But even though Hank's entrance onto the court had already caused such a huge reaction, North River Middle School's coach still did not believe they could win the rest of the match.
At the end of the day, volleyball was still a team sport.
Even if Hank's individual strength had far exceeded everyone's expectations, that was still only the effort of one person.
In terms of overall team strength, North River was still far inferior to Kitagawa Daiichi.
That was already a practically established fact. You could even say that Hank's appearance had only delayed the final outcome of the match.
"Don't worry, Coach. We're definitely going to win."
"As long as we can beat Kitagawa Daiichi, then we'll be the final champions of this junior high tournament!"
Hank drank from his water bottle, absolute confidence filling his eyes. He did not believe he was inferior to the Kitagawa Daiichi led by Kageyama. As the ace, he had to enter the match with the resolve to win.
Otherwise, he would be nothing more than an ordinary starter who could score points.
An ace had to possess overwhelming presence and absolute pride.
That was not arrogance. It was an almost obsessive hunger for victory. Only with that kind of determination could he truly be called the ace.
"That's right. As long as Hank is here, we have a chance to beat the so-called strongest team, Kitagawa Daiichi!"
"As long as we keep sending every ball to Hank, we can still win this match!"
"No matter what happens, as long as the ball can still be kept off the floor, the winner hasn't been decided yet!"
As if they had been stirred by Hank's presence, the North River players who had originally just wanted to muddle through the match and leave the court were now fired up as well. They had been completely infected by Hank's spirit, and deep down, they had already accepted that Hank was unquestionably the backbone of the team.
At that moment, Hank was like a field commander charging at the front line, with teammates all around him willing to rush forward alongside him.
Faced with a scene like that, who wouldn't feel their blood boil?
"Haa…"
"This really is unexpected. I never thought a situation that should have been a sure win would suddenly change like this."
Toru Oikawa, who had been quietly sitting in Kitagawa Daiichi's cheering section this whole time, silently observed the situation unfolding on the court.
In his eyes, the match had already turned into a showdown between North River Middle School, led by Hank, and Kitagawa Daiichi, led by Kageyama.
If the Kitagawa Daiichi led by Kageyama was like a puppeteer controlling the five players on the court with invisible strings, then the North River led by Hank was like a gigantic heart.
And that heart was, without question, North River Middle School's current core—Hank.
As for the other five players on North River's side of the court, they were like blood flowing through the body. If they did not move toward Hank, the end awaiting them would only be death.
For a team sport like this to undergo such a transformation purely because of the overwhelming talent of two players was, without a doubt, an astonishing thing.
"Then let me see which one of you monsters will win in the end."
Oikawa was full of anticipation. He had already developed intense interest in Hank. The fact that someone like him had remained completely unknown throughout junior high was truly rare.
But since Hank had chosen the path of volleyball, and since they were in the same prefecture, there would be no shortage of chances to meet again in the future.
And when that time came, Oikawa would crush him until he lost all confidence.
"All right. Even if their ace scored another point, the situation is already clear now. Hank has rotated to the back row, and judging from how things will develop next…"
"As long as we keep scoring in succession, North River Middle School will definitely collapse."
"No one can survive on a court known as a team competition by relying on a single player alone. Go, Kitagawa!"
Coach Sumi spoke with a relaxed expression.
Right now, Hank, the biggest threat to the Kitagawa Daiichi team under his guidance, had already rotated into the back row. As long as they successfully received Hank's serve, then from that point on, their points would start piling up in a steady stream.
No matter how gifted Hank was as an ace, it would be meaningless.
As long as they kept him from touching the ball, that would be enough.
"…"
Kageyama looked slightly dazed. He had never expected to be pushed this far by a single person.
All of this was because his teammates could not keep up with his rhythm, causing so many balls that should have become points to be wasted for nothing.
That result frustrated him deeply, and he could not accept it, but right now, there was one thing he had no choice but to admit.
It was Hank's sudden appearance on North River's side that had dramatically changed the flow of the match.
The most important question now was how to deal with Hank.
"Tweet!"
With the sharp whistle of the referee, the break finally came to an end.
The time for both North River and Kitagawa Daiichi to discuss tactics was cut short, and the entire court fell silent as Hank took the ball and stepped onto the service line.
At that moment, nearly every gaze in the arena was focused on Hank.
(End of Chapter)
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