As the afternoon csses cluded, it was time for Shiratorizawa Academy's volleyball team to begin their daily practice. their team uniforms, the pyers gathered in the parking lot in front of the gymnasium, preparing for their long-distance run.

  "Hey, over here! Ushijima Wakatoshi!" a voice called from a distance.

  Ushijima turoward the source of the sound. Two figures approached, their jerseys identifying them as pyers from Aoba Johsai. The one shouting was someone Ushijima reized—Aoba Johsai's setter, Oikawa Tōru.

  Without pausing his warm-up stretches, Ushijima replied with his usual stoie, "Oikawa, it's rare to see you at Shiratorizawa."

  The two newers were indeed Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi. Their coach, Irihata, had po discuss a practice match with Shiratorizawa's coach, Washijiveiming, this was likely Aoba Johsai's st ce tanize a scrimmage with a school in Miyagi before the Inter-High preliminaries.

  After much deliberation, Coach Irihata decided to challehe stro oppo directly.

  When Oikawa heard this, he immediately volunteered t Taichi along, reasoning that it would be a good opportunity for him to see Shiratorizawa's training enviro. After some thought, Coach Irihata agreed, leading to the se unfolding now.

  Oikaroached Ushijima, speaking with his usual charisma. "We'll probably be having a practice match soon, so I thought we'd e ahead to check things out."

  Hey! you be any more direct? Kaedehara Taichi gnervously at his surroundings.

  It was his first time visiting another school's campus, and Shiratorizawa's grandeur left him wide-eyed. There was even an equestrian club on campus—a sight he had never entered in his previous life. Outside the gym where the volleyball team had just emerged, a bus marked for the volleyball team's exclusive use sat parked—a stark dispy of luxury.

  "Go ahead," Ushijima replied evenly. "We won't get any weaker just because you watch us train. However, we're about to start our long-distance run, so the gymnasium will be mostly empty."

  "That's fine. I wait until you're back," Oikawa said casually, heading toward the gymnasium without hesitation.

  [System Alert: Temporary Mission Activated –The Absolute King's Routine]

  [The Absolute King is a title synonymous with Ushijima Wakatoshi at Shiratorizawa. To experience his training routine firsthand is a critical step toward being an ace.]

  [Objective: Keep up with Ushijima Wakatoshi during his long-distance run.][Reward: Stamina +1.]

  "Huh? Keeping up with Ushikawa will increase my stamina by one point?" Kaedehara Taichi thought, a trace of scepticism creeping in. Still, there was ion of a penalty for failing. It wouldn't hurt to try.

  "Um…. I join the run too?" Taichi asked, looking at Ushijima.

  Ahead of him, Oikawa's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. Turning back, he smiled slyly.

  "Oh, I fot to introduce him. He's a first-year from Aoba Johsai—the ace of his year, Kaedehara Taichi."

  Ushijima finally turned his attention to the boy. A first-year? As for Oikawa's cim of him being an ace, Ushijima didn't take it seriously. After all, his own team had a simirly loud first-year who stantly procimed himself to be the ace.

  "I won't lose today, Ushijima-senpai!"

  The voice rang out loud and clear, drawing the attention of the nearby pyers. Sure enough, it was the loud first-year with a bowl cut—Goshiki Tsutomu.

  With fidence brimming, Goshiki pleted his warm-up routine and shot off toward the school gate at full sprint.

  Watg Goshiki's retreating figure, the Shiratorizayers exged knowing ghey were long aced to his petitive spirit.

  "There he goes again. Coach Washijo's going to scold him for rushing off without permission."

  Uurbed by the interruption, Ushijima finished his stretches and turned back to Taichi. "If you keep up, feel free to join."

  "Let's go," he anded his team without missing a beat.

  "Yes, sir!"

  The Shiratorizayers formed a steady line behind Ushijima, starting their long-distance run. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, Taichi hastily stretched and joihe group.

  At the first interse, the majority of the pyers branched off from Ushijima. It was on knowledge among the team that few could hahe rigorous path Ushijima took.

  In the past, some had tried to match his pace, but without exception, they all dropped out midway to rejoin the route others followed.

  Eveeran third-years like ōhira Reon and Tendō Satori didn't attempt to follow Ushijima Wakatoshi's route. However, this wasn't an excuse for them to sck off—they simply opted for a different path.

