The back-row libero lunged forward and extended both arms, easily picking up the serve.
Seeing that the serve had been received, every member of Aoba Johsai immediately began moving, with Toru Oikawa at the center of the play.
Almost everyone looked like they might receive the set, but those steps and feints meant nothing to Atsumu Miya, who had already been through countless matches on the volleyball court. Without the slightest hesitation, he set his blocking target on Hank.
After all, among all of Aoba Johsai, the only one capable of posing a threat to them was Hank.
As long as they could keep him in check, then even if the entire Aoba Johsai team started spiking, they would not be much of a threat. The gap in strength was right there.
No matter how much Inarizaki opened up its defense, they still had a powerful back line supporting them. Their libero was also a veteran of countless matches and would not give up the ball so easily.
"So it really is going to Hank again! I've already seen through your movements."
"You're still this predictable."
When Atsumu saw Oikawa set the ball to Hank once again, a smile flashed through his eyes.
They had already studied this offensive pattern thoroughly. As long as they sealed off every direction Hank could spike toward, he would no longer be a threat at all.
Even if Hank could force his way through the block with raw power, that would still be useless. Their blocking also had technique behind it. They could use the recoil from their arms to deflect the ball out of bounds.
That meant Hank absolutely could not simply smash the ball without thinking. He had to seize the right angle.
"Damn brat… how can he react to it!?"
When Toru Oikawa saw that Atsumu could actually react in advance, his expression immediately changed.
Now, he had been completely seen through.
Even so, although their play had already been exposed, it would still be very difficult for the other side to receive the spike created by his and Hank's coordination.
There was no doubt about that.
After all, from the very beginning, the combination between the two of them had relied on Hank's extraordinary physical talent. As long as Hank's talent was still there, then no matter what kind of set came his way, he could produce the most terrifying effect.
Even if they could not coordinate with Hank perfectly, as long as they could draw out more than half of his power, that alone would be enough to make any opponent feel a chill.
"So it really is this direction… I guessed right again."
The instant Atsumu jumped, he saw that Hank had already begun his takeoff as well. A pleased look suddenly appeared on his face.
By now, he had completely figured out the spiking pattern between those two.
As long as a few more rallies passed, the threat of Oikawa and Hank's combination spike would be greatly reduced. It would no longer be a situation where simply setting the ball to Hank basically guaranteed a point.
That alone was enough to show just how talented Atsumu was.
If it had been any other setter, forget capturing the coordination between Oikawa and Hank. They would already be doing well if they could avoid panicking.
But Atsumu was not only able to react to it; he could even imitate it.
That alone was more than enough for him to be called the number one setter in the nation.
(End of Chapter)
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