Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 392: The Premise (Double-Length)

"What? He did that on purpose?"

It wasn't until the break between sets that Ichibayashi's players saw the scoring summary for the first set—and were stunned. All of their combined points, earned with blood, sweat, and tears, still couldn't match the number Kaedehara Taichi had scored alone.

Coach Tamagawa didn't try to hide this fact. Even though he knew it might crush their spirits, pretending otherwise wouldn't change the truth.

The time for fearless challenge had passed. Now, it was time to confront the gap between them—and with that came the sharp, stinging pain known as despair.

The match wasn't over. Whether they would choose to press on with hope or turn away in defeat—Coach Tamagawa wanted to see their final answer.

"Even though we're standing on the same court…it feels like the path we've walked is completely different from Aoba Johsai's," Yasui Junichi muttered, letting out a long sigh.

"I thought you were about to say it's the difference between ordinary people and geniuses again," Hanyū Kōmitsu said, rubbing his face hard.

"Haha…" Yasui let out a dry, helpless laugh. "Didn't someone already teach us that lesson just now?"

"What should we have for dinner?" Matsuo Satoshi asked absentmindedly, his thoughts wandering far from the court. "We should replenish our nutrition properly…"

"Let's go!" Araki Kōsei reached a hand into the middle of their group. "Wasn't it for moments like this that we pushed through all the hard times?"

Shiramine Sōji shot him a surprised glance and placed his hand over Araki's. "Didn't expect something that fired up to come out of your mouth…"

"Add mine too!" Matsukawa Takuya pressed his palm on top.

One by one, the Ichibayashi players gathered in a circle, hands overlapping. As their bodies drew close, so did their resolve, twisting together into a single unified will.

"Let's give them a match they'll never forget!"

"ICHIBAYASHI—!"

"LET'S GO—!!"

Their rallying cry drew the attention of the Aoba Johsai bench.

"No idea what just happened, but they still seem pretty fired up," Kunimi Akira said lazily.

"Let's do it too!" Kindaichi Yūtarō eagerly stretched out a hand.

With a look of anticipation in his eyes, Yamabuki Yūjin and Tōma Kaoru both placed their hands over his. Not long after, Nakamori Daiki and Yūki Yōji joined in without much care.

"Taichi, Kunimi!" Kindaichi's eyes sparkled as he called them.

"No thanks. That's embarrassing," Kunimi rejected him flatly, even bothering to give a reason.

Taichi pointed to the other end of the bench. "Get the mad dog senpai to join in, and then I'll consider it."

"Ugh…" Kindaichi hesitated but still squeaked out a tentative, "Kyōtani-senpai…?"

"Hmph. Idiot." Kyōtani Kentarō scoffed, still sulking over how he hadn't gotten to let loose in the first set.

"Alright, alright." Watari Shinji dragged Kyōtani closer. "A bit of team spirit won't kill us."

"Quit stalling," Yahaba Shigeru pushed Taichi and Kunimi into the circle.

"AOBA JOHSAI—!"

"RULE THE COURT!!!"

-----

The Interhigh Nationals Quarterfinals.

Aoba Johsai vs. Ichibayashi, Set Two—begins now!

Aoba Johsai's lineup:

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

Back row—Outside Hitter Kyōtani Kentarō, Outside Hitter Kunimi Akira and Middle Blocker Yūki Yōji (Libero: Nakamori Daiki).

Ichibayashi's lineup:

Front row—Outside Hitter Araki Kōsei, Setter Matsuo Satoshi, and Middle Blocker Shiramine Sōji.

Back row—Middle Blocker Uchizawa Iori (Libero: Hanyū Kōmitsu), Outside Hitter Matsukawa Takuya, Outside Hitter Yasui Junichi.

With a dominating win in the first set, Aoba Johsai kept their regular formation for the second. Ichibayashi, on the other hand, swapped in Araki Kōsei to go head-to-head with Kaedehara Taichi—clearly aiming to prevent a rotation lock and challenge him directly with their ace.

Ichibayashi served first. Yasui Junichi stepped up to the line.

Looking across the net, the only apparent weak point in Aoba Johsai's receiving lineup was Kindaichi Yūtarō.

