Chapter 3
Naruto P.O.V
Nishinoya: "You didn't jump at all! That's because you've been slacking off for a month now!" He scolded, Asahi sheepishly rubbed his nape in guilt.
Asahi: "Yeah... I'm sorry.."
Sugawara: "You're so strict, Nishinoya.." He remarked, chuckling with the group afterwards.
'..it'll be fun.. destroying their mood and all-'
Nishinoya: "-Naruto!.. I'll prove you wrong this time, too!.." He informed, out of the blue, pointing his index finger towards him .
Meanwhile, he stood there, a hand on his hip while the other was on his chin, As if silently observing everything.
Naruto: "... sure, do your best.." he replied dryly, causing them to develop a sweat drop expressions.
Daichi: "...Asahi's back and on the neighborhood team with the veterans.. We'd better step up our game.."
Naruto: ".. what are you implying, Daichi-san?.. I won't lose to-" he was suddenly cut off, some random ball of sunshine interrupting his cool line.
Hinata: "-We have me on the team!" He exclaimed cheerfully before a cold and deadly feeling ran up his spine, making him shiver from fear.
Daichi: "Huh? What?"
Naruto: ".. little runt, I'll end you.." he suddenly told him off, harshly grabbing him by the cheeks and squeezing his face.
Kinoshita: "Looks like you're in for some serious trouble, Hinata~" He chuckled.
Hinata: "What?! No no no no! I'm sorry, it won't happen again!"
•••
Takeda: "He's amazing! So was Nishinoya-kun's receive. If he can save a ball that's been blocked, we can be invincible!"
K. Ukai: "What are you talking about? It's impossible to save those everytime.."
Takeda: "Huh?"
K. Ukai: "We're talking about balls going atleast 100kph, travelling a distance of only two or three meters... There's no way you can save them all... However, It's important to know that getting blocked isn't the end.."
"Knowing your teammates are there to back you up, can set your mind at ease.."
'But...'
•••
Karasuno vs N.A Team
5 — 7
Uchizawa: "Nice serve!" He encouraged, His teammate. Successfully serving the ball through overhand.
Daichi: "Kinoshita!" He yelled, said guy going sideways to intercept and perform a sloppy serve receive, unable to bring it back to the Setter's position.
Kinoshita: "Crap, Sorry, Kageyama, cover for me!"
"Overall, their receives need a lot of work.." K. Ukai
Kageyama: "Right!" He answered, lining himself under the ball's trajectory and raising his hands in a motion to toss.
'.. Ooh? He discerns the dropping point quickly and without hesitation.. not bad for a first year..' Naruto said in his thoughts, observing everything, raising an eyebrow afterwards. Hinata was already by the net and in a striking form.
'... The ball's still in the air and yet that shrimp already jumped? couldn't his timing be worse?..'
"That setter is a first-year.. so who am I gonna pick for-" K. Ukai
Everyone's eyes widened, still unable to move but Kageyama quickly tossed, or sent the ball directly towards Hinata's hand which quickly landed a point against the enemy team.
Daichi: "Nice, Hinata, Kageyama.." He praised, though, everyone basically who had no idea were still shocked.
"But now I have this guy tossing to me, so I can get past any blocker." Hinata ( Flashback )
'... Hmm.. I guess he wasn't exaggerating..'
Nishinoya: "That was amazing Shoyo! What was that? Did I really just see that?.." He praised from the other side of the net, causing the boy to go red from embarrassment.
"He didn't even signal, He didn't vocalize anything, so how..." K. Ukai
K. Ukai: "Oii! Why did you jump there, Shrimpy?" He asked with his usual demanding tone.
Hinata: "Shri-... B-Because the toss will come to wherever I jump..."
"Clearly, Shrimpy jumped without watching for the toss... Did that first-year Setter, perfectly coordinate with Shrimpy's motion?... And how could he be so certain the toss would be there? Who makes a full swing on that alone, without looking for the toss at all?" K. Ukai
K. Ukai: "...What's the matter with you guys? Are you freaks?!" He questioned, dumbfounded of what just happened, on the other side a snicker of mockery was heard coming from Naruto
Hinata & Kageyama: ".. What?.. *gloomy aura*... Freaks?"
