Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 225: Aoba Johsai’s First-Years

"Calm down, calm down..." Miya Atsumu muttered under his breath.

"You're way too arrogant, you first-year brat!!!" Instead, it was Miya Osamu who roared furiously.

Is this some kind of twin synchronization? Kaedehara Taichi mused to himself. But—

"Osamu-senpai, I'm not your opponent~"

Standing at the service line, Kaedehara Taichi's expression was calm and composed.

His serves would no longer be a weakness for the team. On the contrary, he was about to give Inarizaki a little surprise.

The players of Inarizaki braced themselves. They had heard Atsumu say that Kaedehara Taichi now possessed a four-style serve (though not as refined as his own).

However, since they had never witnessed it firsthand, it was difficult to imagine that the same guy whose serves had been easy pickings for them last time could now demand their full attention.

Kaedehara Taichi steadied the ball in his palm, then gently tossed it into the air, where it traced a graceful arc.

As the ball ascended, he began his approach—his strides swift and powerful, closing in on his ideal jump point. The moment he reached it, his legs exploded with force, launching him into the air like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Midair, Taichi demonstrated remarkable control and coordination, his posture perfectly adjusted. Reaching his peak, he gathered all his strength into his arm, swinging it forward in one fluid motion.

BOOM!—

The instant his hand struck the ball, it compressed violently before rocketing toward Inarizaki's court, leaving a faint afterimage in the air.

A right-handed power jump serve—standard edition!

SMACK!

Ginjima Hitoshi barely had time to bring his arms together before an overwhelming force pried them apart.

The ball smashed into the ground near his feet, then shot back up, nearly grazing his nose before sailing out of bounds.

An impeccable service ace!

[Aoba Johsai 6 - 2 Inarizaki]

"Ohhh!! What an explosive serve! Inarizaki couldn't even control the reception!"

"Haha...If that ball had been angled just a bit more, it might've flown into the stands."

Ginjima still rattled, stiffly turned to Atsumu. "Is this what you call not as good as yours?!!"

"Ahem...Well, uh... maybe he's grown just a tiny bit more..." Atsumu coughed awkwardly.

Osamu took a small step back, eyes narrowing. "What the hell is up with this guy?" Their backline defence needed to tighten up—immediately.

"Osamu, don't back off!" Atsumu called out. "He'll target the front row instead."

"Tch, don't feed me fake intel again, Atsumu." Though grumbling, Osamu reluctantly returned to his position.

Kaedehara Taichi remained composed, a faint smile curling at his lips.

Since you're so eager to receive, let's see how well you can handle it. Standing in the right spot doesn't mean you can touch the ball.

BANG!

A left-handed float serve, aimed directly at Osamu!

The ball drifted deceptively toward Inarizaki's front row. It seemed slow—almost leisurely—but in the blink of an eye, it was right in front of Osamu.

Osamu steadied his stance, tracking the ball carefully. No sudden dips, no sharp swerves.

Suspicious...but it's just a float serve. Anything can happen.

Just as he reached out to receive—

Nothing.

There was no impact.

The ball didn't follow its expected trajectory downward. Instead, it continued floating past him by a fist's distance—before plummeting straight down behind him!

Atsumu lunged forward, but it was too late.

Thud!

The ball struck the court behind Osamu.

No-touch ace!

[Aoba Johsai 7 - 2 Inarizaki]

Osamu turned, locking eyes with Atsumu, who had run up beside him.

Things were starting to look bad.

"Tweet!—"

Inarizaki called a timeout.

Coach Kurosu Norimune stood at the sidelines, his expression dark. He hadn't even used a timeout when Oikawa Toru was serving—yet here they were.

Watari Shinji delivered a perfect reception, and Oikawa Tōru immediately set the ball to the centre. From the back row, Iwaizumi Hajime sprinted forward and jumped.

"Double block!"

Ojirō Aran and the towering Ōmimi Ren, standing at 190 cm, formed a solid wall in front of him.

Even without a step-in, their block height completely covered Iwaizumi from below. Ōmimi looked at his fellow third-year opposite with a trace of sympathy.

But Aoba Johsai's players were different. Even if Iwaizumi didn't spike often anymore, they hadn't forgotten—he had carried Aoba Johsai's offence for the past two years.

"Go, Iwaizumi!"

Iwaizumi's right arm tensed, his muscles standing out sharply under the lights, radiating explosive power.

Boom!!

So heavy!

Ōmimi's arms buckled, failing to maintain proper blocking form, and the ball dropped past him.

Smack!

Miya Atsumu reacted instantly, diving forward to save it.

Ginjima had to cover, sending the ball to the left wing, where Miya Osamu barely managed to spike.

Kunimi's eyes flashed. He resisted the urge to block—if he didn't completely shut it down, it would be meaningless.

Smack!

Oikawa smoothly dug the ball back up, sending it toward the left wing. Only then did Kunimi take a step and jump.

"Damn it!"

Miya Osamu had just landed, and once again, that first-year was attacking at the perfect moment!

"I got it!"

Ojirō Aran swiftly moved into position, his large hands—angled in front of Kunimi.

Whoosh!—

Kunimi calmly set the ball to the centre.

Boom!!

Iwaizumi slammed the ball down.

[Aoba Johsai 8 – 3 Inarizaki]

"Point! Aoba Johsai's first-year, Kunimi Akira, just toyed with Inarizaki's blockers!"

"Despite the physical disadvantage against the second and third-years on the other side, Kunimi used his intelligence to win that rally!"

Kunimi, expressionless, muttered, "Strange...our opponents aren't as strong as I expected."

"Hah?!"

Miya Osamu's glare sharpened. What was with these Aoba Johsai first-years? One after another, they were getting way too arrogant!

"Oh, nothing." Kunimi replied nonchalantly.

But in truth, he had been speaking to himself.

In their previous match, his performance had been completely unimpressive. But watching Kaedehara Taichi and Kindaichi Yūtarō's backs, Kunimi had felt that he should be doing something too.

After serious training, returning to face Inarizaki again—Kunimi realized something.

Their opponents were just high schoolers, after all.

The serve rotated.

Kindaichi Yūtarō stepped up to the service line, looking at the backs of Kunimi and Kaedehara Taichi.

He felt like he was once again the weakest first-year.

But this time, he wasn't on the bench—he was on the court, fighting alongside them!

Kaedehara Taichi was getting stronger and stronger. Kunimi was starting to find his drive.

Kindaichi was proud to be part of this Aoba Johsai first-year trio.

He might not be as smart as them, but when it came to effort—he had never held back!

Boom!

Kindaichi's powerful jump serve shot across the court, arcing straight toward Inarizaki's back row!

_________

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