I was supposed to be posting this late, but then I fell asleep. Well, here's the chapter anyway. And one more...
I'm just askin for a friend, but do you guys know where to sell feet pics?
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"Seems like they're starting to use that freak attack..."
Iwaizumi's voice cut through the noisy crowd.
"I'm sure even Date Tech would've a hard time to stop it..."
"We're unable to stop it back then, no?"
"...Right."
Everyone in Aoba Johsai nodded in agreement.
"They must be confused by now..." Irihata chuckled, his eyes flicking to Oiwake.
Date Tech's coach looked tense, his expression tight as he watched the game. Mizoguchi nodded beside him as he commented with a smile, "I bet he thought it was just luck..."
Kageyama's bad habit of tossing the ball too fast for most spikers was well-known, even among coaches. Irihata thought they all shared one thing in common—they had underestimated the possibility that someone could actually spike those impossible tosses.
"I'm sure they'll realize soon..." Kunimi muttered, rubbing his chin. He watched as Hinata rotated back to the front.
"..."
The rest of the team nodded, agreeing with his assessment.
Meanwhile...
"...!"
Hinata felt a towering pressure crash down on him. Aone had also rotated back to the front, and now the two stood face-to-face.
Hinata's small frame seemed even smaller next to Aone's imposing figure.
'This No Brow guy...' Hinata thought nervously, his eyes locked on Aone. The blocker's gaze was intense, almost unnerving.
Hinata couldn't help but gulp, '...he's not just tall.'
Unlike Tsukishima, who Hinata found less intimidating, Aone seemed larger, broader, and far more imposing.
'But I can't be distracted right now,' Hinata clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus.
The whistle blew again, and Date Tech's player stepped up to serve.
The nervousness Hinata had felt earlier began to fade as he remembered Keishin's explanation about how Inoue from Nekoma had stopped their combo.
While Inoue was undeniably skilled at keeping up with him, it was Kenma's sharp awareness that pushed Inoue to mark Hinata so effectively. But the main reason Inoue had succeeded was because Karasuno had relied on the combo too often, giving him time to adapt.
'As long as they don't get used to it too soon...'
Hinata's eyes followed the ball as it flew across the net.
Thankfully, it went straight to Nishinoya as a loud plop echoed shortly after.
Nishinoya received the serve perfectly with the impact absorbed smoothly as the ball floated beautifully toward Kageyama.
'Whoaa, as expected, Nishinoya-san's receive is so cool!'
Hinata's eyes sparkle as he had already takning his time to build momentum for his acceleration as the ball was floating closer and closer toward Kageyama as he turned his gaze toward Aone who was observing Kageyama which made Hinata's lips curled up, 'He must've thought it was a luck too...'
Then...
Hinata accelerated, pivoting sharply to stay out of Aone's reach.
He leaped into the air, his eyes closed as he swung his arm as a loud pop echoed immediately after with the ball whistled through the air, crossing the net before hitting the ground with a loud thud.
"..."
Hinata opened his eyes as he landed, his heart racing. Everyone on Date Tech's side stared at him in surprise.
'Now they should understand...'
The freak quick attack wasn't just luck!
Shortly after, Date Tech called a timeout. No one seemed surprised.
"They requested a timeout right away?"
"Well, Karasuno's #10 and his super quick attack are pretty troublesome. It's justified."
The crowd murmured among themselves, their eyes fixed on Hinata. They were seeing him in a whole new light.
"That fast attack shouldn't just be luck."
Oiwake's voice was firm as he stood surrounded by his players. They listened intently as he continued, "Even if there's a chance it is, we can't rely on read blocking to stop it. We'll never be able to keep up with that."
"But at the same time, not countering it would put us at a huge disadvantage."
"..."
The team nodded in unison. Oiwake's instructions were clear. "That's why, when Karasuno's #10 is at the front, don't watch the toss. Mark him."
"Yes, sir!"
Their loud response echoed through the gym. Karasuno's players glanced over, hearing the commotion.
Tanaka smirked, "Ha, they're finally taking that quick seriously..."
"This is good," Keishin added, rubbing his chin.
The team turned to him, waiting for his next words, "Let's ride this wave and keep the momentum going."
"Yes sir!"
They didn't need further explanation. The plan was clear. They hadn't shown everything yet.
TWEET!
The whistle blew, signaling the end of the timeout. Players returned to the court, and the game resumed.
Meanwhile...
"..."
Tsuna sat on the bench, his eyes fixed on the game. He could vividly see the momentum shifting in Karasuno's favor.
