Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

"OHHHHHH!!!"

"Aoba Johsai has emerged victorious from this fierce battle!!!"

[Aoba Johsai 25 - 21 Kamomedai]

[Aoba Johsai 30 - 28 Kamomedai]

In the semifinals of the Spring Interhigh Nationals, Aoba Johsai had won two straight sets in an astonishingly clean and decisive victory. However, this did not mean the gap between the two teams was insurmountable. Those who had truly paid attention to the match knew just how hard-fought Aoba Johsai's victory had been.

In fact, had Kamomedai managed to take the second set, the final outcome of the match could have been completely different...

But in the National Tournament, there are no "ifs".

Now, standing on the court—exhausted yet smiling—Aoba Johsai's players were the ultimate victors of this match!

For a brief moment, the audience was enveloped in silence, as if the sheer disbelief at the unexpected result had robbed them of their voices. But just a heartbeat later, a deafening wave of cheers crashed through the stadium.

The students of Aoba Johsai erupted into celebration. This was the best result their school had achieved in nearly a decade—no, two decades!

They waved their flags with unbridled excitement, their faces alight with joy. Some classmates who personally knew the players stood up, shouting their names at the top of their lungs, their voices echoing through the entire arena.

"THANK YOU, EVERYONE!!"

"THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!"

Led by their captain, Oikawa Tōru, the team lined up to bow toward their cheering supporters, expressing their heartfelt gratitude.

Aoba Johsai was now just one step away from becoming the champions of Japan!

———

"Alright, let's go."

In one corner of the audience stands, Mukai Taiyō, captain of Inubushi Higashi, was the first to stand up.

Despite the 2-0 result, the match had been nothing short of spectacular. Both teams were far stronger than Mukai had initially imagined.

Among the four teams in the national semifinals, Inubushi Higashi was the only one without a widely recognized ace on a national level. Because of this, they were often seen as the weakest of the final four.

Their journey to the semifinals had been smooth, largely because they had yet to encounter any of the truly powerhouse teams. Many had dismissed them as underdogs who had simply gotten lucky.

But to Mukai Taiyō and his teammates, this narrative was frustrating.

They had fought tooth and nail to get here. They had proven themselves through their teamwork and relentless determination.

Even so, compared to the other three teams, they lacked a star player—a figurehead who could single-handedly sway the tide of a match.

"I don't get it. I think Sanada-senpai is just as strong as those so-called 'Big Three'…" muttered Moriyama Makoto, a first-year libero from Inubushi Higashi.

To Moriyama, their team's lack of recognition was simply due to a lack of high-profile opponents. Had they played against stronger teams earlier, surely Sanada-senpai's name would have been included in the list of Japan's top players!

And the Sanada-senpai he was referring to—Sanada Shunpei, a second-year outside hitter—was currently watching the court with an expression of admiration.

"Man…It must feel amazing to play against opponents that strong!"

Sanada Shunpei had led Inubushi Higashi to the Interhigh quarterfinals last year and had now brought them even further—to the semifinals of Spring Nationals.

In terms of national achievements, their team's track record was remarkably similar to Aoba Johsai's.

But now, Aoba Johsai has taken the first step forward.

"If we beat Itachiyama, we'll get to face Aoba Johsai next, right?"

Beside him, a tall, broad-shouldered player spoke in a low, steady voice.

Akiha Kazuma, a second-year middle blocker. His name might have sounded light and breezy, but his massive frame was anything but. Just sitting down, he exuded a towering, oppressive presence.

"I kept hearing that most of the top five players in Japan are power-focused," Akiha mused, flexing his massive arms. "I was really looking forward to testing myself against guys like Ushijima Wakatoshi and Kiryū Wakatsu. Even Bokuto Kōtarō would've been fine…but we didn't get to face any of them."

He let out a disappointed sigh. "Guess I'll just have to settle for that first-year from Aoba Johsai. He seems pretty full of himself when it comes to power. Maybe he'll make for a decent warm-up."

"Akiha-senpai, your brain is made of pure muscle." Moriyama muttered under his breath.

"I heard that, Moriyama."

Before the libero could react, Akiha effortlessly clamped a single hand around the back of his neck.

"Disrespecting your senpai, huh? When we get back, I'll personally train you in receive drills."

"But you call all the other upperclassmen by their first names too—ah, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…!"

Moriyama shot a pleading look toward their captain for help.

"Alright, that's enough, Akiha. Save the training for after Nationals." Mukai Taiyō chuckled.

