Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

To Kaedehara Taichi's relief, even Bokuto Kōtarō did not enter his Burst Mode for a fourth time in a single match. However, throughout the third set, his performance remained remarkably stable—his spiking ability even increased slightly to reach 95 during the match.

Taichi was well aware of what this meant. Perhaps, from now on, it would be rare to see the unpredictable, emo Bokuto Kōtarō. As he approached the end of his high school volleyball career, he was steadily moving toward the 'ordinary' ace he envisioned.

Smack!

Onaga Wataru's quick attack struck Taichi's arm and fell to the floor.

This can't be over yet!

Akaashi Keiji swung his left foot and kicked the ball high into Fukurōdani's court.

—"Bokuto!"

—"Konoha!"

Both voices called out at the same time. Konoha Akinori repositioned himself and set the ball to the far-right side, where Bokuto Kōtarō soared into the air at the front row.

"Double block!!"

Kindaichi Yūtarō and Iwaizumi Hajime jumped up together.

BOOM!

A super high-contact spike from Bokuto Kōtarō!

Kaedehara Taichi did not join the block, instead retreating to cover the cross-court angle—but the ball was aimed straight down the line!

The volleyball skimmed over Iwaizumi's fingertips. Taichi, stationed along the cross-court path, and Oikawa Tōru, positioned at the straight-line boundary, froze for a split second.

Smack!

Kunimi Akira dug the ball up!!!

"Keep it alive!"

"Nice receive, Kunimi!"

Oikawa Tōru sprinted toward the far end of the court and jumped, sending a high set across the entire Aoba Johsai half to the left wing.

Another diagonal set spanning the full court!

Kaedehara Taichi sprinted along the sideline and took off.

"Triple block!!!"

Onaga Wataru, Akaashi Keiji, and Bokuto Kōtarō rose to form an iron wall.

At the same time, Komi Haruki positioned himself along the straight line, while Sarukui Yamato covered the cross-court.

At the moment of impact, Taichi's palm fully enveloped the ball, his wrist flexing down sharply.

Boom!—

It was a straight shot—but it cut through Onaga Wataru's left side and landed inside Fukurōdani's three-meter line.

"Tweet—!"

The relentless referee's whistle was always the first to react.

At long last, the gruelling "Demonic Third Day" had come to an end.

[Aoba Johsai 27 – 25 Fukurōdani]

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 25 Fukurōdani]

[Aoba Johsai 25 – 20 Fukurōdani]

Aoba Johsai claimed victory with a 2-1 score, securing their spot in the semifinals!

Fukurōdani Academy, after an intense battle, ended their Spring High School Nationals journey in the quarterfinals.

"Ahh—I'm exhausted!"

As soon as the final whistle blew, Bokuto Kōtarō collapsed onto the court floor.

"Sorry, Bokuto…I misread the last ball," Komi Haruki bent down, head lowered, his face filled with frustration.

"I'm sorry, Bokuto-senpai!" Onaga Wataru clenched his fists, struggling to hold back tears. He felt utterly guilty—his performance today had been lacking.

"The first-years shouldn't be acting so high and mighty."

Konoha Akinori nudged Onaga Wataru aside with his foot.

"When we're here, it's not your place to take the blame."

Then, Konoha walked over to Bokuto Kōtarō and reached out his hand, pulling him up.

"Rest later—we still have to pay our respects."

-----

Despite their exhaustion, the Fukurōdani players stood together, bowing to Aoba Johsai in respect and expressing their gratitude to the audience.

"This match…I'm already satisfied with it."

Bokuto Kōtarō suddenly spoke, his gaze drifting toward Aoba Johsai's bench. The players who had just secured victory were exhausted, yet their faces were filled with laughter and excitement.

"I realized it too late," he admitted, "but getting to play against them in my last high school match…I'm really happy."

Washio Tatsuki gave Bokuto a light pat on the shoulder. The ace of Fukurōdani had always carried the weight of the team on his back.

"But—"

Bokuto turned to look at someone standing motionless near the court. Akaashi Keiji hadn't moved since the match ended.

Among Fukurōdani's starting lineup, five players were third-years. Akaashi had once been the junior of the team, but from tomorrow onward, he alone would bear the responsibility of leading Fukurōdani.

"…Bokuto-senpai!"

