Chapter 81: Tearing Open The Iron Walls

"Whoaaaa!"

"Karasuno's fighting back!"

"Dammit! I knew they wouldn't let Date Tech have it easy!"

The crowd roared in excitement as the gymnasium once again buzzing with energy.

The atmosphere was somewhat taking unexpected turn from what happened as Date Tech's supporters tried to keep the momentum going for their team. Although, Karasuno's sudden comeback had everyone on the edge of their seats.

Meanwhile...

"That guy..."

"Kindaichi, um..."

Kunimi turned to Kindaichi, it was clear that he was taken aback, "Is Kageyama always this crazy?"

He knew Kageyama was prideful, but he hadn't expected him to snap like that—especially toward his senior.

In Japanese high schools, seniority was taken seriously, and Aoba Johsai was no exception. Even if Iwaizumi smacked them on the head, as juniors, they were expected to swallow their resentment and not fight back.

However...

"..."

Kindaichi was at a loss for words.

Kunimi could tell from his expression that Kageyama wasn't usually like this. Before he could say more, a loud laugh broke the tension.

"Hahaha..."

"...?

Everyone turned to see Oikawa leaning back, laughing uncontrollably. His laughter was slowly died down as he said, "Yaa, I wasn't expecting Tobio-chan to be like that too..."

"Shut up!"

"Ouch!"

But then...

He was laughing so hard that Iwaizumi had to punch him in the gut to shut him up.

"Iwa-chan, that's not very nice..."

Oikawa groaned, clutching his stomach.

Iwaizumi glared at him, hissing, "You're embarrassing us. Shut up."

"Sigh, why do you always get physical?"

Oikawa whined, but Iwaizumi wasn't having it, "Shut up, and tell us what you know!"

The rest of the team nodded, clearly on Iwaizumi's side. Oikawa slumped his shoulders, realizing no one was going to back him up.

He once again sighed, then looked back at the court with a grin.

"Of course, isn't the answer quite simple?"

That kind of madness...

'Tsuna rubbed it off to Kageyama too...'

Asahi thought, sweat dripping down his forehead as he watched the exchange.

The rest of the team felt the same, their eyes wide as they took in the scene. They had seen how Tsuna's nature had somewhat affected Hinata before, and now that it had spread to Kageyama, they were left speechless.

'They play the game like it's their last...'

Asahi quietly clenched his fist, his nerves slowly fading. He glanced at Daichi, who was walking to the back line to serve the ball.

The fear he had felt earlier, knowing they were facing the same team that had once broken him, was disappearing. He looked at one of Date Tech's blockers, Aone now rotated to the back.

He wasn't even looking at him—it was as if he didn't exist. Not just Aone, the rest of Date Tech had their eyes locked on Tsuna.

'Me too...'

Asahi took a deep breath. He felt the need to face his demons in this game!

The whistle blew, and Daichi served the ball sharply across the court toward the backside of Date Tech.

"Nice receive!"

The ball was received smoothly, bouncing toward the front of Date Tech's court. Moniwa tiptoed into position, his eyes following the ball.

'We're losing our momentum...'

Moniwa could feel their momentum slipping away. Even though they were leading on the scoreboard, he knew they had to regain control. If they didn't, the situation could spiral out of hand.

Suddenly...

"Captain!"

He heard a shout.

"...!"

Moniwa glanced at Futakuchi, who was calling for the ball. He nodded and tossed it high into the air.

Futakuchi leaped, his arm swinging down for a powerful spike.

However...

It just so happened that the one at the front of Karasuno's side at that moment was...

"...!"

Futakuchi's eyes widened as he saw what was happening in front of him.

"Jump now, senpai..."

Tsukishima's calm voice cut through the tension.

Asahi nodded, and both he and Tsukishima leaped into the air, their hands stretching high to form a solid wall.

A loud bam echoed as the ball crashed into their block, bouncing high into the air but still heading toward Karasuno's court.

Tsukishima shouted, "Cover!"

'Dammit...'

Futakuchi cursed under his breath as he landed. The ball wasn't going anywhere dangerous, but he knew they had to stay ready.

"..."

Nishinoya moved quickly, his eyes locked on the ball as it spun slowly in the air before sharply falling. His feet planted firmly on the ground, his hands ready in front of him.

But then, someone shouted, "Nishinoya!"

"...!"

Asahi's voice cut through the tension. Nishinoya glanced up and saw Asahi raising his hand, his expression filled with determination.

That look lit a fire in Nishinoya's chest.

'Asahi-san too...'

Everyone seemed to be getting crazier these days. Tsuna had always been intense, but now the first-years were catching the same energy—Hinata, Kageyama, and even Asahi seemed to have been motivated by them.

Nishinoya couldn't help but feel the same drive building inside him.

He cupped his hands, adjusting his stance sharply as the ball came closer. With a quick swing, he sent the ball high into the air, aiming it perfectly toward Asahi.

'Tsuna's always been crazy, so I get that. But then the first-years are going wild too... Hinata, Kageyama...'

Nishinoya's thoughts swirled as he watched the ball float high.

Asahi took a few steps back, building momentum before running forward.

This time...

"I can't wait for my turn..."

Nishinoya muttered under his breath.

