Hinata Wants to Fuse with the Whale Shark

The break between games is 3 minutes, so after the first game ended, everyone replenished their fluids while listening to the coach's lecture. However, Karasuno, who had won the previous game by a large margin, didn't have any major issues. Coach Ukai only swapped Hayato out for Asahi.

This is the confidence that comes with having two aces on the team; they can conserve both their stamina for the next match.

Unlike the relaxed atmosphere on Karasuno's side, Sennan was much more subdued. The huge score difference had everyone feeling down, and their team manager was at a loss.

"More important than winning or losing is that you all tried your best."

But words like that weren't very convincing. Just then, a familiar voice called out from the second-floor stands. Sennan's retired third-year, former captain Akimiya Noboru, had also come to watch their match.

"Hey, you guys are too quiet! You were so fierce when you were fighting, why are you shrinking back now that you're playing?"

Led by Towada, along with two other punks provoking Tanaka, the three immediately glared at the former captain upon hearing his words.

"Who's shrinking back!"

"I'm not scared of you guys. This is the second floor, no matter how strong you are, you can't reach me."

Startled at first, Akimiya Noboru, standing on the second floor, gripped the railing with both hands and said.

"What is that guy even doing here?"

One of them asked curiously, watching the former captain laugh from the second floor.

"Giving up as soon as you encounter a little setback, that's what cowardice is. I won't dictate your game. But there's one thing I have to say: being serious, fighting hard, giving your all – there's no shame in any of that!"

Hayato, who was resting nearby, also heard those words. Seeing the captain's serious expression, Hayato nodded in agreement.

"He's got a point, but there can only be one winner. Everyone, we have to win the next match too."

"Ooh!"

Motivated by their captain, the current ace Towada clenched his fist and shouted that they would defeat Karasuno, break through the first round of preliminaries, and even defeat Shiratorizawa. Hearing him shout like that, the Sennan players were also fired up.

On Karasuno's side, Tanaka responded very seriously.

"Bring it on!"

After the second game started, Asahi, who had been subbed in, used his performance to show everyone present that he was also Karasuno's ace. With consecutive points and powerful spikes when he was in the front row, the score quickly widened.

But once you make a comparison, the difference becomes obvious.

"This ace that Karasuno brought in is good, but... you know."

"Yeah, that number 13 from before was clearly better."

The spectators from other schools on the second-floor stands looked at Asahi, who was working hard to score on the court, and said with some sympathy.

"But with the current skill gap, the match should be over soon, right? Let's go, it's our turn next."

"Got it. Matches with such a huge skill disparity are always quick."

From the start of the match, it was clear that Sennan had little hope. The two spectators planned to go and warm up; they would be up next after Karasuno's match ended.

Hearing them say that, former ace Akimiya Noboru cheered for Sennan with reluctance.

"The match isn't over yet, don't give up!"

But the current score was not much different from the previous game, 23 to 13, a full 10-point gap. Karasuno, who had the serve, now had Kageyama serving. With his teammates cheering him on for a good serve, Kageyama decisively executed a jump float serve, scoring directly. Karasuno reached match point at 24.

"Nice serve! Kageyama's jump float serve is getting sharper and sharper."

Ennoshita said excitedly, clenching his fist. Hayato patted his shoulder.

"After the training camp, Kageyama practiced an extra hundred jump float serves every night. It's only natural he's getting better."

Hayato puffed out his chest with pride, but Sugawara next to him couldn't stand it.

"Alright, alright, you get half the credit. Stop looking so smug."

"Heh heh."

After successfully reaching match point, everyone relaxed.

With another jump float serve, this time it was received by a Sennan player, but the ball hit their arm and flew off. Watching the ball fly over his head, ace Towada comforted himself in his mind.

"There's no time for this ball. We're only second-years anyway, we have next year."

This thought flashed through his mind for only a moment before Towada was chasing after the final ball.

"It's because you have thoughts like that that you're always so weak!"

He crashed into the water bottle area, saved the ball, and shouted, "The last ball! Save it!" Hearing this, Sennan's libero passed the ball with a sliding motion. The volleyball grazed the net but was saved by Nishinoya's backhand. Hinata set the ball to Tanaka, who spiked it forcefully, but it was once again received by the Sennan libero, who had recovered and repositioned himself.

"It's not over yet!"

"Give me the ball!"

Ace Towada called out from the left side of the court and jumped to spike, but Asahi received it steadily.

In that instant, Hinata flew past him. Watching Hinata leap high into the air, Towada was filled with regret.

"So the real idiot was me."

