Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

"This match…"

On the sidelines, Inarizaki's head coach, Kurosu Norimune, stood with a heavy expression. His sharp instincts told him that Aoba Johsai's playing style had shifted once again.

That last point—no, to be precise, since the end of the first set, Aoba Johsai's approach had started resembling how they played against Nekoma.

Kurosu furrowed his brows. At the beginning of the match, Aoba Johsai's strategy had been more balanced, emphasizing teamwork, where every player contributed to the offence, showcasing a diverse tactical arrangement.

However, in critical moments, Aoba Johsai had begun rallying their attacks around a singular focal point—their ace. The roles of the other players became more defined, with a singular objective: get the ball to Kaedehara Taichi.

-----

Boom!

Oikawa Tōru launched his second serve.

Akagi Michinari received it cleanly. Miya Atsumu set the ball high in the middle, and Ojiro Aran leapt from the back row.

"Double block!"

Kindaichi Yūtarō and Iwaizumi Hajime jumped in front of him.

"Bang!"

"Touch!" Kindaichi called out.

It was a back-row attack, but he had managed to read Ojiro Aran's spike trajectory and make contact.

That was exactly why Kaedehara Taichi had chosen not to block—he trusted his teammates and was already moving into position for a counterattack.

The volleyball rebounded toward Aoba Johsai's backcourt at a manageable speed, steady and controlled.

"In that case—"

Kaedehara Taichi sprang into motion, dashing to the far left before taking off into the air.

"Oikawa-senpai, send it over."

"What the hell is he doing?!!" The collective outcry echoed through the court as both Oikawa Tōru and Miya Atsumu had the same thought flash through their minds.

"This reckless bastard!"

It was a perfectly good ball for a well-structured offensive play, yet Taichi insisted on forcing a set to that exact spot.

The most frustrating part?

Both Oikawa and Atsumu knew it was the right choice.

If they set the ball to Taichi—he would score.

Oikawa took a deep breath, jumped, steadied himself midair, and focused.

Whoosh—!

The ball rocketed out of Oikawa's hands, flying precisely toward Kaedehara Taichi.

The two connected seamlessly in midair.

Boom!

No blockers.

Miya Atsumu could only grit his teeth as he watched that figure slam the ball down.

Kaedehara Taichi—point scored.

[Aoba Johsai 2 – 0 Inarizaki]

"Taichi!" Oikawa Tōru growled through clenched teeth.

"What's wrong, Oikawa-senpai?" Taichi blinked innocently.

Oikawa froze. Beneath that innocent expression, he could almost see the devilish grin lurking beneath. There was definitely some sarcastic remark waiting to be unleashed!

"…Nothing. Nice spike." Oikawa chose to endure.

"Oh~ Oikawa-senpai's set was nice too." Taichi sounded disappointed—he had been expecting something.

"Heh." Seeing his reaction, Oikawa smirked smugly and strutted back to the service line.

"I thought Oikawa-senpai was afraid of messing up and didn't dare to set that ball." Taichi's taunting voice came in late, his signature mischievous grin appearing at last. "Back when I played with Kageyama, our connection was pretty solid."

"TAICHI!!!" Oikawa whirled around, eyes blazing.

"You two idiots, focus on the match!" Iwaizumi's bellow shut them both up instantly.

"Kunimi, have you noticed something?" Kindaichi muttered in a hushed voice. "Iwaizumi-senpai has been getting stricter with Taichi lately…"

"Why don't you just say it's because Taichi has been getting more—" Kunimi instinctively started to reply but caught himself mid-sentence when he felt a sharp gaze on them.

He coughed. "Kindaichi, focus on the game."

"Oh…okay." Kindaichi nodded, a little confused.

"Osamu, don't you think these guys are way too relaxed?"

"Atsumu, do they really think they've got this in the bag?"

Miya Osamu's expression darkened as he glanced at Aoba Johsai's players. So what if they won the first set? If he remembered correctly, Aoba Johsai had also taken the first set against Inarizaki in the IH Nationals—only to lose the next two.

Meanwhile, at the service line, Oikawa took a deep breath. He knew what the Inarizaki supporters were expecting.

But Aoba Johsai would not repeat history!

Oikawa tossed the ball, took his approach, and struck.

Bang!

The serve targeted the front row, aiming straight at Ginjima Hitoshi.

"I got it!"

Miya Atsumu rushed in from the left, forcefully jumping to overhand pass the ball high.