He quickly repositioned himself, ready to cover Asahi's spike. With Aone at the back, Date Tech's Iron Wall should be weaker, even if Futakuchi was still at the front.

However...

"..."

As Asahi leaped into the air and swung his arm, the ball seemed to dent under the force of his palm.

A loud bam echoed as the ball shot forward, crashing into Date Tech's block. But it wasn't enough.

Fwoop!

The ball bounced sharply back, whistling past Asahi's cheeks. The wind grazed his frustrated expression as he gritted his teeth.

"...!"

Nishinoya, who had repositioned to cover Asahi, wasn't expecting such a quick bounce. He glanced to the side, seeing the ball coldly weaving through the air as his hands were stiff and unmoving.

Date Tech's players beamed, thinking they had secured the momentum.

But then...

'I can't wait for my turn...'

Nishinoya's body moved before he could think!

He split down low, his legs stretching out as he reached for the ball.

And to everyone's surprise...

A soft plop echoed through the silent gymnasium as Nishinoya saved the ball with his feet. The crowd gasped, their mouths hanging open in shock.

Nishinoya mumbled, "...I'll make my own turn!" 

Just like those crazy first-years, Nishinoya grinned widely.

"Nishinoya..."

Asahi stared in shock.

"Kekeke..."

The rest of Karasuno froze, their eyes wide, until a loud, wild laugh snapped them back to reality.

"Very good, Nishinoya!"

Tsuna laughed like a madman, his eyes gleaming as if he was reveling in the chaos he had created. He moved slowly at first, then shouted, "Pass it over here, Kageyama!"

"..."

Kageyama sprinted toward the ball, his reaction speed was quicker than the others who lagged behind while still processing Nishinoya's insane save.

"...!"

Futakuchi and Date Tech's frontliners exchanged glances as their expressions stiffened. Three blockers surged toward where Tsuna was likely to run.

'We don't need to guess where he'll go.'

"I won't toss it again if you screw this up!"

Kageyama barked, sending the ball high toward Tsuna.

Tsuna's laughter echoed as he accelerated, his steps pounding the floor. Futakuchi felt an invisible pressure crush his chest, making his skin prickling with unease.

'I know his spikes keep getting stronger… but we can't falter.'

Thud.

Tsuna leaped. Date Tech's blockers mirrored him perfectly, their hands forming an iron net. Futakuchi roared, "Not today, Shooting Star!"

They strained, muscles tightening, fingers splayed wide. But then—

"...Wha?!"

Tsuna's arm whipped through the air like a blade.

Time seemed to freeze.

The ball cracked against his palm, the sound echoing like a gunshot. It tore through the blockers' wall, the force brutal.

CRACK!

The impact rattled Futakuchi's bones.

Pain seared through his hands as the ball blasted past, unstoppable. His body jerked backward, nearly toppling as the ball slammed into Date Tech's court with a deafening thud.

"...!"

Silence.

The gym fell deathly quiet. Karasuno gaped while Date Tech's players stood frozen. And among them, Futakuchi clutched his trembling hands while his breath ragged as he stared at Tsuna.

'This madman…'

Tsuna landed, his grin wild and feral.

"What the fuck?"

Futakuchi couldn't help but cursed aloud.

And then—

"Whoaaaa!"

The crowd erupted, their voices crashing through the gym like a tidal wave.

"Karasuno!!!"

Cheers and shouts echoed off the walls, filling the air with disbelief.

Date Tech's infamous Iron Wall had been torn apart!

"Fucking hell! What the fuck was that!?"

Chaos spread through the stands as murmurs surged in every direction.

"That…"

"…Yeah."

Even Aoba Johsai's players had shot to their feet, stunned. That gunshot-like spike—almost every single one of them recognized it.

"..."

Oikawa stared, his mouth slightly open, eyes locked on Tsuna, who had just landed. His body swayed slightly, his knees almost giving out.

Back on the court…

"Huh…?"

Tsuna's vision blurred for a split second. He forced his feet to stay planted, his breathing unsteady.

Slowly, he raised the hand he had just used to spike...

His right hand.

"Ah… seems like…"

He felt a dull, stinging pain shot through his palm, traveling up his arm, making his vision flicker as he mumbled while staring at his trembling fingers, "I got too excited…"

"Tsuna!"

The pain burned through his body, spreading fast as Karasuno rushed toward him in alarm.

---

I understand that many of you don't seem to like the character, and that's fair.

I completely get it, especially when considering he's a flawed protagonist. But I assure you, he will grow—not just in skills, but also in character.

I was getting bored of perfect protagonists, and since I'm a writer, I decided to write one myself. But this is just my personal preference, and I do enjoy perfect MCs as well just like any of you, which is why he will grow as a person too.

As for the progression, it's still early in the game—probably only 5-8 minutes in, since it's around 9-4.

My mistake here is that I didn't consider the reader's perspective, where you guys are unable to see how the entire game is unfolding while I can since I planned out the whole sequence. That... is definitely a mistake I shouldn't make.

But I did warn you guys earlier to be patient with the chapters, as they're not for the impatient.

So please hold off on the complaints for now. You can share your thoughts later once the entire sequence of the game is finished.

Don't worry though, he's going to adapt just as well as his talent allows him to.

Kind regards,

mythoast.