The Birth of A Volleyball Legend

"Their eyes changed," Sawada, who had observed Tsunemori's situation since the argument on the opponent's bench started, said solemnly. They have some sort of murderous intent in their expression now, " he informed his teammates.

"So, they haven't given up yet?" Matsumoto snorted. "Admirable, but useless. It is too late for them to make a change." He said nonchalantly.

Sawada nodded, knowing his captain was right. However, he couldn't help but keep staring at Tsunemori's bench. Even though he didn't know what happened there, but for the situation to change drastically from a heated argument to the unity that was shown by Tsunemori right now was a bit confusing for him to proceed.

However, somehow, he had a premonition about something troublesome that would happen next.

Meanwhile, on the Tsunemori's bench, all the players there bounced on their seats with excitement, couldn't wait for the game to be continued again. Gone was the hesitation, the depression, the feeling of awe or afraid of their opponent, replaced by the determination to leave a deep impression on all the people in the building.

They didn't think about the final result of the game anymore, knowing they were bound to lose everything after this. But that was what made Sawada worried the most.

Just like the wise man said, the team who had nothing to lose would be the most troublesome to face.

"Oi, Riku!" Koji suddenly called the setter. "Don't think you can get away from the disrespect before, okay? We will settle everything after the game is over. But for now, just concentrate on giving a good pass to me, okay?!"

Riku snorted, thinking how ironic the current situation was. He and Yuki had been thinking for a long time about how to raise the team's morale, but the moment Akira declared the game was a lost cause, everyone got fired up all of a sudden. Hell, even Koji who probably was the most frightened one to face Konan High now seemed to be a different player, confidence blazing on his face.

"Well, at least the situation is better than before," Yuki muttered next to him.

"Yeah." Riku couldn't help but nod in agreement. Explore more stories with empire

However, he knew this state wouldn't last long. If they were able to shorten the gap between the two teams, the feeling of having to win would be back again, and they would be crushed by their own mentality just like before.

Still, after thinking about it for another second, the blonde boy shook his head, trying to dispel the worry about the future scenario that he himself didn't know whether it would happen or not.

After another minute passed, the referee finally asked all the players to return to the court to resume the game. The one who served the ball was still the same: Akihiro. All the Tsunemori players were determined to stop his consecutive successful serves, knowing that Konan's middle blocker would be more infuriating if they couldn't cut off the loss.

When the serve finally came, Kaede took over the ball easily, sending it straight in Riku's direction. Yuki also rushed forward to create a distraction/ However, from the moment Koji called him before the game was resumed again, the blonde boy was determined to send his first pass to his senpai.

'Now, let's see what you who are not afraid of the opponent anymore could do. Don't disappoint me, Senpai!'

"Ha! Don't think you can fool me, Bastard!"

As the pass came, Akihiro also moved quickly, showing his insanely fast reaction. He took off from the ground at the same time as Koji, both arms extended in the air. If it was before, Koji would tremble in fright, and the end result of his attack would be disappointing. However, it was different this time.

With an unseen intensity, Koji launched towards the net, his eyes locked onto the ball as it sailed high above. Akihiro braced themselves, expecting the familiar rhythm of his routine spike, but what came next was nothing short of a revelation. Koji unleashed a powerful spike, a shot so ferocious and precise that he never thought Tsunemori's hitter would have in him.

Though he managed to leap into position and raise his arms in a block, the sheer force of Koji's attack sent vibrations through their arms.

*BAM!*

The ball ricocheted off their hands with an explosive crack and soared outside the court, leaving everyone stunned and the crowd erupting into cheers.

"Oh! What a spike!"

"Damn, even Akihiro couldn't stop it! And you tell me he has this since the beginning of the game?!"

"No, this is the first time he shows a spike that powerful. It seems whatever happens during the timeout works for Tsunemori!"

As for the players on the court, the moment Koji saw the opponent was unable to save his spike, he roared wildly, venting out all of the frustrations inside him. His face flushed red, his breath was getting heavier. This was what he had been waiting for. A successful spike attempt to boost his confidence.

"Good job, Koji!"

"Damn, I know you have it in you! That is a monstrous spike!"

"Come on! Kai, follow it up! Don't you dare to make a mistake after this, okay?!"

"Leave it to me!"

The one who served the ball next was Kaede. Meanwhile, Hirano was also replaced by Okamura for the rotation. From the outside perspective, this rotation seemed to weaken Tsunemori's strength. After all, even though with Okamura's presence, their backcourt would be stronger, Hirano's absence would allow all the opponent's players to spike the ball without getting any pressure.

However, it was from the outside perspective. All the Tsunemori players knew that when Okamura entered the court, this would allow Yuki to move freely on the front, and while it wouldn't affect the defense on the front line that much since his ability as a blocker was at the same level as Hirano, but Yuki's presence there would also increase their intensity when they attacked the opponent.

"Come on, Kai! Give us a good one!"

"Don't miss!"

Kaede took a deep breath, his eyes wandering far to the other side of the net. While he didn't have any lethal technique like Yuki or Riku, he was still decent enough in the service line, having a wicked aim from that spot. The moment the referee blew the whistle, he launched the ball to a tricky spot between Arizawa and Lucas, trying to create chaos on the opponent's side.

Unfortunately, it was clear this was not the first time Konan's players faced this trick. When Lucas saw Arizawa could get the ball, he took a step back immediately, letting his teammate handle the ball while starting his run-up for a quick. This was their usual operation when facing an opponent's serve, as long as Lucas could avoid the ball, he would do that and prepare himself for a quick.

In the past, this was always effective in cutting off their opponent's momentum. However, it was different this time.

While Lucas didn't have to face Hirano, when he took off from the ground and waited for Sawada's pass, two pairs of hands suddenly appeared, blocking his vision immediately. Lucas was taken aback by it. However, he was already in the air and couldn't adjust his stance, so he could only smash the ball as hard as possible and try to break the wall forcefully.

With that thought in mind, he swung his arms without hesitation, generating more strength from his body to kill the ball. As a result…

*BAM!*