Aoba Johsai served, and after Miyagi received the ball, they didn't give it to their Ace. Instead, they had another Middle Blocker spike a small cross-court shot. Aoba Johsai responded well, and they went back and forth for several rallies.
"Miyamura, give me the ball. I won't be reckless this time," Maeda, now calm, asked for the ball again.
Miyagi's setter passed the ball to Maeda. Maeda glanced at Maple Field Taiichi and prepared to spike. Maple Field Taiichi didn't overthink; his body had already reacted instinctively, leaping quickly.
He misjudged it; it was a dump shot! By the time Maple Field Taiichi realized, it was too late to save the ball.
"Miyagi University 20 vs 17 Aoba Johsai"
Damn it, their adjustments are too fast. Maple Field Taiichi was a bit unwilling, but Coach Irihata on the sidelines had already started arranging substitutions.
"It's alright, Taiichi, you played very well." Iwaizumi calmly encouraged the first-year player. This year's first-years had a few promising players—Kindaichi Yutaro, Kunimi Akira, and this Maple Field Taiichi.
Aoba Johsai was a strong team in Miyagi Prefecture, but that was all. There was still a huge mountain, Shiratorizawa, separating them from being the strongest. Many students joined Aoba Johsai's volleyball club, but in terms of good prospects, they still couldn't compare to Shiratorizawa. The performance of a few second-year teammates so far had only been ordinary. Although Iwaizumi didn't think there was anything wrong with them, to advance to the National Tournament, to go to a bigger stage with his teammates, this wasn't enough.
Especially, Iwaizumi looked at Oikawa, he at least should go to the National Tournament, he deserved to be seen by more people.
"Iwa-chan, why are you looking at me so mushy?" Oikawa said with a mischievous grin.
Iwaizumi's elbow jab was his response: "Are you ready? As a senpai, you can't just watch the newcomers perform."
"Of course, no matter who the opponent is, all I think about is—winning!" Oikawa put away his smile and looked serious.
...
The timeout ended, and Maple Field Taiichi returned to the bench. His body hadn't calmed down yet after the intense exercise. Although he didn't know what went wrong, it felt quite strange that he had unexpectedly transmigrated into the world of Haikyuu!!
After a period of adjustment, Maple Field Taiichi's memories slowly became clearer. He seemed to have been lying on his dorm bed playing the Haikyuu!! mobile game. Right, wasn't "Maple Field Taiichi" the character he created in the game? No wonder he felt a strange sense of familiarity when that name was called earlier.
At that time, he seemed to be grinding for an event. The character being featured in the game was Bokuto Koutaro, and he had been grinding for a long time but still hadn't pulled him. Maple Field Taiichi's memory stopped at this moment, making him wonder—could it be that I died suddenly from staying up all night playing a mobile game and then transmigrated...?
He mused wildly for a while, but indeed, he couldn't come to any conclusion. Maple Field Taiichi then began to investigate the "system" that had appeared in his mind earlier.
"It's the Genius All-Rounder System," the cold, mechanical voice sounded again.
"What a sloppy name, both 'genius' and 'all-rounder'..." Maple Field Taiichi muttered to himself.
"So-called genius means being able to turn every bit of effort into real growth; so-called all-rounder means being able to learn anything you want."
Isn't that just like playing a game? Hmm, considering his transmigration, it didn't seem impossible.
Maple Field Taiichi thought for a moment: "So, Mr. System, for example, if I want to become a professional volleyball player, is that possible?"
"Host's request understood. Now activating career mission for Host. Mission One: Become a professional volleyball player."
Maple Field Taiichi was stunned: "What request? I was clearly asking a question!"
...The system did not respond.
Never mind, this goal works too. Since he's in this world, then volleyball is naturally his undeniable choice! Hinata Shoyo, Kageyama Tobio, Wakatoshi Ushijima, Hoshiumi Korai... Maple Field Taiichi recalled the familiar characters in his mind. Hehe, playing against them would be a special kind of "pilgrimage," wouldn't it?
"Tip: Host's current ability value is 65. The probability of being crushed when facing top players is one hundred percent."
Maple Field Taiichi's old face flushed: "I know, I know. I didn't say now, I'll get stronger later, won't I?"
"System, can you give me other people's ability values?"
"Yes, but a genius's ability value is not fixed, so it's limited to the person currently in front of the Host."
"Not fixed? Does that mean they're constantly improving? As expected of a genius, but from now on, so am I." Maple Field Taiichi thought narcissistically, "System, who is the strongest person on the court right now?"
"Oikawa Tooru, overall ability values: Speed 86, Power 95, Stamina 90, Jump 85. Specializations: Serve 95, Set 94."
His serve is actually higher than his set? That makes sense, Kageyama learned his serves from Oikawa. Although Oikawa is a slow starter, once he gets into the zone, his serves are basically flawless. His power is also top-tier, is this data what a setter should have? However, it seems top players are ultimately all-rounders in every aspect. Hmm, no problem there.
Maple Field Taiichi's gaze returned to the court. The current score was: "Miyagi University 21 vs 19 Aoba Johsai."
Although they were behind, it was Oikawa's turn to serve again.
This time, it was clear that Oikawa's state was different from before; he seemed very quiet when focused.
"Beep!" The serving whistle sounded. The ball was gently tossed into the air, and Oikawa slowly started his approach, leaping at the moment the ball dropped. His body stretched at just the right arc, and his arm swung out forcefully from behind. The volleyball seemed to deform the moment it contacted Oikawa's palm, then shot across the court like a bolt of lightning.
"Thwack!"
Miyagi's players hadn't even reacted; the court was silent.
Service Ace!
"Miyagi University 21 vs 20 Aoba Johsai"
Oikawa Tooru is not a genius, someone once said.
Maple Field Taiichi, with his omniscient perspective, knew that if there were no variables, Oikawa would never reach the National Tournament during his three years of high school. Ahead of him was Ushijima Wakatoshi, a top-five Ace Spiker in the nation; behind him was Kageyama, a rapidly growing genius setter. If compared to these two, Oikawa's high school career could only be described as ordinary.
But precisely because he had an omniscient perspective, Maple Field Taiichi knew even more about Oikawa's determination when facing an insurmountable wall—"Talent can blossom, and ball sense can be honed." Oikawa Tooru knew better than anyone that he was not a genius.
"Oikawa-senpai, nice serve!" Maple Field Taiichi was the first to applaud, and the court immediately erupted.
I'll make up for Aoba Johsai's regret, Maple Field Taiichi thought to himself.
"Ding! In response to Host's strong desire, a phased mission has been added." The system's voice suddenly rang out.
"Mission One: Help Aoba Johsai advance to the National Tournament before Oikawa Tooru graduates."
"Mission Two: Help Aoba Johsai dominate the National Tournament."
Maple Field Taiichi took a deep breath: "Just as I wished!"