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Chapter 386: Advancing to the Quarterfinals
🕑 Added 2025-04-19 21:17:08 +0000 UTC[Aoba Johsai 25 – 21 Inubishi Higashi]
[Aoba Johsai 25 – 20 Inubishi Higashi]
Aoba Johsai cruised to victory with a clean 2–0 sweep over Inubishi Higashi, securing their spot in the quarterfinals!
"Eh? Did Date Tech face Mujinazaka this morning?" Kaedehara Taichi asked as he glanced over the towel and match record handed to him by Chiba Kano.
"Mujinazaka, huh…I think both Kiryū Wakatsu and the 'Mujinazaka Twin Towers' have already retired," Yahaba Shigeru muttered, thoughtful.
"Yeah. Looks like they still made it to Day 3 of Nationals on the strength of their program, but I guess this is as far as they go."
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[Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium—Court D]
"Go go let's go, let's go Date Tech!"
"Go go let's go, let's go Date Tech!"
"What's up with that team?!"
"Are they from the same region as Aoba Johsai?!"
"Date Tech's Iron Wall…it's insane…!"
Spectators at the sidelines stared in disbelief at the court—an entirely unheralded team was completely dominating Mujinazaka, a traditional powerhouse at the Inter-High Nationals!
It was the second set of the Day 3 match on Court D.
[Date Tech 21 – 16 Mujinazaka]
"Damn it, if Wakatsu-senpai were still here…!" Hondo Subaru gritted his teeth as the scoreboard flipped once again.
"Don't say something that pathetic!" setter Usuri Michiru growled under his breath. "It's exactly because we relied too much on Wakatsu-senpai that we ended up like this."
This year's Mujinazaka squad still had a few third-years left—setter Usuri Michiru (183cm), wing spiker Hondo Subaru (180cm), and libero Bishin Haruma (175cm). The second-years were solid overall, but lacked any standout players. More critically, they had no experience in big-stage matches.
Their tallest player was second-year middle blocker Fukuzō Tomokazu (188cm), but as a whole, the team was at least five centimetres shorter on average than Date Tech.
"Another team from Miyagi!"
Exactly one year ago today, in another Round of 16 match, Mujinazaka had gone up against Aoba Johsai.
But with their seniors now retired, and facing this version of Date Tech—Usuri Michiru found this match even harder than that one.
Date Tech to serve. Obara Yutaka launched a powerful jump serve.
Boom!
Smack!
Bishin Haruma received the serve cleanly with a perfect pass.
Usuri jumped to set—Hondo Subaru and Fukuzō Tomokazu both charged in from opposite sides for the double option.
"Bastard…!"
Date Tech's front line didn't flinch. All three eyes locked in on Usuri's hands.
Whoosh!—
The moment the ball flew to the right, all three blockers shifted that way in perfect unison.
Hondo Subaru took flight for a spike.
"Triple block!" Futakuchi Kenji, Aone Takanobu, and Obara Yutaka all jumped together.
An airtight Iron Wall sealed off every last bit of light from Hondo Subaru's line of sight.
Boom!—
—Smack!
The ball flew back into Mujinazaka's court at even greater speed.
Bishin Haruma dropped into a save posture, but all he could do was look up at the towering wall across the net—an average height of over 190cm.
Date Tech scored off the block!
[Date Tech 22 – 16 Mujinazaka]
Snatching a point that could've gone to the opponent, crushing their confidence, and raising your own team's morale—
The strongest defence and the fastest offence in one.
This was—Date Tech's Iron Wall!
"Mujinazaka still can't break through Date Tech's Iron Wall!"
"It's not just the height. Their timing, their reaction speed—they're at a national top level!"
"You know, teams like this usually remind people of Kamomedai Academy, another school known for their blocking. But while Date Tech doesn't have a standout like Hoshiumi Kōrai or Hirugami Sachirō, there are no weak links in their front-row defence!"
"They're a team that's fully integrated defence into their identity—and use that defence as their launch point for offence!"
"After this match, no one's going to forget their name!"
Date Tech continued serving.
Obara Yutaka's second jump serve flew in with the same force—Bishin Haruma once again received it cleanly.