Hinata: "But why?"
Kageyama: "How would I know?" They both mumbled while Tsukishima was just holding his laugh back.
"Oi! Tsukishima, you bastard! What's so funny!?"
•••
K. Ukai: "I was preoccupied arranging the match, so I didn't understand what he meant.. I guess that first-year Setter is what you'd call a genius, He can't be compared to a normal person, like that Naruto..."
"He's not showing off?.. Is he laying low?" K. Ukai
•••
Once more, Sugawara perfectly tossed the ball towards Asahi's direction, who also succeeded in spiking it over the one-person block, Kageyama, and scoring a point.
Shimada: "Wow, A parallel toss!"
•••
Again, The Neighborhood Association Team served the ball towards Naruto side of the net, dropping it by the front.
Daichi: "Net in!" He yelled, Kageyama accidentally getting the first touch much to his annoyance. Fortunately enough, The ball was high enough to buy a current unofficial duo some time.
Kinoshita jumped by the net, down the middle, swinging his arm as a decoy but the ball somehow and weirdly appeared before his palm which unknowingly striked it towards the enemy's side of the court.
A long silence followed after, The resonating sound only came from the ball which bounced off from the ground.
"There it is again.." Sugawara
".. That insanely fast quick attack.." Daichi
Nishinoya had the same smirk plastered on his face, looking at the place where the ball landed before his eyes moved towards Naruto.
".. Naruto, He really wants to make everything a challenge..." Nishinoya
Shimada: "What was that!? I thought he was a Wing Spiker?"
Mori: "Yet, he could produce an emergency toss like that? Amazing.."
Asahi had a surprised look on his face, also looking at Naruto, who stood there talking with Kinoshita.
".. I didn't even see the ball, at that moment.." Asahi
Kinoshita: "Naruto! That was insane!.. The ball really did just appear infront of my hand.." He praised, meanwhile, he felt two other pairs of eyes staring.
'.. now, that's just creepy..'
Hinata and Kageyama were in awe, intentionally locking their eyes on Naruto with a fire of determination in the background.
Hinata & Kageyama: "We won't lose!" They both yelled in unison, making him blink once, twice.
Then, he just sent them a thumbs up in a way to 'encourage' them.
Daichi: "Naruto, You're serving.." He stated, placing a hand on his shoulder beforehand, as well as passing you a volley ball.
"Go easy on them~.." He whispered, making Naruto let out a scoff and brushed his hand off then walking away, he stopped.
Naruto: "You know, I'll never go easy on anyone, Daichi-san... but, I'll play along per your request.."
•••
Standing in serving position, he dribbled the ball a few times, waiting for the whistle to blow and start the match.
'..Hmm, I guess I'll do that serve..' he said in his thoughts, looking at his target, Nishinoya, A grin appearing on both their face.
WHISTLE BLOWS*
As if on cue, his right hand tossed the ball high into the air, the only twist was that his left hand spiked it gently.
Nishinoya: "Bring it on!" He yelled from the other side of the net, anticipating the Floater Serve. Motioning his hands in an overhand and attempting to dig it up until it gradually slipped his fingers and fell onto the ground.
'..pfft- that's not even my Jump Floater, Yet you already failed receiving a terribly normal one..' Naruto snickered, holding in a chuckle.
•••
WHISTLE BLOWS*
Daichi: "Naruto, Nice serve!" He yelled before he tossed the ball high up in the air. Once more, spiking it with your left hand. Gently serving it over to the other side.
Mori: "All right." He stated, receiving the ball sloppily as it almost slipped his fingers. Luckily Sugawara was there and passed the ball towards a wing spiker.
Sugawara: "Uchizawa-san, last hit!" He yelled as the guy started his run-up and straight into a spiking form, but suddenly..
