Haikyuu: Rise of Sengoku

Akashi Asuka's blocking was incredibly strong.

Among the six fundamental volleyball skills, blocking consistently ranked just behind spiking in terms of impact.

In the first set, Akashi hadn't shown much of his blocking ability. Partly, as Matsukawa had guessed, it was because he wanted to save a decisive blow for the critical moment.

And partly because Akashi didn't want the opponents to adapt too quickly to his blocking rhythm.

A match is, after all, a constant process of adaptation. No matter how wild or unbelievable your serves or attacks are, once the other team adjusts to your rhythm, even the strongest offense or defense gradually loses its threat.

On the other hand, when a "new skill" first appears, that's when it's most dangerous.

So...

Bam!

Thud!

A powerful spike slammed into Akashi's arms, rebounding sharply onto the floor behind Iwaizumi.

2-0.

The Red Team scored again.

Akashi looked surprised, turning to Matsukawa. "No way! Seriously? You don't really think I was going to block Hanamaki, do you?"

At the start of the set, Akashi had used a tactical provocation against Hanamaki Takahiro, which clearly annoyed him.

Recognizing this, Matsukawa understood Akashi's ploy. So in the second round of offense, Matsukawa deliberately used Hanamaki as bait, then passed the ball behind to Iwaizumi.

But Matsukawa overlooked one thing.

Akashi Asuka was always very self-aware.

From the beginning, Akashi never saw himself as a tactician or a strategist. He considered himself a lone fierce warrior, not a commander or mastermind.

Tactical provocations were something Akashi occasionally used since his previous life, but never seriously expected to accomplish any grand strategy. He knew he wasn't a genius with flawless plans.

His goal with provocations was simple: to mess with the opponent's mindset.

Direct, yes, but such straightforward tricks were often very effective.

Still, even Akashi didn't expect that his tactical provocation would have this kind of impact. It was honestly surprising.

"Wow, I can't believe it myself, my own provocation, which I barely trust, actually convinced the enemy completely. Interesting, really interesting." Akashi muttered to himself, shaking his head.

Matsukawa groaned.

This was one of those moments where being clever backfired.

Every setter's heart gets a little dirty, that's for sure... except for Ryuhei Sanashita.

Sanashita: "Are you praising me or insulting me?"

Matsukawa was one of the best setters around. After seeing Akashi's blocking in the first set, he had already predicted that the Red Team would focus on blocking in this set, so he strengthened his own front-row block accordingly.

But maybe because of that very block at the end of the first set, Matsukawa misread Akashi's intentions a bit.

He thought Akashi was up to some tricky "conspiracy."

In reality, Akashi's plan was simply to face the White Team head-on, deciding the match in this set.

As for conspiracies?

If you peeled open the chests of all five Red Team players, the amount of dirty tricks inside wouldn't even come close to what Matsukawa carried alone.

….

The Red Team started strong, scoring two points in a row, so the serve remained with Sanashita.

Sanashita was feeling frustrated. He never imagined that with his mediocre serve, he'd get to serve three times in one set.

The ball sailed over the net.

After the White Team received it, they quickly set up their third attack.

Akashi stood at the net, eyes locked on the ball mid-air. He didn't relax despite the two-point lead. On the contrary, he knew this was when the opponent was most dangerous.

Iwaizumi, Hanamaki, and Matsukawa all moved simultaneously.

Their almost synchronized actions made it impossible for Akashi to guess who would receive the ball next, so he had to focus intensely to, 

Snap!

Suddenly, Matsukawa delivered a surprise setter attack.

None of the three blockers on the Red Team, including Akashi, expected it. They watched wide-eyed as the ball sped past the block and dropped to the floor.

But at the last moment, a figure leapt from the backcourt and smacked the ball back into the air.

It was Watari Shinji.

Matsukawa had fooled the White Team blockers, but not his trusted teammate Shinji.

As Matsukawa's team's libero and one of their key players, Shinji didn't hesitate to stab the White Team right when it hurt the most.

This move was so brutal that even the coach, Nobuteru Irihata, was rubbing his forehead, almost unable to watch.

Too ruthless.

This play was perfect timing, perfect coordination by Matsukawa, but Shinji caught it. Honestly, even in an official match, Shinji probably wouldn't have performed this well.

The best part? After catching the ball, Shinji was grinning like a mischievous kid, nearly flashing his teeth.

The ball soared high.

Sanashita decisively passed a high ball to Akashi, who quickly positioned himself for the block.

Three blockers from the White Team lined up, but Akashi jumped higher than all of them.

Their eyes widened as Akashi's chin rose above their heads.

Bang!

The timing was perfect, the ball struck Akashi's highest point, 341cm.

The shortest blocker, Iwaizumi, could only watch helplessly as the ball flew over his fingertips and hit the ground on the other side.

No doubt about it, 

That spike was not only painful but humiliating for Iwaizumi.

3-0.

Both Matsukawa and Iwaizumi felt their composure shake.

They never feared strong opponents. But what do you do when there's a traitor on your own team?

No matter how clever Matsukawa's tactics were, he couldn't deceive both the enemy and his own teammates!

Especially since this traitor was in peak form today.

Matsukawa's mouth twitched as he turned toward the bench, looking to coach Nobuteru Irihata for some kind of reasonable explanation.

But Irihata was just a bit thirsty, so he decided to go get some water first.

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