Bang!

Yasui fired a jump float serve toward Aoba Johsai's front court.

Kindaichi took a step back, knees bent and centre of gravity lowered. Given how often he was targeted on serve receive, he knew full well what kind of position he was in.

There's no way I can suddenly become a receiving genius, Kindaichi thought. But I don't need a perfect pass either.

Just as Watari-senpai had taught him—by keeping some distance between himself and the ball, his view of the court expanded.

With enough space, he could react.

Smack!

Kindaichi dug the ball cleanly.

The ball arced toward the right. Yahaba swiftly moved to cover.

Though the receive had been slightly off, and Yahaba had to reposition—none of that mattered.

Whoosh—!

The ball sailed high toward the right wing. Kaedehara Taichi leapt into the air.

"Triple Block!" Araki Kōsei, Matsuo Satoshi, and Shiramine Sōji all jumped together.

BOOM!!!

No matter how tightly they formed their wall, it was useless if their hands didn't touch the ball.

Smack!

The spike slammed into Yasui Junichi's arm and flew out of bounds.

"Damn it!" They'd known Taichi might aim for that razor-thin sideline, but that didn't mean they could stop it.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with a spike.

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 0 Ichibayashi]

Service changed hands. Aoba Johsai to serve.

Kindaichi delivered a powerful jump serve. Hanyū Kōmitsu received it smoothly.

Matsuo moved in to set. Araki approached and leapt.

"Triple Block!" Yahaba, Taichi, and Yūki jumped in unison.

BOOM!!

The ball brushed Yahaba's fingertips and slammed onto Aoba Johsai's side.

Araki Kōsei scored with a spike.

[Aoba Johsai 1 – 1 Ichibayashi]

—"Once again, Ichibayashi stays neck-and-neck with Aoba Johsai in the opening of the second set! It's an ace vs. ace showdown!"

Ichibayashi reclaimed the serve.

Shiramine Sōji's jump serve flew in. Nakamori Daiki made the receive.

Yahaba covered and tossed a high ball toward the middle.

Thud!

Kaedehara Taichi ran in and exploded into the air.

So high…!

"Triple Block!" Uchizawa Iori, Araki Kōsei, and Matsuo Satoshi jumped to meet him.

Both Ichibayashi block formations had revolved around Araki and Matsuo as the central axis, with the middles rotating in from both sides.

It was the best blocking strategy they could muster—but—

BOOM!!!

The spike sailed above the blockers and smashed right onto Ichibayashi's end line, bouncing out.

Even in set two, they still had no answer for Kaedehara Taichi.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with another spike.

[Aoba Johsai 2 – 1 Ichibayashi]

—"Taichi scores again with a powerful hit! Can Araki fire back with a response?"

Aoba Johsai to serve.

Yahaba sent over a jump float. Hanyū picked it up with ease.

Matsuo leapt for the toss. Kunimi was already in front of him, hands raised.

Perfect! Even if it was just one blocker, it was enough to disrupt them. Satisfied, Matsuo sent the ball to the middle.

Araki Kōsei approached and jumped. Like Taichi, he was the type of ace who won with height and power.

"Double Block!" Taichi and Yūki jumped up—both matching him in sheer height.

BOOM!!!—

Araki hesitated, then tried to avoid the block and spike around them.

—Smack!

Taichi pressed his block down with perfect timing, stuffing the spike straight back into Ichibayashi's court.

Thud!

The ball hit the ground.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with a block.

[Aoba Johsai 3 – 1 Ichibayashi]

"…Your eyes waver too much," Taichi muttered, narrowing his gaze—his voice carried a hint of disappointment.

Araki clenched his fists. Was dodging the block really just an escape? Even the slightest moment of hesitation—Taichi had picked up on it instantly.

Smack!

Matsuo clapped Araki's back hard.

"The match is just getting started. As our ace, you can't afford even a second of doubt."

"Tch—" Araki straightened his back. "You didn't have to hit that hard…"

"Sorry. Won't happen again."

Araki's turbulent emotions began to calm. Either way, we can't let them build a lead this early!

Aoba Johsai served again.

Yahaba's second serve flew over.

