The crowd erupted with excitement as Karasuno took control of the momentum. No one had expected the so-called "fallen crows" to play like this.
Meanwhile, some spectators who had come to watch the other match seemed to have recognized one of Karasuno's players.
"Huh? Hold on... isn't that… The Shooting Star...?"
The murmurs started quietly but quickly spread. Aoba Johsai's fans, who had witnessed the events of the previous year, began pointing at Tsuna.
"That explains why he's so good, then..."
"I thought it was just a rumor, though?"
"How do you explain them beating Seijoh last year, then?"
"Right."
The rumors might have seemed exaggerated, but Karasuno's victory over Seijoh last year was undeniable.
The crowd's cheers grew louder as they stared at Tsuna in awe.
This time…
They wouldn't forget Karasuno's #9!
"Hmm, seems like it's over…"
Among the crowd, Ichiro watched as Tsuna slowed his pace.
He took out his sunglasses and put them on, shaking his head slightly, "... He's not that bored yet, so it should be fine."
"Eh? Aniki/Ichiro-san!?"
A voice called out from the side. Ichiro turned to see Shimada and Takinoue walking toward him as Takinoue greeted him excitedly. "Yo, aniki! Whoa, you look so cool today!"
"Well, he does look flashy today..."
Shimada adjusted his glasses, eyeing Ichiro's expensive outfit. He twitched his lips, thinking, 'Since when did he get so rich?'
"Did you win the lottery or something? Where did you get all the money to buy these?"
Takinoue asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Shimada and Takinoue were among the few people in the neighborhood who were close to Ichiro. They often joined him and Keishin during their fishing trips.
They knew Ichiro had once been wealthy before going bankrupt, so it was a shock to see him dressed so extravagantly now.
To them, he had always been the friendly neighborhood uncle.
"Oh, didn't I tell you?"
Ichiro smugly raised his chin, his voice filled with pride. "I'm now officially a rapper!"
With one song. But still, a rapper nonetheless.
"Whoaa!"
Both Takinoue and Shimada exclaimed in surprise.
Takinoue sat down beside Ichiro, curiosity in his eyes. "Does that mean you've finished making that song you've been talking about?"
"Congratulations, Ichiro-san," Shimada added, sitting down as well.
He rubbed his chin, looking confused. "But... is being a rapper really that well-paid? I mean, you're just starting out, right?"
He couldn't help but wonder how someone just starting their career could afford such a flashy lifestyle overnight.
"Listen..."
Ichiro smirked, leaning in to whisper, "...I rented these."
"...?"
Both Shimada and Takinoue, who had secretly dreamed of following a similar path, suddenly felt their motivation drain away.
They exchanged a look, their enthusiasm fading. They had heard it before...
A rich image was crucial for a rapper.
Ichiro had mentioned it many times, and now they finally understood what he meant. Takinoue scratched his head, glancing back at the game.
"You must've come to watch your son today, then? That's very nice of you. I thought you wouldn't care..."
"I don't care," Ichiro said bluntly. "But I was bored at home, so I came to watch."
"..."
Takinoue fell silent, and Shimada awkwardly adjusted his glasses, trying not to laugh.
'Seems like Ichiro-san is the same guy, no matter what he looks like,' Shimada thought, glancing at Ichiro's flashy outfit before turning his attention back to the court.
"Still, Tsuna has been giving us so many surprises this game..."
"Well, it's natural."
Ichiro shrugged, his eyes on the court.
Date Tech had called a timeout, trying to regain momentum, but Karasuno was firmly in control. Tsuna's evolution had pushed the team further, their attacks and saves landing perfectly.
The pressure on Date Tech was mounting.
His presence brought out the best in his team...
...forcefully.
"Hmm..."
Ichiro watched as the ball flew across the net toward Karasuno's side.
"Nice receive!"
Tsuna stretched out his arms, the ball bouncing off his forearms and soaring high into the air toward the front side where Kageyama was standing as the setter also exclaimed, "Nice receive, Tsuna-san!"
"..."
He didn't seem to care much about the shouts as he took a step forward, ready to call for the set, but before he could even open his mouth—
"Kageyama!"
"...!"
The entire Karasuno team turned their heads toward Asahi.
He was already in motion, his legs pumping faster than anyone else's.
Sweat dripped down his face, his shirt clinging to his back. His eyes were locked on the ball, his expression intense.
