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Chapter 281: The Monsters' Nest (Triple-Length)
🕑 Added 2025-03-07 16:01:06 +0000 UTCJust one more point—if he could score one more point, he might fully grasp this elusive sensation.
Kunimi Akira stood at the service line, spinning the volleyball in his hand. He pressed his fingers against the ball's surface, feeling its texture and firmness. Despite having touched a volleyball tens of thousands of times before, it felt strangely different at this moment.
He took a deep breath and gently tossed the ball into the air. A quick approach, a jump, and a sharp swing of his arm—
Bang!
The ball soared toward Sakusa Kiyoomi once again.
To most onlookers, Kunimi's serve seemed no different from the ones before.
But Kunimi knew—this time, the ball's trajectory matched his mental simulation exactly.
"This guy—!"
Sakusa was the second person to notice the difference.
A slightly left-leaning path, skimming just above the net.
A seemingly minor detail, but enough to make this serve unexpectedly troublesome.
Smack!
Sakusa lunged to his left, tilting his body slightly as he caught the ball with an overhead pass.
"Iizuna-senpai, left-wing high set!"
Because of the necessary receiving motion, transitioning into the attack would take an extra half-second.
Iizuna Tsukasa, who had retreated to the far right to receive, was now in position. As the setter, it was his job to tear open the opponent's defence for their ace.
"Kindaichi!"
Kaedehara Taichi and Kindaichi Yūtarō switched blocking positions, with Kindaichi sticking to Iizuna to prevent a second-touch attack.
Whoosh—!
The ball soared high toward the left-wing.
Stable, reliable—just like Iizuna himself.
"Nice set!"
Sakusa began his approach along the sideline from the back row. As an ace, he was used to being targeted.
Having to receive serves aimed at him, dealing with difficult sets, constantly facing the opponent's strongest blockers—
But—
If he could still score despite all that, then that was the true meaning of being an ace.
Sakusa leapt forward from the front row.
"Double block!!!"
Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara jumped together, but they only covered the cross-court angle, leaving Sakusa's straight shot open—for Kunimi.
That confident?!
A nameless frustration flared up inside Sakusa.
After all that effort, Aoba Johsai had created this situation—just to force a one-on-one between him and some first-year.
Not even Kaedehara Taichi—this guy?!
Without hesitation, Sakusa swung his arm. His whip-like wrist struck the ball with a sharp crack.
Boom!—
[Ding! Kunimi Akira has entered Burst Mode]
[Kunimi Akira (Burst Mode)—Outside Hitter: Overall Ability Rating: 89
Height: 183 cm | Power: 85 | Jump: 90 | Stamina: 88 | Speed: 90
Technique: Recieve: 92 | Spike: 88]
He saw it.
The moment the ball left Sakusa's hand, time seemed to slow.
Kunimi dashed toward the landing spot, processing countless pieces of information at lightning speed.
Sakusa's gaze, the power behind his spike, the angle of his hand, the ball's spin—
How should he receive it?
Smack!
Kunimi flashed into position, bracing his arms firmly beneath the ball.
"He got it!!!"
But it wasn't over yet—the ball shot high into Itachiyama's side of the court.
"Finish it!!!"
Sakano Sawaji jumped from the middle.
"Not happening!"
Kindaichi arrived just in time, their hands clashing over the net.
"Too young, kid."
Sakano smirked, forcefully wiping the ball to the right. The ball rolled off Kindaichi's palm and dropped toward Aoba Johsai's side—
Smack!
Iwaizumi Hajime leapt from the back row, saving the ball. Watari Shinji followed up with a high set.
BAM!
Only Kaedehara Taichi remained airborne.
"Double block!"
Sakusa and Iizuna rushed in to shut him down.
BOOM!!!
The ball speared between their hands, slamming into Itachiyama's court.
Kaedehara Taichi scores!
[Aoba Johsai 21 – 19 Itachiyama]
With Kunimi on the court, Aoba Johsai had taken three consecutive points!!!
"YEEEESSSSS!!!"
Kunimi and Kindaichi locked arms in celebration.
Kaedehara glanced over at the two excited first-years, pleasantly surprised.
So the third person to enter this state…was Kunimi?
Still—he couldn't let himself get outshone.
Kunimi was still caught in that strange feeling—this exhilarating sense of control over the game. It was like a long-awaited rain after a drought, unexpected yet refreshing.