Tsukishima mercilessly shut him down. The whistle blowing, confirming the point.
17 - 16
•••
Nishinoya: "Nice serve!" He yelled from the other side of the net, right on the whistle, Daichi served the ball through overhand and successfully brought it onto the receiver's side of the court.
Takinoue: "Nice receive!" He praised after Nishinoya received and passed the ball towards Sugawara, who then, sent it to Asahi.
"A split-second later, He's right infront of me.." Asahi
Hinata attempted to block the Ace, instantly appearing infront of the guy and pressuring him. Asahi spiked the ball through Hinata's hand, which sent it flying and unintentionally aiming for a wipe. Daichi even tried to run after it but failed miserably.
The whistle blew once more and confirmed the Neighborhood Association's point, ending the first set.
23 - 25
"I knew this guy could jump high, but it's impressive when you actually see it eye-to-eye.." Asahi
Hinata: "I-I'm sorry!" He apologized, bowing down in the process.
'.. yeah, you should be sorry, shrimp-' Daichi placed a hand on Naruto shoulder knowing what he was thinking and cutting him off.
Daichi: "Shake it off, you almost had it.. save it for next time.."
Hinata: "Yes!"
•••
Kageyama: "You're holding your hands wrong when you block! This is how you block! Like this!" He scolded, raising his arms and hands up in a form to block.
"Are you listening?! Hey!" He questioned with an irked tone, looking at Hinata who was staring straight at nothingness.
'.. tsk, I can't believe we lost the first set because that pipsqueak couldn't block properly... kick the damn sucker out already..' Naruto complained in his thoughts, keeping a straight expression and patiently waiting for the next set to start.
Kageyama: "Oi-"
Hinata: "-The Ace is amazing! It doesn't matter if they're blocking or not cause he can blast through 'em anyway!" He exclaimed, an aura of suspicion was present amongst the two of them, well, Kageyama mostly.
"What is it?" He asked, a short silence arriving afterwards before the talented Setter walked off, mumbling a 'nothing'.
•••
2nd Set
2 - 2
Nishinoya: "Cover!"
Sugawara: "Front! Front!
Asahi: "Left!"
"If I had his height and power, I could be like him... No, no,.. The little giant was amazing for his size.." Hinata
Daichi: "The Left is coming! Firm up defense! Hinata, go further back." He warned, said guy was still in his thoughts unable to listen to what his Team Captain was saying.
"Still... I wish-" Hinata
Daichi: "Hinata!" He called once more, attempting to warn the kid one last time. Hinata perked up and immediately received a ball straight to his face, sending him flying.
Asahi was the most shocked one, guilt also taking over his conscience as everybody excluding the alumni, Tsukishima, Kageyama, and Naruto ran over to boy who had a ball smashed onto his face.
Tsukishima: "Any way you slice it, It's his fault for standing there all spaced out.."
Naruto: ".. tsk, what a loser.." he mumbled, disappointed that he had Hinata for a teammate.
Kinoshita: "Aw c'mon, don't say that to the first-years, Naruto. It could end up breaking their feelings.."
Naruto: ".. what? just stating facts here.. besides, i could care less.."
Hinata: "I'm all right, I'm sorry.." He apologized again, sitting up and rubbing his forehead.
Daichi: "Really? You should sit out to be on the safe side.." He suggested as a look of agreement formed on Naruto face while an expression of disagreement appeared on the latter.
Hinata: "I-I'm really all right, I just didn't dodge in time, that's all. It's nothing serious.. I'm used to getting hit in the face!"
Sugawara: "That's not a good thing.." He calmly stated, causing Hinata to chuckle sheepishly before perking up in nervousness again.
Kageyama: "...Why were you daydreaming during a game?" He asked rather calmly which terrified the life out of the orange headed guy as he immediately stood up and attempted to back away, but Kageyama just walked closer towards him. Still with that scary expression.
"Oh, crap! Kageyama-kun isn't shouting which means he's really mad! It's like that time when I served the ball onto the back of his head.." Hinata
Kageyama: "I know what you're thinking... 'Being an Ace is cool', being a decoy isn't my best weapon.. That's stupid and lame. You wish you were as tall and powerful as Asahi-san so you could be the Ace.."
Hinata: "Eek~.. I-I don't think that way! M-most of the time."
Kageyama: "Now that you know there's an Ace, you're not only dreaming to be like him, you're jealous of him!" He called him out. Hinata looked at him in surprise upon hearing Kageyama say it himself.
"Clear your head of that garbage during a game!"
Hinata: "... what's wrong with being jealous? You've always been tall, so you could never know what it's like!-" He yelled back in frustration before getting cut off by someone that brought fear amongst the others.
Naruto: "-Hinata Shoyo, was it?" He asked the guy who was looking down. The others also perking up at the sound of hi voice, their attention was drawn towards him.
".. For someone who plays volleyball, You're disappointingly short and small, not to mention you actually suck too.. what a way to mention the obvious though, right?"
Daichi: "Oi-"
Naruto: "-Karasuno's Volleyball Club accepts anyone who is of any height, power and skill level, but, seeing you here, playing and all.. I guess it accepts losers who are whiny and envious brats too.."
"He asked, what's wrong with being jealous, right?.. Well, allow me to enlighten you, see, jealousy is an inner consciousness of one's own inferiority, It is a mental cancer, do you get it?"
Sugawara: "Naruto.."
Naruto: "Feel free to leave, It's not like the club would go downhill when it loses another crappy member, let alone a jealous one.."
Nishinoya: "Oi! Naruto, that's messed up!"
Hinata: "I.. I-"
Naruto: "-unless.. You accept being the decoy and prove me wrong.. but I'm always right.. So, what will it be, shrimp?"
•••
11 - 14
"It's my fault the game got interrupted.. Kageyama shouted at me.. Naruto-san was infuriated.." Hinata
The whistle was blown, signaling the start of another point match.
Takinoue: "O! This is the most powerful attack rotation for the high school team!" He exclaimed, seeing the placements. Naruto, Hinata and Kageyama were infront, meanwhile, Daichi, Kinoshita and Tsukishima were at the back.
"We have to watch out for that short guy's fast attack.."
Asahi: "Right..."
Kageyama: "Um, My next toss will be to him. Please block him towards the best of your abilities.." He suddenly said, pointing at Hinata who also looked dumbfounded.
Takinoue: "What's this? A dare?" He questioned with an almost angry frown.
Kageyama: "Yes! It's a dare.. Forgive me for being so impudent."
Takinoue: "Hahahaha! You're a funny guy.. Okay, let's do this dare!"
Kageyama: "Thanks!"
'.. What's this guy thinking? Fast attacks are effective because they're usually unpredictable... There's no way that shrimp can take a head-on block with the cards on the table...'
"What's with stupid Kageyama? Why tell them our next attack? I can't spike through their huge blockers" Hinata
Kageyama: "Right now, you're... nothing but a klutzy shit who happens to be nimble and can jump high.. You will never be a breadwinner Ace!." He mocked again. Hinata had a look of dismay on his face as if tears were about to form at the corner of his eyes.
Kinoshita: "Oi.."
Asahi: "J-just a minute.."
Kageyama: "-But! As long as I am around, you're the greatest!"
'.. Now you're getting big-headed, but I'll let you guys have your moment... for now, atleast.'
Kageyama: "Asahi-san's spikes are so powerful that it could cut through triple blocks."
Asahi: "Um, n-not every-time.. I, uh.." He stammered, looking all pale and nervous from Kageyama's compliments while Nishinoya looked at him in disbelief.
Nishinoya: "You're getting too flustered!"
Kageyama: "Now, how about you? When I throw you a toss, do you get stopped by any blockers?" He asked as Hinata perked up in realization.
•••
Mori: "Nice serve!" He yelled, this time, It was Shimada's turn to service which he flawlessly did so in performing an overhand serve.
