"Hmm? Changing the course of destiny?" Kaedehara Taichi's mind raced as he processed the situation. Could his presence have altered the world's trajectory?
Reflecting on the original storyline, Hinata Shoyo and Kageyama Tobio's 'Freak Quick' was indeed a nearly invincible move at first. However, during a training match against Nekoma, their defensive ace, Inuoka Sō, managed to partially counter Hinata's attacks.
In the original tiline, the "Freak Quick" remained Hinata's trump card until the Inter-High quarterfinals. After their loss to Aoba Johsai, Hinata began exploring ways to evolve his playstyle during the training camp.
Now, with Asahi Azumane missing, Hinata bore the brunt of Karasuno's offence in this training match. Ryunosuke Tanaka struggled to alleviate the pressure, allowing Taichi to almost perfectly neutralize Hinata's performance.
This forced Hinata to realize early on that he couldn't rely solely on the 'Freak Quick.' The 'Crows' evolution was accelerating ahead of schedule.
Originally, the plan was to help Aoba Johsai gain confidence through a training match victory. Instead, this seed to have catalyzed Hinata's growth, making it even harder for Aoba Johsai to defeat Karasuno in the future.
Still, seeing a stronger Hinata Shoyo earlier than expected filled Taichi with excitent. Besides, he'd snagged a Hinata Shoyo player card. Totally worth it!
"Taichi, why are you grinning like a creep?"
"Ahem, no, I'm not…" Taichi quickly adjusted his expression.
"Taichi, thank you…" Kindaichi approached him. To others, this might have been an ordinary training match, but for Kindaichi, it held special significance.
"Kindaichi, we won because of my serve, you know," Oikawa Tooru interjected with his trademark smug grin.
"If you'd started the match, we wouldn't have struggled so much!" Iwaizumi Haji launched a volleyball at Oikawa's head.
"How could you! Iwa-chan, I'm still recovering! Stop hitting !"
"Kageyama-kun," Oikawa teased, turning to the stoic first-year, "you've grown taller since we last t. But just so you know, I'm still better."
Kageyama's eyes narrowed. Without a word, he grabbed Hinata, who had been staring blankly nearby. "With the two of us, we won't lose."
"Is that so? Well, you're not the only ones with strong first-years." Oikawa motioned toward Taichi, who was stretching on the sidelines while munching on a snack. "Oi! Taichi! Say sothing intimidating!"
Taichi rolled his eyes. How childish.
Unbothered, Oikawa shifted his focus to Kindaichi, who eventually caved under his captain's intense gaze. Turning to Kageyama, Kindaichi declared, "Next ti, the victory will still be ours."
After Karasuno departed, Oikawa, Taichi, and Kindaichi sat in a row outside the gym.
Iwaizumi approached, nudging Taichi. "What's wrong with this idiot?"
Taichi glanced over. "Oikawa-san tried greeting Karasuno's pretty manager and got ignored. Plus, their bald senpai kept glaring at him."
Oikawa lifted his head dramatically. "She was just shy! I don't mind, not one bit. Really."
Kunimi Akira wandered over, asking, "What about Kindaichi? Wasn't he celebrating our win earlier?"
Taichi glanced at Kunimi. "He's sulking about Kageyama…"
Kindaichi finally spoke up. "Kageyama said 'we.' Hearing that… it stings a little."
Iwaizumi and Kunimi exchanged exasperated looks before turning to Taichi. "And what about you? Why are you sitting here?"
Taichi couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "I'm here for the drama! This is golden!"
"Unbelievable," Iwaizumi muttered, shaking his head. "We've got too many problem children on this team. Get back inside; we're reviewing the match against Karasuno."
Inside the gym, Coach Irihata stood at the whiteboard, already outlining key monts from the ga and analyzing Karasuno's players.
"Compared to last year, this year's Karasuno team has added several promising first-years," Irihata said. "They're worth keeping an eye on. Today, although we invited them for a training match, it's clear their focus was on player developnt. Even in the first set, when their small spiker struggled, they didn't sub him out but gave him ti to adapt to the pace of the ga."
"Winning the first set was pure luck. Don't let it get to your heads. In the second set, before Oikawa went in, we couldn't even control the ga's rhythm."
"Apologies, Coach, but what can I say? I'm a magnet for attention!" Oikawa's cheeky grin and casual tone made Iwaizumi snap, delivering another swift kick.
"Oikawa," Team Manager Guchida interrupted. "Karasuno wasn't playing at full strength either. Their libero from last year didn't even participate today."
Oikawa's eyes lit up with recognition. Nishinoya Yū, the libero hailed as the best in junior high, and that intimidating ace spiker from Karasuno—there was still so much this team was holding back.
"That small first-year," Coach Irihata continued, "his fundantals are still raw, yet he's already Karasuno's most dangerous weapon thanks to their precise setter. That last ball, which looked like a misstep, was proof of their desperation to evolve."
Looking at his team, Irihata's tone turned resolute. "Every team that wants to win is doing the sa thing—training relentlessly for victory."
"No matter the team's strength, no one steps onto the court intending to lose."
"Yes!"
Hearing the loud and united response from the players, Team Manager Sadayuki looked at Coach Irihata with admiration. Indeed, experience speaks volus—just a few words from the seasoned coach were enough to curb any budding arrogance among the team mbers.
With that, Aoba Johsai's Saturday training session continued.
-----
Outside the Gym
Karasuno's team walked along the road back to school. Having lost the match, a heavy silence hung over the group.
"Kageyama, from what you said earlier, you've known Oikawa for a while?" Sugawara Koshi asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"He was my senior in middle school. I learned my serving and blocking by watching and imitating him," Kageyama replied after a pause. "If I can surpass Oikawa-senpai, I'll beco the best setter in the prefecture."
Daichi Sawamura glanced at him. It wasn't often that Kageyama admitted soone was better than him as a setter.
Shaking his head slightly, Daichi pushed aside his wandering thoughts. "Honestly, I'm frustrated. Hinata and Kageyama's combination is incredible, but this training match exposed our two biggest weaknesses…"
"First, when Hinata's offence is neutralized, we don't have anyone else who can break through and lead the attack. Second, our receive is all over the place. Without solid receives, we can't organize proper plays. And on the national stage, Oikawa won't be the only one with such powerful serves."
Kageyama furrowed his brows. Daichi was right—those were the critical issues they were facing. But addressing them wasn't sothing that could be done overnight.
"However…" Daichi suddenly turned to look at the teammates behind him. "There's no need to worry too much. Karasuno's Guardian Deity and Ace will be back soon."
"The Ace!"
"The Guardian Deity?!"
_________
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