"
Sugawara tugged Tsukishima's ear and dragged him away.
In today's match, everyone had seen Kamomedai's strength on full display.
They had the tallest player in the tournament, second-year Hakuba, standing at a towering 203 cm!
A complete super player!
But despite his overwhelming height advantage, Hakuba wasn't Kamomedai's ace.
In fact, the most impressive player today was someone much smaller!
Kamomedai's main Offence Player, second-year Kōrai Hoshiumi!!
Only 169 cm tall, yet he became the center of attention!
If not for Hinata's presence, Hoshiumi would've been the shortest non-libero in the entire competition!
But that physical disadvantage didn't stop him from dominating the court!
His jumping reach let him spike over blockers despite a height difference of ten or even twenty centimeters!
Receives, blocks, spikes...
He outperformed everyone!
His exceptional technique made him a formidable volleyball player—
A true all-rounder!!
Throughout the match, he was repeatedly referred to as the "Little Giant" by the commentators!
And everyone knew that Hinata's idol had always been Karasuno's legendary Little Giant.
But in this national competition, he came face-to-face with someone just like his idol...
A player of similar stature but far more skilled...
Everyone worried about how this would affect Hinata.
Would he be discouraged?
"Ahaha... um, Hinata!"
Sugawara walked over with an awkward laugh and patted Hinata's shoulder.
"You don't need to compare yourself to others like that!"
"That Number 5 from Kamomedai is a second-year! Once you get to that level..."
"No!"
Hinata suddenly looked up!
His face didn't carry the frustration everyone expected.
Instead, it was filled with determination!
Excitement!
"I'm not discouraged!"
"Sugawara-senpai!"
"I just feel like I've found a new goal!"
"Turns out..."
"Height isn't what limits how well I play!"
"If I train hard enough..."
"I can be just as amazing as him!!"
"Uh..."
Everyone was stunned by Hinata's words.
So that's what he had been thinking?
Kageyama smiled slightly at the corners of his mouth.
This was the Hinata he knew so well!
Slap!
While laughing, someone smacked him on the back of the head.
"Stop standing there giggling! Everyone else is already far ahead!"
"Get moving!"
"Akira... you jerk! Don't hit me on the head again next time!"
"Tomorrow we face Matsukawa Tech, and the day after we have two matches!"
"The first might be Nohebi Academy or Daigu High."
"If we can beat them, the next match could be against Ichibayashi, Inubushi, or one of the other four schools!"
Coach Ukai looked at the schedule in his hands with a serious expression.
"I mean... if we keep winning..."
"The second match the day after tomorrow will decide our group!"
"The winner moves on from the group and enters the top four of the national tournament!!"
"Even though it's a bit early to talk about that, I think..."
"It's still important to prepare everyone now!"
"We'll face many challenges along the way!"
"But let's keep pushing forward!!"
"Yes!!"
Before Ukai could finish his speech, he was cut off by the excited voices of the team.
"Nationals!"
"Final Four! We're already that close??"
"Let's go!!"
...
Even typically composed players like Sugawara and Tsukishima had excitement in their eyes.
Hinata and Noya were running around the hotel's spacious conference room like kids.
"Uh..."
"Seems like..."
"These guys don't need much motivation at all!"
Ukai felt slightly embarrassed.
"Well, at least I won't have to worry about their mindset going into future matches."
"All right! All right!"
"Sit down!!"
"Hurry and take a look at the teams you might face next!!"
"You don't want to lose, do you?!"
"Yes!!"
Unsurprisingly, after reviewing footage of their potential opponents, the day ended for Karasuno.
The quiet, dark night wrapped around the summer evening.
And under that silence, a small glimmer of hope lingered—
Just waiting for the sun to rise again!!
"Hey, hey, hey!"
"Look over here! Look over here!"
"Hinata! You're early!"
Riding on the morning breeze of summer, the Karasuno team had just entered the venue when they heard a familiar voice not far away.
Hinata quickly waved back.
"You're early too, Bokuto-senpai!"
"But our match is first today, so we had to come early!"
Karasuno's match against Matsukawa Tech was the day's opening game, so they naturally had to warm up in advance!
"Oh? Really?"
Bokuto's eyes lit up.
"Our match is the third today! I'll come cheer you on later!"
"Hahaha! All right!"
While they laughed and chatted, it was already time for Karasuno to start warming up.
"Bye-bye! We'll head out now!"
As time passed, the stadium gradually filled with more people.
Spectators and players flooded the venue.
The once-empty space turned into a sea of energy!
And under this vibrant atmosphere...
The first match of the day—
Began!!