Chapter 72- Recognizing weaknesses

Inside the Karasuno gym, a 3v3 match was in full swing, with one team consisting of Kageyama, Hinata, and Daichi facing off against Asahi, Sugawara, and Tanaka.

"Suga-san!" Tanaka shouted as he prepared to run and jump.

"Got it! Here it comes!" Sugawara said as he set the ball for Tanaka, who noticed the double block formed by Kageyama and Hinata.

"LET'S GO WITH THE CROSS SHOT!" Tanaka thought confidently, until he saw Hinata in the air, smiling at him and moving his hands to close off the cross shot as if he had anticipated it.

"No! It's not going to work!" Tanaka thought as he desperately tapped the ball off Kageyama's fingertips before starting to fall and landing on the ground.

"TOUCHED!" Kageyama said.

"It's fine!" Daichi said, positioned to receive the ball coming off the block and set it up for Kageyama.

"It's fine! Now it's your turn, Daichi-san!" Kageyama said as he set the ball for Daichi, while Hinata positioned himself for the receive.

"Nice set!" Daichi commented as he jumped, only to face the double block of Sugawara and Asahi. He spiked the ball through the gap between Sugawara's arms, sending it toward the court floor.

"It's not going to be that easy, Daichi-san!" Tanaka yelled as he dove to receive the ball, sliding his hand between the ball and the floor with the back of his hand, sending the ball back up toward Sugawara.

"Asahi!" Sugawara said as he set the ball high and away from the net for Asahi.

"Perfect, Suga!" Asahi praised as he jumped and saw the double block from Hinata and Kageyama, who had timed their jump perfectly.

"No way!" Asahi thought, realizing it would be tough to score. He decided to go all out and hit the ball over the block, but it ended up hitting Hinata's hands and losing most of its momentum.

"It's yours, Kageyama!" Daichi said as he passed the ball to him.

"Set it to me! I'll finish this!" Hinata said with a mischievous grin as he jumped, noticing Kageyama's set coming his way and the double block from Sugawara and Asahi forming again.

"TAKE THIS!" Hinata shouted as he spiked the ball past Asahi's arms.

"I'LL STOP IT!" Tanaka thought as he positioned himself where the ball was going to land, but he felt the ball hit his wrists firmly and fly away.

"NICE! THAT'S IT!" Hinata cheered with a smile.

"Your spikes are as sharp as ever!" Daichi said as he grabbed a water bottle to drink.

"Forget that! How did you know I was going for the cross shot so confidently?" Tanaka asked as he walked under the net toward Hinata.

"Sorry, Tanaka-san, but it's not like you have many weapons right now. Besides your regular spike, the cross shot, and the occasional feint, that's about it!" Hinata said honestly.

"Hey! What's your problem!? That's not something you say to a teammate!" Tanaka said, looking upset.

"Actually, I think he's right, Tanaka," Asahi said thoughtfully.

"What!? Even you're against me now, Asahi-san!?" Tanaka said, slightly irritated.

"It's just that he's correct. During our match against Shiratorizawa... I hate to say it, but I felt pretty useless most of the time. Now, as a middle blocker, I'm not great at reading blocks and that kind of stuff. My only weapon is the quick attacks with Kageyama. I think both of us need new weapons, just like the rest of the team," Asahi said, sounding determined.

"Hmm..." Tanaka said, standing still with his eyes closed, deep in thought.

"I mean... at least that's what I think... I'm not sure!" Asahi added, shrinking back.

"YOU'RE RIGHT!" Tanaka suddenly exclaimed, opening his eyes.

"What?" Asahi asked, surprised by the turn of events.

"When I think about it, I really don't have a very diverse arsenal! That makes my attacks predictable if the defender knows me even a little, and it's not like I'm Ushijima, who can power through everything!" Tanaka said.

"Well, I guess we all have to improve then!" Daichi said.

"Don't worry, Daichi-san! Leave the attacking to me... you just focus on defense!" Tanaka said innocently, looking determined.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU JERK!? ARE YOU SAYING I CAN'T BE GOOD AT ATTACKING!?" Daichi yelled, irritated, as he put Tanaka in a headlock.

"I didn't mean it like that! I'm sorry! Let me go!" Tanaka pleaded.

"Oh..." Daichi said, releasing Tanaka after noticing Nishinoya and Yamaguchi entering the gym.

"So... did you get anything done?" Daichi asked.

"Nothing! He wouldn't listen to us and went into the library so we couldn't bother him!" Yamaguchi said dejectedly.

"Damn Tsukishima! He's acting like Asahi when he quit the club after getting beaten by that guy with no eyebrows!" Nishinoya said angrily.

"Hey! No need to insult me. That's all in the past, and I'm fully committed to the team now!" Asahi said, shrinking back.

"CLAP!"

"CLAP!"

"Alright, everyone! We're done for today! You're all dismissed!" Ukai shouted, clapping to get everyone's attention.

"Got it!" everyone shouted in unison.

"Ukai-san, do you still have any of that chocolate I like left in your store?" Hinata asked.

"Wait a minute! If there's any left, are you planning to take all of it!?" Nishinoya said, pointing an accusatory finger at Hinata.

"HEY! SHUT UP! There's enough for everyone who wants some! Just follow me," Ukai ordered as the team members headed to his store.

"Alright! If everyone's got theirs, let's go!" Ukai said as he closed the store.

"Yamaguchi, are you okay?" Kageyama asked.

"It's nothing..." Yamaguchi said, looking downcast.

"Hey! Don't worry. Tomorrow we'll do everything we can to bring that four-eyes back to the team!" Hinata said, walking over.

"Right," Yamaguchi said, nodding.

After that, each of the team members headed to their own homes.