But now the question was—
What the hell are we supposed to do next?!
After two sets, Mujinazaka had developed a genuine fear of attacking.
Date Tech's unfeeling, relentless blocking smothered them again and again…
The Mujinazaka players' vision narrowed, their breathing grew shallow, and every second on court became more agonising...
"Fukuzō!!"
The only one who hadn't been completely shut down by height was him—Usuri Michiru shouted his name at the top of his lungs.
With fierce determination, Fukuzō Tomokazu launched into his approach.
Last year, he could only sit on the bench and watch as Mujinazaka fell to Aoba Johsai—what he felt back then was nothing but frustration.
But this year, he was on the court. And he would give everything he had!
Thump!
Boom!
Just as Date Tech's front line was finally baited into following the decoy attackers, Usuri flung the ball sideways.
A setter dump.
Totally unexpected.
Smack!
The sound of a desperate dig rang out—Sakunami Kōsuke dove headfirst, pulling off a textbook rolling save.
And right behind him was Kimura Ryōta, racing up to cover!
Whoosh—!
"Kogane-gawa-senpai!"
The ball soared to the middle—Koganegawa Kanji leapt for the spike.
"Triple block!!"
Mujinazaka's blockers weren't slow to react—Fukuzō Tomokazu, Usuri Michiru, and Hondo Subaru all jumped together.
BOOM!!
The ball slammed straight into the centre of Mujinazaka's court.
A full-power overhand spike—Koganegawa Kanji scores!
[Date Tech 23 – 16 Mujinazaka]
"Is this guy really a setter?! His setting's whatever, but his spiking is terrifying!"
"Hehehe!"
Hearing the nearby spectators' chatter, the Date Tech cheering squad beamed with pride.
This was exactly what made Date Tech so unique!
"Koganegawa! Koganegawa! That spike was sick!!"
"Koganegawa! Koganegawa! That block's too tall!!"
The cheers only grew louder and louder.
Date Tech to serve again.
Obara Yutaka stepped up—but the serve clipped the net and went out.
Mujinazaka gets a point.
[Date Tech 23 – 17 Mujinazaka]
The crowd's cheers came to a sudden halt.
Obara's face flushed red as he bowed his head and returned to the court.
"Haha…" Even the commentators chuckled.
"Date Tech with a rare service error—giving Mujinazaka just a tiny chance to catch their breath."
"Let's see if they can turn this around and catch up!"
Serve rotated. Mujinazaka to serve.
Fukuzō Tomokazu launched a powerful jump serve.
Smack!
Sakunami Kōsuke held firm—perfect first touch.
At the net, Koganegawa Kanji jumped into position.
"Watch the dump!" Usuri Michiru shouted.
Middle blocker Yamashiro leapt to block Koganegawa, but at the same time—
Aone Takanobu and Futakuchi Kenji both charged in from behind for a synchronised attack.
"Don't rush—setters always expose gaps!"
Usuri and Hondo both kept their eyes locked on Koganegawa's motion.
Whoosh—!
The ball suddenly flew to the right wing.
Aone Takanobu took off!
"Double block!"
Fearing a power tip, Mujinazaka's back line also moved to cover.
Swing—!
But Aone's hand hit nothing but air.
"Wait, what?!!"
Boom!!!
Kimura Ryōta, from the back row, had delivered a crushing spike!
[Date Tech 24 – 17 Mujinazaka]
"A brilliant staggered attack! What a play!"
"Just Aone's approach alone forced Mujinazaka to commit three defenders—leaving the back-row for Kimura to strike completely free!"
"Another first-year ace from Miyagi—Kimura Ryōta's attack is dazzling!"
Change of serve. Date Tech to serve.
Aone Takanobu walked up to the line—Date Tech now held seven match points.
Just one more—and they would move on to the Top 8 in the Nation.
Aone tossed the ball high.
He would not let this chance slip through his fingers.
BOOM!!
The ball landed flush on Mujinazaka's baseline—a service ace!
[Date Tech 25 – 17 Mujinazaka]
"BWEEP—!"
Second set, over.
Winner: Date Tech.
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