For a brief moment, he felt as if he had glimpsed the monsters' nest.
Physical ability, technique, intelligence—
But most importantly, a fearless mindset.
"Just go all out—there's nothing to be afraid of."
His eyes burned brighter, his posture straightened, and the tension from earlier vanished, replaced by excitement and confidence.
"Timeout! Itachiyama requests a timeout."
Aoba Johsai was visibly on fire. With this crucial third set on the line, Coach Yamazaki wasn't going to sit back.
"Sakusa, incorporate your attacks into the team's rhythm. Don't waste energy fighting their No. 13 head-on—there's no way he can stop you alone."
"Understood." Sakusa's voice was flat.
Although his expression revealed nothing, his teammates knew—Sakusa Kiyoomi was always rational.
He wouldn't let emotions cloud his judgment.
"Iizuna, your attacks need to be more aggressive. Don't hesitate just because they might receive it. More importantly, don't let them think they can stop you with just a single blocker!"
"Got it!"
Iizuna had already realized his mistake. Aoba Johsai's offence was suffocating—as if failing to score meant immediately losing a point to them.
"Everyone else, attack with confidence. Tighten your arms when blocking—don't think about shutting them down alone. You have Komori behind you!"
"Yes!"
"Go turn this game around!"
"Understood!!"
The timeout ended. Play resumed.
Kunimi stepped up for his fourth serve.
Bang!
Sakusa received the ball cleanly. Komori Motoya jumped in from the back row, setting the ball high.
Itachiyama launched into full-force attack mode!
Boom!
Iizuna Tsukasa scores!
[Aoba Johsai 21 – 20 Itachiyama]
"Nice hit!"
"Alright—!"
Itachiyama had finally broken Aoba Johsai's momentum, keeping the score close.
Now, the serve switched hands—Sakano Sawaji stepped up with a jump float.
Kunimi's reception was flawless.
Oikawa Tōru leaped for the set—Kaedehara Taichi was already in mid-air.
Boom!
Smack!
A sudden ultra-quick attack—the ball ricocheted off Komori's arms and out of bounds.
Kaedehara Taichi scores!
[Aoba Johsai 22 – 20 Itachiyama]
"Damn, you really lose track of things if you're not careful." Komori Motoya let out a sigh.
"Don't dwell on it. Next ball!"
Just as Iizuna Tsukasa was speaking, his gaze sharpened—Oikawa Tōru was stepping up to the service line.
"Of all times…"
With a faint smile, Oikawa's gentle gaze swept over the Itachiyama players. He was starting to enjoy this—the feeling of pushing people into despair.
He tossed the ball high, bent his knees slightly to build momentum, then sprang forward in an instant. His body extended midair, every movement flowing seamlessly into the next.
And then—he swung down with all his might, his raised arm slashing through the air like a bolt of lightning.
BOOM!!!
The ball rocketed toward Itachiyama's backline at an incredible speed, tearing through the air with a sharp whistle.
Smack!
"He actually received that?!!"
Komori Motoya tumbled backwards, rolling twice before landing flat on the floor.
The ball soared toward the ceiling of the central court, the blinding lights obscuring its descent.
Whoosh—!
The ball barely cleared the net before dropping onto Itachiyama's side.
Smack!
Iizuna Tsukasa struggled to set the ball toward the centre. Sakusa Kiyoomi leaped to spike.
In that brief moment, his eyes locked with Kunimi Akira's—and he had the unsettling feeling that Kunimi had already seen through him.
Bang!—
Smack!
The ball ricocheted off Kaedehara Taichi's arm and fell back onto Itachiyama's side.
Aoba Johsai scored on the block.
[Aoba Johsai 23 – 20 Itachiyama]
"Taichi! Taichi! That was an amazing block!"
"Taichi! Taichi! Score one more!"
Kaedehara Taichi had shut down another one of Sakusa Kiyoomi's spikes.
"Sakusa-senpai, you actually had the energy to get distracted mid-spike?" Taichi asked, his tone laced with mischief.
Sakusa stood still—not because his spike had been blocked, but because, for the first time, he had instinctively adjusted his attack to avoid Aoba Johsai's No. 13.
That guy…was putting that much pressure on him?
"Sorry, Motoya." Sakusa murmured. "I wasted the ball you worked so hard to receive."
