Chapter 48 : Analysis

As the whistle sounded, both sides of the match returned to the field.

"Are there any defining characteristics of these two teams?"

Looking at Ukai's furrowed brows on the side, Akira couldn't help but ask curiously.

Hearing his words, Ukai turned his head and said,

"Dewaichi's characteristics are obvious!"

"They're a disciplined team! Both their individual skills and teamwork are strong!"

"But they don't have any standout players!"

"Jozenji, on the other hand..."

At this, Ukai frowned slightly and looked at the court.

"Jozenji's players are really something."

At that moment, Hinata, standing beside them, chimed in. His eyes were already shining with excitement.

"That ball just now, the one that almost hit the floor!"

"That guy hooked it back with his foot..."

"And actually saved it!!"

"Yeah!" Ukai added.

"Their playstyle is unusual... Solid!"

"But even with that steadiness, there's an unrestrained quality to it!"

"I'd guess... their captain plays a major role in this."

As he spoke, Ukai pointed at a tall player from Jozenji.

"Terushima! That was a great play!"

Okugaku, Jozenji's setter, called out to a teammate with a Mohican-style haircut.

"Haha! Okugaku-senpai!"

"That was just basic stuff! No need to hype me up!"

Okugaku rolled his eyes before slapping Terushima on the shoulder and saying loudly,

"But you also made some ridiculous mistakes earlier!"

"Don't think I didn't see them!"

"Haha! Looks like Terushima's getting scolded again!"

His teammates laughed mercilessly at the scene.

"And you two!" Okugaku turned towards Habata and Iizaka.

"No need to laugh at him!"

"You both messed up plenty as well!"

"Make sure you focus in the next set!"

"Yes, sir!" they chorused.

Looking at the chaotic group before him, Okugaku Seiji sighed, rubbing his forehead.

Jozenji was known for their straightforward, calm playstyle.

Their cheer banner, boldly declaring "Solid and Strong," was a testament to that.

But ever since these second-years came in with their wild energy...

The team's style had shifted.

The once orderly court had become their playground.

Still, under the firm guidance of Okugaku and Yuto Kamichi, another third-year, they managed to keep things in check.

But what would happen after they graduated?

What then?

Thinking about the uncertain future, Okugaku couldn't help but sigh.

He exchanged glances with Kamichi before both looked away.

Maybe...

For Jozenji... Change wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Lost in thought, he was jolted back to reality as the referee's whistle echoed again.

The third set was about to begin!

"Calm Jozenji?"

Hearing Ukai's words, Akira was puzzled.

In his mind, wasn't Jozenji always the team that played with flashy, free-spirited energy?

But as he looked at the court, he began to understand.

"So at this point, Jozenji's third-years haven't graduated yet?"

"A different version of Jozenji..."

Intrigued, Akira observed the match more closely.

Just as Ukai described—

Strong. Structured. Powerful.

When defending against Dewaichi's attacks, their formation was organized and disciplined.

And when they counterattacked, it was a methodical, step-by-step execution.

Even their spikes seemed to stamp deep footprints into the court.

A display of sheer athletic strength.

But if you watched long enough, you'd notice something else—

Beneath their disciplined execution, another layer existed.

Almost every attack revealed a different energy.

Some of the second-years kept attempting experimental, unconventional shots!

Yet, every time they tried to push beyond the system—

Jozenji's setter, Okugaku, reined them in.

Each of his sets maintained a steady rhythm, restricting any overly wild movements.

"Jozenji is a team full of contradictions."

Akira suddenly voiced his thoughts.

"Huh?" Kageyama turned to him.

"If we play against Jozenji tomorrow..."

"Can we use this to our advantage?"

At this, the others turned their attention to Akira.

"Not yet," he shook his head.

"Despite their opposing styles, they're still unified!"

"That setter captain of theirs... He's incredibly skilled!"

"He's balancing two different playstyles and blending them effectively."

Akira gestured towards the court.

"Take that Main Spiker with the strange haircut!"

"He's the type to break the mold!"

"Just now, when he faced the blockers, if the set had been better..."

"He probably would've attempted a full-power straight-line spike against them!"

"And the other second-years have a similar mentality!"

"They don't necessarily want to coordinate. They just play in their own style!"

"Wouldn't that make them easy to deal with?"

Hearing this, Kageyama's eyes lit up.

"Not really."

Akira shook his head, dashing Kageyama's expectations.

"Jozenji has two key players keeping them grounded."

"Their setter captain and another stable Main Spiker!"

"The setter controls the game's pace, keeping it structured."

"And that Main Spiker serves as a model for the others!"

"The more reckless players don't need perfect teamwork."

"They just follow his example while the setter dictates the rhythm!"

"This..."

Everyone fell silent, trying to process Jozenji's unusual dynamic.

Akira took another glance at the court before suddenly standing up.

"Let's go."

"There's nothing more to watch."

"Dewaichi doesn't stand a chance against a serious Jozenji."

"Our opponent tomorrow morning will be them."

At first, the others hesitated, then got up and followed him.

"So what's our strategy for tomorrow's match?"

"Against such a solid opponent, there's no shortcut."

"We'll just have to beat them head-on!"

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3/8✅