"Room to Grow" (Japanese:
Overview
Hinata insists on opening his eyes for their quick strike wanting to fight on his own in the air. However, Kageyama emphasizes to Hinata that there's no need for him to do such things, telling him frankly that the quick strike is already his greatest weapon.
Plot
Hinata proposes to hit the freak quick with his eyes open, arguing that it's no longer as effective as before. Kageyama isn't keen on the idea and declares that he will stop setting to Hinata if he tries to change things right now. Yachi notices the tension arising between the oddball combo, but Kiyoko points out that the entire team is the same way after Hinata and Asahi's collision.
Karasuno eventually loses to Nekoma. During the penalty lap, Daichi silently agrees with Hinata's desire for change. Asahi admits that he was frightened by Hinata's overwhelming hunger for growth as he tried to take the set meant for the ace. Coach Nekomata casually comments on the instability within Karasuno, prompting Ukai to acknowledge that it's time for growth.
Takeda bluntly tells Karasuno that they are the weakest of the present teams, much to the players' disgruntlement. He encourages Karasuno to not only see the other teams as opponents but also teachers they can learn from. Karasuno observes the other teams and notices their strengths. Ubugawa High specializes in powerful serves; Shinzen High is skilled in combination plays such as synchronized attacks; and Fukurōdani Academy is a powerhouse team led by a nation's top-five ace, Kōtarō Bokuto.
Ukai notices that Hinata and Kageyama are missing and learns they went outside with Sugawara to talk things over. Sugawara tries to mediate between the two first years as Kageyama rejects Hinata's request to change the quick attack. Hinata states that he couldn't help in the last rally against Aobajohsai due to having his eyes closed. Hence, he is upset that Kageyama apologized after the game and wants to battle in the air by himself. Kageyama argues that a setter should bring out the absolute best of their spikers. Before leaving, he emphasizes that the freak quick is Hinata's greatest weapon and will work best without the latter's input.
Sugawara starts siding with Kageyama after listening to his explanation. Ukai appears and reveals he is also against changing the quick, believing that it's impossible for Hinata to do anything during the fraction of a second in midair. Hinata explains that when he's in good condition, he is able to see things clearly as if in slow motion. He adds that he clearly saw Oikawa's expression when he scored the final point in the practice match against Aobajohsai. Ukai questions if Hinata has such an ability, knowing that there are rare spikers who are capable of seeing things clearly when they are in top form. Daichi interrupts the talk to inform them of their next game. However, Ukai continues to ponder over the immense potential if Hinata can manipulate the quick to his will, noting that the oddball combo can possibly surpass even the Little Giant in aerial combat.
Debut
- Eri Miyanoshita
- Shinzen High boys volleyball team members
- Eikichi Chigaya
- Naguri Shouta
- Akatani Yuu
- Shimafu Noriaki
- Kodama Masaru
- Yoshikawa Kazutaka
- Ubugawa High boys volleyball team members
- Yōhei Ashiya
- Kengo Nanasawa
- Shingo Sengoku
- Yūji Isahara
- Nakakawa Toshimi
- Kōji Yukawa
- Fukurōdani Academy volleyball team members
Appearances
- Tobio Kageyama
- Shōyō Hinata
- Asahi Azumane
- Daichi Sawamura
- Ryūnosuke Tanaka
- Yū Nishinoya
- Ittetsu Takeda
- Keishin Ukai
- Shinji Watari (flashback only)
- Hitoka Yachi
- Kiyoko Shimizu
- Lev Haiba
- Kenma Kozume
- Taketora Yamamoto
- Yasufumi Nekomata
- Daiki Ogano
- Masaki Gōra
- Kōtarō Bokuto
- Tadashi Yamaguchi
- Kei Tsukishima
- Kōshi Sugawara
- Morisuke Yaku
- Sō Inuoka (flashback only)
- Tōru Oikawa (flashback only)
Chapter notes
Character revelations
- In certain situations, such as his last spike against Oikawa and during the first 3-by-3 team practice match, Hinata is able to see the full court in slow motion.