Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 413: Bring It On (Double-Length)

The serve rotated—Kamomedai's serve. Hirugami Sachirō returned to the front row.

Bessho Kazuyoshi unleashed a powerful jump serve, and Nakamori Daiki managed to receive it cleanly.

"Kyōtani-senpai!" Tōma Kaoru called out, sending the ball to the left wing.

Kyōtani Kentarō hesitated for the briefest second before taking a running approach along the sideline and leaping into his spike.

"Triple block!" Hirugami Sachirō, Hoshiumi Kōrai, and Tokura Liam all jumped at once.

Kamomedai's defence once again sealed off the cross-court path entirely, leaving only the line shot just slightly open.

BOOM!!!—

—SMACK!

Kyōtani Kentarō's arm tensed as he went in for a powerful spike—only to be stuffed at the net by Hirugami Sachirō!

Point for Kamomedai on the block.

[Aoba Johsai 19 – 20 Kamomedai]

—"Another block on Aoba Johsai's No. 2 scorer—Kyōtani Kentarō!"

—"Kamomedai's blocking is absolutely terrifying!"

—"Maybe it's the overwhelming pressure at the net, but Kyōtani looks hesitant when he swings now. And with that, Kamomedai High becomes the first to reach 20 points!"

"Taichi-senpai...what's happening to Kyōtani-senpai...?" Tōma asked worriedly.

Usually so outwardly expressive, Kyōtani Kentarō now stood frozen in silence, like a completely different person.

Kaedehara Taichi followed Tōma's gaze. Something about Kyōtani's silence felt off. He looked like someone who had just taken a hit to the gut. And yet—

"Don't worry. You've still got me, haven't you?" Taichi grinned. "Even if Mad Dog-senpai's falling apart, we're not losing."

"But—" Tōma started to object. This wasn't right. Still, upon seeing Taichi-senpai's confident smile, he decided not to push the issue further.

Kyōtani Kentarō heard the exchange and glanced at Taichi. A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes. He lifted his head slightly, lips parting as if to argue—but in the end, he said nothing.

Taichi frowned. Kyōtani's reaction had taken him by surprise.

Was he really not reacting to that? Was it this serious?

It didn't make sense. Wasn't this the same guy who kept training in random gyms even after quitting the club, always looking for a chance to play?

He'd been crushed before—by players like Ushijima Wakatoshi and Kiryū Wakatsu—but he'd always found a way to recover on his own.

"Guess the offence is in your hands now—" Kyōtani said hoarsely, forcing the words out.

"You dumbass! You're the only third-year left on the court for Aoba Johsai—don't you dare give up that easily!" Yahaba Shigeru yelled from the sidelines. "You've really sunk low if underclassmen have to worry about you!"

Next to him, Watari Shinji still wore a calm, gentle smile. But in his eyes was unwavering trust—and encouragement.

"Tch. Idiot," Kyōtani muttered, throwing a glare at the bench. "Who said anything about giving up?"

But this opponent wasn't someone he could just recklessly spike against anymore. What mattered now was finding a way to score smart...

"Mad Dog-senpai, I think you're overthinking it," Taichi suddenly said.

Even Hoshiumi Kōrai couldn't cover offence and defence perfectly at the same time—much less something like receiving, which couldn't just be figured out mid-match.

What made Kyōtani such a pain for other teams had always been that ace-level, all-out offence of his!

Kamomedai continued to serve.

Bessho Kazuyoshi's second serve flew in.

Nakamori Daiki passed the ball cleanly to the net—Taichi jumped in for the spike.

"That guy adjusted to the serve way too fast!"

"Double block!" Hoshiumi and Tokura leapt to meet him.

BOOM!!!

Taichi smashed a line shot right on the sideline. Point scored!

[Aoba Johsai 20 – 20 Kamomedai]

Rotation—Aoba Johsai to serve.

Kyōtani Kentarō stepped to the service line. Taichi rotated into the front row.

"Get your head in the game—take him out in one shot!" Hakuba Gao shouted loudly.

Kyōtani's serve was no joke. His jump serve was his only type, but it packed power.

Hoshiumi Kōrai dropped back as Kamomedai set up a four-man receive formation.

Kyōtani tossed the ball, took his approach, jumped, and smashed the serve.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

Ogawa Ryūhei received the ball directly. Hoshiumi quickly covered and sent the ball to the left.

Hirugami Sachirō jumped to spike.

"Double block!" Kindaichi Yūtarō and Taichi leapt up to intercept.

Swish! Hirugami's swing whiffed—he was just a decoy!

Hakuba Gao launched up from the back row and spiked.

A synchronised attack from Kamomedai's Big Three—deceiving the entire Aoba Johsai lineup!

Aoba Johsai's blockers landed.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

Kyōtani dove and barely kept the ball alive.

Smack!

The ball ricocheted off Kindaichi's back and flew out of bounds...

