"Hmm..."
"To be precise, it's only the twelfth or thirteenth rally!"
Hearing their words, Shinsuke Kita shook his head and said:
"No need to jump as high as him."
"I've seen the footage from their match against Shiratorizawa!"
"In that match, he jumped even higher than he is now!"
"What??"
"Does that mean... this current height isn't even his full power?"
Everyone was startled by his words.
Since Karasuno was in a different bracket, they hadn't done much pre-game research.
Originally, Inarizaki had planned to start studying their Final Four opponents tonight.
But they hadn't expected that Shinsuke Kita had already watched Karasuno's previous matches!
As the chatter died down around him, Kita continued:
"That kind of height must be more physically demanding."
"If he keeps using it, he won't last the whole match."
"Even this current form is already impressive."
Aran Ojiro spoke hesitantly:
"If I were jumping that high, I couldn't hold out for an entire game."
"Plus..."
"He seems to be smashing even more frequently than I do."
"Exactly!"
"Just like against Shiratorizawa!"
...
Noticing how the discussion was starting to drift, Kita's expression darkened.
"What we need to be discussing is—how to stop his spikes!"
"Can you all listen quietly for a second?"
His commanding presence quickly silenced the group.
Even Atsumu Miya, who was usually the most talkative, fell quiet, nodding in obedience.
Seeing this, Kita sighed and rubbed his forehead before continuing:
"In the match between Shiratorizawa and Karasuno, no one could match his jump height."
"But I noticed something..."
"As long as the blocker's jump height is enough to interfere with his spike, he'll adjust and redirect his angle to avoid the block."
"In other words, if we can meet a certain threshold height-wise, we can disrupt his spikes—maybe even block them outright."
"No problem!"
Ren Ōmimi grinned.
"If all we need to do is interfere, I can handle that!"
"Exactly," Kita nodded, satisfied.
"If we can just get in his way, we can coordinate our front-row block and back-row defense to handle him."
"Otherwise, we'll never beat Karasuno!"
"Yes!"
...
Across the court, Inubushi Higashi was gradually losing ground to Karasuno's offense.
The score was now Karasuno 13, Inubushi Higashi 6.
No matter how precise their teamwork was, once they failed to handle Akira's spikes...
Everything fell apart.
During the match, Yōsuke Fumizuki began to notice something alarming...
Their signature synchronized attacks—where multiple hitters coordinated for a single play—were starting to fail.
Karasuno's No. 7 could read his passes almost every time and move in front of the intended spiker to block!
But Fumizuki couldn't figure out why.
No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't understand how Karasuno's No. 7 always seemed to predict his plays.
He was always there—blocking the spike at just the right moment!
Smack!
"Watch the right wing!"
Inubushi Higashi's blockers scrambled to the net, but when faced with Akira, it was useless again!
The ball shot past them—right into the same spot as a tip shot!
It was a narrow path, and the defenders in the back row didn't even have time to react. The ball hit the floor cleanly.
This wasn't the first time it had happened either.
In the past, their back-row players had trained themselves to cover the areas the front line couldn't handle.
But they had subconsciously ignored the area just beneath the block.
And now, facing Akira, their block was being bypassed entirely.
That left their defense helpless when his spikes landed in the seam between them.
By this point, everyone on Inubushi Higashi had grim expressions.
Their usual rhythm was completely gone.
Their refined team coordination was meaningless now.
Some of the second- and third-years couldn't help but recall a certain past match.
Shiratorizawa.
Back in the last Spring High tournament, they'd been defeated by Shiratorizawa in much the same way.
Ushijima had relied on overwhelming power to blast through their blocks.
No matter how solid the block formation, it was crushed under his cannon-like spikes.
This time, against Karasuno, it was different.
Karasuno's No. 7—Akira—wasn't just powerful. He used his incredible jump height to soar over their blocks entirely.
Different method. Same result.
...
"He's insane! This guy!!"
From the very beginning, Udai Tenma had been muttering in awe.
"Whoa! That spike was so high!"
"The block couldn't even come close! It's hopeless!"
...
Back in his high school days, Tenma had struggled with his height and had relied on refined ball control to score.
That's the usual weakness for short players.
Just like Shōyō Hinata now—if he hadn't developed such an incredible jump, he never would've made it as a wing spiker.
Even so, small players like them were always at a disadvantage against taller opponents.
What others could touch by just reaching, they had to leap for with everything they had.
Though Tenma no longer played volleyball, the memories were still vivid.
"Hey! Tsukishima-senpai! I think I get it now!"
Seeing Karasuno score again, Tenma turned excitedly to the person next to him, a spark of satisfaction in his eyes.
"The one your brother called amazing—it has to be No. 7!"
"With spikes like that, who could ever block him?"
"Shh!"
"Keep it down, Tenma!"
Akiteru Tsukishima flinched, shrinking into his seat.
He glanced around to make sure no one recognized them, then leaned in and whispered:
"And also!"
"Don't use my name out loud!"
"Just call me Ao, okay?"
Tenma let out a helpless sigh.
"Tsukish—ah, I mean, Ao!"
"The amazing guy your brother talked about must be No. 7, right?"
"Probably..."
Akiteru said uncertainly.
"I didn't ask for specifics at the time."
"But judging by what I'm seeing now, it's gotta be him."
"After all..."
"On that Karasuno court, no one else even comes close."
...
While they were still talking, the first set between Karasuno and Inubushi Higashi was drawing to a close.