Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 417: Kaedehara Taichi Is Special (Double-Length)

"Only now...? It's his turn to serve..."

Kaedehara Taichi stood casually at the service line, the corners of his mouth lifted in a gentle smile—warm as the sun.

But that warmth and confidence did not extend to the court of Kamomedai High. In stark contrast to Taichi's relaxed demeanour, the air on Kamomedai's side was tense and suffocating. Every player held their breath, bracing for his serve.

"Tweet!—"

The whistle blew.

Kaedehara Taichi lightly tossed the ball into the air, approached with unhurried steps, leapt, and struck. The whole sequence was smooth, effortless, almost artistic—without a single wasted movement.

—Bang!—

It was a jump float serve!

Coming from a player like Kaedehara Taichi, a jump float—slower and more focused on irregular movement—should've posed less threat than his usual power jump serves. But even so…

Bessho Kazuyoshi hadn't expected it, but he managed to steady himself. His eyes locked on the incoming ball, body tilting slightly forward, hands poised to receive.

The ball floated like a phantom, swaying unpredictably through the air—impossible to read. Just as Bessho's hands were about to meet it, it plunged violently downward.

Completely erratic!

The unnatural drop made Bessho's eyes widen.

Smack!

The ball landed untouched.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with a direct serve.

[Aoba Johsai 8 - 3 Kamomedai]

"Don't dwell on it! Next one!" Hoshiumi Kōrai shouted.

There was no time for Kamomedai to be stunned again by Kaedehara Taichi. They had to adapt—and fast.

"Forget about overhand receiving! Even if the first touch is off, just keep the ball alive!"

"Yes!"

Kaedehara Taichi served again.

BOOM!!!

This time, it was a left-handed power jump serve!

Smack!

Wakabayashi Hikaru collapsed from the sheer force of the ball—it shot past him and flew out of bounds.

Tokura Liam chased it past the court line but couldn't save it.

Another direct point for Kaedehara Taichi.

[Aoba Johsai 9 - 3 Kamomedai]

"They're still not adjusting to Taichi's serves in this third set…" Shirakawa Kaito muttered in disbelief. "Didn't we fare better against Seijoh?"

"It's different," Komori Motoya replied softly, having picked up on Kaito's confusion. "The Taichi in a match isn't the same as the one in practice. And besides…the Taichi you saw was two months ago."

"Two months ago?" Kaito frowned. "Could he really have changed that much?"

"Maybe not for most people," Motoya said after a pause, a scene from last year's Youth Training Camp flashing through his mind. "But for Kaedehara Taichi…it's best to assume he changes every week."

Kaito glanced at Sakusa Kiyoomi with caution in his eyes, and gradually began to understand what Motoya meant.

Back during last year's Spring High, Kaedehara Taichi had only just been mentioned in the same breath as Sakusa Kiyoomi—as one of the nation's top three wing spikers. Most people probably still believed Sakusa was the better player. After all, he'd already earned that title in his second year.

Even though Seijoh had defeated Itachiyama in the Spring High finals, it was just one match—and Seijoh also had the "Best Setter" on their side back then, too.

But now, most spectators and even the media were seriously debating whether Kaedehara Taichi was the number one in the country.

And the thing was—he had only just entered his second year. His rate of improvement was nothing short of astounding.

Aoba Johsai continued serving.

Kaedehara Taichi stepped up to the line again.

With this much of a lead, there was no real point in targeting the others anymore.

"Don't disappoint me, Hoshiumi-senpai," Taichi said, holding the ball up and pointing toward Hoshiumi with one hand. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Hoshiumi didn't respond. He just silently positioned himself to receive.

Time felt frozen. The stadium fell silent—only the tension in the air hinted at the explosion to come.

Kaedehara Taichi tossed the ball, took his approach, jumped, and swung.

—BOOM!!!

The ball blurred like a streak of light—the referee didn't even catch its trajectory.

Smack!

Hoshiumi was thrown off balance and stumbled out of bounds. The ball soared high into the air.

"Keep it alive!" Hoshiumi's arms trembled, but at least the ball remained in play.

Tokura Liam rushed to cover, but hesitated—he didn't know who to set the ball to.

"I'll take it!"

Hakuba Gao called out firmly, beginning his approach from the baseline. There was no way he'd leave all the burden on Hoshiumi alone.

Thud!