  Pushing themselves to exhaustion during the warm-up run would only result iless scolding from Coach Washij their subsequent volleyball session training in the gym.

  Taichi, of course, had no way of knowing this. He merely stuck close to Ushijima, as instructed by his system.

  [System Alert: Training Mode Activated]

  [Training mode is now enabled. While training, the host's stamina recovery rate will be enhanced, preventing exhaustion.]

  The familiar system notification calmed Taichi's his recisely why he had dared to accept the mission.

  Adjusting his breathing aling into a steady rhythm, Taichi focused on matg Ushijima's pace. Once he found his stride, curiosity got the better of him and he used the system to examine Ushijima Wakatoshi's stats.

  [Name - Ushijima Wakatoshi

  Overall Rating: 94.5

  Height: 189.5 cm

  Power: 99

  Jumping: 90

  Stamina: 99

  Speed: 90

  Special Skills: Serve: 97, Receive: 92, Set: 90, Spike: 99.]

  Taiearly tripped in surprise. What is this? he thought. A hexagonal mohese stats felt far beyond what a high school pyer should possess.

  As if that wasn't enough, four of Ushijima's skills were fgged as hy by the system. Taichi felt his head spin.

  [System Note: Ushijima Wakatoshi has beeed as an official member of Japan's National Youth Team.]

  The additional note left Taichi feeling numb. No wonder Shiratorizawa is called the 'Absolute King.'

  Fag a team led by someone like this, it was no surprise that other schools in Miyagi struggled to reaationals.

  Taichi shook his head, dispelling unnecessary thoughts. Resolving to focus oask, he stuck close to Ushijima.

  The two ran in sileheir footsteps eg against the streets. After rounding several ers, Taioticed a familiar figure ahead.

  There, sprawled in a small bush by the side of the road, y Goshiki Tsutomu, looking pletely wiped out.

  "Hey, are you okay?" Taichi hurried over, with Ushijima stopping beside him.

  "Goshiki, what happened?" Ushijima asked calmly.

  Goshiki cracked his eyes open. Seeing his captain, he groaned weakly, "The beef curry…It's fighting in my stomach…"

  Hearing this, Ushijima's expression remained ral. At least Goshiki wasn't injured. But it was clear this situation was his own doing. Earlier at lunch, Goshiki had stuffed himself with two full ptes of beef curry, all in an attempt to show off in front of Ushijima.

  Taking out his phone, Ushijima sent a message to the support team. He stared down at Goshiki for a moment before speaking.

  "The support team will be here shortly. I'll be going now."

  Knowing he had only himself to bme, Goshiki nodded meekly. He wao shout something like, I won't lose ime! but ultimately decided this wasn't the right moment.

  Taichi, deg the situation was under trol, resumed running with Ushijima. There was no point in meddling with aeam's affairs.

  After about half an hour, Taichi finally spotted Shiratorizawa Academy in the distance.

  "Why is Oikawa here at Shiratorizawa today?" Ushijima suddenly asked.

  Taichi blinked. Si was just the two of them, he had no choice but to assume the question was directed at him.

  "He said earlier that Aoba Johsai is pnning to have a practice match with Shiratorizawa."

  Ushijima thought for a moment before rephrasing. "With Aoba Johsai's current strength, they ot defeat Shiratorizawa. That's why I'm asking—why is Oikawa really here?"

  His tone was even as always, but Taichi felt his temper fre.

  He suddenly surged forward, sprinting past Ushijima without a gnce back, and called out sharply, "It's because you're the oppo we'll defeat ier-High preliminaries! A little re doesn't hurt!"

  Startled, Ushijima registered Taichi's sudden burst of speed. It wasn't like this meant anything, but still—he couldn't lose either.

  Matg Taichi's acceleration, Ushijima picked up his pace. The two of them dashed through the final stretch, their run transf into an impromptu race.

  If it's speed you want to pare, I won't lose.

  Taichi was the first to cross into the campus grounds, just a few strides ahead of Ushijima. Panting heavily, he straightened himself and turo face his oppo.

  "Let me reintroduce myself," Taichi said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. "I'm Kaedehara Taichi, Aoba Johsai's first-year ace. I'll lead Seijoh to victory ier-High preliminaries and take us to Nationals!"

  _________

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