There was one thing Keita Hanamaki and Issei Matsukawa got right:

When it comes purely to power, Akashi Asuka's serve is actually stronger than Ushijima Wakatoshi.

But it's not just about raw strength.

It's about how efficiently one uses that strength.

While Ushijima is stronger overall, his serves rely mostly on arm power. Akashi, on the other hand, integrates his core strength with his arm swing in a seamless motion, creating a force where 1 + 1 2.

It's part talent, part experience.

Specifically, it's Akashi drawing on nearly ten years of playing basketball in his past life and channeling that knowledge into volleyball.

It's a unique advantage that Ushijima simply doesn't have.

Of course...

That advantage is limited to serving.

When it comes to spiking power, Akashi still can't compare to Ushijima. There are too many variables involved in a spike, and matches don't always give him the time he needs to prepare fully.

Score: 4–3.

Aoba Johsai regains the lead.

Up until now, while Akashi's performance had been decent, Shiratorizawa hadn't paid him much mind. But after that last serve, their alertness toward him immediately went up several levels.

As Akashi stepped up to serve again, Hanamaki and Matsukawa quietly moved out of the way, covering the backs of their heads without being asked.

That one serve was enough to convince them.

They didn't know whether Akashi's serves would score again, but if they got hit in the head, they had no doubt they'd be knocked out cold.

No joke.

Could this even be called a serve?

There was no finesse to speak of, just pure, unrelenting power!

Boom!

Akashi leapt high, smacking the back of the ball with explosive force.

The volleyball howled through the air, crossing the net and slamming toward Shiratorizawa's court.

But this time, the serve was received.

On the bench, Ryuhei Sanashita frowned slightly at the sight.

"Again?"

"That's already the second libero who's seen Akashi serve for the first time and managed to adjust after just two balls... Is this really what high school volleyball is like?"

Back in Junior High, Akashi's serve had been a guaranteed point-maker. If he was in form, almost no one could return it, not even at the national tournament.

But now, just two games into high school, in both matches, liberos had seen his serve once and adapted by the second attempt.

The gap was starting to concern Sanashita.

Would Akashi be able to adjust to this level?

….

After receiving the serve, Shiratorizawa's setter quickly set up the offense.

This time, the ball didn't go to Ushijima, he had rotated to the back row. While it's possible to launch attacks from the back, it's risky unless the team has a plan or no other options.

Typically, setters avoid initiating attacks from the back line.

But Shiratorizawa isn't short on attackers. Ushijima's official role is Opposite Hitter, and he's known as The Ace.

Which means there's another main attacker on the team, another Ace.

Goshiki Tsutomu suddenly leapt from the left, just as the ball came flying toward him...

Boom!

His spike cut through Kindaichi's solo block and rocketed straight toward Akashi.

Akashi looked up, just in time to meet Goshiki's gaze in midair. In that brief moment, he clearly saw the look of provocation in Goshiki's eyes.

Akashi: "???"

What the hell is this? Who's this guy? Why is he acting just like Kageyama?

Akashi felt genuinely confused by Goshiki's random hostility. Still, it was a golden opportunity. He steadied himself and cleanly received the ball, sending it to Oikawa.

"Nice receive, Akashi-chan!"

Oikawa praised him and quickly launched a counterattack. The ball went to Hanamaki, who faced an open net, Ushijima wasn't in the front row, and no one was covering the back.

Hanamaki smashed it home for a clean point.

5–3.

Aoba Johsai was on a roll.

BEEP!!!

Shiratorizawa called a timeout.

Back on the bench, Aoba Johsai's players crowded together, shouting with joy.

This was the first time they'd ever taken an early lead against Shiratorizawa.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Goshiki was getting an earful from Coach Washijōu.

"Goshiki! Why did you target number six just now? And you didn't even score! Unless you've got a very good explanation, you know what's coming…"

"Uh... Coach Washijōu, maybe just let it go this time." the assistant coach said with a sigh. "I think Goshiki just got excited after seeing Akashi."

"But Goshiki." he added sternly, "remember, this isn't a one-on-one match between you and Akashi. We're playing Aoba Johsai as a team. And because of your decision, we lost a point. After the match, you know what to do, right?"

Goshiki nodded sheepishly. "Yes. I'll do 100 spike drills after the match."

"Coach." said Shirabu Kenjiro, taking a sip of water, "who is that number six anyway? I've never heard of him being on Aoba Johsai before."

"That makes sense." the assistant coach replied. "During last year's Junior Nationals, you guys were busy prepping for Spring High, so you probably missed it."

"Their number six is Akashi Asuka. He was named Best Outside Hitter in the junior division. He led a no-name team, Sengoku Junior High, all the way to nationals by himself. The guy's insanely talented."

"Goshiki's old school was a seeded team that year, but they lost to Kōsen Academy in the semifinals, so he never got a chance to play against Sengoku."

"That's why he suddenly went after number six just now."

"Ohhh, that explains it!"

With that, Shiratorizawa's players started to understand. If Akashi had been the best outside hitter in the country, then that level of performance made perfect sense.

Soon, the timeout ended.

Both teams returned to the court.

Just before the restart, Coach Washijōu called out to Goshiki.

"If you really want to take on their number six, then you'd better be ready to take your punishment."

Goshiki paused mid-step, then nodded as a sharp glint returned to his eyes.

"Understood, Coach."

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