The ball was set high toward the middle. From the back row, Hakuba soared into the air and went for the spike.

"Triple block!" Kyōtani Kentarō, Kunimi Akira, and Yūki Yōji jumped together.

BOOM!!!

He spiked past the block—over Kunimi's hands—straight toward the Seijoh's back row.

Smack!

Yahaba Shigeru was driven back by the sheer force, the ball flying out the back.

"Mad Dog-senpai!"

A blur darted under the falling ball—Kaedehara Taichi pointed toward the left wing.

"Oikawa…"

Kyōtani froze for a split second, then rushed forward and jumped.

Whoosh!—

A long-range set flew from beyond the baseline and landed perfectly in front of Kyōtani.

"Triple block!" Tokura Liam, Ogawa Ryūhei, and Bessho Kazuyoshi jumped to stop him.

Wakabayashi covered the straight line; Hoshiumi guarded the cross.

BOOM!!!—

Even at a 45-degree body angle, Kyōtani placed the ball right on the sideline.

Line shot—on the edge.

Kyōtani scored.

[Aoba Johsai 10 - 3 Kamomedai]

Among the many players who had set for Kyōtani, Kaedehara Taichi had been one of the few he never truly acknowledged.

But in that moment—the figure of Kaedehara Taichi overlapped with the setter Kyōtani remembered.

"Nice set!" Kyōtani praised sincerely.

"Heh." Kaedehara Taichi smiled, eyes gleaming with something deeper.

Ten to three.

The massive score gap was almost unthinkable in a national finals match. Especially considering that in the first two sets, Kamomedai had even led in the early stages and fought until the very end.

So where did it all go wrong?

Kamomedai's players struggled to regain their rhythm, trying to recover their confidence. But Kaedehara Taichi's relaxed posture kept flashing in their minds—an unshakable shadow.

The tension and unease were like invisible ropes, binding their hands and feet.

No—no good. They couldn't stop him.

It felt like the entire stadium had been pulled toward one focal point—every gaze fixed on Kaedehara Taichi.

Today, every player on the court was playing their hearts out, each growing in their own way. Some of them—like Hoshiumi Kōrai, Nakamori Daiki, Hirugami Sachirō, Kunimi Akira, Hakuba Gao, and Kyōtani Kentarō—were even glowing with brilliance.

Their talent was undeniable. The path to professional volleyball had already opened before them.

And yet—one stood apart.

Kaedehara Taichi really was special.

His brilliance was like the midday sun. Like the full moon on a starry night.

Even among so many exceptional players, he remained the most dazzling of them all.

Kaedehara Taichi served his fourth ball.

BOOM!!!—

The ball shot across the court like a meteor, landing precisely behind Hoshiumi.

BANG!

The ball hit the far corner and bounced high.

Another ace from Kaedehara Taichi.

[Aoba Johsai 11 - 3 Kamomedai]

Kamomedai was done for.

-----

The suspense was lost early in the match.

The once tense and fierce atmosphere slowly faded, and the national final court seemed to have become Kaedehara Taichi's personal stage.

Kamomedai's cheering squad, initially brimming with hope, gradually fell into disappointment—and as the score gap widened, even that sense of disappointment faded, replaced by a near-calm resignation.

Kaedehara Taichi moved effortlessly across the court—spiking, blocking, receiving, setting—his presence was felt everywhere.

Around the arena, journalists bustled about, countless lenses trained on him in an attempt to capture every dazzling moment.

The mood in the venue began to shift. Spectators whispered among themselves, their eyes glowing with excitement and curiosity. If something like a national Top Five ranking could spark heated debates, then what was about to happen—crowning of the new Number One—was bound to ignite the entire crowd.

BOOM!!!

Kaedehara Taichi scored with a thunderous spike!

[Aoba Johsai 24 – 15 Kamomedai]

One more point, and Aoba Johsai would win the match and claim the national championship with a perfect, undefeated record.

The crowd suddenly became aware of that fact—and in that instant, the atmosphere seemed to change entirely.

It was as if someone had pressed pause on the scene.

Silence fell for a fleeting moment. Then, like a stone dropped into a lake, that silence rippled outward and was quickly replaced by fervent tension.

Expressions varied across the crowd.

Some widened their eyes in anticipation and excitement, unable to wait to witness the arrival of this glorious moment.

Others clenched their fists slightly, bodies leaning forward, eyes glued to the court, not daring to blink for fear of missing even a second.

Aoba Johsai's school officials had abandoned all pretence of composure, leading the students in loud, booming cheers.

The roars of support grew stronger with each chant.

A banner reading "Rule the Court" fluttered without wind.

The school flag of Aoba Johsai whipped through the air under the guidance of the vice-principal, exuding strength and pride.

Kyōtani Kentarō stood at the service line, unexpectedly feeling a flicker of nervousness.

"Huu—!" He took a deep breath and gently tossed the ball upward.

Holding his breath, he stepped forward, leapt, and struck.

BOOM!!!

The volleyball shot out like a cannonball, crashing towards the centre of Kamomedai's side.

Smack!

Ogawa Ryūhei received it cleanly.

Kamomedai knew it was all but over.

And yet—even so—they gritted their teeth and refused to give in. Their eyes still burned with resolve.

As long as they remained on the court, they would fight for every ball. Even if there was only the slimmest chance, they would struggle to the very end.

Tokura Liam steadily passed to the front row.

Hoshiumi Kōrai leapt and spiked!

"Triple block!" Kaedehara Taichi, Yahaba Shigeru, and Kindaichi Yūtarō all jumped up together.

The sooner they could seal the win, the better. Until the trophy was firmly in hand, no one would let down their guard.

—Boom!!

The ball slipped past Yahaba Shigeru's block.

Smack!

Kunimi Akira dove and dug it out.

"Mine!"

Nakamori Daiki rushed into position and jumped from the back row to set the ball.

The volleyball rose high and steady into the air, heading for the left side of Aoba Johsai's court.

Kaedehara Taichi took a quick glance at the three blockers on the other side of the net, then turned his attention inward, focusing all his energy on this final attack.

He sprinted along the sideline, his stride in perfect sync with his body's centre of gravity. Each step flawlessly transferred momentum into the next.

Thump!

He planted his final step. His arms swung back, thighs coiled, and in a volcanic burst of power, his body launched into the air.

"Triple block!" Hoshiumi Kōrai, Hakuba Gao, and Hirugami Sachirō all jumped at once.

While rising, Kaedehara Taichi extended his entire body, every muscle pulled taut. His waist twisted with force, seamlessly linking his leg and arm strength. His left arm pulled back, and his legs kicked upward, maintaining balance in the air.

His form became a powerful arc, a work of athletic art suspended midair.

He and Kamomedai's blockers reached their peak at nearly the same instant—but in his eyes, there was only the incoming ball.

Right then, the volleyball floated into his perfect hitting window—ideal height, perfect distance. It was as if fate had orchestrated this moment down to the second.

His right arm extended fully and whipped forward with blinding speed. His elbow flexed open just enough, and his wrist snapped down at the moment of contact. His palm, tensed and precise, struck the upper-back part of the ball, generating fierce topspin with a twist of the wrist and hand.

There was no need to look at the blockers.

Anything standing in the way of this ball—would be annihilated.

BOOM!!!—

Kamomedai's blockers were already descending. The ball slammed into Hakuba Gao's faltering hand posture.

CRASH!!

Without even a pause, the ball immediately struck the court floor.

THUD!

It bounced high into the air—and for a breathless second, time stood still.

Kaedehara Taichi had scored!

[Aoba Johsai 25 – 15 Kamomedai]

Piercing straight through a two-meter triple block, Kaedehara Taichi brought the final match to an end.

"Beeeeep—!"

The long whistle echoed throughout the venue.

Set Three: Over.

Winner: Aoba Johsai.

Final score: 3–0.

A perfect win streak across the national tournament.

The suffocating tension that had gripped the arena—like a bowstring pulled to its breaking point—suddenly snapped.

At the very moment hope turned into reality, the venue fell silent.

"…N-now officially announcing the champions of this year's National High School Comprehensive Sports Festival, Volleyball Division—Aoba Johsai!!"

As the announcer's voice boomed, the entire stadium exploded into celebration.

"Taichi! Taichi!"

"Seijoh! Seijoh!"

"Rule the court…!"

Cheering erupted from every corner of the venue.

In an unbelievable surge, all the scattered shouts merged into one overwhelming chant.

"The Nation's Number One!"

"NUMBER ONE!!"

"NUMBER ONE!!"

"NUMBER ONE!!!"

_________

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