After witnessing such an intense match, the fact that his teammates were still joking around and completely unfazed by the strength of their upcoming opponents was reassuring.

Inubushi Higashi was not a weak team.

They would make the entire nation see that.

Their semifinal match against Itachiyama would not be an easy battle, but—

They would prove themselves.

They would defeat the 'King' of high school volleyball.

"Let's prepare well for our match against Itachiyama. By the time we win, our cheers will be even louder than today's!"

"YES, CAPTAIN!!"

———

"—Time to go."

Wearing a mask, Sakusa Kiyoomi turned and walked toward the stairs.

"Huh? But I wanted to say hi to Taichi!" Komori Motoya quickly followed after him.

"Tch—" Sakusa clicked his tongue in mild irritation. "You'll be facing him tomorrow anyway. If we don't leave now, the crowd will only get worse."

"Taichi is seriously amazing. No wonder he's being called a top ace alongside you," Komori said, his thick eyebrows bouncing as he spoke. "I didn't think the match would end so quickly. I was hoping to see if I could still receive Kōtarō's spikes…"

"And then there's Hirugami Sachirō," he continued. "Back at the Youth Camp, I heard he didn't join the training because he wasn't planning to go pro in the future. What a shame—his blocking is really something."

Sakusa glanced at him sideways. "You just want to see him block my spikes, don't you?"

"Haha…Well, that would be pretty interesting," Komori admitted without hesitation. "But even if you got blocked, I'd still make sure to dig the ball up."

"Hmph—" Sakusa let out a short scoff.

The two of them soon disappeared beyond the venue doors.

———

"They really are inseparable, huh?" Itachiyama's setter, Iizuna Tsukasa, withdrew his gaze. "Now that our final opponent is confirmed, all that's left is to focus on our own match this afternoon."

"I seriously didn't expect Kamomedai to lose," muttered Mizushima Yū, a second-year middle blocker for Itachiyama. "It really felt like they were starting to figure out Aoba Johsai's offence. But in the end, Seijoh completely dismantled their blocking." His face twisted with unease. "Ugh…my stomach's starting to hurt from the nerves…"

"Hahahaha! That explains why you've been acting weird since earlier." Third-year outside hitter Takeshita Yūshin chuckled. "You better not say things like that in front of Kiyoomi, though."

"As an athlete, maintaining your physical condition is a basic responsibility," second-year wing spiker Nishimura Hiroyuki said in a gloomy tone, imitating Sakusa perfectly.

"That's exactly

Iizuna pressed a hand to his forehead. "Kiyoomi's got a point, though. He's just…a little too blunt sometimes. If you need help understanding him, just listen to Komori's 'translations.'"

"That's how you guys communicate?!" Mizushima gawked in shock.

"Still," said Itachiyama's third-year middle blocker, Sakanozawa Osamu, shifting the topic back, "if even Kamomedai couldn't stop Kaedehara Taichi, then I understand why you've all been talking about him so much since the Youth Camp."

"And then there's Oikawa Tōru," he added. "If he weren't a third-year about to graduate, his popularity would probably be even bigger than Miya Atsumu's right now."

Iizuna nodded. "Miyagi's setters are seriously something else. Aside from Oikawa Tōru, I also saw a first-year named Kageyama Tobio at the Youth Camp. He's just as talented as Miya Atsumu…and apparently, he's Oikawa's protégé."

Sakanozawa gave him a strange look. "You're not telling me you're giving up, are you?"

Iizuna was already a third-year—older than Oikawa by a few months.

Back when he had first entered high school, he was brimming with confidence, certain that he would become Japan's top setter. His eyes burned with ambition, and his heart was filled with an unshakable desire to win.

But fate had its own way of playing tricks.

Before him, few high school setters could match his talent, and he quickly made a name for himself.

But after him?

It was as if a new wave of prodigious setters had erupted overnight—Miya Atsumu, Oikawa Tōru, Kageyama Tobio.

One after another, they appeared, all brimming with talent and skill. And for the first time, Iizuna felt as though his era had ended before it had even begun.

"...I'm not giving up," Iizuna said, his voice steady and resolute. It wasn't just confidence in himself—it was trust in his team. "As long as you're all with me, I am the strongest setter."

"As it should be," Sakanozawa said, meeting his gaze unwaveringly. "Spring Nationals belongs to King Itachiyama."

Iizuna glanced at him, his heart swelling with gratitude. He was Itachiyama's captain—he couldn't afford to waver now.

He looked at his teammates, each of their faces filled with determination.

Nothing would stop them from moving forward.

The championship trophy would be their greatest proof of strength!

_________

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