6:3
Kitagawa Daiichi was clawing their way back into the game, determined to close the gap.
Perhaps to the audience it looked monotonous, but Kitagawa's No. 4 didn't care about the crowd's opinions at all.
For him, once he found a weakness in the opponent's team, his only goal was to exploit it relentlessly.
Ichinose Guren, however, was slightly surprised by the last play. He hadn't expected Kageyama Tobio to give up a sure spike and choose to set instead.
He glanced down at his status bar, his fourth emblem had just lit up.
[Net Front Quick-Rise Specialist] – Slightly increases block and spike jump speed.
He looked toward Kageyama, who had just scored an assist.
Kageyama immediately noticed the gaze. Without flinching, he glared right back, sharp, fearless, and full of challenge.
"Heh. This brat's got some nerve."
Guren chuckled softly, then withdrew his gaze first.
Meanwhile, on Kitagawa's side, No. 4 was preparing his next serve, aiming once again at Mori's position. But he quickly realized Mori wasn't an idiot, and neither were his teammates.
Yukigaoka's libero, Hoshino Katsuri, had confidently stepped in front of Mori. That stance said it all, he was going to cover not only his own zone, but Mori's as well.
He would protect his setter from interference and make sure that area didn't become an exploitable weakness.
Mori froze for a moment, about to say something,
"If you're about to apologize, then don't bother," Hoshino said, eyes locked straight ahead at the opposing server across the net.
"I've been through this plenty of times. Protecting the team's ace attackers, the setter, whatever it takes."
"Back in club practice, I said it, I'll be the solid wall behind you."
"So if you guys need a shield up front… I'll block every single ball that comes your way!"
His tone was calm and steady, but those words hit Mori like a punch to the gut.
Hoshino-senpai… that was so cool!
Before Mori could voice his awe, the opponent's serve came flying toward them, fast and direct.
It targeted the open space in Yukigaoka's backcourt left empty by Hoshino's shift forward.
"As expected of a championship contender… even a standing serve is this fast…"
PAK!
A crisp sound rang through the court.
Hoshino, in perfect form, twisted into a clean side-reception posture and absorbed the serve flawlessly.
"You think you can score off me with just a standing serve?"
"Too naive!"
Mori, saved once again by Hoshino, didn't waste time with words. He knew what he had to do, deliver a perfect set and help the team win this rally. That was the greatest show of gratitude to his seniors.
He locked onto the ball, feet shifting, adjusting his stance and direction. He had to connect this one, to crush Kitagawa's momentum and push the lead to 7:3.
Alright! A clean set to either Guren-senpai or Yudai-senpai! Let's stretch the lead!
The ball soared in a beautiful arc toward Yudai Hyakuzawa's position.
No tricks, no quick attacks, just a pure, precise, high set.
"Nice set, Mori!"
Yudai grinned at the straightforward toss.
A little higher, a little slower, that's all I need.
Guren and I… we'll smash through this wall together! We're going to the Nationals!
A fierce, focused aura radiated from Yudai's body.
He took his approach, then jumped.
No hesitation. No concealment. Across the net, three blockers were already in position, leaping high, desperate to suppress the attack and keep their comeback alive.
"Your comeback ends right here!"
Yudai roared, raising his massive hand high, and with unstoppable force, he slammed the ball down.
BOOM!
=============
98+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon! Patreon.com/Veltoria [remove brackets]
250 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
Add to Library to support