"Ding, the reward for the mission 'The Ace's Determination' has been updated. Tooru Oikawa has broken through his skill bottleneck. Passing ability +1."
"Ding, the host has successfully altered Tooru Oikawa's career trajectory. Reward: Tooru Oikawa (Current State) Player Card."
The system popped up two consecutive messages, and Taichi Kaedehara didn't even know where to start complaining.
The mission "The Ace's Determination"—which had completely embarrassed him in public last night—ended up rewarding Tooru Oikawa. That thick-browed, handsome guy didn't miss a single benefit.
What intrigued Taichi even more was that Oikawa's career path had changed.
Taichi wasn't surprised that Oikawa's abilities improved. As someone who would one day be part of Argentina's men's national volleyball team, Oikawa was bound to have a breakthrough sooner or later. He just didn't expect it to happen now.
Thinking carefully, in the original timeline, Oikawa had lost all three years of his high school career, remaining relatively unknown, and had even been confused at one point about whether to continue playing volleyball.
But after being coached by José Blanco—the former setter of Argentina's national men's volleyball team and now coach of Japan's V-League team "Tachibana Red Falcons"—Oikawa had made up his mind to chase his volleyball dream again.
Staying in Japan meant he would always face a towering wall he couldn't overcome. It was Ushijima Wakatoshi before, and later Kageyama Tobio. So, Oikawa took a different path and went to Argentina—temporarily leaving in order to return stronger.
But now, Oikawa's high school journey had not ended in frustration. One person stood before him and matter-of-factly told him that what Kageyama could do, he could also do. It wasn't encouragement or comfort—just a statement of fact.
Faced with such a junior, Oikawa couldn't even find a way to explain—"There is a gap in talent."
Yet, faced with such unreasonable pressure, a wave of thrill surged within Oikawa's heart: "If you think so, then I'll show you I can!"
Aoba Johsai to serve. Tooru Oikawa stepped onto the service line again, took a deep breath, adjusted the force and angle of his wrist—he felt like he was in peak form.
"Oikawa, give us a good serve!"
He heard his teammate's shout in his ear. Oikawa tossed the ball, took two steps forward, jumped, his arm slicing a powerful arc through the air. At the moment of contact, his fingers and wrist tightened and delivered a short, sharp strike.
The ball had no spin, wobbling as it flew through the air—catching the Wakunan receiver off guard.
The ball seemed to move slowly, but in an instant, it was in front of Akiu Hikaru. Just as he raised his hands to receive it, the ball suddenly dropped in front of his eyes.
Oikawa scores with his serve!
[Aoba Johsai 13 VS 8 Wakunan]
"What was that? Amazing!"
"The ball just suddenly dropped, didn't it?" First-years around the court gasped.
"A jump float serve?! He can do that too?" Wakunan's players were clearly caught off guard by Oikawa's tricky jump float serve.
His earlier power jump serves were already a headache, and now he could switch to another type of serve?
The point gap widened, and under the heavy atmosphere, Wakunan's players began to grow uneasy.
"Stay sharp! We must receive the next ball!" Even though he knew that simple encouragement might no longer help, Nakashima Takeshi still shouted loudly.
"Yes!" Wakunan's players responded, though their voices sounded strained.
Nakashima's heart sank. They had to hold the next serve no matter what.
"Oikawa-senpai, another one!" Unlike Wakunan's silence, Aoba Johsai's side was lively and excited.
Oikawa flashed a victory gesture toward the sidelines, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Aoba Johsai continued serving—Oikawa's third serve.
"Smack!"
The sound was strange, and Taichi Kaedehara immediately knew—unless he was mistaken, something had gone wrong.
The volleyball smacked squarely onto Iwaizumi's head—who had been covering his neck with his arms—and flew straight into the air before landing beside his feet.
Oikawa's service error. Wakunan scores.
[Aoba Johsai 13 VS 9 Wakunan]
"Tap, tap, tap..." For a moment, only the sound of the ball bouncing on the court could be heard.
"Pfft..." Taichi couldn't help but laugh, and others started chuckling too. "Sorry, Iwaizumi-senpai. I didn't mean to."
Iwaizumi didn't respond, silently picking up the ball at his feet.
"Koiwa, calm down, we're still in a match—Ah!" Oikawa was hit dead-on by Iwaizumi's precise spike. "Hanamaki, aren't you going to help talk him down?"
After giving Oikawa a proper lesson, Iwaizumi calmly bowed slightly in apology toward Wakunan's players and the referee.
Nakashima Takeshi took a deep breath. Thanks to Oikawa's mistake, Wakunan had a bit of breathing room.
Wakunan served.
With their mood slightly lifted, Wakunan returned to their usual rhythm. Nakashima maintained a strong offense, even managing to score through a triple block.
[Aoba Johsai 13 VS 10 Wakunan]
It was Taichi Kaedehara's turn in the back row, switching with Shinji Watari. Oikawa felt a chill run down his back.
As the second-best ace in the prefecture behind Ushijima Wakatoshi, Nakashima's diverse and powerful attacks forced Aoba Johsai to reduce the number of blockers to cope. Whether it was straight shots, touch-outs, or feints, Nakashima had no weaknesses. The game grew tense once more.
Standing on the bench, Taichi's eyes locked onto Nakashima. He focused intently on every detail of Nakashima's movements, as if to engrave every play into his memory. For Taichi, there was no better lesson than this.
"Taichi, Taichi!" Kindaichi called out twice but got no response.
He turned to see Taichi staring fixedly at Nakashima on the court, his eyes filled with focus, seemingly shutting out all the surrounding noise, entirely immersed in Nakashima's every move.
Coach Irihata noticed this too. He watched Taichi with interest and quietly admired his concentration.
Coach Irihata chuckled and turned to Kindaichi. "Looks like Taichi is already captivated by the opposing ace. That level of focus is rare. For the next set, you'll go in. Let Taichi observe and learn on the sidelines."
"Me?" Kindaichi was caught off guard by the sudden chance to play.
"Did you warm up properly?" Coach Irihata asked directly.
"Yes! I'm ready!" Kindaichi replied, a little excited.
"Then go!" Coach Irihata nodded at him.
With confidence, Kindaichi Yuutarou joined the match.