Libero Theory

So in the recent chapter Barca's coach has identified Akutsu as the leader of the offense and defense, a libero. It's easy to write this off as the major twist but I think there may be another twist incoming. I do agree that his position IS Libero but I think it's not just him. I think Ashito will also be revealed to be a libero as well!

I really like how recently Akutsu's character arc has really shined and I think at the end of this match he'll be recognized as a talent equal to Kuri, something that he's constantly been chasing since his introduction. He's gone from a tryout to a national player to captain and he's finally gotten to a level where he is on a team with Kuri yet it is revolving around HIM. This is where the hindsight part of my prediction comes in.

Kuri has ALWAYS acknowledged Akutsu's abilities and even during Ashito's first premier league game encouraged Ashito to learn from Akutsu and emulate his approach to the game. Even when Ashito had his awakening in the Aomori match, while everyone else was surprised Akutsu was just like 'damn it's about time. You're slow.' I originally interpreted that as 'ok you can finally play' but with the most recent chapter it feels more like he's finally playing on akutsu's level/ understands his approach. In essence doing what Akutsu does. I'm not saying Akutsu all of a sudden is gonna be revealed to also have ashito's wide vision BUT I think him having something on a smaller scale wouldn't be too far off, especially with Togashi having shown it IS aquireable to an extent given time and focused practice. He was the one that told Ashito about vectors and its application and their thoughts are constantly in line without communication because they really might be seeing the game the same. So it's not far off to think that learning from and emulating a Libero's playstyle would make Ashito a second Libero.

It would also be awesome because a few chapters back Kuri drew out GOATomo's potential and Akutsu throws those words right back at Kuri. Even now it wasn't just Akutsu who stopped Demian, it was him plus Ashito. Imagine the mindfuck the Barca boys and coaches would go through when their 4 person playmaker tactics get toppled by a 2 person Libero combo, right after they think they figured them out! That's also why I'd argue 2 Liberos on one team may not be that big of a stretch. Ashito was absolutely gobsmacked by the thought of Barca having 3 playmakers but they're making it work to perfection. That same mindset of seeing the game the same, having the trust of their teammates and unspoken coordination that allow barca to work are all things that Ashito and Akutsu have. That has also been extended to the coordination with Akutstu and Kuri. This theme of team understanding has been brought up before (Kiriki snubbed for Yuuma IMO but the match is not done)

KANESHIRO!!! Give me a callback to Ashito 'connecting' them (quote from Aomori match FYI) after Yuuma scores (REVENGE!!). Baraca loses the ball, then in a callback to 386, give me a GOATomo X Kiriki X Kuribayashi X Akutsu X Ashito (connections/dribbling in that order) horror style POV from barca getting scared shitless that ends with Ashito scoring through Demian (REVENGE PART 2!!!!)

TL/DR

Ashito may be revealed as a second Libero on the team because his approach to the game emulates Akutsu, the differences between them being Akutsu has physicality and better technique but Ashito makes up for this with his wider vision (as the story has stated MULTIPLE times). Ashito has all the tools to be a Libero even though he's currently more heavily inclined to offensive playmaking. I think Yuuma will tie and get his revenge on Starless and the eventual final goal will be a double Libero effort from Akutsu and Ashito highlighted by the connections/growth of Kuribayashi, Yuuma, GOATomo and Kiriki ultimately resulting in Ashito scoring the winning goal beating Demian (Kuribayashi revenge match be DAMNED Ashito's the main character). Kuri can beat Demian 1v1 if they really wanna put a bow on it and have the 'perfect' ending to his character motivations. Still I think ultimately he just wanted to prove his choice of going to Esperion and not Barca was the correct decision so a W is a W