Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 293: A Brief Greeting

[March 17th, Sendai City Gymnasium]

The eight teams that had advanced from the group stage gathered once more in the same venue. After the quarterfinal matches in the morning, the East and West block semifinals would take place in the afternoon.

"Every time I see our match schedule, I can't help but feel how inhumane it is..." Kunimi Akira muttered listlessly.

"But thanks to it, we're not as affected by the infamous 'Demonic Third Day' of the national tournament," Watari Shinji said with a reassuring smile.

"Kunimi's just complaining because he doesn't get to slack off today," Yahaba Shigeru exposed his true intentions without hesitation.

Kunimi: "..."

It was really hard to get anything past a setter.

"Same as when Oikawa-senpai was around—when it counts, you better pull your weight."

"Yeah, yeah~" Kunimi drawled lazily in response.

While their teammates were stretching in the designated rest area, Kaedehara Taichi and Kindaichi Yūtarō were wandering around the gymnasium.

"Taichi, didn't you say you were going to the restroom?" Kindaichi asked as they found themselves in the main lobby of the sports complex.

"Do you want to run into Kageyama right now?" Taichi suddenly asked.

"No."

"Then don't go to the restroom. Hinata is definitely there."

"Where Hinata is, Kageyama is!" Kindaichi quickly added, catching on immediately.

"Not bad, you've even learned to respond in sync!" Taichi nodded in satisfaction, feeling even prouder than when Kindaichi showed improvement in volleyball.

"It'd be way too awkward to run into them again before our match after talking big yesterday," Taichi explained.

Kindaichi nodded in understanding. Yesterday, he had failed to back up Taichi when facing Karasuno, and after they returned to school, Taichi had given him a half-hour lecture, using Kunimi as a role model.

"So what are we doing now—"

"Hyakuzawa!"

Before Kindaichi could finish his sentence, Taichi had already found his next target.

"Taichi." Hyakuzawa Yūdai responded in his usual tone, but given his size, his voice always seemed somewhat soft in contrast to his imposing stature.

[Hyakuzawa Yūdai—Outside Hitter: Overall Rating: 83; Height: 202.3 cm, Strength: 92, Jump: 80, Stamina: 88, Speed: 70; Key Attributes: Spike: 85.]

"Congrats on making the top eight! You've improved a lot!" Taichi praised sincerely.

Hyakuzawa Yūdai might not have a wide skillset, but he had dedicated all his focus to attacking. Just from that alone, he was already a solid ace in his own right.

"Thanks." Hyakuzawa nodded politely. Every time he met Taichi, he couldn't help but instinctively see him as a senior—probably because Taichi always looked out for him.

Taichi studied Hyakuzawa with interest. If Kakugawa Academy were a bit stronger, it'd be fun to go head-to-head against a 2-meter spiker.

"Taichi, I watched your match against Kamomedai," Hyakuzawa suddenly said, his expression curious. "What do you think of that two-meter-tall Hakuba-senpai? Can I be as strong as him?"

"Hakuba-senpai?" Taichi's expression turned complicated as he looked at Hyakuzawa. "I think you'll surpass him very soon."

"Huh?" Hyakuzawa and Kindaichi both exclaimed at the same time.

Realizing his reaction was unnecessary, Kindaichi quickly let out an awkward laugh.

"What are you so surprised about?" Taichi glanced at Kindaichi. "Hakuba-senpai is only known for his blocking. His serves are even worse than yours."

"Uh—" Kindaichi struggled to find a response. "But Hakuba-senpai's blocking is really strong!"

"Yeah, well, he plays for Kamomedai, after all." Taichi didn't deny that point. "But his fundamentals are weak. If we're talking about pure talent, Hyakuzawa is definitely better."

"Taichi-senpai! Ah, no, Ta-Taichi, thank you!" Hyakuzawa stammered, clearly thrilled. The feeling of being acknowledged by a strong player was completely different from the usual praise he received from his teammates.

"Heh, keep working hard! I've got high hopes for you!" Taichi was quite pleased with himself.

