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Akashi Asuto
Age: 15
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 75 kg
Reach (Spike Touch): 336 cm
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These were Asuto’s latest stats following yesterday’s test.
Aside from him growing two centimeters in height compared to six months ago, the most significant change occurred when his Vertical Jump stat surpassed 75.5, bringing with it an almost explosive improvement.
This wasn’t just a simple increase in height.
More importantly, it was a breakthrough in his natural limits.
Previously, Asuto’s maximum reach was only 331 cm.
Back then, every time he jumped, he could clearly feel that his legs still had plenty of strength left, but no matter what, he couldn’t fully release that power.
However, once his Vertical Jump surpassed 75 cm, this “extra strength” was instantly converted into momentum that boosted his jump.
A reach of 336 cm…
Even at the high school level, the star spikers of some ordinary schools might only reach this level.
Beep!
After a brief reset, the referee blew the whistle again.
That previous point from Asuto held critical importance for Sengoku.
Although Asuto himself didn’t possess the charisma to inspire others, sheer strength could act as a stimulant on the court.
Encouraged by that powerful spike, Sengoku’s players began to move more naturally.
From the backcourt, Oda Miki served the ball over. The opposing libero received it, and when the ball reached Kageyama Tobio, the opponent executed a quick attack, bypassing Sengoku’s block and scoring with ease.
Score: 1–2.
The slight momentum that Sengoku had just gained was instantly extinguished, like being doused with cold water.
While the first lost point could be blamed on Mishita Ryuhei’s mistake, then this point clearly demonstrated the absolute strength gap between the two teams.
Whether it was team coordination, synergy, or individual ability… aside from Asuto, Sengoku High Players was almost completely outclassed.
The gap between the setters was especially striking.
Although Asuto had never cared much for so-called ‘protagonists,’ after facing Kageyama Tobio personally, he could truly appreciate how formidable his opponent was.
This guy was a genuine ‘genius.’
If his abilities could be quantified as stats, Asuto wasn’t sure about everything else, but in the Passing category, Kageyama Tobio’s score would probably already exceed 85.
According to the system’s standards, a score of 90 would put him in the professional realm.
As Asuto looked at Kageyama Tobio’s back, his gaze gradually changed.
Perhaps sensing his stare, Kageyama turned around after scoring and looked back at Asuto.
Their eyes met, and a hint of provocation gradually appeared in Kageyama’s gaze.
“Tch… what an annoying brat.”
· · · · ·
Fifteen minutes into the match, the score between Sengoku and Kitagawa Daiichi had reached 14–24.
Set point for Kitagawa Daiichi.
A full ten-point gap clearly reflected the difference in strength between the two teams.
Although Kageyama Tobio still had significant psychological issues, the overall quality of his teammates was enough to easily overwhelm Sengoku High, even without him using his full strength.
In fact, of Sengoku’s 14 points, more than half had been scored through Asuto’s powerful spikes.
Behind Asuto, his teammates’ breathing had already become heavy and labored.
Even with the same amount of playtime, facing a strong opponent versus an ordinary one results in entirely different levels of physical and mental exhaustion.
The referee blew the whistle again.
Kitagawa Daiichi served. After the ball flew over, Oda Miki cleanly received it; the first pass was nearly perfect in terms of both position and height, and Mishita Ryuhei quickly got into position.
In the next instant, two middle blockers, Omae Masato and Kazama Jujirō, and one wing spiker, Asuto, began their approach runs simultaneously.
Asuto jumped first.
Seeing this, Akira Kunimi and Kageyama Tobio did not follow up with a block. In fact, they quickly moved to the other side to prepare to block Omae Masato instead.
Then…
The ball went to Asuto.
This was a reverse decoy.
In previous matches, Asuto had often acted as a decoy to help the team score, luring the opponent’s blockers.
However, later on, perhaps because the opponents realized that Mishita Ryuhei lacked the ability to set up quickly, they stopped defending against whoever jumped first during Sengoku’s attacks.
It must be said that their judgement was correct.
Mishita Ryuhei really couldn’t execute quick sets. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it at all, though; it was just that Sengoku had never practiced coordinated quick attacks before.
This attack was a gamble for both Kitagawa Daiichi and Sengoku.
For now, however, it seemed their luck wasn’t too bad.
Bang!
Asuto swung his arm, and the volleyball shot out like a bullet.
Then came a dull thud… the sound of the ball hitting the ground.
Except… that ball had landed on Sengoku’s side of the court.
Asuto’s pupils shrank.
Still in the air, he looked forward… only to see Yutaro Kindaichi blocking the spike with his hands raised high.
“Yes!” Yutaro Kindaichi pumped his arms and shouted excitedly.
As the referee blew the whistle, the Kitagawa Daiichi players all rushed forward, cheering with excitement.
In contrast,
On Sengoku’s side, Mishita Ryuhei and the others stood frozen with blank expressions on their faces.
14–25.
Sengoku High had lost the first set against Kitagawa Daiichi.
The teams took a timeout.
The Kitagawa Daiichi coach didn’t bother arranging any tactics; there was simply no need.
Although at the beginning he had been a bit surprised by Sengoku’s attacking power… that was all.
The gap between the two teams was far too obvious. While that number one’s offense was indeed astonishing, aside from spiking and blocking, the kid’s other techniques were full of flaws.
As for the rest of Sengoku’s players… they weren’t even worth mentioning.
Standing in the corner of the rest area, Yutaro Kindaichi took small sips of water. But by now, the excitement on his face had faded, replaced by a mix of unwillingness and admiration.
“Was this that guy’s call again?”
A voice suddenly came from behind… it was Akira Kunimi.
Kindaichi nodded.
“That’s right. He told me that on the last ball, I should completely shut down their number one. He said their setter would most likely pass to him on the final play. As long as we sealed off the other two, even if their setter took the risk to pass to him, it’d be hard to coordinate properly. At that point, even I alone could block him.”
Kindaichi tightened his grip on the water bottle and looked toward a certain figure.
“It’s really irritating… His personality is terrible, but at times like this, I can’t help but admire him.”
“…It’s frustrating.”
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(End of Chapter)
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