A/N - Guys, would really appreciate your powerstones!
The gym was silent for a heartbeat. All eyes were on Hinata as he walked back to the end line, cradling the volleyball in his hands like it was something sacred. Then, he lowered his stance and began his familiar ritual—deep breaths, a bounce of the ball, eyes narrowing in on the target.
Ukai, standing at the sidelines, leaned forward slightly, his fingers curled around the whistle hanging loosely from his neck.
Kageyama stood near the net, already grinning like a madman.
Across the court, Sugawara shouted, "Get ready! Everyone focus! Especially you, Noya!"
Nishinoya scoffed, adjusting his stance with a competitive spark in his eyes.
"Tch! I'm the libero, of course I'll get it!"
Hinata tossed the ball into the air.
BOOM.
His palm slammed into it like a cannon firing. The sound reverberated through the gym as the ball sliced through the air like a bullet, curving sharply mid-flight.
Straight at Nishinoya.
But before the libero could even step forward—
THWACK.
The ball smashed into the floor right in front of him. He hadn't even moved. Eyes wide, jaw slack.
The sound it made when it hit the floor was almost violent.
Team A 2–1 Team B.
"W-what the hell…" Tanaka blinked.
"I didn't even see it," Yamaguchi whispered.
Ukai's jaw clenched.
Nishinoya stared at the spot where the ball had hit, his hands still frozen in ready position.
"Oi, Noya, you good?" Sugawara called from behind him.
Noya didn't answer.
Hinata stepped back again.
Second serve.
Another toss. Another explosive slam of the palm. The ball sailed with terrifying speed—not floating, not curving, just blasting through the air like a laser beam.
Nishinoya braced himself better this time. He'd seen the path. He was ready.
But it was already past him before he took a step.
"Wha—?!"
BANG. The ball smacked the floor, untouched.
Team A 3–1 Team B.
Ukai's eyes widened.
Asahi whispered, "That's… not normal."
Hinata returned to the line. Calm. Collected. Focused.
Tanaka leaned over to Daichi. "This is bullying. Actual bullying."
Third serve.
Hinata tossed the ball again.
CRACK.
It vanished.
Or that's what it felt like.
Nishinoya didn't even flinch. He couldn't. The serve blurred past him, slammed into the floor right at his feet, and bounced into the wall behind him.
Everyone stared in shock.
Sugawara stepped forward, looking at Nishinoya's stunned expression.
"You okay?"
Noya blinked, slowly turning his head toward him. "I… I didn't even see it."
Team A 4–1 Team B.
Ukai's whistle slipped from his hand, dangling from his neck. His mouth was slightly open.
The gym was tense now.
Ukai couldn't believe it. He turned to Takeda.
"Did you know he could serve like this?"
Takeda looked just as shocked.
"I knew he was talented… but this is beyond anything I expected."
Fourth serve.
Nishinoya had started to read the ball now—he got to it, made contact, and tried to angle it upwards—but the power once again sent it veering off to the side. Out of bounds.
"Guh—dammit!" Noya growled.
Team A 5–1 Team B.
Asahi clenched his fists, watching.
Fifth serve.
Hinata's feet barely touched the ground before he launched again. The form was clean, the swing explosive, and the ball sailed across like a guided missile.
This time Nishinoya stopped it. Or so it seemed—until the force pushed his arms back, and the ball arced upward but outside the playable court.
"Come on!!" Nishinoya gritted his teeth, already getting up from the floor.
"I will receive it!"
Team A 6–1 Team B.
Ukai was speechless now.
"This kid… he's in High School right?"
Takeda nodded slowly, beaming. "First year. Imagine him in Nationals."
Sixth serve.
This time, Hinata delayed for a second longer, eyes still fixed on Nishinoya.
The serve screamed across the court.
Noya was more than ready now—he anticipated the movement, got low, arms steady—and the ball still knocked his platform backward, sending it high… and out of bounds again.
"Agh!" He slammed a hand against the floor in frustration.
Team A 7–1 Team B.
"He's breaking down one of the best liberos in the prefecture," Kageyama thought in disbelief.
Sugawara walked up to Nishinoya and gently helped him up.
"You're getting closer," he said, smiling.
"He's not unbeatable."
Noya gritted his teeth and gave a sharp nod. "One more. Just give me one more."
Seventh serve.
Hinata inhaled deeply. His body was warm, blood pumping, muscles locked in rhythm. His instincts screamed "go"—and he did.
The ball launched like a cannon shell. This time, Nishinoya crouched earlier, read the trajectory—and dove with everything he had.
His arms met the ball with just the right angle.
SMACK!
The ball spun in the air high… and landed in Sugawara's hands.
"I got it!" Sugawara shouted.
Asahi was already moving. "Here it comes!"
Sugawara's set was crisp, clean, and fast—right into Asahi's zone.
Kageyama and Tsukishima jumped to block. Asahi flew upward like a shadow rising behind the ball.
"HAAAH!!"
CRACK!
The ball ricocheted off Tsukki's fingers and slammed the gym floor on Team A's side—just out of bounds.
"Yes!" Asahi shouted, fist pumping.
"Nice receive, Noya!" Sugawara grinned.
"Tch… Finally," Nishinoya muttered, panting, but satisfied.
Team A 7–2 Team B.
Ukai chuckled, finally breaking into a grin.
"Now that's the Karasuno spirit."
The team was buzzing again—Hinata's streak broken, but not in vain. He'd set the tone. Team A had momentum, but Team B now had fire in their eyes.
And this match… was just getting started.