Kageyama accurately passed the ball to Hinata, who spiked it directly for a point.

Karasuno ended their match against Sennan High School with a decisive two-game victory.

The two teams lined up again at the sidelines. As the whistle blew, everyone simultaneously shouted "Thank you for the match." Karasuno would rest before facing their next opponent, while for Sennan, their journey had come to an end.

The Sennan High School's former captain, looking dejected, was resting by the stairs when he approached.

"Good work out there. You really gave it your all."

Upon seeing the former captain approach, everyone stood up.

"It's only natural to feel frustrated right now. No matter the competition, losing is always going to make you feel bad. To put it bluntly, even people who don't usually practice seriously will feel upset when they lose. This frustration everyone feels comes from the heart."

"But! Anyone who forgets this frustration after three days is a perpetual weakling! Don't think you have three years in high school; if you just coast by, it'll be over in the blink of an eye. Let this frustration you feel today sink into your hearts!"

After saying this, the former captain realized he might have gone a bit too far and quickly said goodbye with a smile.

"Well, that's that. I'll be back to watch next year, so do your best."

Just as he turned to leave, the current captain, Towada, called out to him. Then, with his hands behind his back, he bowed deeply.

"Captain! Thank you for your guidance!"

The other team members shouted in unison as well. They seemed to have been encouraged by his words and were very grateful to the former captain.

Seeing their reaction, the former captain, Akimiya Noboru, smiled and waved goodbye to everyone.

Meanwhile, the Karasuno team, curious about who their next opponent would be, went ahead to the preparation area. They looked into the court from the entrance and saw a giant.

"That's a weapon, that height is a weapon."

"Two meters tall. That's terrifying."

Asahi and Hitoka said fearfully, looking at the giant on the court.

With his absolute height advantage, he could easily get past the opposing blockers with just a slight jump, effortlessly tipping the ball into the other side of the court. The match quickly concluded, and the team with the giant, Kakugawa Academy, won, becoming Karasuno's opponent.

Standing in front of the match schedule at the gymnasium entrance, Daichi looked at Kakugawa Academy's recent results: 25:21, 25:19.

"If we win just one more match, we can get past the first round of preliminaries and advance to the representative selection tournament in October. We absolutely have to get past the first round."

"Yes!"

Hitoka nervously thought that if they lost even one match, they would genuinely be eliminated. Just then, the two-meter-tall giant walked past her.

"The opposing player is two meters tall."

Hinata also watched the giant walk past him, trembling with nervousness.

"Two meters is so tall."

Yamaguchi stood beside Hinata.

"2 meters 01 and 1 meter 62."

"If you round up, I'm 1 meter 63."

Tsukishima walked over to add his two cents.

"2 meters 01 and 1 meter 62, rounded up, the difference is 40 centimeters."

"That's not how rounding up works!"

Hitoka quickly tried to salvage the situation.

"40 centimeters, that's about as tall as Kitty-chan. It's not that big of a difference."

"Is that supposed to be comforting?" Tsukishima asked, genuinely curious.

"I remember electric eels being 40 centimeters too," Yamaguchi chimed in.

"Whale sharks too," the knowledgeable Tsukishima added.

"Whale sharks?"

"What are those?"

"A type of shark."

"Tsukki, you're so smart!"

Hinata, looking utterly dejected, walked towards the preparation area.

"I, I want to merge with a whale shark."

Kageyama looked confused at Hinata's nonsensical statement.

"Huh?"

"If I merge with a whale shark, I'll be two meters tall."

Just then, Hayato walked over and, as usual, rested his arm on Hinata's head.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? Is our Little Giant scared to face a real giant?"

"Hayato-senpai!"

Seeing Hayato, Hinata's spirits lifted.

"Come on, relax. Our Little Giant won't back down just because of this. Show them what you've got."

As he said this, Hayato looked at the giant on the court. Following his gaze, Hinata also saw the person. Then, they both looked away, and Hayato looked seriously into Hinata's eyes.

"So, what do you think? Do you have confidence?"

"Yes!"

"Great, then let's head onto the court."

"Ooh!"

Daichi saw that Hinata had regained his spirit and led everyone onto the court.

"Kuroba-senpai got Hinata fired up in just a few words!"

Hitoka was also happy seeing Hinata's state, and Kiyoko, standing beside her, felt relieved watching the scene.

"Yeah, Hayato is our Ace after all. Let's go too, Hitoka-chan."

After following Kiyoko to put the water and towels in the rest area, Hitoka returned to the second-floor stands to continue cheering for them.