Author Note: I am aware that standard Beach Volleyball is done in pairs. But for this tournament, it'll be 3 on 3. With some spares. Just more people and more of a need for a Team Captain.
Bodhi's new teammates could only stare in awe at the video playing before their eyes. Bodhi Hamada was a force of nature, one with unlimited stamina it seemed, as he was everywhere on the court. Up front being the block, in the deep court receiving spikes, or smashing them down at his opponents. His Maverick moniker truly fit him to a T. You never knew which hand he was going to use when coming in for a spike, making it near impossible to properly line up on his hitting arm, he always kept you guessing, but the players had also noticed just how dynamic he was as well. His shoulders were much like that of swimmers Australia was known for, wide, powerful, and flexible. The sheer range of movement added another layer to the unpredictable nature of his spikes.
His serves were just as good, hitting them much like Oikawa does, most of them observed, but he would no doubt be a little more challenging if he were to suddenly switch up his serving arm. The different rotation on the ball made it more difficult to receive if you weren't used to a lefties spin. And on top of that monster serve, he also possessed a jump float, which caused Oikawa to voice his displeasure at 'another one', he truly hated those who used the jump float, but he could not deny the effectiveness of it.
Many of the players coaches included began to see just how much this new player would affect their team. Having a player of such calibre would no doubt bring many boons, but it also meant they would have to accommodate such a player. Coach Irihata's statement of needing to change seemed to make all the more sense.
The video continued playing as they got some more information
"Team Australia is leading the charge in this final set against England, it has been back and forth this entire match folks! Bodhi Hamada has been going head-to-head with England Team Captain Oliver Kensington. Both have made a case for best in the tournament. Bodhi Hamada known for his unpredictability and power has gotten the better of Kensington early on in the match but as time has gone on, Kensington has shown great adaptability and has begun to shutdown Hamada. It is expected after all, Kensington has been hailed as the future cornerstone of England Volleyball, a sport they have not been dominant in. Only time will tell- OH! There it is the Maverick Switch! Bodhi Hamada just blew by Kensington's block and Australia has taken the lead for the first time in this final set 13-12!"
"Kensington…tch," Bodhi said, causing some people to look at him.
"This Kensington guy, is he good?" Kindaichi questioned.
"Yeah, you could say that. The guy's a middle blocker and his ability to read-block is incredible. His power is no joke either, blocks are my weak point, and damn did he make me suffer for that," Bodhi replied with an answer, and they all turned back to video, to see the score had run itself up to 18-19 in favour of England. "The guy had another gear in him. I can see why he deserves the hype around him."
"And just like that! Kensington smashes past Hamada's block and that's game folks! Team England takes this one 20-18 and takes home the gold. Team Australia will have to make do with silver this time around. You've been listening to FOX SPORTS Australia." The video ended with that. Once again, they looked to Bodhi for some answers.
"Why are you all looking at me? We lost; it is what it is. I'll beat him next time, it's partially why I came here after all. To play with the supposed best setter and a team that highly values teamwork. That's something I can get behind!" Bodhi announced.
With an approving nod, Coach Irihata dismissed them. "Okay, that's it for today. Remember what I said about individual practice and the homework I assigned you. Best be off it's late." With that, the players all made their way to get changed out of their athletic gear, all but Bodhi seeing as he hadn't changed.
"Ah, one moment Hamada," Coach Irihata asked him, causing Bodhi to stop in the doorway.
"What's up, Coach?"
"This is for you. Wear it with pride." Coach Irihata said, handing Bodhi a jersey with the number 14 plastered on the front and back.
"…Wicked mate!" Bodhi snatched it away and looked at it in awe, he never got tired of getting a new jersey, especially with his favourite number on it. Putting it away, he bid both coaches goodbye and made his way out to the parking lot and got on his bike, but before he could start it up, he was approached by some of the players, third years he noted.
"Hamada, a bunch of us were going to go and grab a bite to eat at Ozaki's. It's a place we all go to occasionally after practice. Great BBQ, self-serve too." The spikey-haired senior said Bodhi believed his name to be Hajime Iwaizumi, the current ace of Aoba Johsai.
"Uh, just let me check in with my mom," Bodhi said, bringing his phone up to dial his mother's cell, but before he could a caller ID came across the screen, from somebody who he had met the previous summer during their vacation. "Wonder what he wants. One sec a friend I meant back I Australia is calling, he's actually from Japan believe it or not."
"Sup Tatsuki! Been a while man I was planning- Huh?... Really?... You can do that? Nah, there's no way my coach would agree to that…" Bodhi started to have a conversation with the person on the other line, completely ignoring the glares from the third years for being interrupted.
"Tatsuki there's no way it'll work…Huh, who are you? Coach Yamiji? No, our meeting just finished and if Tatsuki hasn't told you yet I just joined the team they won't agree to that…Top 5 you say? Interesting…"
As Bodhi's conversation kept going on, the coaches had just left the building and saw the group of the third years and Bodhi, just loitering outside the building.
"Iwaizumi, Oikawa, Hanamaki, Matsukawa, what are you guys still doing here?" Coach Irihata began before a phone was promptly shoved into his face. "Bodhi what's the meaning of this!?" Coach Irihata said in alarm.
"Just talk to the guy on the phone," with an audible sigh, Bodhi continued, "I'd never hear the end of it otherwise…"
With those words, Irihata greeted the person on the other line. "Hello, this is Coach Nobuteru Irihata of Aoba Johsai Academy, to whom am I speaking? Coach Takeyuki Yamiji?... Fukurodani!?" the person on the other line kept talking, but the grin on Irihata's face only grew as he started to nod his head along with what Coach Yamiji was saying. "…That is a most enticing offer Coach, I'll happily accept! We shall see you in July, yes good evening to you as well." Grinning like a man possessed, Coach Irihata turned to those surrounding him,
"Well boys, looks like we have a training camp!"
Elsewhere in Tokyo
Coach Yamiji a man known to take things most seriously and was well-known for keeping a level head could only look at his star middle blocker who was normally the pinnacle of stoicism with an exasperated look. "This better be worth it Tatsuki, inviting another team here when we already had Karasuno coming will only make it that much more complicated," the coach grumbled out, already not looking forward to the headache that would be contacting the other teams about the new addition of Aoba Johsai to the Training Camp.
"…Do you remember when I came back from my family's vacation last summer?" Tatsuki Washio, the third-year middle blocker of Fukurodani. A man known for his powerful blocks and incredible jump serve. "He was the reason for my change last summer…Bodhi Hamada, the Maverick," a feral grin was spread across the normally stoic teenager, scaring a certain owl who had just walked by.
"AHHHHHHH! TATSUKI WHAT POSSESSED YOU!? AKASHI! GET THE HOLY WATER AND SALT!" said owl yelled at the top of his lungs.
Tatsuki Washio heard none of that however as he only had one thing on his mind.
Bodhi Hamada…I will CRUSH YOU…