Kinoshita: "All right.." He received the ball, directing it above the Setter's position.
Daichi: "Nice receive!" Hinata stepped back, hesitating to start his run-up, thinking that the blockers were too tall for him.
Kageyama: "Evade! What else can you do, you moron?!" He irked as Hinata speedily ran towards the left, the enemy blockers immediately following behind.
"If I can't hit through them... evade!" Hinata
Just as Hinata was about to jump, the blockers following behind, He surprisingly fooled everyone including Naruto. He hurriedly ran to the right, evading the blockers and jumped high, swinging his palm which came in contact with the ball.
Spiking it towards the back left side of the enemy court whereas Nishinoya tried to save it but failed anyway. The whistle sounded, confirming his point. A stunned silence followed after.
Kageyama: "... You are not the Ace! But with your speed, jumping power, and my tosses, You can take on any blockers! The Ace blasts through for a point, You evade for a point... A point is a point! You don't need the Ace's crown! You can hit out more points than anyone! That's why our opponents will be marking you, freeing up other spikers because of your decoy skills, including the Ace, right? Naruto-san?.." He asked, receiving a nod from you.
Naruto: "... your decoy work drastically affects our success rate, I guess.."
'..It'll be fun manipulating this guy to score some points..'
Kageyama: "Do you still think your job is uncool?!" He questioned, panting from the speech he just have. Watching Hinata look at his palm dramatically.
Hinata: "... I.. don't."
Kageyama: "What?!"
Hinata: "... I don't!" He replied, finally lightening up. The others also smiling as Hinata looked towards Asahi as if anticipating something.
Asahi: ".. That last hit was incredible.." He praised, Hinata's expression immediately became of great joy upon hearing the compliment.
Kageyama: "I'm sorry for interrupting our practice game.." He apologized, bowing before you and Daichi.
Hinata: "I'm sorry!" He also said, bowing down in repentance.
Daichi: "Uh, sure.."
Hinata & Kageyama: "Please continue the game, sir!" They both said in unison before a smirk formed on everyone's faces.
Kinoshita: "Hey, Naruto~.. You're smiling.." He whispered as the smirk Naruto had immediately disappeared , looking away afterwards.
Naruto: "... I wasn't smiling."
•••
Hinata: "All right!" He cheered after scoring another point, hearing the whistle blow to confirm it.
20 - 18
Shimada: "These high schoolers are pretty good.. Us middle-aged guys are gonna have to show our stuff.." He mumbled from the other side of the court. Walking over to serve.
Once again, the whistle sounded and as if on cue, Shimada threw the ball high up, taking the run-up stance of a Jump Floater, hitting the ball gently and focusing on contact, killing the spinning action.
'.. Oh? Are we getting serious now?..' Naruto said in his thoughts, watching the ball's trajectory approach Hinata.
Hinata: "All right! I got it!" He exclaimed in a receiving stance. The ball dropping just infront of him whereas he tried to save it but instead buried his face on the hard floor and failing the task miserably.
20 – 19
Shimada: "Hahahaha! See that?"
Takinoue: "That's immature.."
•••
Takeda: "What was that? That serve didn't look like it had much momentum." He asked, fixing his glasses and taking a closer look on what had just occurred.
K. Ukai: "That's a jump floater serve.. Serving it without any spin gives the ball a shaky trajectory.. It can swerve and drop without any warning."
Takeda: "It's like a curve ball.. That's so cool" He wrote down everything the coach said. Meanwhile, Yamaguchi, who was incharge of changing the scores perked up in interest.
•••
Uchizawa: "One more!" He encouraged, Shimada served the ball through Jump Floater again.
'.. That's your mistake, old man..' Naruto pondered, a smug grin on his expression seeing the ball make it's way towards him.
'.. Are you gonna curve? No, It's gonna drop again..' Quickly, he took a split step motion, moving forward then crouching down, receiving the ball through overhand and turning his receiving motion into his spiking approach in an instant.
