Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

"Can you still hold out?" Oikawa Tōru asked Kaedehara Taichi.

Oikawa had considered mobilizing the entire team to launch an attack, but against a team like Shiratorizawa, the offensive capabilities of the others were not sufficient to break through their defence.

Inevitably, after a few back-and-forth rallies, the ball would return to Kaedehara Taichi for the final blow.

Standing on the court, Kaedehara Taichi was drenched in sweat.

1His uniform clung tightly to his body, outlining his increasingly defined muscles. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, occasionally dripping down in streams along his features.

During the recent technical timeout, Coach Irihata had debated subbing him out.

Taichi's face, flushed red from exertion, was proof of his physical effort. His breathing was heavy but strong. This was only the second set, and energy management was a critical aspect of any finals match.

However, Taichi simply shook his head, his gaze unwavering. His vision was blurred by sweat, but his focus never strayed from the game.

He felt his will sharpen to an unimaginable degree, his mind operating at full capacity. Every second, he calculated his opponents' movements, searching for openings.

"I'm fine," Taichi replied quietly.

At this moment, he felt a peculiar sensation—as if, even by standing still, he could perceive every detail of the court around him.

Oikawa didn't press further. Right now, the team needed Taichi more than ever. On the surface, Aoba Johsai's strategy seemed to mirror Shiratorizawa's from the previous set. However, their lineup told a different story.

Aoba Johsai's other players had significantly bolstered their defence, and they were still in the lead.

But they were at least five points away from securing the second set. Meanwhile, Shiratorizawa's players had adjusted and were growing stronger with each rally.

The Shiratorizawa squad now felt like an army, ready to strike from all sides.

Toward the end of the set, Coach Washijō subbed in Shirabu Kenjirō to reinvigorate Ushijima Wakatoshi, who had been lying in wait for just such a moment. One misstep and the momentum could instantly swing in Shiratorizawa's favour.

Aoba Johsai's serve—standing at the service line was Iwaizumi Hajime.

Boom!

Iwaizumi's powerful jump serve targeted Ushijima, attempting to disrupt Shiratorizawa's formation.

"I got it!"

Returning to their familiar rhythm, Shiratorizawa relied on Ōhira Reon for the receive. Shirabu quickly moved into position, setting the ball high and wide toward the right wing.

This was where Aoba Johsai's true test began.

From the backline, Ushijima Wakatoshi began his approach, launching himself into the air just a step past the three-meter line.

The giant white hawk soared to the net with his signature ferocity.

"Triple block!" Taichi, Oikawa, and Matsukawa Issei leapt simultaneously at the net.

—Boom!!

The ball collided with Matsukawa's arms and ricocheted high into the air.

Was it stopped?

No, it wasn't!

The ball flew far out of bounds.

"Kunimi—!" Taichi shouted. His ability to "see" the ball's trajectory made him certain of its destination, and he knew Kunimi Akira could reach it.

"Geez..." Kunimi grumbled, already sprinting toward the ball. Watching Taichi push himself so hard made it impossible for him to slack off.

At crucial moments, it wasn't just Ushijima who rose to the challenge—Kunimi stepped up as well.

Smack!

Kunimi sent the ball back into play. Oikawa leapt to set it, and Taichi sprinted to the far left.

On the other side of the net, Goshiki Tsutomu trailed Taichi closely. He knew he couldn't stop Taichi alone, but he did everything he could to disrupt him.

Bang!

Taichi and Goshiki landed at the same time, but the ball had already hit Shiratorizawa's court.

Oikawa's feint attack had secured the point with ease.

[Aoba Johsai 21 – 18 Shiratorizawa]

"You seem technically weaker than Semi," Oikawa taunted Shirabu Kenjirō.

It was a widely acknowledged fact, but Oikawa brought it up deliberately to rattle Shirabu's nerves.

"Yeah, I know," Shirabu replied calmly, his expression unshaken.

"Tch." Oikawa clicked his tongue. These younger players were getting harder to deal with.

Iwaizumi launched his second serve.

This time, the ball sliced toward the sideline near Ushijima, forcing him into an awkward receive. Tendō Satori dashed to the net, leaping for a quick attack. Shirabu jumped to set.

"Double block!" Oikawa and Matsukawa rose to intercept.

But Tendō didn't swing.

As Aoba Johsai's blockers descended, Ushijima struck from behind him, spiking the ball mid-air.

Boom!

A tandem attack!

Even after receiving the serve, Ushijima stayed in the offense. Tendō's quick attack had been a mere decoy.

[Aoba Johsai 21 – 19 Shiratorizawa]

Shirabu maintained his composure, unshaken by the pressure. Even when Ushijima was forced to receive, Shirabu ensured their strategy remained airtight.

"When did Ushijima start relying on tricks like that?" Oikawa sneered, still trying to provoke Shirabu.

"When it wins us points," Shirabu replied with cold precision.