"Omi, if only you were this honest all the time." Komori grinned. "Receiving is my job. If it happens again, I'll still get it up."
"Mm. I'll score on the next one." Sakusa's voice was calm.
"Got it!"
Komori trusted him without hesitation.
Oikawa served again.
BOOM!!!
Just as promised, Komori received the ball once more.
This time, his touch was even softer, sending the ball soaring while he stayed firmly planted on the ground.
Iizuna jumped to set. Mizushima Yū and Sakusa Kiyoomi both charged forward for the attack.
Kaedehara Taichi locked onto Sakusa—there was no way he wouldn't try again!
Boom!
The ball landed right at Taichi's feet and bounced away.
Iizuna Tsukasa had gone for a setter dump and scored.
[Aoba Johsai 23 – 21 Itachiyama]
"Huh?" Taichi stood frozen.
"Taichi, what the hell are you spacing out for?!" Oikawa snapped.
"Ack—sorry, sorry!"
Iwaizumi had already positioned himself in front of Iizuna to block. Taichi had simply assumed the ball would be set out.
He hadn't expected Iizuna to go for the attack himself—and not just any attack, but a sharp diagonal shot that landed inside the three-meter line.
You really couldn't let your guard down on this court.
Serve rotation—Itachiyama to serve.
Iizuna Tsukasa sent a sharp float serve over. Kunimi Akira received it.
Oikawa adjusted, setting a high ball to the middle. Kaedehara Taichi soared up for the spike.
Boom!
Smack!
"Touch!"
Mizushima Yū and Sakusa Kiyoomi had closed the block, and Komori was already in position to dig.
Iizuna Tsukasa stepped in, and all three of Itachiyama's front-row attackers launched forward!
Whoosh—!
The ball veered left. Nishimura Hiroyuki leaped for the spike.
Bang!
"Double block!"
Kindaichi Yūtarō and Kaedehara Taichi had waited until Iizuna set before following through with their block.
Taichi shifted sideways midair, colliding with his teammate. Kindaichi gritted his teeth and held firm.
Smack!
The ball struck Taichi's arm and fell back onto Itachiyama's side.
Smack!
Komori dove in, stretching out one hand just in time to keep the ball off the floor.
Takeshita Yūshin followed up, sending the ball to the right. Sakusa Kiyoomi went up for the spike!
But the set was too low.
Iwaizumi jumped to seal off the straight shot.
Bang!—
Sakusa's swing didn't waver in the slightest—his attack shot straight between Kunimi Akira and Watari Shinji.
Smack!
Kunimi reacted faster, but the ball still grazed his arm and flew out of bounds.
Sakusa Kiyoomi scored.
[Aoba Johsai 23 – 22 Itachiyama]
"If it doesn't come at you head-on, the spin is even trickier to read, huh?" Kunimi muttered.
Without using a block to cut off most of the trajectory, it was nearly impossible to receive that kind of shot alone.
Iizuna Tsukasa served again.
Watari Shinji received it. Kunimi stepped in to set.
Iwaizumi Hajime fired a sudden straight-line attack from the right.
Boom!
Smack!
Iizuna Tsukasa barely managed to receive the ball, and Komori Motoya quickly moved to cover, setting it toward the net. Sakusa Kiyoomi leapt once again.
"Triple block!"
Kindaichi Yūtarō, Kaedehara Taichi, and Iwaizumi Hajime jumped simultaneously to block.
It was the same situation as before, and this time, Kunimi Akira confidently locked eyes with Sakusa.
Smack!
Sakusa's arm swung down sharply—but instead of a powerful spike, he simply tipped the ball lightly over the net. The ball floated just past Aoba Johsai's three blockers.
!!!
Kunimi felt as if his feet were tangled in invisible vines—he couldn't move forward in time!
"I got it!"
At the last second, Watari Shinji dived forward.
Thud!
He crashed onto the court, but the ball soared high into the air.
"Nice receive, Watari-senpai!!!"
Kaedehara Taichi sprinted toward the far left, forcing Sakusa's positioning to shift.
Iwaizumi remained in the backrow for a quick approach, and at the same time, Taichi leapt high on the left side.
Just a brief moment of hesitation—and Itachiyama's blockers were a step too slow.
"Give me the ball!!!"
Kunimi felt the overwhelming presence of Kaedehara Taichi once again.
