Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Oikawa Tōru served his third ball.

Kamomedai had already adjusted their serve reception to include four players in the back row, with Hoshiumi Kōrai retreating to the right side of position 2.

Oikawa still had a vivid impression of Hoshiumi's reception skills from the Youth National Training Camp. Keeping in mind that this was an actual match, he targeted his powerful jump serve toward Kamomedai's left side.

Boom!—

Smack!

Third-year outside hitter Nozawa Izuru barely managed to receive the ball. Suwa Aikichi quickly stepped in and set it to the right wing, where Hoshiumi had already begun his approach from the back row.

BAM!!

Like a bird taking flight, Hoshiumi soared through the air with perfect form. For that fleeting moment, his small frame was the sole focus of the entire court!

"Triple block!"

Just as Taichi and Oikawa had anticipated before the match, witnessing Hoshiumi's insane vertical firsthand left a strong impact on Aoba Johsai. However, this wasn't their first time dealing with an extraordinary jumper.

Mentally prepared, Aoba Johsai's blockers showed no hesitation.

Kindaichi Yūtarō, Kaedehara Taichi, and Iwaizumi Hajime jumped simultaneously, forming an impenetrable wall in front of Hoshiumi.

Hoshiumi quickly realized that his only available angle was above Iwaizumi. Due to Taichi's overwhelming presence on offense, many had overlooked the fact that Aoba Johsai's blocking was just as formidable!

Bang!—

The ball barely grazed Iwaizumi's fingertips, but Watari Shinji was already waiting in the back row for the dig—

Whoosh!

The ball sailed just over Shinji's hands, plunging sharply toward the baseline—

Thud!

The ball struck the back line and bounced out of bounds.

A line shot!

Hoshiumi Kōrai had scored.

[Aoba Johsai 3 – 1 Kamomedai]

"What an incredible curve!"

"From the moment Hoshiumi hit the ball to the instant it landed, not a single Aoba Johsai player managed to touch it!"

But the real key was his ball control. Oikawa tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing as he focused on the faint white imprint left on the baseline. Given the angle of Hoshiumi's spike, unless someone was stationed directly on the back line, there was no way to receive that ball.

However, that also meant Aoba Johsai would have to leave a huge gap elsewhere in their court, making it even easier for Hoshiumi to score.

Oikawa sighed.

It seemed like Aoba Johsai was going to face every possible type of difficult opponent in this tournament…

With the serve switching sides, Hoshiumi stepped up to the service line.

Aoba Johsai collectively shifted back. Even though they hadn't seen Hoshiumi's float serve in action before, his precise ball control meant that the ball could land literally anywhere. With no blockers restricting its trajectory, his serves would be even harder to read.

Hoshiumi tossed the ball into the air, taking three steps forward before swinging both arms behind him. Then—

BAM!!

Leaping to his highest point, he struck the ball with precision.

Bang!

The ball hurtled toward Kyōtani Kentarō. Whether or not he could receive it, Hoshiumi's first priority was eliminating Aoba Johsai's strongest attacker from the play.

Smack!

Kyōtani lunged forward, dropping to one knee as he received the ball.

"Cover!"

Oikawa took a large step toward the centre of the court before jumping. His upper body stabilized midair, not because he wanted to rush, but because Kaedehara Taichi had already launched himself toward the net once again.

"Is he insane?! He's forcing a quick attack under these conditions?!" Hakuba Gao gritted his teeth and leapt to the right.

"No, the setter's even crazier—his spiker's making an unreasonable call for the ball, and he's still forcing the set?!" Suwa Aikichi stared at Oikawa in disbelief.

Whoosh!—

BANG!

Kaedehara Taichi spiked the ball with all his might. A massive hand lunged toward it—

The ball brushed past Hirugami Sachirō's fingertips before slamming into Kamomedai's court.

[Aoba Johsai 4 – 1 Kamomedai]

Kaedehara Taichi's eyes narrowed slightly.

This guy…had silently caught up already?

"Ah, so you really aimed for the right wing! I had complete faith in your declaration of war~" Hirugami Sachirō chuckled nonchalantly. "So fast. Even if you predict it in advance, it's hard to keep up with that kind of speed."

Taichi and Oikawa exchanged glances. Kamomedai's blocking was as formidable as expected.

But—

"If they want to keep up, let's see them try."

The serve rotated. Aoba Johsai to serve.

Kindaichi Yūtarō launched a powerful jump serve, but Hoshiumi Kōrai received it effortlessly.

"Nice pass!" Suwa Aikichi shouted.

Without stopping, Hoshiumi transitioned smoothly into his approach.

BAM!!

Hoshiumi leapt from the back row, but the ball was set to the opposite side—

On the left wing, Hakuba Gao soared effortlessly. Aoba Johsai's front-row blockers had been drawn toward Hoshiumi, leaving Hakuba's attack completely uncontested.

BAM!!

That same powerful stomp echoed from the other side of the net.

A massive pair of hands appeared in front of Hakuba.

That height! That wasn't supposed to be possible?!

In his moment of shock, Hakuba twisted his wrist at the last second, narrowly avoiding the block with a straight shot.

The ball struck Kindaichi's arm and deflected out of bounds.

Hakuba Gao scored.

[Aoba Johsai 4 – 2 Kamomedai]

…Did I just hesitate?

Despite scoring, Hakuba didn't feel satisfied.

His opponent was just a first-year, a full fifteen centimetres shorter than him. And yet, in that one-on-one confrontation where Hakuba should have held the advantage, he had been intimidated by Taichi's block.

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

Taichi glanced at Hakuba.

Being two meters tall was already a terrifying weapon. If he could refine his ability to read attacks, defending against him would only become even harder.

Kamomedai regained the serve.

Hirugami Sachirō unleashed a powerful jump serve. Oikawa received it.

"Damn, that serve's heavy!"

Watari Shinji stepped in, setting the ball to the net. Kaedehara Taichi took off.

"Triple block!"

Bessho Kazuyoshi, Nozawa Izuru, and Hakuba Gao all jumped simultaneously.

Finally, we've got you!

The set from Watari was slightly lower than usual, and Kamomedai's block completely engulfed Taichi.

There was no way out!

"I'm not done playing yet!"

Taichi grinned and lightly tapped the ball against Bessho's fingertips.

A tool shot!

The ball rebounded back into Aoba Johsai's side.

The moment he landed, Taichi sprinted toward the right.

This guy—!

Hakuba, who had been tracking him the entire time, immediately followed. But no matter how big his strides were, he was always just a step behind.

Taichi launched himself from the far right.

"Not a chance!!!"

Hakuba mustered every ounce of strength and leapt.

Whoosh!—

The ball flew precisely into Taichi's palm.

At the exact same time, Hakuba's hands rose to meet it.

Bang!—

Smack!

Pain shot through Hakuba's arms as the familiar sound of a block echoed in his ears.

Relief flooded his chest.

He had stopped it!

The ball rebounded off his arms and shot toward Aoba Johsai's side—

Thud!

And slammed into the right sideline…just outside.

A block-out.

Kaedehara Taichi scored.

[Aoba Johsai 5 – 2 Kamomedai]

_________

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