"That was smooth!" Kageyama
Daichi: "Nice receive!" He praised, watching him, the others were in awe of the act he just did, especially his uncle himself. Of course, jumping on the other side of the court was Hinata himself, too.
Kageyama: "Naruto-san!.." He yelled, setting the ball over towards you, a three-person block following right after. Again, everything appeared in slow motion, the ascending of the blockers, Nishinoya's positioning for a cross shot, Hinata's jump progress, the ball's trajectory.
There were limited things Naruto could've done, first, aim for a rebound and reset everything, second, perform a very sharp cross shot but have their Libero receive it, third, a wipe out that still has a chance of being saved by the players positioned by the back side, and lastly...
It all happened in a second, he instantly changed forms mid-air, from a spiking stance into a tossing formation, doing the freak quick with Hinata, who unknowingly spiked the ball towards the other side of the court.
Everyone's eyes widened, an eerie atmosphere engulfed everyone after hearing the ball bounce off the ground.
"What the.." Kageyama
"The ball just suddenly appeared before me!" Hinata
The attention was centered with Naruto , but he didn't care. A whistle blow was heard confirming the point.
21 - 19
Nishinoya: "That was amazing Naruto! What the heck was that?! Did I really just see that, too?" He suddenly exclaimed, breaking the weird atmosphere around.
Takinoue: "I've never seen something so great, It was cool.."
Daichi: "Naruto, you're serving.." He informed, tossing the ball onto him, receiving a nod before nodding back.
•••
Kinoshita: "Naruto, Nice serve!" He encouraged, covering the back of his head and waiting for the whistle to blow.
'.. I'll end the set with my serve..' he thought, glancing over towards Nishinoya again, who got engulfed in a tense feeling, knowing that he will send a serve his way.
WHISTLE BLOWS*
The 8-second grace period finally started, everybody waited and looked in anticipation but he didn't budge at all.
"Is that guy actually using the 8 seconds he has?" Takinoue
"Heh, how annoying.." Kinoshita
Nishinoya: "Bring it on!" He yelled. Finally catching Naruto attention and immediately, his left hand tossed the ball upright, taking the stance for a jump serve but then spiking the ball with his left hand.
The ball instantaneously appeared infront of Nishinoya, immediately slipping his fingers and scoring a point for his team. Again, a silence followed after. The first-years were basically looking Naruto in awe.
22 - 19
Kageyama, Hinata, Yamaguchi, Kinoshita, and Nishinoya all looked towards him after the point was confirmed. Their faces were of mixed emotions, either feeling happy, interested, and pissed but in a good way.
"It only happened instantly.." Kageyama
"I need that serving style from him.." Kinoshita
•••
WHISTLE BLOWS*
'This serve toss feels good..' he thought, referring to the ball he sent to the air - right on the whistle - while he was in another serving form, Again, he sent another insane jump floater towards the enemy team.
"Now it's right on the whistle?!"Takinoue
"He's really good.." Mori
Nishinoya & Uchizawa: "Out!" They both predicted and declared in unison, seeing the ball about to travel outside the line, but much to their unluckiness, it swerved and dropped just inside their court.
23 - 19
Nishinoya: "Arghhh! Sorry!" He apologized, frustrated of the fact that he couldn't do his job right.
•••
WHISTLE BLOWS*
Finally, he got them dancing to his tune, manipulation sure is a strong weapon.
'.. When it comes to volleyball, the serve is the only free thing... Where I can destroy all six members of the enemy team without anybody's help!'
He threw the ball upright one more time, gracefully performing a serving run-up stance and ejecting in the air.
Shimada: "Careful! It's different this time!" He warned, seeing his serve in progress.
'.. There's no use, It's too late..' The ball already hit their grounds. A perfect no-touch Ace from his Jump serve.
24 – 19
"Now it's a Jump serve?!..." Kageyama
Hinata: "Ne,.. It looks like you're the jealous one now, Kageyama-kun.."