As if responding instinctively, the ball left his fingertips.
Soaring high on the left side, Taichi's powerful swing sent the ball crashing down.
—Boom!—
Itachiyama's blockers hadn't fully formed their defence, and the ball shot past them, landing just beside Takeshita Yūshin's foot.
Kaedehara Taichi scores!
[Aoba Johsai 24 - 22 Itachiyama]
"Don't panic! One point at a time!!" Iizuna Tsukasa shouted.
There was still a chance for Itachiyama—if they could just score this point, they would reach Sakusa Kiyoomi's serve rotation. If they tied the game or even pulled ahead, it would all come down to that next play.
And the next serve...was Aoba Johsai's weakest server—Kindaichi Yūtarō.
Aoba Johsai serve.
Kindaichi was visibly tense, fully aware of the critical situation.
"Kindaichi, if you hit me in the head again, I swear I won't let you live it down," Kaedehara Taichi said ominously.
Kindaichi swallowed nervously—but oddly, it helped ease his tension.
Boom!
He went for a powerful jump serve, sending the ball toward Itachiyama's back row.
Smack!
Komori's first touch was perfect, and Sakusa immediately jumped for the spike.
"Triple block!" Aoba Johsai's front line reacted swiftly.
Whoosh—!
But instead of spiking, Sakusa set the ball toward the left, where Nishimura Hiroyuki went up for the kill.
Point for Itachiyama!
[Aoba Johsai 24 - 23 Itachiyama]
"Damn it!"
Itachiyama had taken the crucial point.
No one on Aoba Johsai had expected that in such a decisive moment, Sakusa would choose to set up his teammate rather than finish it himself.
"I already told you—this set belongs to us."
Despite still being one point behind, and with Aoba Johsai holding the match point, Sakusa Kiyoomi spoke with unwavering confidence.
"I'm so sorry!!" Kindaichi shouted, feeling like he had practically handed the point to the opponent.
"Trust us," Watari reassured him, stepping onto the court as Kindaichi rotated to the bench.
Itachiyama serve.
Sakusa Kiyoomi stepped up to the service line, tossing the ball into the air, accelerating forward, and striking with force.
Boom!—
The ball curved sharply through the air toward Aoba Johsai's back row.
Smack!
Kunimi read the trajectory early and turned his body, diving toward the deep corner and using his fist to keep the ball in play.
"Nice receive!"
Oikawa quickly moved into position, setting the ball high toward the net. Matsukawa Issei jumped for the spike.
"Double block!" Nishimura and Mizushima Yū leapt to meet him.
Smack!
Matsukawa tipped the ball toward the back.
Sakusa made a perfect dig, and Iizuna sent it high—Sakusa was already moving forward, preparing for a back-row attack.
He wasn't able to score on his serve—but he would finish it with his spike!
"Double block!" Iwaizumi and Matsukawa jumped, while Kunimi guarded the straight path in the back row.
Boom!—
Sakusa's attack rocketed past Iwaizumi—heading straight for the deep corner!
Smack!
Oikawa dived, somehow managing to deflect the ball just enough to keep it in play.
The ball flew toward the right side.
Kaedehara Taichi didn't hesitate—he sprinted toward the net.
"He's definitely going to set it to me!"
Kunimi gritted his teeth as he ran to cover the play. At that moment, he finally understood part of Oikawa's frustration toward Taichi—this guy didn't care if he made his setter's life harder.
Whoosh!—
Kunimi's backset travelled diagonally across the court, crossing over Aoba Johsai's side, perfectly reaching the left-wing.
BAM!
Kaedehara Taichi soared into the air, his arms outstretched like wings, and his right hand swung down with unstoppable power.
"Triple block!!!"
Takeshita, Nishimura, and Mizushima jumped together.
At this moment, all they could do was put their full resolve into the block.
BOOM!!!
A super high-contact spike!
A straight-line precision shot!
The ball flew past Komori's reach, slamming into Itachiyama's backcourt.
Kaedehara Taichi scores!
[Aoba Johsai 25 - 23 Itachiyama]
"Kindaichi, that point was your reward for not hitting me in the back of the head with your serve," Taichi grinned toward the bench.
BEEP—!
The third set was over.
Winner: Aoba Johsai!
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Comments
Igor Ryan
Obrigada pelo capítulo
Red Crane
This Aoba Johsai team is scary.
