"Bang bang bang!"
After several more exchanges on offense and defense, the score on the volleyball court had now reached a staggering 19:5. Normally, in a standard volleyball match, if both sides can score over 20 points, their strength can be considered relatively close.
If one side cannot even reach 20, then the gap in strength is already considered quite large.
But it was rare for one side to not even make it to 10.
At that point, it could no longer be described as a mere difference in strength.
Karasuno and the current Aoba Johsai were simply worlds apart.
As long as it was a spike Hank sent out, it was almost guaranteed to score. This kind of situation could no longer even be called a match.
It was nothing more than a one-sided stomp.
And at this moment, Hank himself did not feel particularly surprised by any of it. Even without the system, with the way he had trained day and night, he still would not have lost to Karasuno at this stage.
Let alone now, when he had the system.
In front of him, they simply were not enough.
At least for now, they had no way of comparing to him at all.
"Sorry, Coach."
"I got here late. I'm really sorry!"
Just as the match was nearing its final phase, Toru Oikawa finally walked into the practice court wearing the Aoba Johsai uniform, his face full of embarrassment. He had been delayed because of something at home, but now that it had been taken care of...
If the match was not over yet...
Then he could still get on the court.
"It's fine. As long as it's resolved, that's enough. You can go in!"
Coach Irihata nodded. He simply could not bring himself to get angry at Oikawa. After saying a few brief words, he sent him onto the court. And with Toru Oikawa's arrival, Aoba Johsai's cheers immediately reached their peak.
It was obvious just how much prestige he held throughout all of Aoba Johsai.
If nothing unexpected happened, then Oikawa's arrival was what truly pushed this match to its peak.
Now it would depend on which side could completely finish the match off.
"What's going on... Aoba Johsai's coach actually subbed in another setter in the middle of the match!? What is this supposed to mean!? Don't tell me the lineup they were using just now wasn't even their strongest lineup!?"
"What is this... We've been fighting for so long, and it turns out the other side wasn't even using their full lineup!?"
"I only just realized that Hank isn't even the captain of their team... The pressure he gave off just now was way too overwhelming."
Everyone on Karasuno's side of the court was already breathing hard. More than half of their stamina had basically been drained away. In the coming rally, they would have to conserve their strength.
Otherwise, Aoba Johsai might not even need to beat them down first.
They might collapse from exhaustion on their own.
And just then, they suddenly learned that the other team's starting setter had appeared.
The team they had struggled against for so long...
Had not even been at full strength.
That feeling was enough to make anyone despair.
It was like finally pushing a boss to its last phase while being covered in injuries yourself, only to discover that it still had a hidden form.
"Oikawa-senpai!"
The moment Kageyama saw Toru Oikawa step onto the court, his expression changed drastically, his eyes widening in shock. He had never expected that Aoba Johsai's starting setter would actually be the upperclassman from his days at Kitagawa Daiichi!
And that he would be at Aoba Johsai too...
On the same team as Hank!
In Kageyama's memory, when he had just entered junior high, Oikawa had already won the title of Best Setter in the junior high tournament.
Now three years had passed.
Who knew how much stronger he had become by now!?
Hank alone had already been monstrous enough.
Now, with Toru Oikawa working together with him...
Hank would probably become even more dangerous.
With Oikawa supporting him, Hank's strength would likely rise even further!
"Senpai!? He's actually Kageyama's senpai!!!"
"So the one who came on is the Great King..."
In Hinata's mind, he suddenly connected it to the fact that Kageyama's nickname had once been the King of the Court. Then as Kageyama's senpai, Toru Oikawa could probably be called the Great King.
"Don't let your guard down! Their starting setter is on the court now. We have to get ready too!"
Daichi let out a loud roar, pulling Karasuno's players back from the edge just as they were beginning to shrink back. He himself had already reached his limit as well...
If they still could not find a way to break through Hank's attacks, then defeat would likely become unavoidable.
When it had only been Hank, maybe he had still been somewhat manageable.
But now that Toru Oikawa had arrived, the fragile balance that had barely managed to appear between the two sides was completely shattered.
From here on, the match would likely fall completely under the other side's control.
But if they were going to lose just like this...
Then they truly could not accept it.
"This is a hopeless game."
Tsukishima spoke with a trace of helplessness. In his eyes, Hank had now gained the perfect partner at his side.
Trying to organize a feint attack against him now...
Probably was not even an option anymore...
(End of Chapter)
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