The serve rotated, putting Ushijima Wakatoshi at the front row, with Goshiki Tsutomu handling the serve.

In volleyball, maintaining a strong serve is crucial to scoring consecutive points.

Even if the serve doesn't directly score, it must disrupt the opponent's ability to organize an effective offense. The worst-case scenario is delivering a weak serve, gifting the opposing team an easy opportunity to counterattack.

Goshiki's serving had steadily improved throughout matches against Karasuno and Aoba Johsai, subtly evolving into a style uniquely his own.

Boom!

The ball from Goshiki's serve targeted the tricky spot between the front and back rows, aiming in between Oikawa Tōru and Kunimi Akira. Its placement was precise and challenging.

Oikawa tried to position the ball perfectly for a quick attack with Kaedehara Taichi but underestimated the ball's force. His miscalculation resulted in an awkward pass. The ball flew toward Taichi but lacked sufficient height for a proper spike.

Taichi adjusted, bumping the ball upward to Kunimi in the back row. Kunimi performed a controlled tip, sending the ball into Shiratorizawa's backcourt.

"Chance ball!"

Goshiki received the ball cleanly, with a perfect pass to Shirabu Kenjirō. Finally in rhythm, Shirabu set the ball high to the right wing, where Ushijima began his approach. The ace leapt forward, building power from his run-up.

Aoba Johsai's front row formed a triple block once again.

Boom!!

The spike soared over the blockers' hands, bypassing their defense entirely.

[Aoba Johsai 21 – 20 Shiratorizawa]

The score tightened, now just a one-point lead.

Unbidden, Oikawa remembered how Karasuno had been overturned by Shiratorizawa in the second set of their match.

"Damn it, they really aren't easy to deal with!"

The serve remained in Shiratorizawa's hands. As expected, if Ushijima wasn't neutralized, defeating Shiratorizawa would be impossible.

Goshiki's second serve was a powerful jump serve aimed at the back row.

However, Iwaizumi Hajime handled it with ease, receiving the ball smoothly. Oikawa set it to the left wing, where Taichi aimed for a sharp straight-line shot along the sideline. His strike was precise and effective, putting Aoba Johsai back ahead.

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 20 Shiratorizawa]

At 188 centimeters, Matsukawa Issei rotated to the back row, while the 190-centimeter Kindaichi Yūtarō re-entered the court. Aoba Johsai's front-row defense was back to its optimal height.

Matsukawa delivered a powerful jump serve, which Yamagata Hayato dug out expertly. Shirabu, staying composed, sent a high set to the right wing once more. This time, Ushijima's spike was met with a solid block.

Thwack!

"One touch!" Oikawa exclaimed in pain as the ball ricocheted off his forearm.

Kunimi, stationed at the baseline, was ready to retrieve the ball. He rushed forward, his focus unshaken.

Smack!

Kunimi's skillful dig sent the ball soaring back into position above Oikawa.

"Impressive as always!" Oikawa quipped, quickly resetting his posture. He executed a pinpoint set to the leftmost position.

Kaedehara Taichi leapt into the air, confronted by Shiratorizawa's triple block. Ushijima sprinted from the right wing, determined to cover Taichi's crosscourt shot.

Bang!

Taichi aimed at Tendō Satori's fingertips, timing his attack perfectly. Tendō attempted to pull his hands back, but the ball brushed them and sailed toward Shiratorizawa's baseline.

Goshiki had already anticipated the trajectory, dashing to the backline to intercept.

Smack!

Goshiki successfully saved the ball. With Ushijima still repositioning in the center, Shirabu made a quick decision and set it back to him. Even without his full approach, Ushijima jumped in place. His height and power alone loomed as a threat.

Instead of a powerful spike, Ushijima pushed the ball delicately over the net, aiming just behind the three blockers.

Aoba Johsai's back-row defenders, caught off guard, couldn't react in time. They could only watch the ball land on their side.

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 21 Shiratorizawa]

The clever tip was a clear message to Kunimi: camping on the baseline wouldn't work against Ushijima's versatility.

Shirabu stepped up to serve. His precise jump float targeted Kunimi, forcing a challenging reception. Kunimi barely managed to dig it out, sending the ball toward Taichi. Without enough space for a strong spike, Taichi passed it to the right wing.

Bang!

Oikawa's surprise attack was a powerful spike, but its trajectory was too predictable. Yamagata in Shiratorizawa's back row absorbed the hit.

The ball ascended awkwardly, but Ushijima didn't wait for Shirabu to reposition. Instead, he jumped directly, cutting off any hesitation.

"A great chance!"

"Double block!"

Kindaichi and Taichi formed a two-man wall against Ushijima. However, instead of spiking, Ushijima performed a precise set toward the left side. Tendō leapt into the air, finishing the sequence with a clean spike.

Boom!

Shiratorizawa equalized once again.

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 22 Shiratorizawa]

_________

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