Akaashi's voice suddenly cracked, and tears streamed down his face, catching the third-years off guard.

"When you go pro, you must keep pushing forward! No—you have to push yourself even harder!"

"And next time—next time, no matter what—don't lose to Kaedehara Taichi again!!!"

…So that's what he was worried about?

Not the future of Fukurōdani, not his own burden—he was still thinking about this ridiculous owl.

"Hahaha…"

The third-years of Fukurōdani couldn't help but laugh.

"That's right, Bokuto! Next time, we'll all be cheering for you—so don't you dare lose!"

"Yeah!" Bokuto puffed out his chest. "I'll stake my name as an Ace on it!"

-----

"You two, next time you go for a save, make sure you call it out loudly. Don't scare us like that again," Mizoguchi Sadayuki scolded, his tone serious.

"Got it," Kunimi Akira muttered, still a bit shaken. If not for Oikawa-senpai planting his hand on the floor to shift their trajectories, he and Oikawa-senpai would've smashed their heads together.

Thinking of this, Kunimi glanced toward Oikawa.

Wait…could it be—?

Sensing Kunimi's gaze, Oikawa blinked and smirked.

"Never thought I'd see Kunimi work so hard to save a ball. Lucky for you, I have quick reflexes."

"Oikawa, is your hand okay?" Iwaizumi Hajime suddenly asked.

Everyone turned their attention to Oikawa, who had been subtly hiding one hand behind his back.

For a moment, panic flashed across Oikawa's face.

"You idiot, if you're injured, I swear I won't forgive you!" Iwaizumi's voice turned sharp.

"Eh? Iwa-chan?" Oikawa looked stunned. Shouldn't he be showing concern instead of threatening me?!

Just as the tension between them reached its peak—

"Pffft—hahaha!"

Kaedehara Taichi's sudden laughter drew everyone's attention.

"Oikawa-senpai, you're hiding the wrong hand. The one you used to push off the ground was the other one."

"Ah—was it?" Oikawa let out a forced laugh. "Ahaha—"

Before he could react, Iwaizumi, Hanamaki Takahiro, and Matsukawa Issei all closed in.

"TAICHI!!!"

"Aah—I'm sorry! Ah—don't hit me! I'll really get injured for real!! AAHHH—!!!"

Oikawa's angry shouts were instantly drowned out by the sound of his own pained screams.

Mizoguchi sighed in exasperation, while Irihata Nobuteru chuckled as he watched the chaotic scene unfold.

One way or another, the brutal third day of Spring Nationals had finally come to an end.

This time, Aoba Johsai remained standing.

Aoba Johsai's match had turned out to be the last one of the day, while the other three quarterfinals had already concluded.

-----

[Mujinazaka 22 – 25 Kamomedai]

[Mujinazaka 28 – 26 Kamomedai]

[Mujinazaka 20 – 25 Kamomedai]

Kiryū Wakatsu fought valiantly, but Mujinazaka's offense alone could not overcome Kamomedai's impenetrable wall.

Meanwhile, Hoshiumi Kōrai's title of "Little Giant" resounded throughout the entire stadium.

[Itachiyama 25 – 18 Ichibayashi]

[Itachiyama 26 – 28 Ichibayashi]

[Itachiyama 32 – 30 Ichibayashi]

Ichibayashi pushed Itachiyama to three intense sets, nearly pulling off an upset. In the end, however, the reigning powerhouse barely secured their victory.

[Inubushi East 23 – 25 Shiritsu Sakae High]

[Inubushi East 25 – 22 Shiritsu Sakae High]

[Inubushi East 25 – 20 Shiritsu Sakae High]

Kyoto's Inubushi East dropped the first set but rallied back to win two straight, completing a come-from-behind victory over Shiritsu Sakae High.

"Man, the quarterfinals really lived up to the hype—no one won easily!"

Aoba Johsai's players were still buzzing with excitement as they rode the bus back to the hotel.

With this, the Spring High School National Semifinalists were set.

Tomorrow, at Tokyo Gymnasium, only two matches remained:

Morning Match: Aoba Johsai vs. Kamomedai

Afternoon Match: Itachiyama vs. Inubushi East

These two showdowns would mark the climax of the entire tournament.

And by the end of it—

The final two teams would be left standing, ready to battle for the championship!

_________

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