"Now, let's turn our attention to Group A."
"Today's spotlight in Group A is definitely on Aoba Johsai High's captain, Toru Oikawa. With his handsome looks, he's drawn a lot of female fans to the stands. He's truly a player who combines skill and popularity."
"Also, another standout from Aoba Johsai in today's match was Akashi Asuka. Last year, he was named the best outside hitter in the prefecture for Junior High and led his team to the national tournament. According to insider info, Asuka, still only a first-year, has already become Aoba Johsai's new 'ace.'"
"In today's game, Oikawa and Akashi racked up eleven consecutive points with powerful serves, becoming the focal point of the match."
"Tomorrow, they will face Karasuno High, who just swept their way past Ida Tech, a team that made it to the top eight last year. Let's hear what they think about tomorrow's match."
Shortly after the game ended, as Aoba Johsai was packing up to leave, a reporter approached the group with a camera crew in tow.
"May I ask both of you what you think about tomorrow's opponent, Karasuno High?"
The reporter handed the microphone to Toru Oikawa and Akashi Asuka as the cameraman trained the camera on them.
Akashi wasn't very experienced with interviews, but Oikawa handled it smoothly, flashing a confident smile. "Karasuno's a great team. We hope they give their all, and we'll try our luck here… maybe even break a few heads in the process."
"Oh? Oikawa seems pretty confident about tomorrow's match!" the reporter remarked.
Then turning to Akashi: "And how about you? Any message for Karasuno High?"
Akashi thought for a moment. "I just hope they put on a great match for everyone to enjoy."
The Karasuno team stood in front of their TV, watching Aoba Johsai's interview, feeling completely ignored by the cameras.
"That guy… already their ace?" Tobio Kageyama clenched his fist, frustration clear on his face.
"Who the heck is that guy? Acting all cocky like that!"
"We absolutely can't lose tomorrow."
The group's expressions darkened as they watched Oikawa's smiling face on the screen.
After a short moment, the Karasuno team gathered in their club dorm. Coach Keishin Ukai stood before the tactics board.
"Today's match was just the beginning. Even though we beat Ida Tech, tomorrow's opponent won't be any easier."
"Though we defeated Aoba Johsai in a previous practice match, their star player, Toru Oikawa, only played briefly near the end."
"And their other powerful attacker wasn't even on the court back then… Oda!"
Ukai called out to Oda Miki.
"Most of us know the other main players on Aoba Johsai a bit better thanks to that last game, but this key attacker, we still don't know much about him. So let's have Oda give us a rundown."
Oda stood and walked to the board.
"First, a disclaimer, these are stats from Junior High, so I don't know his current level exactly."
"The number 8 on Aoba Johsai is Akashi Asuka, an outside hitter. Known for powerful jump serves and attacks at the net. He was awarded MVP outside hitter in Miyagi Prefecture during Junior High."
"By the end of Junior High, Akashi's spike reach was 340 cm…"
Everyone was stunned.
Oda nodded. "Yeah, and if I'm right, his reach is probably even higher now since he's grown quite a bit since graduating. I'd guess close to 185 cm tall."
Shōyō Hinata: [Severely wounded expression]
For a boy like Hinata, who barely grew ten centimeters through Junior High, Oda's words felt like a knife to the heart.
Oda continued, "But height isn't even his strongest asset. What really sets Akashi apart is his 'monstrous strength' far beyond typical Junior Highers."
"At the national tournament in Junior High, his spike power was roughly on par with senior teammate Asahi Azumane, maybe even stronger…"
Azumane: "Hey! Why are you suddenly dragging me into this?"
The others exchanged glances, then voiced their doubts.
"No way! Azumane might be a bit of a weakling sometimes, but his power is solid. Even if Oda's old teammate is strong, it's hard to believe he could surpass Azumane!"
Azumane: "…Did I just get insulted?"
"He's right." Kageyama suddenly spoke up. "Akashi's spike has enough force to punch through a triple block. If he's the one attacking tomorrow, it'll take at least two blockers to stand a chance."
As a former opponent of Akashi, Kageyama's words carried weight.
The room fell silent.
After a while, Karasuno's players snapped back to reality.
"Wait a minute! If that's true, doesn't that mean he's basically got no weaknesses?"
"What?" everyone looked to Kageyama.
"He has flaws in his serve. Although Akashi's serve is powerful, he can't control the placement well. So if his serve happens to land right in front of a back-row player, it's very likely they'll receive it."
Karasuno's players debated long into the evening. After Oda finished explaining Akashi's strengths, Coach Ukai set the lineup based on tomorrow's opponent.
Once practice was over, Ukai took a match DVD of "Aoba Johsai vs. Oomisaki" home with him…
Thanks to K Xiaolong for the 1500 coins tip.
Thanks to Dulu Fox for the 1000 coins tip.
Thanks to Uchiha Kan for the 500 coins tip.
Thanks to EnGuang0714, Duanhao, and Xia Yunnian for the 100 coins tip.
You can find much more on my : .com/Veltoria
There are currently 5 active fanfictions on , with over 294+ advanced chapters available across them!
From Naruto Onwards, I Control Time — Up to Chapter 238
Haikyuu!!: Rise of Sengoku — Up to Chapter 159
Danmachi: Is It Wrong To Aspire to Be An Adventurer? — Up to Chapter 86
Legend of Hogwarts (Harry Potter x League of Legends) — Up to Chapter 84
I Am Luffy: Partner System Online (One Piece) — Up to Chapter 67