Taichi: "..."

Point, Hakuba Gao.

[Aoba Johsai 20 – 21 Kamomedai]

Rotation—Kamomedai to serve.

Hakuba returned to the front row, restoring Kamomedai's strongest attacking and blocking formation.

Tokura Liam eyed Kyōtani Kentarō from the service line. "If he's already shaken, might as well send him off the court."

"I got this."

Kunimi Akira covered the serve with ease—he could see right through Kamomedai's little mind games.

The ball went to the right side—Taichi jumped to spike.

"Aoba Johsai's been trying more second-touch attacks lately. Are they trying to break through Kamomedai's block with speed?" Miya Osamu pondered.

"Double block!" Hirugami and Hoshiumi leapt together.

"But the set's way too obvious! If it weren't Taichi attacking, Kamomedai probably wouldn't have even sent two blockers," Miya Atsumu said.

"Relying on me alone?" Taichi smirked. "Like I'd let it be that easy."

Whoosh!—

The ball sailed to the left.

"You're the one who needs to step up now, aren't you?"

Kyōtani's heart gave a jolt as the ball flew toward him. If his poor receiving made him a liability in the back row—

Then at the very least, he had to show what his strength was.

Even in the back row, he could still be part of the offense!

Thud!

Kyōtani Kentarō leapt from the back row.

In midair, his body arched into a reverse "C", arm snapping forward with force.

"Double block!" Hirugami darted over to the left again, joining Hakuba for the block.

BOOM!!!—

"—?!"

The ball landed just inside the left sideline on Kamomedai's court, bouncing away.

A razor-thin line shot!

Kyōtani Kentarō scores!

[Aoba Johsai 21 – 21 Kamomedai]

—"I was sure he'd go cross-court from that angle."

—"Kyōtani just forced his way through Kamomedai's block! What a clutch point!"

Rotation—Aoba Johsai to serve.

Kindaichi Yūtarō launched a powerful jump serve. Wakabayashi Hikaru received it cleanly.

Tokura Liam quickly moved in to set.

In the front row, Hakuba Gao, Hirugami Sachirō, and Hoshiumi Kōrai all launched their attacks at once.

"Blindly blocking won't do a thing! You have to wait until the ball actually leaves the setter's hands!"

Whoosh—!

The ball flew toward the right wing. Hirugami Sachirō leapt up for the spike.

Kaedehara Taichi's coverage speed was no slower than Hirugami's earlier approach—if anything, it was even faster!

"Double block!" Kaedehara Taichi and Yūki Yōji jumped simultaneously.

BOOM!!—

Hirugami spiked a sharp diagonal shot aimed straight at Kindaichi Yūtarō in the back corner.

"I got it!"

Smack!

Tōma Kaoru received the ball.

"Just as Kunimi-senpai predicted! Kamomedai's targeting Kindaichi-senpai!"

Kunimi Akira filled in and made the pass.

Kamomedai's three front-row players quickly converged to the centre, their eyes locked on Kaedehara Taichi.

Thud!

Kyōtani Kentarō launched himself from the back row.

"Give me the ball!!!"

He sprang out from behind Kaedehara Taichi like a leopard, his presence even more overwhelming than the wings—Tōma Kaoru and Yūki Yōji!

Thud!

Hakuba Gao couldn't resist—he jumped up in front of Kyōtani to block.

Swoosh—!

The set floated cleanly into the air above centre court.

Thud!

Kaedehara Taichi soared into the air.

"Triple block!" Hakuba Gao jumped a second time, joining Hirugami and Hoshiumi to form a wall of steel.

BOOM!!!—

In the blink of an eye, the ball pierced through Hakuba's block and slammed down hard onto Kamomedai's court.

Kaedehara Taichi scored off the spike.

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 21 Kamomedai]

"He actually faked me out…" Hakuba Gao lowered his head, staring at Kyōtani Kentarō—but when he looked up, he caught the teasing glint in Kaedehara Taichi's eyes.

Kyōtani gave Taichi and Kunimi one last long glance before returning to the back row.

"That guy…he's starting to get interesting," said Miya Atsumu from the stands, leaning slightly forward, eyes fixed on Kyōtani.

Aoba Johsai continued serving.

Kindaichi Yūtarō delivered his second serve.

BOOM!

Smack!

Wakabayashi Hikaru received the ball cleanly. Tokura Liam stepped in to assist with the set.

"Give it to me—!"

Hakuba raised his right hand high, calling for the ball.

"Tch…You all really think I'm easy to deal with, huh?!"

Whoosh—!

The ball arced toward the left wing. Hakuba took his approach, then leapt.

[Ding! Hakuba Gao has entered Burst Mode.]

[Hakuba Gao (Burst Mode)—Outside Hitter: Overall Ability Rating: 91.3

Height: 204 cm | Power: 99 | Jump: 85 | Stamina: 90 | Speed: 85

Technique: Block: 99 | Spike: 90.]

