The position of Opposite Hitter, or more accurately, the "Opposite Setter", can be divided into three main types: the Power Opposite, the Defensive Opposite, and the All-Rounder.
Power Opposites, like Ushijima Wakatoshi, are easy to understand. Though Ushijima's style leans toward the extreme, the role of a Power Opposite can, in many ways, be considered a second ace spiker.
As for Hajime Iwaizumi, the path he chose was the second kind, Defensive Opposite.
This position is similar to that of Daichi Sawamura from Karasuno. It's defense-focused, responsible primarily for serve reception and backcourt coverage.
And without question,
Iwaizumi met the criteria to fill that role.
In fact, within Aoba Johsai, Iwaizumi had always been the team's most technically versatile player, second only to Oikawa.
Given his current skills, becoming an all-rounder wouldn't be out of reach. But since Watari Shinji was the only solid backcourt defender on the team, Iwaizumi decided to specialize in the Defensive Opposite role to bolster their defense.
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Smack!
The volleyball slammed against Iwaizumi's forearms and bounced high into the air.
"Nice one!"
"Great receive, Iwaizumi-chan!"
"Beautiful! Keep it up!"
Iwaizumi had adapted quickly to his new position. Though he was still lacking in some technical areas, now that he no longer needed to focus on attacking and blocking, he could direct all his attention to defense.
But still...
"Not enough. This still isn't nearly enough!" Iwaizumi thought grimly.
"I'm not here to defend against your average spike, I'm aiming to stop the aces of the national level."
His sharp eyes locked on to Ushijima Wakatoshi, his real target.
If all he wanted to do was defend against standard spikes, there'd have been no need to switch positions. During Nationals, Aoba Johsai had been torn apart in back-to-back matches because of one simple weakness: their inability to receive power spikes.
Just one man could destroy the hard work of an entire team.
That was the kind of firepower a national-level ace brought to the court.
"It's unrealistic to block or receive everything they throw at us... but at the very least, I need to be able to handle three to five spikes per set."
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In the reflection of the net, Iwaizumi caught the blurred image of Ushijima leaping into the air.
His body was tall, yet light; graceful like a bird in flight. Even the soft, unstable sand couldn't slow him down. It was as if he had wings.
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, the volleyball was struck mid-air like it had been hit by a sledgehammer. Carried by brutal force and violent spin, it tore through Seijoh's block and came plummeting toward the backcourt.
In that instant, Iwaizumi's vision seemed to sharpen beyond normal.
Even with Ushijima's incredible speed, Iwaizumi tracked the ball's rotation, its angle, and trajectory with crystal clarity.
"Got you!"
With a single step, he lunged, kicking up a cloud of sand as he dashed toward the right side of the court like a bullet.
Smack!
The clean sound of contact echoed across the court. Several players' expressions shifted instantly.
"He... received it?"
Feeling the ball's weight against his wrists, Iwaizumi was briefly elated.
But that joy was short-lived.
It was immediately replaced by a wave of shock and alarm.
"I can't control it, it's spinning like crazy!"
Back when he played as a wing spiker, Iwaizumi mostly faced Ushijima at the net. This was his first time receiving one of Ushijima's full-powered spikes head-on.
Only now did he finally understand what Watari Shinji had to endure every single day.
"Damn it... are these guys even human?"
He cursed silently as the ball, knocked off at an awkward angle, launched out of bounds and softly landed on the sand.
Iwaizumi himself collapsed backward onto the ground, landing flat on his butt.
Nobody blamed him for failing to control Ushijima's spike. Not even his own teammates were surprised, after all, they had already mentally accepted the idea that receiving Ushijima's spikes was impossible.
However...
The Shiratorizawa setter and libero were visibly shaken.
As Ushijima's teammates, they knew better than anyone just how terrifying his spikes were.
And yet...
This player from Aoba Johsai, who had just switched positions, was already almost able to catch one?
That alone was unbelievable.
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On the sidelines, Tanji Washijo narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.
A player from Aoba Johsai showing signs of rapid improvement?
Not exactly a good thing for Shiratorizawa.
But even so...
"Hey! You there, the kid over on that side... I think your name was Iwaizumi, right? Let me tell you something. Opposites and wing spikers are two completely different roles."
"Wing spikers fight in the air. But an Opposite's battlefield is on the ground. You're still standing too high."
The sudden coaching from Washijo took both Aoba Johsai and Shiratorizawa's players by surprise.
Iwaizumi froze in place, clearly not expecting it either.
Washijo let out a gruff snort.
"Hmph. Don't give me that look. Sure, I don't like your coach much, but I'm not about to mislead a bunch of kids."
"Believe it or not, that's up to you. If you don't like what I said, just pretend I never said anything."
Still unsure, Iwaizumi turned to Irihata Nobuteru, silently seeking confirmation.
Irihata coughed lightly and said, "Iwaizumi, it's okay. Coach Washijo has decades of experience. You'd do well to listen."
With that reassurance, Iwaizumi finally relaxed and turned to Washijo with a bow.
"Thank you for the guidance, Coach Washijo."
Washijo snorted again.
"Hmph. I just can't stand to see talent go to waste. Your talent doesn't lie in being a wing spiker. If your coach had sharper eyes, he should've realized that a long time ago."
Iwaizumi wisely chose not to reply to that comment.
Taking Washijo's advice to heart, Iwaizumi adjusted his defensive stance for the next few rallies. He lowered his center of gravity just a bit more, and with just that small change, his entire view of the court shifted.
"The ball... feels slower!"
By lowering his stance, he increased the reaction time between the spike and his reception. Instantly, it felt like the ball had slowed down by several degrees.
Smack!
The volleyball struck his forearms. Iwaizumi absorbed the impact effortlessly and flicked his wrists slightly, sending a near-perfect pass soaring back into the air...
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