Sure enough, it was just as Nobuteru Irihata had predicted.
Even though everyone on Aoba Johsai's side was doing their best to catch up, they still appeared powerless in the face of such a massive point gap.
In the end, it was Karasuno who took the first set with an overwhelming lead!
"Even though we lost that set, based on our earlier performance in the practice match with Karasuno, it wasn't bad!"
As soon as the Aoba Johsai players returned to their bench, the first thing they heard was Coach Irihata's words of encouragement.
"It's just… still not enough to beat them."
At that moment, Tōru Oikawa showed a rare expression of frustration.
Seeing him like that, Irihata couldn't help but sigh.
He understood the issues within the team and the pain Oikawa was feeling, but this kind of problem couldn't be resolved at this stage.
"Keep pushing forward!"
"As long as you don't give up, you'll defeat your opponents eventually."
Only, what he didn't say was...
That "eventually" might be in the far-off future.
...
Watching the situation on the court, Tanji Washijō let out a deep sigh.
"This is the ceiling for these players on Aoba Johsai..."
"How could they possibly defeat Karasuno, who's already beyond them?"
"1 to 200% is just 2. But 80% of 10 is 8!"
"Even if Oikawa can draw out 200% of his teammates' potential…"
"It still won't be enough to catch up with 80% of a stronger team!"
"Not to mention…"
"Karasuno isn't operating at just 80%!!"
Upon hearing this, Wakatoshi Ushijima fell silent for a moment and looked out at Oikawa on the court, a complicated expression in his eyes.
He had known Oikawa since junior high.
Back then, Shiratorizawa Junior High and Kitagawa Daiichi clashed repeatedly, but in the end, Ushijima had usually come out on top.
Then came high school...
Oikawa went to Aoba Johsai, while Ushijima entered Shiratorizawa.
Over the years, they'd been both rivals and—strangely—kindred spirits.
That's why he understood better than anyone…
Just how valuable and powerful a setter like Oikawa was.
He could bring a tangible, even transformative impact to a team.
"Oikawa's stubbornness held him back…"
"If he'd come to Shiratorizawa, the past two years of championships wouldn't have gone to Itachiyama!"
"And the title of strongest setter in the country—he would've had a real claim to it!"
If a team's baseline is 1, and Oikawa adds a 200% increase, it only goes up to 2.
But if the team's baseline is 10, and Oikawa brings that same 200%...
That's a leap to 20!
Now imagine if it were a team of 100, or 1000?
A setter like Oikawa can only fully realize his potential with strong teammates.
That was why Ushijima had always held a deep respect for Oikawa.
"Ahh…"
Washijō let out another sigh.
"There are too many 'what-ifs' in the world."
"Everyone has the right to their own choices and beliefs."
"What we're saying is only based on our own perspectives."
"And he must have his own reasons."
"We don't get to decide for others…"
Ushijima clenched his fists.
Shiratorizawa had always been a powerhouse in Miyagi Prefecture, and they consistently made it to the quarterfinals of the national tournament.
They had even reached the semifinals several times.
But even with those accomplishments, Ushijima understood one thing clearly:
His team had serious flaws.
The reason they could push so far in nationals was solely because of the sheer individual strength of the players.
In terms of overall teamwork…
It was practically nonexistent.
It wasn't that they didn't want to cooperate—it was that they didn't know how.
There was no strong core, no central hub to unify and drive that teamwork.
Without that, all talk of cohesion was meaningless.
And Oikawa was exactly the kind of setter who could bear that responsibility.
Not only that, but his immense personal skill allowed others to elevate themselves—beyond even their own limits.
With a setter like that…
Shiratorizawa, which had already reached national quarterfinals relying on raw power alone—
How terrifying would they be with actual coordination?
...
Thud!
This time, Kentarō Kyōtani stepped onto the court as part of Aoba Johsai's starting lineup.
In the second set, Karasuno served first!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Shōyō Hinata launched a powerful jump serve toward Aoba Johsai's side!
Though still a bit unpolished, it carried real power!
Smack!
Shinji Watari quickly picked up the ball in the backcourt!
Seeing this, Oikawa immediately set the ball!
Boom!!
Kyōtani, already in the front row, leapt up and spiked with brutal force!
He might look wiry, but his hits were packed with explosive energy.
But this time, Karasuno's front row of three had timed it perfectly—they all jumped to block at once!
Smack!
Kyōtani's spike was cleanly shut down!
From the sideline, the referee's whistle blew.
Karasuno continued to serve!
It was Hinata again with a jump serve!!
This time, seeing the trajectory coming toward him, Oikawa chose to stay up front and coordinated with Yūtarō Kindaichi for a quick attack!!
Just as he set the ball, Kyōtani on the wing took a few steps in the direction of the toss…
But after two steps, something struck him. He turned to glance at Oikawa—and abruptly stopped.
In the center, Kindaichi leapt and spiked off the quick set!
The attack came fast and sharp—but Akira on the other side of the net still managed to react!
Smack!
Kindaichi's spike struck Akira's palm directly!
"Touch! Ball's up!"
In the back row, Asahi Azumane immediately picked up the deflected ball!
Across the net, the entire Aoba Johsai front row watched Karasuno nervously.
This ball… It looked like Kageyama might be giving it to Akira.
But under their anxious gazes, Kageyama's set went wide—
A clean back set!
Behind him, Kei Tsukishima had already leapt!
Smack!
A quick attack landed clean, and with Aoba Johsai unable to react in time, they lost the point.
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