"Has the first round of matches on Court ded?"

  "Looks like it. The match should be Mujinazaka's."

  "Mujinazaka? You mean that Kiryū Wakatsu from Kyushu?"

  "Then what are we waiting for? Let's head over!"

  Two high school students chatted as they hurried toward Court C.

  Ihe Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, this was a familiar se. As matches cluded, spectators roamed the venue in search of their favourite teams.

  Today, with so many powerhouses peting, fans moved swiftly, eager not to miss the a.

  At this moment, in the rest area of Court C, a t, broad-shouldered young man stood watg the court with a solemn expression. His shaven head glistened uhe gymnasium lights, and his powerful frame emanated an intimidating presence.

  "The crowd seems to be growing. Are they all here to watch me py?"

  A flicker of doubt crossed his face.

  "Wait, no. Maybe they're here for Aoba Johsai. I haven't heard of them before, but they did defeat Hoshikawa High in the previous round. If I recall correctly, they're representing Miyagi Prefecture…so they must've taken down Shiratorizawa?"

  His sharp gaze darkened further.

  "Does that mean they defeated Ushijima? Damn it, are they trying to rise in the shadows and steal the spotlight?!"

  The t young man groaned internally as some spectators began to leave the stands.

  "Wait, they are not leaving because they aren't ied in my match, are they?"

  This imposing figure, standing at 188.3 cm with an air of authority, was her than Kiryū Wakatsu, the aujinazaka High School.

  Yet, behind his stererior hid a meticulous and surprisingly self-sind.

  "Kiryū-senpai, is something b you?"

  The voice came from Usuri Michiru, Mujinazaka's sed-year setter, roached with a cheerful grin and a light boun his step.

  "!!!"

  Kiryū flinched, startled by the sudden intrusion. "Of course not!"

  "That's good to hear. As always, today's Kiryū-senpai is the stro!" Usuri ched his fist enthusiastically, his positivity unwavering.

  "Tch, as if I need your reassurance…" Kiryū muttered, straightening up and feigning posure.

  The referee's whistle echoed sharply, signalling the beginning of warm-ups. Both teams stepped onto the court, and the crowd's energy rose with anticipation.

  Aoba Johsai's pyers entered with an air of fideheir crisp white-and-blue uniforms standing out uhe lights. However, to Kiryū Wakatsu, their demeanor seemed anything but i.

  To his eyes, the Seijoh pyers looked like a bunch of troublemakers.

  Three of them—Oikawa Tōru, Kaedehara Taichi, and Yahaba Shigeru—wore what he perceived as mog smirks (though, iy, they were merely smiling).

  Two others, Kindaichi Yūtarō and Kyōtaarō, carried an almost feral energy with their intense expressions.

  The rest of the team, maintaining their posure, appeared stoid indifferent.

  "Are they here to py volleyball or pick a fight?" Kiryū couldn't help but feel uneasy.

  Meanwhile:

  "Wow, Taichi, Mujinazaka's pyers are huge!"

  Kindaichi's wide-eyed observation immediately betrayed his simple-minded nature.

  Taichi g Mujinazaka's lineup. "You're n," he admitted. But theiced Vice-Captain Iwaizumi Hajime's face darken slightly—clearly unimpressed by Kindaichi's ck of subtlety.

  Aoba Johsai's overall height was already above average for a high school team.

  However, Mujinazaka matched them in average height and even boasted two pyers who stood out—Yunnan Keisuke and Nozomu Mami, both t over 190 cm. The duo had earhe niame 'Mujinazaka's Twin Towers' for their imposing presence as middle blockers.

  As warm-ups eaichi quietly analyzed the opposing team from the sidelines. His focused gaze didn't go unnoticed by Mujinazaka's pyers.

  "That's the first-year everyone's been talking about tely," murmured Usuri Michiru.

  Positioning himself in front of Kiryū, he locked eyes with Taichi, attempting to intimidate him. But Taichi remained uurbed, tinuing to gather information.

  [Pyer Stats – Mujinazaka High School]

  [Kiryū Wakatsu – Outside Hitter(Ace). Overall Ability Rating: 92.5, Height: 188.3 cm, Power: 99, Jump: 90, Stamina: 90, Speed: 85. Key Traits: Spike: 99, Serve: 99, Receive: 94, Set: 90.]

  Another Hexagonal Monster!

  Taichi's thoughts raced.

  "His strength rivals Ushijima Wakatoshi's, though his physical endurand speed are quite a bit weaker. Oher hand, his teical skills surpass Ushijima's in some areas, likely due to his experience handling poorly set balls."

  "Truly an ace worthy of his reputation."

  [Hondo Subaru – Wing Spiker. Overall Ability Rating: 84, Height: 178.8 cm, Power: 82, Jump: 88, Stamina: 80, Speed: 81. Key Traits: Spike: 88, Serve: 86.]

  "A banced wing spiker, quite simir to Iwaizumi before his transition to defence."

  [Usuri Michiru – Setter. Overall Ability Rating: 85, Height: 182 cm, Power: 82, Jump: 82, Stamina: 88, Speed: 84. Key Traits: Set: 88.]

  "Eveter's height is above average for nationals. He's probably a setter who spike when needed—a true double threat."

  [Ezoita Naoya – Wing Spiker. Overall Ability Rating: 85, Height: 182 cm, Power: 80, Jump: 90, Stamina: 88, Speed: 82. Key Traits: Spike: 85, Receive: 86.]

  [Nozomu Mami – Middle Blocker. Overall Ability Rating: 86, Height: 190.4 cm, Power: 90, Jump: 80, Stamina: 88, Speed: 86. Key Traits: Block: 90, Spike: 80.]

  One half of Mujinazaka's 'Twin Towers', Nozomu bined raw strength with agility, a rarity for pyers of his size.

  [Unnan Keisuke – Middle Blocker. Overall Ability Rating: 83.4, Height: 190.3 cm, Power: 75, Jump: 82, Stamina: 86, Speed: 88. Key Traits: Block: 90, Spike: 82.]

  The other half of Mujinazaka's 'Twin Towers', Unnan was slightly less powerful but made up for it with superior speed.

  Just the sight of these two t blockers was enough to put pressure on any opposing team.

  [Bishin Haruma – Libero. Overall Ability Rating: 85, Height: 174 cm, Power: 82, Jump: 88, Stamina: 86, Speed: 84. Key Traits: Receive: 88, Set: 90.]

  Even though Mujinazaka's ace, Kiryū Wakatsu, drew most of the attention, every single member of their lineup was undeniably strong.

  The gymnasium announcers began introdug the match, their voices eg across Court C.

  "Wele, volleyball fans! The third-round match of the National Tour is about to begin. Mujinazaka High School faces off against Aoba Johsai High School. I'm ōtomo, your entator for Court C today."

  "And I'm Aoi, thrilled to join you all!"

  "Both teams have impressed us in the past two days of petition. Mujinazaka, a powerhouse with a legacy of nine secutive years iionals, appearing for the 29th time; and Aoba Johsai, making their triumphaurn after a five-year hiatus, entering Nationals for the 7th time in their history."

  "This is bound to be arifying csh between tw teams!"

  "Their aces are particurly intriguing. Mujinazaka's ace, Kiryū Wakatsu, is renowned as one of the top three spikers in the try. Oher hand, Aoba Johsai's ace, first-year Kaedehara Taichi, has quickly gaitention for his raw talent and immeential."

  "This matchup isn't just about skill or tactics—it's a frontation of experienbsp;versus youth. Kiryū represents the peak of a seasoned powerhouse, while Kaedehara symbolizes the boundless possibilities of the geion."

  "Ihis ace-versus-ace battle has drawn the eyes of volleyball fans everywhere. We expect this match to be a highlight of the tour!"

  "The crowd's anticipation is palpable. The pyers have finished warming up!"

  The referee sighe start of the game.

  Aoba Johsai's lineup:

  Front row—Opposite Hitter Kyōtaarō, Middle Blocker Kindaichi Yūtarō, Setter Oikawa TōruBack row—Wing Spiker Hanamaki Takahiro, Middle Blocker Kaedehara Taichi (Libero: Watari Shinji) and Wing Spiker Iwaizumi Hajime.

  Mujinazaka's starting lineup:

  Front row—Wing Spiker Hondo Subaru, Middle Blocker Unnan Keisuke, Wing Spiker Naoharu EzotaBack row—Wing Spiker Kiryū Wakatsu, Middle Blocker Nozomu Mami (Libero: Bishin Haruma), Setter Usuri Michiru

  Both teams lined up at the , bowing respectfully. "Please take care of us!"

  -----

  The first set would begin with Usuri Michiru, Mujinazaka's setter, serving.

  "Give us a good serve, Usuri!"

  "I'm on it!" Usuri stepped up to the baseliossing the ball high before ung into a jump float serve.

  "It's a jump float!"

  "I got it!" Iwaizumi called out, stepping forward to receive. His arms angled perfectly, guiding the ball with precision.

  "Great receive!" Taichi, standing nearby, couldn't help but praise Iwaizumi's skill.

  The ball was sent ly to Oikawa, who quickly surveyed his options as Seijoh's attackers began their approach patterns.

  Taichi oised for a powerful back-row attack, his ret form making him a stant threat.

  On the right side of the , Kyōtani exuded ferocity, itg for the ball to e his way.

  And in the front row, Kindaichi's height drew Mujinazaka's attention, marking him as a dangerous blocker.

  Oikawa, however, had his own pn.

  Jumping smoothly into the air, he faked a set before suddenly rotating his body and spiking the ball directly into Mujinazaka's court.

  "Bam!"

  The ball hit the floor before Mujinazaka could react.

  [Aoba Johsai 1 – 0 Mujinazaka]

  "Who said this match is all about the aces? I never agreed to that."

  Oikawa's trademark grin widened as his presened over Mujinazaka's pyers. In their eyes, that smile was nothing short of oppressive.

  _________

  [T/N] - If you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you support me on my Patreon. Trust me, it's awesome!

  Link - (P)atreon./Iseebck [Remove the brackets]