Chapter 7: Ace and Guardian Deity
As the Karasuno team was leaving towards their bus, Daichi said, "No matter how amazing our 1st years maybe. Volleyball isn't won by relying on one or two players. though it's frustrating to admit it, we have a long way to go".
"As expected of Captain, he really understands the situation", Oikawa said as he was waiting for the Karasuno team.
Tanaka started to make a scary face to intimidate Oikawa. Tsukishima, Yamaguchi, and Hinata were irritated hearing Oikawa.
"Shorty, your spikes are amazing. And Ken-chan is amazing as always", Somehow Oikawa's face looked annoyed while complementing Kenshin.
"Thank you, Oikawa san", Kenshin said.
"Anyway, you can't compete with us like this. Your basics are bad. Relying on a single player you can't win. And I am not the only one who has amazing serves. So don't get this win over your head. And develop a bit so that it would be a bit fun to crush my dear adorable kouhai and my dear Ken-chan", Oikawa said while leaving the group stunned.
"Hehehehe", as soon as Oikawa left, Daichi started laughing in a creepy way. Hearing him everyone got worried and started to cheer him up.
"Don't worry. Though it's true that we don't have enough time to improve receives but in a few days Karasuno's Guardian Deity will be returning", Daichi said while looking towards the setting sun.
"Oh, Noya san is coming", Kenshin said with a smile.
"Yeah with Noya our team's strength will improve", Sugawara san said with a smile.
"Yeah, Noya san is amazing", Tanaka san also said while laughing.
"Ohh, so there are other members in our team", Kageyama said while eating something.
"Kenshin, you know Noya san", asked a surprised Ennoshita.
"Yes, we used to be in Chidoriyama. We went to Nationals together", Kenshin said while remembering the past.
"Woah", All the second years were a bit surprised.
After that, they went to Gym to do discuss the match and some practice.
"Sugawara san, can you please toss for me", Kenshin asked while running towards Sugawara.
"Okay let's go", Sugawara san replied.
After that, the team practiced till the gym closed and everyone went their way.
Next day, Afternoon...
Kenshin went to the gym and started doing warm-up exercises and stretches. In the gym, there were only Hinata and Kageyama who were practicing on their own.
Kenshin looks towards the door only to see Nishinoya standing there with his volleyball club jacket in his hand.
"Noya san, how are you", Kenshin asked while waving at Nishinoya.
"Ohh Ken, it's nice to see you here. So you followed my advice to come to Karasuno for its girls", Nishinoya said with a laugh.
Before Kenshin could reply, Kenshin heard Sugawara saying, "So, you came to Karasuno for girls".
"Woah, My kouhai is a pervert", Tanaka chimed in.
"Didn't know Sage Kenshin is a closet pervert", Ennoshita said while laughing.
"No, I just liked the uniform that's all. What's a Sage Kenshin", Kenshin asked.
"Noya san" "Nishinoya"
All the 3rd years and 2nd second years welcomed Nishinoya.
Hinata and Kageyama also came to welcome Nishinoya. Nishinoya said like how their team lost to Kitagawa Daichi.
"Why are you here? Is it because you heard that coach Ukai is coming?", Kageyama asked.
"No, I came to Karasuno because I like the girl's uniform and Volleyball club uniform", Nishinoya said while laughing. All the 1st years looked at Kenshin who have given similar reasons.
After that Nishinoya sees Kiyoko and jumps around like an idiot. Then come towards the team and asks, "What about Asahi san? Did he come back"
"That coward"
"Nishinoya, don't say bad about our senpai"
"Shut up, a coward's a coward. Like I said if Asahi isn't coming then I am not playing", saying that Nishinoya leaves the gym.
After that Hinata runs after Nishinoya to ask him about receive. While Kenshin goes to the 3rd Year section of School. After searching for a bit he found Asahi.
[Kenshin knows Asahi from manga/anime but he has also seen Asahi in a group picture in the club room of the Volleyball club.]
"Asahi san", Kenshin said looking towards Asahi.
"You are.. Sakamoto Kenshin aren't you. So you came to Karasuno. Hmm, you sure are tall", Asahi said while coming towards Kenshin.
"Asahi san, I am here to ask you if would please come for volleyball club activities", Kenshin said.
"Nah, I don't like volleyball anymore and with you here, the team must be pretty strong" Asahi declined Kenshin's invitation.
"Asahi san, I don't know you properly but from what I have heard about you, if you come to the team our winning chances will increase", Kenshin tried to reason with facts.
"As I said, I don't like volleyball anymore and I haven't practiced for more than a month and I might drag everyone down", Asahi san said with a painful smile.
"Okay, it's your decision. But I will say this if you still love volleyball and miss this chance there might be a time in the future when you will regret your decision. And regret is a very dangerous thing. Okay bye", Kenshin left the dazed Asahi alone.
Two days later...
Everyone in the gym is practicing. Kenshin is receiving Jump Floater from Kinoshita and guiding him. Nishinoya is showing his "rolling thunder" to everyone.
"Gather up", Daichi said while gathering everyone around.
"You guys are doing it again, right? Golden week training camp", Takeda asked Daichi.
"Yes, we have a lot to do. We have to do the training camp", Daichi replied.
"I have scheduled a practice match for the last day of training camp with a long-term rival "Nekoma High".
"Woah"
"Nekoma"
"Amazing"
"We can finally see the battle of garbage dumpster"
Seeing the clueless look on the 1st years, the seniors began explaining the rivalry between Nekoma and Karasuno.
"Okay, we are finally going to have a practice match. Let's give it our all in the training as well as in the match", Daichi said and everyone went to practice.
"Sorry, Daichi san. I won't be able to practice", Nishinoya said that to Daichi.
"Even if Asahi san is participating", Kenshin looked at the door and said to Nishinoya.
As a cue, everyone looked at the door to see Asahi san with his club uniform standing on the door.
Upon seeing everyone looking at him, Asahi bowed and said, "Sorry for all the practice that I missed".
"Asahi san" "Asahi" "Azumane"
Upon seeing Asahi, everyone on the team started cheering and jumping towards him. Kenshin looked at him and said, "Looks like talking to him was the right choice".
After welcoming Asahi, everyone went to practice more vigorously. Asahi looked at Kenshin and said, "As you said, I don't want to regret anything". Kenshin just nodded at him and went to practice.
Though Asahi was the ace, due to more than a month of practice miss he was out of shape. Nishinoya, Sugawara, and Daichi were helping Asashi to recover as much as possible.
Two days later....
Everyone was practicing in the gym as usual. Suddenly the door opened and Takeda along with 7 other men came.
"Everyone, gather around", Takeda called everyone.
"He is Coach Ukai, you new volleyball coach, grandson of legendary Coach Ukai. You guys don't have to worry about training now", Takeda said while pointing towards a man with blonde hair and piercing wearing red sportswear.
"Thank you, Takeda sensei", Everyone from the volleyball court bowed and thanked Takeda.
"Now as Takeda sensei said. I am your new coach. But I don't know your skill, so to gauge it I will conduct a match with the Karasuno Neighborhood Association team", Coach Ukai said while pointing towards the 6 behind him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone