For Karasuno, Ichinose Guren's serve was a weapon even stronger than Kageyama Tobio's.
At this moment, it was the only serve they had ever seen that could match Oikawa's in speed, and perhaps even edge past it in raw power.
And now, in this critical moment, that serve was their lifeline.
If the score tied again, no one could guarantee they would get another chance against Nekoma, who had already built up momentum.
The team known for defense now carried a strangely restless air.
'Tch… it's fine. We just receive it like normal. Then we grab two points and win.'
That subtle arrogance began to rise over Nekoma's court.
"Hey! What are you doing!"
"Focus and take this ball properly!"
Tetsuro Kuroo had seen it immediately,
restlessness.
"You think you can just stand still and the ball will come to you? Hah?!"
Just three simple sentences,and the rising impatience shattered.
As expected, Kenma could almost hear someone muttering that in their minds.
Guren, preparing to serve, thought the same.
Meanwhile, Karasuno felt the pressure grow even heavier.
'Even now, Nekoma isn't rattled at all.'
'Can we really beat them?'
"Guren! Give us a good one!"
Daichi didn't let the tension touch him.
Three years in junior high, two years in high school, he had seen every kind of emotional tide.
'You won't get past me.'
That was what he thought.
But what he shouted was simply a rallying call.
The hoarseness in his voice pulled Karasuno's morale back into alignment.
Because this match wasn't just skill, nor teamwork, nor adaptability.
It was also a clash between two commanders.
But Ichinose Guren didn't care about any of that.
He had sunk deeply into finding the feeling of his serve.
His fingers traced the texture of the volleyball.
Memories of countless jump-serves replayed through his mind.
Then, like a quiet ignition, a forgotten spark lit inside him.
[System Notice: Badge Unlocked, "Clutch Server"]
Three glowing emblems now shone in his mind:
[Microwave Spin]
[Heavy Artillery]
[Clutch Server]
Guren's lips curled into a wicked little grin.
'Heh heh heh… allocate points.'
He drew in a sharp breath,lowering his center of gravity.
The toss rose.
His foot drove into the floor with explosive force.
His speed peaked, his body twisted and his right arm carried the weight of his full power into the strike.
From the sideline, the ball looked like it was bent into a crescent moon by force alone.
Then, with a thunderous BOOM, it tore toward Nekoma's court.
And receiving it was…
Nekoma's libero, Yaku Morisuke, freshly rotated into position.
His sharp vision had already read the direction.
His defensive instincts were perfect.
He was in the right place.
But the impact was something his weight, strength, and body simply could not withstand.
The force blasted him backward, knocking him flat.
Even though he had given everything to receive it,
Guren's serve, with three badges stacked on top of solid technique, was simply unreasonable.
He could not receive it.
No one in that moment could.
'This serve… it might already be on the level of Top Ten in the country.'
'No… if we only count raw jump-serve power, this is already on the same tier as the Three Aces…'
'Damn it, !'
The ball tore off his arms, spiraling wildly,
and flew straight into the second-floor stands.
The scorekeeper stared blankly for two seconds
before remembering to blow the whistle.
Karasuno 27 : 25 Nekoma.
Set One, Karasuno wins.
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria