[Ding! The reward for the mission "The Ace's Determination" has been updated. Tōru Oikawa has broken through his limits. Passing ability +1.]

  [Ding! The host has successfully altered Tōru Oikawa's career trajectory. Reward: Tōru Oikawa (current state) pyer card.]

  The system chimed twi quick succession, leaving Kaedehara Taichi unsure where to even begin his pints.

  The mission "The Ace's Determination"—the ohat had caused him to publicly embarrass himself st night—turned out to have a reward meant for Tōru Oikawa. This 'bright-eyed, bushy-browed' guy seemed to reap all the bes without leaving a crumb behind.

  What intrigued Taichi even more, however, was the fact that Oikawa's career trajectory had actually been altered.

  Taichi wasn't particurly surprised by Oikawa's sudden improvement. After all, as someone who would eventually join the Argentine men's national volleyball team, Oikawa was destio experience a breakthrough sooner or ter.

  What Taichi hadn't expected was for it to happen now.

  Thinking back, Oikawa's inal high school career had been marked by three years of losses and mediocrity. He had even faced moments of doubt about whether to tinue pying volleyball at all.

  It wasn't until José Bnco—the former setter entina's national men's volleyball team, who ter became the coach of Japan's V.League team Tachibana Red Fals—stepped in aored him that Oikawa reaffirmed his itment to pursuing his volleyball dream.

  Staying in Japa Oikawa would always fa insurmountable mountain in his path—first Wakatoshi Ushijima, aobio Kageyama.

  So, he chose te his own path, heading tentina. A temporary departure for the sake of a triumphaurn.

  But now, Oikawa's high school career wouldn't end in obscurity. Someone had stood before him and matter-of-factly stated: "If Kageyama do it, so you." Not as encement, not as fort—just a simple decration of fact.

  Faced with such a junior, Oikawa couldn't even find the words to expin that "talent gaps exist."

  Instead, deep within, he felt a surge of exhiration at this audacious challenge: "If that's what you think, then I'll show you!"

  The court was silent as Aoba Johsai prepared to serve. Tōru Oikawa stepped onto the service line once agaiook a deep breath, adjusted the strength and angle of his wrist, a an almost zen-like crity. He was in peak dition.

  "Oikawa! Let's see a great serve!"

  The voices of his teammates echoed in his ears. Tossing the ball high, Oikawa took two steps forward, jumped, and swung his arm in a powerful arc.

  At the moment of impact, his fingers and wrist tensed, delivering a sharp, precise strike.

  The volleyball spun through the air with no visible rotation, wobbling uably in its flight. The sudden shift caught Wakunan's receivers off guard.

  The ball, seemingly slow, reached Kazeteru Akiu's position in an instant. Just as he raised his hands to receive, the ball plummeted sharply before his eyes.

  Point for Oikawa!

  [Aoba Johsai 13 – 8 Wakunan]

  "What was that?! That was incredible!"

  "The ball just... dropped all of a sudden, didn't it?" The first-years in the crowd couldn't suppress their amazement.

  "A jump float serve? He do that too?" Even Wakunan's pyers were stunned by the baffling serve.

  As if Oikaowerful jump serves weren't headache-indug enough, now he had switched to aype of serve entirely!

  The gap in the score widened, and the oppressive atmosphere began to shake Wakunan's resolve. Restlessness spread among their pyers like a wave.

  "Stay sharp! We have to receive the ball!" Though Nakashima Takeru khat such simple encement might not work at this point, he still shouted at the top of his lungs.

  "Yes!" The voices of Wakunan's pyers were straiheir exhaustion evident.

  Takeru felt a sinkiion in his chest. The point....we must defend it no matter what.

  "Another one, Oikawa-senpai!" Unlike Wakunan's subdued atmosphere, Aoba Johsai's side was electric with energy.

  Tōru Oikawa fshed a victory sign toward the sidelines, drawing an uproarious cheer from the spectators.

  Aoba Johsai tinued serving, and Oikawa delivered his third serve.

  Smack!

  Hearing the unusual sound, Taichi immediately knew something had gone awry.

  The volleyball smacked straight into Iwaizumi Hajime's head, who had instinctively raised his arms to protect the back of his head.

  The ball shot straight up into the air before dropping down at Iwaizumi's feet.

  Oikawa's serve faulted, awarding a point to Wakunan.

  [Aoba Johsai 13 – 9 Wakunan]

  Thud, thud, thud....For a moment, the only sound on the court was the volleyball boung on the floor.

  "Pfft..." Taichi couldn't hold back his ughter, and the crowd quickly followed suit. "Sorry, Iwaizumi-senpai! I didn't mean it!"

  Iwaizumi didn't reply. He silently picked up the ball at his feet.

  "Iwa-, don't lose your cool! We're still in a match—ahh!" Oikawa's attempt to calm his teammate was interrupted by a perfectly executed spike from Iwaizumi that hit him square in the back. "Hanamaki! You're not even going to try to stop him?"

  Havied his frustration, Iwaizumi posedly bowed slightly toward Wakunan's pyers and the referee in apology.

  Nakashima Takeru took a deep breath. Thanks to Oikawa's error, Wakunan finally had a moment to catch their breath.

  Wakunan served.

  With their spirits slightly lifted, Wakunan's performauro its usual level. Nakashima maintained his aggressive attacks, managing to score another poie being blocked by three Aoba Johsai pyers.

  The score was now [Aoba Johsai 13 – 10 Wakunan].

  Kaedehara Taichi rotated to the back row, sing pces with Watari Shinji. As he sat down, he felt a chill run down his spine.

  Nakashima Takeru, the sed-best a the prefecture after Wakatoshi Ushijima, dispyed remarkable versatility in his attacks.

  Aoba Johsai had to promise their blog strategy to ter him. Whether it was sharp line shots, touches off the blockers' hands, or feints, Nakashima's offense had no oints. The match's momentum was shifting back to a tense equilibrium.

  Standing on the bench, Kaedehara Taichi locked his eyes onto Nakashima. He was utterly focused, analyzing every detail of Nakashima's movements as if trying to engrave them into his memory. For Taichi, there could be er lesson than this.

  "Taichi! Taichi!" Kindaichi Yūtarō called out twice, but the boy beside him remained unresponsive.

  Turning his head, Kindaioticed Taichi's unwavering gaze, fixed solely on Nakashima. His intense focus seemed to block out all the noise around him.

  Coach Irihata, standing nearby, also noticed this se. He smiled faintly, impressed by Taichi's tration.

  With a soft chuckle, Irihata g Kindaichi. "It seems Taichi's attention has been pletely captivated by the opposing ace. Such focus is rare to see. For now, let him observe and learn. You'll be going in for the py."

  "Me?" Kindaichi was caught off guard by the sudden opportunity to joich.

  "Did you warm up properly?" Irihata asked directly.

  "Yes! I'm ready!" Kindaichi replied with a mix of excitement aermination.

  "Then go!" Irihata nodded, giving him the green light.

  Kindaichi Yūtarō stepped onto the court, brimming with fidence, ready to make his mark on the game.

  _________

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