"..."
Seeing this made Tsuna slow down as he could somehow feel Asahi's desperation this time.
On the other hand...
'I knew it... everyone's been playing so well...'
Asahi ignored the surprised looks from his teammates. His focus was on the blockers ahead.
Aone was at the front side this time. It felt like it was destined for him to keep facing Mr. No Brow from Date Tech as Asahi's legs burned, and he pushed forward.
Thump!
His heart was pounding in his chest as he saw the ball arc toward him.
'I'm still scared...'
But despite the fear gnawing at him, a small part of him was relieved.
Kageyama had trusted him with the toss!
"...!"
Asahi jumped, his arm swinging back, ready to strike. The sound of his palm connecting with the ball echoed in his ears, but his eyes widened as he saw Aone and the other Date Tech blockers rising with him, their hands forming an impenetrable wall.
'The wall that's been haunting me.'
It was there again, right in front of him, just like it had been so many times before.
'I get through that wall with the help of everyone in the team before. But this time...'
Asahi gritted his teeth, his arm snapping forward with all the strength he could muster. The ball slammed into the blockers' hands with a loud pop, ricocheting back toward Karasuno's side.
'Damn it...'
Asahi's jaw tightened as he watched the ball fly back, his heart sinking.
It felt like time had slowed down, the ball taunting him as it spun through the air. But then his eyes saw Nishinoya was already there, diving low, his arms outstretched.
The ball hit his forearms with a sharp thud, bouncing back into play.
'...Nishinoya, you're so cool today.'
He thought quietly as he was genuinely awed by Nishinoya's many crucial saves throughout the game as he too...
'I wanted to be cool too!'
"One more!"
Asahi's voice rang out once again with even stronger determination.
He sprinted back, his feet pounding against the court. This time, he ran even farther, his eyes locking onto Tsuna, who stood calmly, watching him.
'This time... you can trust me!'
Asahi clenched his fist as he turned sharply, charging back toward the net.
"..."
Deep down, Asahi knew better. Tsuna wasn't really trusting him—he was expecting him to deliver.
"Asahi-san!"
Kageyama's toss came again, the ball spinning perfectly toward him, which made the crowd buzz with confusion.
"What? They're going to him again?"
"Shouldn't they set it to #9 instead?"
"Wouldn't a quick attack be better here?"
Their voices reached Asahi's ears, but he didn't care. His eyes gleamed with determination as he leaped into the air once more.
The Iron Wall rose before him again, but this time, Asahi didn't flinch!
"My frustration, my anger, their ridicule..."
Asahi felt his muscles twitch as he swung his arm with all his might.
A sharp pop echoed through the gym as the ball compressed under the force of his strike. It burst forward, slamming straight into the Iron Wall.
"It shall be my power!"
He roared as this time...
CRACK!
"...!"
Asahi's eyes widened.
The tightness in his chest suddenly loosened, replaced by a wave of relief. The wall—the one that had haunted him for so long—seemed to crumble before his eyes.
The ball shot past the blockers, soaring over to the other side of the court. It bounced far out of reach, the Date Tech players scrambling but unable to catch it before it hit the ground with a soft plop.
TWEEETTT!!!
The referee's whistle blew, sharp and final.
"Asahi-sa—!"
"YOSHAAA!!!"
Asahi screamed at the top of his lungs as his teammates rushed toward him, their cheers blending in.
They surrounded him, patting his back, ruffling his hair, and shouting praises.
"..."
Amidst the hype, Tsuna stood still as his eyes quietly turned toward the scoreboard.
25 - 16.
"We've won quite easily..."
It might be hard for others, but in his standard...
'...it's not enough.'
"Whoa! Karasuno!!!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement filling the gym.
On the other side of the net, Date Tech's players stood in silence. Their heads hung low, frustration etched into their expressions.
Meanwhile...
"..."
Tsuna had already settled down. He had seen this coming.
Even before the game ended, he knew Karasuno had the upper hand.
"..."
Tsuna watched Asahi, who was still shouting and celebrating with the team. He could see the weight lifting off Asahi's shoulders.
It was a rare sight—Asahi, usually so reserved, now beaming with pride and joy.
'...Sure.'
Tsuna shook his head slightly.
His gaze drifted to the other court, where another game was already underway. He had noticed it earlier, but...
Tsuna's lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Aoba Johsai..."
Another prey.