Suna Rintarō faked a spike, drawing Iwaizumi's block toward him. Meanwhile, Miya Osamu leapt from the back row, barely managing to angle the ball down the sideline.

The ball landed in Aoba Johsai's vulnerable backcourt.

Miya Osamu—point scored.

[Aoba Johsai 2 – 1 Inarizaki]

"Yes—!"

"The Twin Meteor Ladder Attack!" Miya Atsumu and Miya Osamu high-fived in unison, their voices perfectly synchronized.

Ojiro Aran looked stunned. "That was the first time you two used that move, right? How the hell did you both call out the name at the same time?!"

The serve switched sides, and Miya Atsumu stepped up to the service line.

This time, they absolutely wouldn't let Aoba Johsai widen the gap so easily!

Boom!

Atsumu went with his signature jump float serve.

The ball hurtled toward Aoba Johsai's front row—specifically toward Kaedehara Taichi. It was clear that Inarizaki's primary target was to disrupt his offensive rhythm.

Pop!

Taichi barely managed an overhead pass, but the ball didn't get much height. Fortunately, Kunimi Akira was quick to react, adjusting his position to bump the ball upward.

Kindaichi Yūtarō leapt high, bringing his arm down fiercely for a spike.

Boom!

Smack!

Akagi Michinari received it cleanly, and Atsumu set the ball toward the right side—where Osamu was already sprinting into position.

"Double block!"

Kindaichi and Iwaizumi Hajime jumped in unison to contest the spike.

Boom!

The ball streaked past Iwaizumi's right side. Osamu had gone for a straight shot, sending the ball cleanly to the floor!

[Aoba Johsai 2 - 2 Inarizaki]

On the sidelines, Coach Kurosu nodded in approval.

If Aoba Johsai's strongest weapon was Kaedehara Taichi, then all they had to do was avoid him.

By "tying up" his movements during offence and steering clear of his blocking range…

Would people criticize them for this tactic?

Heh, Inarizaki was a team of foxes, after all. And if an ace of Taichi's calibre existed, it was only natural to strategize accordingly.

Atsumu launched his second serve.

Boom!

Because it was coming from Atsumu, his precise ball control left no room for adjustments. Even if Kunimi wanted to help, there was nothing he could do.

Which meant that Kaedehara Taichi had no choice but to receive it again.

Smack!

This time, his reception was much cleaner, and the ball sailed toward Oikawa Tōru.

But given its trajectory, even if Oikawa set it back to Taichi, there wouldn't be enough time for him to retreat and get a proper approach for an attack.

Oikawa was about to set it to Iwaizumi on the right when—

"Give me the ball!"

Taichi's voice rang out loud and clear.

If he didn't have time to retreat, then he'd just approach from the side!

Taichi sprinted toward the centre, and Oikawa instinctively adjusted, sending the set high into the middle of the court.

"You little brat! You think we're that easy to score against?!"

Three Inarizaki blockers leapt in unison.

"Triple block!"

Three pairs of hands stretched high over Aoba Johsai's side of the net, completely engulfing Taichi in their shadow.

"Crap, I got carried away!"

Oikawa cursed internally.

He should have made his own judgment instead of indulging this reckless idiot every time.

The ball was set too low, and Inarizaki's wall was airtight.

Kaedehara Taichi had no angle to attack.

But—

His mind was still racing, his vision crystal clear. At this moment, time itself seemed to stretch indefinitely.

"Not yet!"

Both Taichi and the Inarizaki blockers began to descend, and the ball followed suit.

"It's over!"

Ginjima Hitoshi, Aran, and Osamu locked onto Taichi's form.

He hadn't swung yet, which meant in the next moment, the ball would drop untouched—

A point for Inarizaki.

The ball dipped below the net's height.

At this point, Taichi had no space left for a proper spike.

And then—

He moved.

Just as Inarizaki's blockers momentarily loosened their focus, he caught a glimpse of an opening through their hands!

Boom!

Arching his back midair, Taichi engaged his core and whipped his hand through the ball in a last-second manoeuvre.

The ball shot upward—striking Ginjima's slightly relaxed fingers—

And flew out of bounds!

"What?!?!"

No one had expected it.

The ball soared beyond Inarizaki's backcourt, sailing far past the baseline—

Touch out! Point for Aoba Johsai!

[Aoba Johsai 3 - 2 Inarizaki]

Thud!

Taichi landed hard on the floor, but his grin was wider than ever.

"I told you," he said, breathless but triumphant.

"You can't stop me!"

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