On the other side, the teams of Itachiyama Institute and Inarizaki High are also closely watching the match.
After all, one of the teams—Karasuno High or Fukurōdani Academy—might become their next opponent!
"Looks like Bokuto is in top form today!"
Mitsuya Fuchiyama, the third-year wing spiker of Itachiyama, crossed his arms as he watched the court with interest.
"This version of Bokuto is a real headache."
"Definitely," their setter nodded. "Since yesterday's match, the mental state of everyone on Fukurōdani seems to have improved!"
"We haven't seen them like this before."
...
Meanwhile, Inarizaki's attention isn't on Fukurōdani.
"Karasuno's team..."
"Feels way stronger than during Interhigh."
"Even if Karasuno didn't have Akira's powerful serve, I think a lot of teams still wouldn't stand a chance against them."
In their last match, they had been thoroughly overwhelmed by that devastating serve, and it had left a deep impression.
Motivated by that experience, Inarizaki had been putting in intense serve-receive training daily for the past few months!
It might just be that preparation which helped them push smoothly through to the semifinals of this Spring High Tournament.
...
Back on the court, the match between Fukurōdani and Karasuno continues!
Faced with Fukurōdani's relentless offense led by Bokuto, Karasuno counters with equal aggression!
The key difference between the two teams, however, lies in this:
Karasuno's defense is superior to Fukurōdani's!
Karasuno manages to dig up many of Fukurōdani's attacks, but when the sides switch between offense and defense, Fukurōdani struggles to respond to Karasuno's fast-paced assaults.
Because of this, the score gap slowly begins to widen!
Until Fukurōdani can find a way to break through, that gap will only grow larger.
At this level of play, even a minor edge can snowball into a decisive advantage!
Realizing this, Fukurōdani starts adjusting their back-row formations in an attempt to adapt.
Their coach, calls two timeouts, seemingly searching for an answer, but the results aren't particularly effective.
With Karasuno maintaining their lead, Fukurōdani ultimately drops the first set.
Then, after a short break, the second set begins!
This time, Fukurōdani takes the first serve!
Bang!
Following the referee's whistle, Sarukui Yamato unleashes a sharp jump serve aimed at Karasuno!
Smack!
The serve is received cleanly by Daichi Sawamura in the back row!
Tobio Kageyama immediately sets it to Akira on the right wing!
But the attack is skillfully dug by Haruki Komi, Fukurōdani's libero, who had shifted into position just in time. The ball doesn't score!
In the following rally, Keiji Akaashi sets up Bokuto, who soars and fires a spike toward Karasuno's back row!
Yū Nishinoya gets to the ball, but because of the awkward angle, his rushed receive goes awry and the ball flies off target!
This time, Fukurōdani scores the first point of the second set!!
...
"Do you guys think Fukurōdani has a shot at winning this one?"
In the stands, the members of Nekoma High are watching the match intently...
"It's still too early to say who's going to win," said Morisuke Yaku with a hint of hesitation.
"Bokuto seems even sharper than in the last game."
"If he can keep up this rhythm, then the outcome really is up in the air."
"Even if Bokuto's on fire, Karasuno isn't without answers," added Kenma thoughtfully.
"I think Karasuno still has cards they haven't played."
"Oh?"
Everyone else turned toward him in surprise.
"No, not just Karasuno—I mean Akira."
"From what I know about him, he definitely has a trump card he's holding back."
The others turned their eyes back to the intense battle on the court.
What Kenma said... made a lot of sense.
In the past, whenever opponents thought they had figured out Karasuno's strategy and were about to seize victory...
Karasuno would always unveil a new surprise play that turned the tables.
That's always been Karasuno's style.
And it's Akira's style, too!!
By now, Kenma was certain:
There's no way they've shown everything just yet!!
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