Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 410: Once More (Double-Length)

Hakuba Gao wore a look of exasperation as she stared at Hoshiumi Kōrai.

"You were going on about ending the match with your serve, and then you didn't even score a single point…"

"Ahem," Hoshiumi coughed awkwardly, looking slightly embarrassed. "The important thing is the momentum…"

That said, compared to last year's Spring High tournament, although Aoba Johsai's blocking formation had weakened slightly, their back-row reception had improved by more than just one level.

Kamomedai's situation wasn't as easy as it appeared on the surface.

The serve rotated—Aoba Johsai to serve.

Kunimi Akira aimed a jump float serve at the front-row player Hakuba Gao.

Bang!

Smack!

Thanks to Hakuba Gao's height advantage, he managed to get under the ball before the float serve could veer off-course, lifting it cleanly.

Ogawa Ryūhei seized the timing and jumped up for a spike—the surprise second attack caught Aoba Johsai's front row completely off guard.

Kindaichi Yūtarō leapt to block, but the ball slipped past him before he could reach it, plunging straight into Aoba Johsai's court.

Smack!

Nakamori Daiki dove and saved it with a flying receive.

Kunimi backed him up, setting the ball high to the right wing. Kyōtani Kentarō jumped for the spike.

"Three-man block!" Bessho Kazuyoshi, Ogawa Ryūhei, and Hakuba Gao leapt at once.

Kamomedai's block quality was truly impressive—Bessho shut down the cross shot on the left, while Hakuba sealed the straight path on the right.

Due to the height of the block, Kyōtani couldn't rely on brute force like Kaedehara Taichi to punch through the middle at Ogawa Ryūhei.

"Tch."

Kyōtani once again aimed for the cross-court angle.

BOOM!!!—

The ball squeezed through the narrow gap between the block and the net.

Smack!

Hoshiumi once more received the ball cleanly.

Two consecutive spikes dug up—an unspoken frustration began burning in Kyōtani's chest.

Tokura Liam moved to support, setting the ball high to the right wing.

The set was unambiguous, and as Aoba Johsai's front row braced for the attack, Hakuba Gao leapt for the spike.

"Three-man block!" Tōma Kaoru, Kindaichi Yūtarō, and Kyōtani Kentarō jumped together.

BOOM!!!

The ball sailed easily over Kyōtani's block.

Smack!

Kunimi's expression shifted. The force transmitted through the ball was far greater than he had anticipated. It bent his arm slightly, then deflected out of bounds.

Hakuba Gao scored with an over-the-block spike.

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 19 Kamomedai]

Kamomedai regained the serve. Hirugami Sachirō rotated back into the front row.

In a way, Kaedehara Taichi's presence in the back row had indeed fortified Aoba Johsai's reception lineup, giving the team a more stable defence. However, that also meant the pressure he placed on Kamomedai was far less intense than when he was at the net.

After all, receiving the ball prevents a point loss—only dropping it into the opponent's court earns one.

"Tweet!—"

The whistle blew for serve. Bessho Kazuyoshi tossed the ball high, took a light jump, and his hand connected with the ball with perfect timing.

Bang!

Surprisingly, as a middle blocker, his serve was a delicate jump float, landing toward Aoba Johsai's front row.

Smack!

Tōma received the ball cleanly. Nakamori moved to set.

That's when Aoba Johsai realised—those two had effectively boxed Kaedehara Taichi out of position.

"So that was the aim…?"

Rather than target Taichi directly with the serve, they limited his movement by manipulating the positions of Aoba Johsai's receivers.

"Give me the ball!"

Fwoosh—!

The set flew to the right. Kyōtani sprinted in from beyond the sideline and leapt in a single bound.

"Three-man block!" Ogawa Ryūhei, Hakuba Gao, and Hirugami Sachirō jumped in unison.

With Hirugami joining, Kamomedai's block looked even more overwhelming.

But Kyōtani Kentarō didn't hesitate in the slightest. He was the type who would spike full force into a triple block even knowing he'd be stopped—a true "violent idiot."

BOOM!!!—

The ball blasted past the block and slammed into the three-meter line on Kamomedai's left side.

Kyōtani Kentarō scored!

[Aoba Johsai 23 – 19 Kamomedai]

"Don't go underestimating our mad dog senpai," Taichi said with a grin as he rotated back to the front row.

Kamomedai's players looked grim.

Underestimate? Kyōtani Kentarō? As if!

The fact that they'd managed to dig up multiple of his spikes was only the result of their relentless effort to neutralise him. But their opponent was far tougher than expected—even after getting blocked or received, Kyōtani's swings never lost an ounce of aggression.

"He's really getting on my nerves…"

The momentum shift all stemmed from Taichi's string of devastating serves. Even though they were prepared for his threat, the fact that Aoba Johsai scored seven points in one rotation was still hard to accept.

They had to guess Taichi's rotation right—and the only person who could adjust quickly to his serves was Hoshiumi Kōrai!

The serve rotated—Aoba Johsai to serve.

Kyōtani Kentarō unleashed a powerful jump serve.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

But the momentum was instantly diffused—Hoshiumi softened the force, sending a clean pass straight to Tokura Liam.

Kyōtani scowled, eyes locked on Hoshiumi. In his eyes, Hoshiumi was every bit on par with Nishinoya Yū or Komori Motoya. Yet neither Karasuno nor Inarizaki had the kind of terrifying block formation that Kamomedai did.

Fwoosh—!

Tokura jumped to set. All three front-row attackers from Kamomedai moved simultaneously.

"What the…?"

Even with Hakuba Gao and Hirugami both up front, they were still using such coordinated tactics to bait Kaedehara's block.

To the audience, this just seemed excessively cautious.

Thud!

On the far right, Hirugami jumped for the spike—facing him was Kindaichi Yūtarō, nearly the same height.

BOOM!

The ball shot past Kindaichi's right side, landing hard on Aoba Johsai's sideline.

Hirugami scored.

[Aoba Johsai 23 – 20 Kamomedai]

Though Kindaichi had become an excellent middle blocker, it was still clear he lagged behind Hirugami in terms of technique.

The serve rotated—Kamomedai to serve.

Ogawa Ryūhei went for a powerful jump serve.

Kunimi received it cleanly with a perfect first touch. Tōma jumped to set from the front row.

Kaedehara Taichi soared in from the far left for the spike.

"Three-man block!" Hakuba Gao, Hirugami Sachirō, and Tokura Liam rose together.

Kamomedai had opened the set with this exact blocking formation, forcing Kaedehara to spike cross-court for Hoshiumi to receive. Now, they were executing that strategy even more precisely. Guided by Hakuba Gao, the triple block was shifted further left than usual, aiming to completely shut down Kaedehara's straight shot.

In front of him, both Hakuba and Hirugami kept their hands angled downward, denying him any chance of hitting off the block or tipping off the hands.

Hoshiumi crouched low at the three-meter line, eyes gleaming like a hawk.

Smack!

"—!?"

Only then did Kamomedai realise what they'd missed.

The ball hit the floor.

Tōma scored with a second attack.

[Aoba Johsai 24 – 20 Kamomedai]

"That brat—!"

After Kamomedai's front row trio landed, they looked down at Tōma Kaoru's small and slender figure.

The timid, practically invisible setter who had been all but useless at the start of the match…had just taught Kamomedai a lesson at a critical moment!

Aoba Johsai reached 24 points first—now holding four set points!

"Tōma, that was a beautiful dump!" said Kaedehara Taichi with a wide grin—even he hadn't expected Tōma Kaoru to be so bold.

"Hehe, well, a setter's job is to create chances for the attackers," Tōma replied with a shy smile. "I can't let Taichi-senpai keep drawing all of Kamomedai's attention."

Before the match began, Yahaba Shigeru had quietly told Tōma Kaoru:

"Compared to those monsters, we might not have the ability to fight alone—but as long as we're on the same court, everyone on both sides of the net is equal. Even if what you contribute seems small, make sure Taichi understands this: Aoba Johsai always fights as one unit!"

The serve rotated. Aoba Johsai's turn to serve.

Kindaichi Yūtarō went for a powerful jump serve.

BOOM!

Smack!

Wakabayashi Hikaru received the ball. Tokura Liam followed up with the set.

Front row: Hakuba Gao and Hirugami Sachirō.

Back row: Hoshiumi Kōrai.

Kamomedai's strongest three attackers launched their offence at the same time.

"This is seriously tricky…"

Kaedehara Taichi marked Hirugami Sachirō, while Yūki Yōji kept his eyes locked on Hakuba Gao.

At the net, it was a one-on-one between Hoshiumi Kōrai and Tōma Kaoru.

Boom!!—

The ball passed just above Tōma Kaoru's hands, arcing beautifully in the air before landing squarely on the endline behind Kindaichi.

A perfectly executed line shot—off a wipe-out!

Point for Kamomedai via spike by Hoshiumi Kōrai!

[Aoba Johsai 24 – 21 Kamomedai]

The serve rotated. Hoshiumi moved up to the front row.

Kamomedai hadn't run out of chances yet!

"Tweet!—"

The whistle sounded for the next serve.

Hakuba Gao jumped and slammed the ball.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

Kyōtani Kentarō barely got the receive up.

"The reception's off!" Hakuba shouted. Hirugami's earlier observation had been right—among Aoba Johsai's back row, the one weakest at receiving was the fierce-looking third-year!

Kunimi Akira stepped in to cover the second touch.