Ichibayashi stuck to the same strategy. Matsuo pulled Kunimi out of position again and sent the ball to the middle.

"Let's go again!"

Araki jumped. In front of him stood the same block—Taichi and Yūki.

BOOM!!!

Without hesitation, Araki slammed the ball right at Taichi's arms.

Smack!

The ball shot high and flew outside Aoba Johsai's end line.

"If you dare block me—then I'll make you feel it!"

Unlike Yasui Junichi, Araki Kōsei was aiming for a spike off the hands!

Kaedehara Taichi lightly brushed his bangs back with his fingertips as he landed, gaze as calm and sharp as a still lake.

Nakamori Daiki effortlessly received the ball. "If this is all the distance between us, then you've still got a long way to go."

Yahaba Shigeru quickly filled in, sending a steady set toward the middle. Kaedehara Taichi leapt again. A triple block formed in front of him—Araki Kōsei at the core of it. Yet, the corner of Taichi's lips curled up into a faint, elusive smirk.

BOOM!!!

Another high-hand spike!

The ball shot cleanly past the blockers and slammed down hard into Ichibayashi's backcourt.

Thump!

The ball hit the floor. Observant spectators might have noticed—it landed in exactly the same spot as the last spike Taichi delivered.

"Damn it!" Hanyū Kōmitsu cursed as he failed to save it with a diving receive, pounding the floor in frustration. It wasn't just the sheer height of the spike—the real issue was Kaedehara Taichi's meticulous control. That was what made him uncontainable.

Kaedehara Taichi scored again!

[Aoba Johsai 4 – 1 Ichibayashi]

The collapse in the second set came even faster than anyone in the crowd had imagined.

Even switching Araki Kōsei in to replace Yasui Junichi had made no visible difference.

But the players on Aoba Johsai didn't see it that way. They could feel the shift. The Ichibayashi players on court were laser-focused now—sharpened, steady. The air around them crackled with that quiet, mounting pressure. There was no fear. No hesitation.

"Just based on that alone…you guys should already feel proud of yourselves," Yahaba murmured under his breath as he tossed the third serve.

Bang!

Unluckily—or perhaps too luckily—the ball skimmed the top of the net and dropped awkwardly toward Ichibayashi's side.

It was as if even Lady Luck was rooting for Seijoh today.

Smack!

But no one expected Araki Kōsei to go all out to save it.

The ball brushed off the net and tumbled down, but the rally wasn't over yet.

Thud!

Smack!

The next to dive in was Matsuo Satoshi. He crashed into the floor just as hard—but this time, he got it. The ball floated back above Ichibayashi's court.

Without hesitation, Yasui Junichi leapt from the back row.

He drove the spike downward against the same wall that Araki had twice failed to penetrate. His eyes gleamed with determination.

Bang!

Smack!

The ball crashed into Yūki Yōji's arms—

And bounced back up into Ichibayashi's side again!

A rebound!

"OOOH! That was gorgeous!" the crowd gasped, not expecting Yasui to pull off such a clutch recovery.

"Chance ball!" Hanyū delivered a perfect first touch.

Matsuo leapt at the net for the attack.

"He's baiting us this obviously…?" Kunimi Akira narrowed his eyes. No doubt their setter is planning something sneaky.

Fwoosh—!

As predicted, it was a feint spike—turned into a clean set. The ball arced toward the far left wing.

Araki Kōsei went up for the spike!

"Double block!"

That dreaded wall was there again, rising fast to meet him.

Whoosh!

But Araki's arms swung at nothing—the ball flew further left. Uchizawa Iori took the final strike and smashed it down.

Point, Ichibayashi!

[Aoba Johsai 4 – 2 Ichibayashi]

"Whoa—!!"

"That was amazing!"

"A perfect play!"

—"Matsuo's series of feints drew all of Aoba Johsai's blockers away, creating a clean path for Uchizawa on the left!"

—"This time, Ichibayashi finally broke through the Aoba Johsai's wall and took back the serve!"

Coach Tamagawa couldn't help but clap in admiration. "It's way too early to get complacent, Seijoh! My boys are no pushovers!"

Ichibayashi serve.

Matsuo Satoshi went for a powerful jump serve. Kyōtani Kentarō received it calmly.