"…Huh?" Kaedehara Taichi blinked. He hadn't expected this guy to be the first to enter burst mode.

"Double block!" Taichi and Yūki jumped together.

Hakuba zeroed in on Taichi. That fake from earlier? He was going to pay it back right now.

BOOM!!!—

—SMACK!

BANG!

The ball slammed into Taichi's arms—

—and then bounced off even faster, straight into Kamomedai's court.

Kaedehara Taichi scored off the block!

[Aoba Johsai 23 – 21 Kamomedai]

"…Huh?" Taichi looked genuinely confused. "What was that? A free point?"

"Bastard!" Hakuba roared. He hadn't expected his full-power swing to be completely stuffed by Taichi's block…

"How is that even possible…?"

"Gao, you're underestimating your opponent," Hirugami said sternly. If that spike hadn't been sent directly into Taichi's block, they would've taken the point. And in a match this close, the difference between a tie and a two-point gap was massive.

Especially in the second set of the finals. If Aoba Johsai took this one, Hirugami didn't feel confident that Kamomedai could win three sets in a row to take the match.

"…I'm sorry!" Hakuba finally realised it. He'd completely lost his cool and let a perfect chance to even the score slip away.

Aoba Johsai continued serving.

Kindaichi Yūtarō delivered his third serve.

BOOM!

Smack!

Wakabayashi received the ball again—his third receive in a row, and it landed perfectly.

Tokura leapt for the set.

Swoosh!—

The ball flew toward the right wing. Hoshiumi leapt.

"Double block!" Taichi and Yūki jumped to meet him.

"Sakusa, do you notice?" Komori turned to Sakusa. "Isn't Aoba Johsai's block forming faster now?"

Sakusa's eyes narrowed, irritation evident. "That's not 'Aoba Johsai.' That's Taichi. Kamomedai's setter can't shake him off."

Hoshiumi aimed a sharp straight shot—but Yūki instantly dropped his arm forward and to the right to cover.

Boom!!!

The ball sliced between Taichi and Yūki's block, smashing into Aoba Johsai's court.

"Your blocking awareness is impressive…First-year."

Hoshiumi scored with his spike.

[Aoba Johsai 23 – 22 Kamomedai]

Yūki frowned. He had a strong feeling he'd been baited by Hoshiumi's gaze. But even now, he couldn't shake the thought that if he hadn't blocked straight, it really would have been a clean line shot.

"In situations like that, you've gotta trust the back row." Taichi gave Yūki a pat on the back. "Your Kunimi-senpai's been so free in the back he's probably catching a cold."

"Yes! I understand!" Yūki answered seriously.

Taichi: "..."

If it were Kindaichi the airhead, he'd probably say something like 'But it's July, how would he catch a cold?'

"Achoo!"

Back on the bench, Kindaichi sneezed.

"You okay, Kindaichi?" Yahaba asked with concern.

"I'm fine." Kindaichi shook his head. "It's not winter, I won't catch a cold."

-----

Change of serve—Kamomedai to serve.

Hoshiumi stepped up to the line.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

He slapped the ball hard, his sharp gaze sweeping across the Aoba Johsai lineup.

[Ding! Hoshiumi Kōrai has entered Burst Mode.]

[Hoshiumi Kōrai (Burst Mode)—Outside Hitter: Overall Ability Rating: 98

Height: 170 cm | Power: 92 | Jump: 100 | Stamina: 100 | Speed: 96

Technique: Serve: 100 | Receive:100 | Set:96 | Spike: 100.]

"…Pfft." Kaedehara Taichi couldn't help but laugh. As expected of the little giant who always delivered surprises—he had truly polished his skills to perfection.

Hoshiumi gently tossed the ball into the air. His body felt weightless, his vision razor-sharp. On Aoba Johsai's side, every potential scoring spot seemed lit up before his eyes.

Right now, he felt like he could pinpoint the serve exactly where he wanted it.

Thud!

Hoshiumi jumped. His arm whipped out like a lash, wrist curling forward as he struck the ball with spin.

BOOM!—

The ball arced like a meteor across the court—not too fast, but placed perfectly in a spot no Aoba Johsai player could reach, no matter how hard they tried!

Smack!

Nakamori and Kyōtani both dove—but the ball landed an inch in front of their outstretched hands.

Not even a touch.

Hoshiumi scored with a service ace!

[Aoba Johsai 23 – 23 Kamomedai]

At the crucial end of the set, Hoshiumi's powerful serves had brought Kamomedai back into a tie with Aoba Johsai!

And this time, he truly believed he could end the second set with his serves.

Just then, Kaedehara Taichi began retreating from the 3-meter line.

"Bring it on, Hoshiumi-senpai," Taichi said, curling a finger at him and smiling lightly.

"I'll be the one to receive your serve—personally."

_________

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