Hirugami and Tokura Liam swapped positions mid-transition.

"With their first pass broken down, Aoba Johsai has only one option—this out-of-system ball will definitely be sent to Kaedehara Taichi!"

Whoosh!—

The ball flew toward the centre of the court. Kaedehara Taichi jumped for the attack.

"Double block!" Hirugami Sachirō and Hoshiumi Kōrai leapt together.

Tokura Liam dropped to the back row, forming a four-man receive formation. For Kamomedai, the quality of the block mattered more than the number of blockers!

BOOM!!!

Smack!!

The spike hit Hirugami Sachirō's arm and flew high.

"Cover!"

Ogawa Ryūhei got under the ball and popped it up.

"I got it!" Tokura Liam shouted. It was the setter's job to organise the offence—the ace just needed to focus on breaking through the block!

Front row: Hirugami and Hoshiumi.

Back row: Hakuba Gao.

-----

"Kamomedai's setter is seriously spoiled!" Miya Atsumu grumbled from the stands.

"Are you talking about me?" Miya Osamu shot back irritably.

Atsumu glanced sideways. "Isn't it obvious? All three of these guys are more dangerous than you at the net."

"You heartless bastard—!" Osamu snapped.

"Hah? Why are you yelling at me?"

"Shut up already—you're annoying…"

-----

Whoosh!—

The ball flew toward the right. Kamomedai once again chose Hoshiumi Kōrai!

Bam!

Another gravity-defying leap! He reached the apex before the block could catch up!

Boom!!—

—Smack!

Blocked by Kaedehara Taichi!

"—!?"

Hoshiumi's eyes widened.

Taichi jumped after him—yet, he had reached the apex first!

He had long since come to terms with his own height…but, at that moment, he couldn't help but think—

Kaedehara Taichi looked unbelievably cool.

The ball dropped back onto Kamomedai's side.

Smack!

Wakabayashi dove for the save.

Kamomedai had never relied solely on height—they had so much more!

A short figure darted across the court. Hoshiumi, already landing, was back in motion instantly. With teammates like this backing him up, there was no excuse for hesitation!

Whoosh!—

The ball sailed to the far left. Hirugami Sachirō leapt again for the spike!

"You've got to be kidding…" Kaedehara Taichi dashed left, but he couldn't catch up to the speed of the ball.

Yūki Yōji stood alone in front of Hirugami for a solo block.

BOOM!!

The ball easily avoided the block and slammed into Aoba Johsai's court.

Point! Spike by Hirugami Sachirō!

[Aoba Johsai 24 – 22 Kamomedai]

"Even his set was better than yours," Miya Osamu muttered.

For once, Miya Atsumu didn't argue. That one moment—that one perfect pass from Hoshiumi—was enough to make any setter bow their head.

"…Just this once, I admit his set was as good as mine," Atsumu finally muttered, stubborn as ever.

-----

Kamomedai was on a roll!

Hakuba Gao served again.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

This time, Kyōtani handled the receive cleanly.

"Kunimi—!" Kaedehara Taichi was already charging from the baseline.

"I know!" It wasn't just Kaedehara who was annoyed—being predicted so easily got under Kunimi Akira's skin, even if he wasn't a setter.

Whoosh!—

The ball flew high and steady toward the middle of the court.

Thump!

Kaedehara Taichi's presence burst into the court like a thunderclap—everyone's eyes locked on him as he soared into the air.

"Double block!" Hirugami and Hoshiumi leapt once again.

Tokura Liam, already back in the defence line, looked up and instantly knew he'd made the right call not joining the block. That height…was out of his league.

BOOOMM!!!—

Hoshiumi got beat clean—the ball sailed over his hands!

"I can see it!"

But the block hadn't been pointless—Kamomedai's libero was right there, directly in front of the spike.

"I got it!" Wakabayashi shouted. But the moment his hands made contact, his thoughts blanked.

His body, pressed down by an overwhelming force, suddenly buckled.

—CRASH!!!

The ball flew out of bounds.

Point for Aoba Johsai—Kaedehara Taichi's spike!

[Aoba Johsai 25 – 22 Kamomedai]

"…He couldn't dig it?" Wakabayashi knelt on the floor, mouth slightly agape, his hands still frozen in the shape of a receive.

But—they were flushed red, trembling nonstop. A faint, tearing pain radiated from the base of his thumbs.

Slowly, Wakabayashi looked up.

Across the net, Kaedehara Taichi stood tall and motionless.

Until their eyes met—then, a smirk tugged at the corners of Taichi's lips.

Playful. Mocking.

"Tweet—!"

A long whistle echoed through the gym.

End of the first set. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Winner: Aoba Johsai.

_________

[T/N] - If you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on my Patreon. Trust me, it's awesome!

Link - (P)atreon.com/Iseeblack [Remove the brackets]