Aoba Johsai, having gained the serve, opened their offense with a precise, though not particularly powerful, serve from Hanamaki Takahiro.
Unfortunately for them, Karasuno's backline consisted of Sawamura Daichi and Nishinoya Yuu. Compared to Oikawa Tooru's overwhelming serves, the threat level here was far too low.
Nishinoya received it cleanly with a light touch, and even before the ball had finished its arc, Kageyama Tobio was already moving, so fast it was like lightning, positioning himself to set.
He stretched, and with that familiar precision, launched his strongest, most controlled attack pattern.
The Quick Attack.
This time, however, Kageyama didn't adjust the set to match Hinata's best striking rhythm. In this opening rally, he subconsciously reverted to his own controlled dominance, using the speed and height of the set to dictate Hinata's hitting angle.
PAH!
This attack was one of the fastest possible within Karasuno's current formation, three touches in just under 1.5 seconds.
The greatest contributor was, undeniably, Kageyama: the setter who could place the ball with machine-like accuracy.
The ball shot from Hinata's palm exactly where Kageyama intended…
But Aoba Johsai's libero, Watari Shinji, received it cleanly.
This was the first trap Oikawa had set specifically for Kageyama.
"Tobio's my way or nothing mindset isn't something he'll fix in just two months."
"When he plays against us, he'll most likely lead the ball toward the area farthest away from me."
"All we have to do is leave a very slight defensive opening there. That's enough to receive his quick."
"Of course, even if we set a trap, it doesn't guarantee we can react in time to that ridiculous speed."
"So in the end, Watari, you have to choose how to handle it. (^^*)"
Even now, before the roaring crowd, Oikawa's words echoed in Watari's mind. The captain spoke casually, but Watari had no doubts.
Just as the captain trusts us…
I trust him, completely.
THUD!
"Nice receive!"
Oikawa's lips curved upward.
Aoba Johsai may not pamper their setter the way Nekoma does, but they still give Oikawa the perfect conditions to command like a king.
Now, the Great King prepared his strike.
Oikawa ran a three-step approach, leaping with a dramatic attacking posture, radiating challenge:
Come block me, if you can.
Waiting for him was Ichinose Guren, arms raised like a descending guillotine.
But the moment Oikawa saw Guren matching his jump height,
He twisted midair, core muscles snapping tight, shifting the powerful swing into a delicate set.
His childhood friend, muscle-bound powerhouse Iwaizumi Hajime, had already finished his approach. His right arm drew back into a perfect strike arc.
The ball soared toward Iwaizumi.
They would seize momentum,
and take this point.
What, !?
Oikawa's pupils constricted sharply.
Because the only thing that flew from his hands was not just the ball.
Another figure launched.
Ichinose Guren.
Without needing full power, his jump still covered the height of Oikawa's attack. In the instant between the set and Iwaizumi's spike, Guren completed landing, sprinting, re-jumping.
And with Tsukishima Kei closing the outside angle,
Karasuno's ace rose.
"This guy…!"
Both the attacker Iwaizumi and defender Tsukishima said it at the same time, one in frustration, one in disbelief.
Aoba Johsai 1 : 1 Karasuno
Having just completed a superhuman recovery block, Ichinose Guren stared down Oikawa and Iwaizumi from above the net, expression calm, eyes sharp.
He delivered his counterattack, not with force, but with words.
"This kind of cheap trick, don't embarrass yourself by bringing it here."
"If you want to beat Karasuno, try winning with real strength first."
"Otherwise, Aoba Johsai, the eternal runner-up, might be exiting the tournament in the quarterfinals this year."
Dangerous words but since he attacked only their skill, not their person, and Oikawa had provoked first, the referee chose not to interrupt.
Ichinose Guren's trash talk hit its mark.
However, while Oikawa gritted his teeth, Iwaizumi remained calm.
He simply said, quietly:
"Just a bit short."
Those few words grounded Oikawa instantly.
Oikawa exhaled, traced his chin with a finger, and tossed a casual encouragement to Kindaichi, who remained in the front row.
He understood now.
With Ichinose Guren on the court, Aoba Johsai could not play this match like they did against ordinary teams.
To win,
He would need the same mindset he used when facing Shiratorizawa.
Everything he had.
Meanwhile, on Karasuno's side, Tsukishima said nothing, but his thoughts moved fast.
That wasn't just a "trick."
It was one of the countless tactical micro-moments that shape a match.
A psychological battle, huh…?
No… Guren just wanted to clap back at their captain.
The match continued.
Karasuno rotated.
And stepping into the service zone,
Was Karasuno's second strongest server, just behind Ichinose Guren.
Kageyama Tobio.