Kageyama: "S-Shut up! you moron!" He yelled back, looking away in embarrassment while still glancing at Naruto in awe.
•••
WHISTLE BLOWS*
Naruto: ".. oh, crap.." he mumbled, accidentally spiking the ball too hard, servicing it through Jump serve, but unfortunately, it hit the net.
Sugawara: "Front! To the front!" He yelled out as Nishinoya dived in to keep the ball up.
Asahi: "Left!" He called, Sugawara tossed the ball towards his way, Asahi started his run-up, jumping high and spiking the ball through Hinata and Tsukishima who attempted to shut him down.
Luckily, Naruto positioned himself there, digging the heavy spike up with ease and passing it towards his team's Setter with absolute spatial awareness.
Kageyama: "Naruto-san!.." He called, tossing the ball high up, allowing him to perform a run-up and into a spiking form. A two person block consisting of Takinoue and Asahi loomed over him.
But, his eyes locked towards a certain angle where a line for a cross shot was available, though Nishinoya was there, waiting for it with a smug smirk.
'.. not a chance..' he said in his thoughts, aiming for the blockers' fingers and going for a wipe. Successfully doing so, though Sugawara was already there and saved it before it could go out of bounds.
Mori positioned himself under the ball's falling point, taking the last hit and sending it back to Naruto side of the court.
Daichi: "Chance ball!" He declared, receiving and passing it over to their team's Setter. Kageyama had a grin on his face, He was proud and ecstatic of how his teammates were performing well.
Naruto and Hinata quickly started running up, Him on the right and Naruto on the left, jumping at the same time and with the same height. The enemies perked up, seeing the two of you.
"This position. This angle, this timing." Kageyama
Instantly, Kageyama jumped up, his eyes locking towards Naruto and quick setting the ball over to his palm, which spiked it over towards the enemy's side of the net. The whistle blowing, and confirming his point.
Kageyama: "... Nice kill!" He praised, looking over towards Naruto direction with a smirk.
Naruto: ".. yeah, nice toss.." he complimented back. The two of them were unaware of the freaky stares the others were giving Naruto after performing that match point.
25 – 19
"That looked like it was for me, Hmph! stupid Kageyama, stupid." Hinata
"They're all freaks.." Tsukishima
Hinata: ".. Um, Y-Naruto-san.. Nice.. Nice kill!" He complimented nervously, looking at Naruto and earning a raised eyebrow.
Naruto: "I guess you're not half bad, Kageyama is right, you... are the greatest decoy.. I'm counting on you.." he praised, laying a palm on his shoulder for assurance and observing him.
Hinata: "R-Right!" His expression lightened up completely, after receiving such high praise from him.
•••
Uchizawa: "Well, if nothing else, we sure got to re-live our youth.."
Shimada: ".. 'Call for a toss, Ace!'.. That kind of stuff, Youth is great, isn't it?"
Mori: "..'As long as I'm here, you're invincible!'.. I wish I could say that.. High schoolers are awesome!" He unintentionally mocked, a sweatdrop of embarrassment appeared on Kageyama and Nishinoya's expression.
While in the background, Naruto and Tsukishima were wheezing in a mocking gesture.
Takinoue: "You guys make us old folk feel left behind!"
Sugawara: "S-Sorry.."
Takinoue: "You guys still have a long way to go, but when you pull it together, you'll probably go far.."
Shimada: "Yeah, Naruto's serving was also superb, our team was beaten to a pulp because of it.."
Daichi: "Thank you very much!"
Everyone excluding Naruto: "Thank you very much!"
•••
Back in the volleyball school gymnasium. Everyone was basically gathered around the blonde spiky-haired coach listening in on his speech and evaluation.
K. Ukai: "Receiving. We're nothing if we can't receive.. Starting tomorrow, you've got rigorous training ahead.." He informed, seeing a raised hand up as he looked at the owner of it.
Naruto: "Ojisan, Tomorrow's Saturday and I'm skipping .."