Kunimi moved in to set and sent a clean toss to the left. Kaedehara Taichi went airborne.

"Triple block!" Matsukawa Takuya, Uchizawa Iori, and Araki Kōsei jumped together. Ichibayashi's blocking formation was improving rapidly.

BOOM!!!

Another high-hand spike—this one even smoother than before.

Smack!

Yasui dove and barely managed to keep the ball alive.

"—What was that?!" he gasped. He'd seen it wasn't Taichi's dominant hand, and yet—he couldn't control the strange rotation of the ball.

"I got it!" Hanyū chased the ball out of bounds.

Smack!

Just before it hit the floor, Hanyū stuck out his left leg and kicked the ball back into the air.

"That's legal?!"

—"Even though Ichibayashi managed to save it again, this is their final hit—Matsukawa can only just barely send it over the net."

"Chance ball!" Nakamori Daiki received it perfectly.

The ball flew toward the net. Taichi didn't hesitate—he went for a second-touch attack!

In that moment, all of Ichibayashi's desperate efforts felt meaningless, the second his figure rose above the net again.

BOOM!!!

"I'm not done yet! One more!"

Smack!

The spike blasted toward Ichibayashi's back corner. Hanyū dove again, but the ball slammed against the back of his hand and ricocheted away.

"Dammit!" Hanyū clenched his fist, fingers seizing up in pain. It feels like my bones are cracking…! Hang in there, damn hand!

Matsuo scrambled into position and delivered the next set. All three front row players launched into simultaneous attacks!

"…Ichibayashi's defence is getting faster and faster…" Moriyama Makoto muttered. "They're really not backing down from Seijoh at all…"

BOOM!!!

Araki Kōsei scored with a powerful spike!

[Aoba Johsai 4 – 3 Ichibayashi]

—"Ichibayashi SCORES AGAIN!!!"

—"They're closing the gap!"

"Nice receive."

Hanyū blinked in surprise. The unexpected praise had come from none other than Kaedehara Taichi.

Even Yasui Junichi felt that the smile on Taichi's face this time was unmistakably genuine.

"Why so shocked? You're making it sound like I'm some kind of villain," Taichi said with a laugh. "To receive two of my spikes and counterattack successfully—I seriously think that's impressive."

Hanyū frowned. "That's not what I care about."

"You want to win the match, right? I get it," Taichi said casually. "But realistically speaking…that's not going to happen."

"You—!" Yasui's face twisted with irritation. "You're seriously the most arrogant guy I've ever met!"

"I mean it." Taichi's tone dropped a little. "Even if, by some divine intervention, you manage to limit me—there's no way you'll win this match."

"Because, in the first set, we didn't give our Mad Dog senpai enough time to show off. Now I can practically hear his engine roaring to life."

"What's your point?" Hanyū said sharply. "We're not going to let your words get to us."

"Mhm. Good." Taichi nodded solemnly. "You guys are a strong team."

"I'm Kaedehara Taichi. It's an honour to play against you."

"Tweet!—"

The serve whistle blew. Matsuo Satoshi launched his second serve.

Nakamori Daiki delivered a solid receive. Taichi flashed a hand signal—Kunimi responded, tossing a high, controlled set to the left.

Thud!

Taichi took flight again.

"Triple block!" Araki and Matsukawa had pre-switched positions, forming the wall directly in front of him.

If they could stop it once, they could do it again. Yasui and Hanyū both braced themselves, eyes full of focus.

They wanted to try receiving him again.

BOOM!!!—

And then—the ball disappeared from their vision.

BANG!

It landed inside the right sideline, just past the three-meter mark, and bounced high into the air.

"That angle—was that even possible?"

Ichibayashi's block had already skewed to guard the cross shot—and this was a triple block.

That's exactly why Yasui and Hanyū had committed to guarding the straight and centre.

And yet—

This sharp, biting cross shot felt like a cruel mockery of Ichibayashi's defence.

Untouched.

Kaedehara Taichi scored once again.

[Aoba Johsai 5 – 3 Ichibayashi]

"To receive my spike," Taichi said calmly, "first requires me to want you to be able to receive it."

_________

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