In any competitive sport, when the contest reaches the end, what matters is whose spirit is tougher. That was also the original purpose behind creating sports in the first place.
"I'm almost at my limit."
After Akira Kunimi received a ball and helped score the point, he could no longer hold back the drain on his stamina. He signaled to Coach Irihata and was substituted off the court.
In truth, he had already run out of strength long ago, but he had endured until now because he wanted to stand on this court for a little longer.
He wanted to stay beside his teammates.
"That kid Kunimi already reached his limit this quickly."
"He really can't be relied on."
Crew-cut Shinji Watari had fallen who knew how many times. Sweat covered his face, but he still held on and refused to leave the court.
After continuing to guard Aoba Johsai's defense and stopping three of Wakatoshi Ushijima's spikes, Watari was finally substituted out as well.
The players coming onto the court now were all substitutes.
Although they were already among the strongest players in Aoba Johsai's club aside from the starters who could take the court, compared with Shiratorizawa, the gap was still far too large.
Right now, putting them on the court could only maintain the most basic lineup. They might not be able to coordinate as smoothly as the starters.
Even so, no matter how unwilling Aoba Johsai was to replace them, they still had to make the substitutions. After all, their stamina had already been drained too severely. If they were allowed to remain on the court any longer, injuries would be the inevitable result.
Because at this point, even if they got injured, they still would not be willing to give up a point.
Everyone knew it in their hearts.
This was the closest they had ever come to Spring High. If they left here, they would regret it for the rest of their lives.
"They changed out two starters? They even took out the libero."
"Looks like Aoba Johsai doesn't have much of a threat left."
Tendō and the others had been constantly analyzing Aoba Johsai's current state. By now, they had already reached many conclusions.
Aoba Johsai could no longer withstand being worn down like this.
Next, Shiratorizawa only needed to wait a little longer.
Aoba Johsai would expose an opening on their own. When that time came, Ushijima would crush them.
However, Tendō had also noticed Hank, who was now in the back row.
Seeing that Hank could still preserve his stamina and sprint at full speed made him feel extremely astonished.
But he did not stay surprised for too long.
After all, even someone made of iron would not be able to withstand being pushed around like this forever.
"Aoba Johsai is already showing fatigue now. Even their libero has been taken off. Looks like… even if we don't go all out, they're going to reveal an opening."
"Push harder and defeat Aoba Johsai!"
Many people in Shiratorizawa's club held a very high opinion of this generation of Aoba Johsai. They could feel the refusal to give in radiating from Hank.
Even if Shiratorizawa won next, they would not feel the slightest joy.
Instead, they felt a lingering fear.
Because the feeling Hank had given Shiratorizawa was something they had never experienced before. That sensation of being pushed to the brink of defeat was far too intense.
If Shiratorizawa's overall strength had not been greater than Aoba Johsai's, they simply could not imagine being able to defeat Hank.
Although Hank had already rotated to the back row and had lost the ability to threaten Shiratorizawa with his blocking, he could still receive.
(End of Chapter)
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