On their way back to the court, Taichi declared with absolute confidence, "Kindaichi, I think I have the potential to be a great mentor."

Kindaichi thought back to all their teammates who had trained alongside Taichi and ended up completely worn out.

"...Yeah."

Seeing Taichi's expectant expression, Kindaichi forced himself to respond with a straight face.

As long as they had the mental fortitude to survive it, Kindaichi added silently.

-----

Beep! "Both teams, enter the court for warm-ups."

It was the third day of the Prefectural Tournament, and the match between Aoba Johsai and Shiratorizawa was about to begin.

The stands were packed with spectators, and among the four matches taking place, this was the one drawing the largest crowd.

Shiratorizawa without Ushijima Wakatoshi.

Aoba Johsai without Oikawa Tōru.

The old king and the new king of Miyagi Prefecture—what kind of sparks would this clash ignite?

For the first time in a while, the audience shifted their attention away from Kaedehara Taichi and focused entirely on the two teams.

[Goshiki Tsutomu—Outside Hitter: Overall Rating: 88; Height: 182 cm, Strength: 82, Jump: 90, Stamina: 88, Speed: 88; Key Attributes: Receive: 88, Spike: 92.]

[Kawanishi Taichi—Middle Blocker: Overall Rating: 85; Height: 188.5 cm, Strength: 85, Jump: 75, Stamina: 88, Speed: 88; Key Attributes: Block: 88, Spike: 85.]

[Shirabu Kenjirō—Setter: Overall Rating: 85; Height: 174 cm, Strength: 75, Jump: 85, Stamina: 90, Speed: 85; Key Attributes: Receive: 85, Set: 88.]

After Shiratorizawa's third-years had retired, only these three remaining players stood out. They had all developed into solid players—but none of them were strong enough to serve as the team's new "face".

"Maybe Shiratorizawa will become interesting in the future…" Kaedehara Taichi sighed.

Without their absolute ace, Ushijima Wakatoshi, Shiratorizawa now looked like the Aoba Johsai of the past.

Meanwhile, Aoba Johsai, with their own rising ace, had taken on the aura of Shiratorizawa—the team that had ruled Miyagi for years.

The tide had turned.

"Let's go win this match and rule the court!"

"Yeah!!!"

Starting Lineups:

Shiratorizawa:

Front row—Outside Hitter Umeda Toshiyuki, Middle Blocker Kawanishi Taichi, Outside Hitter Goshiki Tsutomu.

Back row—Setter Shirabu Kenjirō, Middle Blocker Tanino Daisuke (Libero: Akakura Sō) and Outside Hitter Sagae Yūma.

Aoba Johsai:

Front row—Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi, Setter Yahaba Shigeru, Middle Blocker Kindaichi Yūtarō.

Back row—Middle Blocker Honda Heisuke (Libero: Watari Shinji), Outside Hitter Kunimi Akira and Outside Hitter Kyōtani Kentarō.

Aoba Johsai had first serve, with Kyōtani Kentarō stepping onto the service line.

Although they were facing a familiar opponent, nearly half the players on the court were strangers to each other.

After competing at Nationals, Kyōtani Kentarō now looked at Shiratorizawa with different eyes—what he saw was a team full of holes.

"Kyōtani, serve well!"

"Mad Dog-senpai, give them a proper greeting!" Kaedehara Taichi said with a relaxed smile.

Kyōtani Kentarō grinned ruthlessly. He liked that phrasing.

He tossed the ball high, took a powerful approach, jumped—

And struck the ball with full force.

Boom!!—

Like a cannonball, the serve blasted across the net.

No one even managed to touch it.

The ball landed near libero Akakura Sō's feet and bounced away.

A direct service ace from Kyōtani Kentarō!

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 0 Shiratorizawa]

Goshiki Tsutomu's pupils contracted slightly.

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It had been a long time since Shiratorizawa faced a serve this powerful.

Lose your weapons, and you also lose your ability to defend against them.

Akakura Sō clenched his jaw.

He knew—the real test was only just beginning.

_________

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