"Eh?"
"What's going on with the players from Matsukawa Tech?"
"Karasuno's attack is setting up, but their front row isn't moving to block?"
The commentators' voices echoed from the speakers outside the venue.
"Wait… are they trying to replicate Sarukawa Tech's tactic from yesterday?"
The crowd watching from outside the court all furrowed their brows in unison.
"Sarukawa Tech's tactic?"
"What tactic?"
…
Meanwhile, on the court—
Crunch!!
As Akira's feet slammed into the floor, his body launched upward in an instant!!
The players of Matsukawa Tech still didn't move to block the net!
Everyone crouched low, eyes locked on Akira in the air!
This ball has to be received!!
And from the perspective of the spectators outside the venue—
They're really abandoning the net!
But right now, the players of Matsukawa Tech weren't nearly as calm as they looked!
When the front row is protected by blockers, there's usually not much to worry about.
But now, with the net left wide open—
All they could see was the shadow soaring above the net across from them!
A suffocating pressure pressed down on Matsukawa Tech!
Where's he going to spike?
Can we… even receive it?
Akira responded to the questions in their hearts—with action.
But the result was not what they had hoped for.
BOOM!
A devastating spike crashed down into the middle of the six players!!
No one even had time to react!
Their bodies were completely frozen!!
Whoooosh!!!
All the spectators outside the venue could almost feel the gust of wind ripping through the center of the court!!
Cold and overwhelming!!
Is this… Karasuno's power??
Would I be able to receive that spike if it were me??
…
Creak!
The referee's whistle snapped the dazed spectators back to their senses!!
At that moment, the two commentators quickly found their voices again.
"Karasuno's No. 7!"
"He's using sheer strength to recreate yesterday's miracle!!"
"He's forced his opponents to the point of abandoning blocking at the net!!"
"He's shown us a completely different kind of power!"
"We still don't even know his name!"
"But I believe, after today—"
"After this match—"
"He'll definitely be ranked among the top aces in the country!!"
"This is it! Let's keep cheering for him!!"
As their voices fell, an overwhelming wave of cheers erupted outside the venue!
"Karasuno! No. 7!!"
…
"Th-This…"
Over on the sidelines, the Nohebi Academy players looked on in shock.
Their setter, Izumi , looked like he was about to cry.
"Isn't that our next opponent?"
"Captain! Tell me that's not true!!"
"Ahem."
Suguru Daishō coughed.
"What's with you guys?"
Nohebi's wing spikers, Kazuma Numai and another teammate, scoffed.
"Why are you worrying about a match we haven't even reached yet?"
"Focus on the one in front of us!"
"Well, yeah, but…"
Maejima rubbed his eyes.
"After watching that match, I just have this bad feeling!"
…
"Karasuno, huh?"
"Will they qualify out of their group?"
"I hope we get to play them!"
"If we do, I have to try and stop their ace!"
A group of players in black uniforms slowly left the viewing area. Their own match was about to begin in the next court.
…
In Miyagi Prefecture, those watching the match remotely were equally stunned.
They couldn't be there in person, couldn't feel the energy of the venue directly.
But just from the commentary and the crowd's reactions, they could grasp how terrifying Akira's spike was.
"Ughhh…"
"I want to watch live too!!" Kindaichi groaned.
Torō Oikawa gritted his teeth, eyes fixed on the screen.
Hajime Iwaizumi fell silent for a moment, then said resolutely:
"This year, we'll make it to Spring High too."
"We have to go."
In a small countryside house, Ikkei Ukai smiled as he watched the television.
"Good."
"Really good."
"Ha! That kid's something else!"
"He's got some crazy luck on his side!"
"To meet a player like that while I was still coaching!"
———————————————
Back on the court, the players of Matsukawa Tech stared at the spot where the ball had landed.
It seemed…
Even without blockers, Akira's spike wasn't something they could simply receive!
No wonder Sarukawa Tech—famous for their defense—had been crushed by Karasuno yesterday!
Karasuno's Ace—his strength wasn't just in his incredible jumping height!
Tweet!
The referee blew the whistle again as Karasuno prepared to serve.
The eyes of Matsukawa Tech's players narrowed.
They knew the real battle was only just beginning!!
…
"HAHAHA!!"
"Are these guys all scared stiff now or what?"
Kōtarō Bokuto laughed from the stands.
"Honestly, I was almost scared stiff the first time I faced him too!"
"You? Scared?"
Keiji Akaashi sighed.
"I remember you yelling even louder than usual."
"You were more hyped than you are in practice."
Tetsurō Kuroo watched the game unfold, rubbing his chin.
"But seriously… I think Matsukawa Tech's in trouble."
"Yeah."
"They might end up repeating Sarukawa Tech's fate."
Morisuke Yaku nodded slightly.
Since yesterday, he hadn't been optimistic about Matsukawa Tech's chances.
And now, just as he'd expected—it was all playing out the same way.
"What about tomorrow's game?"
"Is it against Nohebi or Daifu?"
"Heh!"
"No matter who they play, Karasuno's probably going to win, right?"
Yaku smiled and said:
"If no one on the team can stand up to Akira, then the chances of beating Karasuno are slim to none."
"Honestly, I think so too," Akaashi added.
"In the early stages of this national tournament, the most dangerous game for Karasuno was their first."
"Since it was their first time playing in such a big event, no one knew how well they'd handle the pressure."
"But now that they've survived that first match, qualifying from their group shouldn't be a problem."
"No team in Group C looks like a real threat."
"Akira's spikes might just crush them all."
"As for the later rounds…"
He hesitated a moment, then said:
"Inarizaki's Miya twins are tough opponents."
"If Karasuno makes it to the semifinals… that match could go either way."