In the second set, Oikawa Tooru deployed every trick in his playbook: provoking net touches, Yutaro Kindaichi's quick attacks, the "Mad Dog" running plays, secondary attacks, and the temporary anti-Ichinose Guren defensive system.
Relying on his powerful serves and the return of the "Mad Dog" now fully in rhythm, Aoba Johsai struggled to stay ahead, entering a frenzied point-chasing mode against Karasuno.
After several tied scores at the end of the set, Oikawa, pushed to the brink by Karasuno's relentless chase, completely erupted. Even his normally precise sets wavered, sometimes landing too high or too low.
When does talent truly bloom? Perhaps tomorrow, or the day after. Maybe years later, even at thirty.
But talent can be cultivated, and feel for the ball can be meticulously honed.
On this 18x9 meter court,
the force, angle, and placement of each pass, the court's dimensions, the height, teammates' preferred spike styles, all had been etched into Oikawa Tooru's very soul.
Ichinose Guren's relentless pressure had allowed Oikawa's talent to fully blossom during the Spring High preliminaries in his senior year.
What should have been an easy ball for Karasuno, Oikawa, throwing himself into the court from afar, executed a perfect long-distance quick attack pass.
Even if Guren touched it at the net, Kageyama Tobio trusted that Oikawa could set it precisely and keep the play alive.
But now fully entering the "monster realm," Oikawa led Aoba Johsai to claim the set.
With Kyotani Kentarou fully integrated into the team and Oikawa reaching his peak, he had effectively transitioned into an all-round attacker, like Iwaizumi Hajime: both offense and defense.
In the final play of the second set, Iwaizumi saved Guren's diagonal spike, while Oikawa delivered a pinpoint set, allowing Kyotani to complete the spike.
Three-pronged synergy, Aoba Johsai took the second set.
In the third set, a newly evolved Aoba Johsai faced Karasuno, now finding their attacking rhythm. The two teams engaged in a fierce, close-quarters battle for every point.
Ichinose Guren had transformed into an all-around warrior: spiking, acting as bait, receiving, setting, saving, blocking, he was everywhere.
Special moves executed mid-air, dodging, twisting, and repositioning.
At the set's end, Shoyo Hinata's overwhelming presence drew Aoba Johsai's defensive focus. Facing a 2.5-player block, Guren didn't hesitate, he unleashed a massive spike, delivering a decisive blow to Aoba Johsai.
…
After the match, Aoba Johsai's players were dazed. But the coach delivered two pieces of news.
First: after research by the Sports Development Bureau, Miyagi Prefecture's population had grown significantly in the past decade. This spring, all sports in Miyagi would receive an additional slot for national tournaments, the so-called "second representative" spot.
Second: after obtaining the necessary permits and licenses, the Ichinose Group completed the acquisition of Aoba Johsai and, in cooperation with the Miyagi Prefectural Education Committee, merged Aoba Johsai Private High School with Wakutani Prefectural High School.
The new school: Miyagi Southwest United High School (abbreviated "Southwest United").
The Wakutani and Aoba Johsai boys' volleyball clubs merged into the Southwest United Volleyball Club.
===========
After defeating Aoba Johsai, Karasuno advanced to the final eight. In the quarterfinals and semifinals, they easily dispatched their opponents 2:0.
Finally, they met Shiratorizawa in the Miyagi Prefecture finals.
The next day, during the break, the "Monster Duo" once again encountered Ushijima Wakatoshi, initiating their own declaration of battle.
Shiratorizawa, having studied Karasuno and watched the Aoba Johsai match the day before, made Karasuno's match extremely challenging.
However, Shiratorizawa's proud individual blocking failed miserably against players like Yudai Hyakuzawa and Ichinose Guren. Even knowing the trajectory, their height was insufficient, they couldn't stop the attacks.
Tendo Satori faced Ichinose Guren, only to be crushed by sheer talent. Satori scowled, "I hate unfair spikes like this."
When Satori tried to block Tsukishima Kei and Shoyo Hinata, Guren retaliated, adjusting his height in mid-air and varying his spikes three times in succession, causing Satori to lose balance and fall flat.
After dealing with Satori, Guren turned to face Ushijima.
A clash of monsters.
Left-spin cannon vs. airborne bombardment.
Two super-talented players from opposing teams went all out in the finals.
When a team has a player whose personal ability rivals Ushijima, the rest of the team's skill becomes crucial.
The executing quick attacks, Karasuno's twin towers, and their defensive master in the backcourt,
Even though Shiratorizawa had slightly stronger individual skills, their teamwork fell short. In the finals, they tasted despair for the first time.
Under the pressure of both strength and intellect, simple and repetitive tactics became Shiratorizawa's fatal weakness. This explained why they were always only among the top eight nationwide.
For Ushijima Wakatoshi, it was the first time in his career that he had been swept 3:0 in a prefectural final.
They realized: Aoba Johsai might now rival Shiratorizawa.
A proud king, never accustomed to failure, had to accept reality.
Even Washijou, stepping outside, noticed the rain and the gray sky. The white had been overtaken by black, dispelling the old order.
Miyagi's skies had changed.
Before the national tournament, Shiratorizawa began transformation training. The team familiarized themselves with cooperation, still centering on Ushijima Wakatoshi.
The Miyagi Prefecture Sports Committee organized a combined training camp. Except for Karasuno, other top players from within the prefecture were gathered.
On the eve of the national tournament, Karasuno faced a special practice match: the prefecture's all-star team.
Karasuno went up against the best from Shiratorizawa, Date Tech, Aoba Johsai, Wakutani's core players, including Nakashima Takeru and members from the top four teams.
The practice team was carefully selected by coaches, forming a new, all-star squad.
Impatient, error-prone players like Goshiki Tsutomu and Kyotani Kentarou were not selected.
Elite blockers, predictive blocking masters, ground defense specialists, and Satori Tendo were also excluded.
Kunimi Akira and Yutaro Kindaichi were still slightly inexperienced.
Meanwhile, Ohira Reon, a plug-and-play all-round attacker, blended into the temporary all-star team but wasn't particularly unique.
Setter: Oikawa Tooru
Main Attackers: Ushijima Wakatoshi, Nakashima Takeru