His focus shifted from Date Tech to the ball as it flew across the net as he saw Daichi received it smoothly, sending it to the front.
Hinata's small figure darted across the court, still at the front. Tsuna noticed Date Tech's blockers were now marking Hinata instead of watching the toss. But they weren't fully committed yet.
He could tell Futakuchi's eyes were still on Kageyama.
'They're quite dumb...' Tsuna thought, a small chuckle escaping him. He knew Date Tech was trying to confirm whether Hinata could keep up the quick attack.
But their hesitation was their downfall.
"Everyone's been playing good..."
Tsuna mumbled aloud, a small smile on his face which made Shimizu glanced at him.
"..."
She said nothing, but her eyes lingered on Tsuna for a moment before returning to the game.
Back in the court...
Aone's reaction was lightning-fast.
The moment he saw Hinata's legs bend, preparing to jump, he moved. Similarly, Futakuchi also quickly followed up since he noticed Kageyama adjusting his stance.
Without hesitation, Futakuchi moved toward Aone before both of them leaping high to stop Hinata's spike.
But to their shock…
"This guy…!"
Futakuchi's eyes widened.
Hinata hadn't jumped yet!
The little guy had delayed his timing and as Aone and Futakuchi reached the peak of their jump, Hinata finally launched himself into the air.
At the same time, Kageyama's toss followed instantly, perfectly synced.
The quick attack was executed flawlessly, the ball slamming into Date Tech's court before the blockers could react.
"..."
Futakuchi and Aone quitely clenched their first as they glared at Hinata intently.
They felt it...
..the pressure was suffocating!
Karasuno had switched their rhythm effortlessly, and Date Tech could only watch as the momentum shifted.
The scoreboard now leaned in Karasuno's favor after a series of intense rallies. Despite Date Tech's powerful spikes and solid blocks, Karasuno had been scoring consistently. Hinata, in particular, had shaken their focus with his unpredictable movements.
"We're finally leading the scoreboard…"
Takeda-sensei's voice was filled with relief as he glanced at the scoreboard: 15–13. Keishin satd beside him with his arms crossed, he was watching the game intently as he mumbled, "Not yet,"
They still hadn't revealed their hidden card.
Tsuna watched quitely from the sidelines as his heart started pounding.
Another chance ball floated toward Kageyama, and like a flash of orange lightning, Hinata darted across the court.
This time…
'Another fake!'
Futakuchi realized it too late.
He had already jumped, but Hinata pivoted sharply, changing direction in an instant. The decoy moved toward an empty spot on the court, leaping high.
Kageyama, as if reading Hinata's mind, sent the ball soaring toward him.
The connection between them was almost supernatural.
But then…
"…!"
The Karasuno players' hopeful expressions twisted into shock.
Aone, who had landed earlier than Futakuchi, moved with a thunderous thud. His massive frame shot diagonally into the air, surprising even Hinata.
The ball met Aone's outstretched arm with a loud smack, rebounding sharply back into Karasuno's court.
"Whoaaa!"
"Aone!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as Aone roared in triumph, his voice echoing through the gym. Date Tech's supporters chanted his name, their excitement electric.
The block had been perfect, and it was the very first successful attempt they had to disrupt Karasuno's momentum!
"..."
Karasuno's players stood frozen for a moment and as Hinata landed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"…What?"
Keishin's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
He hadn't expected this. Aone's height gave him an advantage—he didn't need a full jump to block.
The moment his feet touched the ground, he pushed off again with explosive power, executing a double jump that stopped Hinata's spike cold.
"..."
Keishin's eyes flicked to the scoreboard.
The numbers hadn't changed much: 17–14. He crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. His mind raced as he stared at the court.
'They're keeping up with this chaotic pace already?'
Maybe he had underestimated Date Tech.
They were adapting faster than he'd anticipated. His gaze lingered on Aone who was already back in position.
The blocker's composure was unshaken as the game resumed with the tension thick in the air.
And suddenly...
"Well, it's time, isn't it?"
Tsuna's voice cut through Keishin's thoughts.
Everyone on the bench turned to look at him as Tsuna stood up, stretching lightly. He waved his right hand, a small, almost lazy gesture, and mumbled, "It doesn't feel like much anymore…"
"Keishin-san..."
Then he turned to Keishin, "It's time to sub me in."
His pounding heart couldn't be stopped. Tsuna was totally starving at the moment and he was hoping for nothing but a feast!