K. Ukai: "Hah? Why?.."
Naruto: "... I need to prepare for an upcoming class debate in English for Monday, a project in Science due Tuesday and for a test in Math this Friday.. My schedule is booked all over, I have no time for practice until the next Saturday.." You informed, all with a casual tone.
K. Ukai: ".. Ugh, fine! But you'll double up on everything next week, got that? Okay, good.. Now don't forget to stretch before leaving, that's all!"
Daichi: "Thank you very much!"
Everyone excluding Naruto: "Thank you very much!"
Daichi: "Stretch!"
•••
Takeda: "Was the receiving that bad? So bad that you're sighing.." He asked after hearing a sigh leave Ukai's mouth.
K. Ukai: "No, I'll come back to that later, Back in the day when I'd wait to be picked as a player, I didn't even realize... that it isn't easier being the picker.."
•••
Daichi: "Let's clean up fast!"
Hinata: "Right.." He answered back with a tired voice, mopping the floor vigorously.
Kinoshita: "Yamaguchi, put the balls over there.. Yes, that!" He yelled in the background. Meanwhile, Naruto was sitting on the floor, wearing his jacket and drinking through his tumbler.
Hinata: "Naruto-san!.. I'm no Ace... But I can carve a path for you... I'll be the most formidable decoy for Asahi-san... And you!" He exclaimed in determination while Naruto looked at him with an expression that said 'I don't care, go tell someone else' but Hinata was just too oblivious to notice.
"A-Although, I can't do that without Kageyama's toss... So... So... um.."
"..'Please do your best'.. No, that doesn't sound right.. 'Let's do our best together!'.. That sounds kind of cocky.." Hinata
The orange head had a scrunched up look of embarrassment on his face, looking sideways and avoiding Naruto cold gaze.
Naruto: "Shoyo-kun... That's your name, right? For the most part, the wing spiker on the left is called 'Ace'.. Like Asahi-san and I.."
Hinata: "Yes.." He nodded.
Naruto: "Blasting past a triple block, handling the toss in a crucial place, those things certainly are the Ace's job.."
"But with your speed and spring, and with my toss, you can face any blocker." Kageyama (Flashback)
Naruto: "For a Setter to say stuff like that to you.. I personally think it's a cool thing.. I'm not exactly strong enough to blast through blocks, but I'm a Wing Spiker... And my job is to score points.. You're a decoy and a Middle Blocker.. I do my job efficiently and without fail, make sure you do yours too.."
"Remember this, Shoyo-kun.. the coolest player.. is always the one who is feared the most by the opposing team.. I'll do my best, too.. So be sure to make yourself known.. or I'll end up stealing the spotlight from everyone.." Naruto advised, walking towards the exit with his bag.
Hinata: "Yes!" He answered with an amused expression. Watching his figure wave him off and disappear into the shadows.
Timeskip Lil'Tykes Volleyball Classroom
Narut opened the metal gate, getting greeted by a comforting silence and an empty volleyball court big enough for kids. Not paying it any mind, and entering straight towards the house infront of it.
Naruto: "I'm home.." he announced his presence after removing his school shoes. The older Ukai made it out of the living room after hearing his voice.
He stood there with crossed arms and a smirk, along with a raised brow. Seeing the Karasuno Volleyball Club jacket on him, he was proud and happy.
UkaI: "So you're late, and sweaty.. Last time I checked, you're not tardy, and you always took the bus.. You owe me a very good explanation, or you're sleeping outside tonight.."
Naruto: "I could've decided to run all the way here?"
Ukai: "In your uniform?.. Yeah, sure you did.." Naruto rolled his eyes in sarcasm before standing up straight and letting a sigh out.
Naruto: "I may have... taken your advice.. and rejoined the Volleyball club.." he admitted, looking at him eye-to-eye with a blank expression, while he looked at you with the opposite one, which was filled with many emotions.
The older Ukai proceeded to leave and go to another room with a proud smirk on his face, Leaving Naruto to Himself .
"𝙴𝚗𝚍"