Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 72: Date Tech’s Iron Wall

The match between Aoba Johsai and Oomisaki had ended quickly. By the time they rushed to another court, Karasuno and Date Tech were still finishing their first set, with the second set about to begin.

"Go, Go, let's go, let's go, Date Tech!"

"Go, Go, let's go, let's go, Date Tech!!"

"Date Tech, fight!"

"Ohh, Date Tech's cheer squad is pretty impressive too, huh?" Oikawa Tōru said as he looked around, scanning Date Tech's enthusiastic supporters.

"Focus on the match, would you?" Iwaizumi Hajime retorted, delivering a firm kick to Oikawa's back.

"So, Date Tech lost the first set to Karasuno, huh?" Matsukawa Issei said quietly, his eyes fixed on the scoreboard. "Once Karasuno gets their rhythm, they can be terrifying to face."

Hanamaki Takahiro casually plopped down onto a seat and commented, "Think they'll just take the second set in one go?"

"It probably won't be the same as the first set," Coach Irihata interjected suddenly. "Date Tech specializes in blocking. It all comes down to how they limit Karasuno's offence."

"Yes, sir!"

[Karasuno vs. Date Tech. The second set began.]

Karasuno High's lineup:

Front row—Wing Spiker Ryūnosuke Tanaka, Middle Blocker Hinata Shōyō, Wing Spiker Daichi Sawamura.

Back row—Setter Tobio Kageyama, Middle Blocker Kei Tsukishima (Libero: Nishinoya Yū), Wing Spiker Asahi Azumane.

Date Tech High's lineup:

Front row—Outside Hitter Takehito Sasaya, Outside Hitter Kenji Futakuchi, Middle Blocker Takanobu Aone.

Back row—Outside Hitter Yutaka Obara, Middle Blocker Yasushi Kamasaki and Setter Kaname Moniwa.(Libero: Kōsuke Sakunami).

"Oh? Karasuno's formation looks a little different from the first set," Sadayuki Mizoguchi remarked, referencing the opening lineup he'd asked other players to note down earlier.

"Compared to the first set, Karasuno's rotation has shifted back two positions," Coach Irihata observed thoughtfully. "It's likely because Date Tech's blocking has started interfering with Karasuno's 'freak quick' attacks."

"In the first set, Karasuno seemed to prioritize their strongest receiving lineup for the opening. That way, even if their spikers were blocked, they could still recover the ball and attempt a second attack."

"But Date Tech's front line probably managed to disrupt Karasuno's quick attacks, forcing them to adapt and position their shorter player—Hinata—away from their strongest blockers."

That adjustment, however, meant the pressure would now shift to Karasuno's 'new face'—the tall middle blocker...

Karasuno's Ryūnosuke Tanaka served the ball, sending it cleanly over the net. Date Tech's libero, Kosuke Sakunami, received it effortlessly.

"Nice receive, Sakunami!" Moniwa Kaname called out, directing the ball toward the right side of the net.

"At this rate, Date Tech should have no problem taking the second set," someone murmured.

Coach Irihata leaned forward, his eyes locked on the court.

"Turning a point that should have belonged to the opponent into one of your own—that shatters the enemy's confidence and boosts your team's morale."

"The strongest defence is also the fastest offence. This is 'The Iron Wall of Date Tech.'"

Coach Irihata had long considered Date Tech one of Aoba Johsai's biggest obstacles, so he had studied their strategies in detail. However, something about the current game felt....odd. Karasuno might be falling behind, but there was no trace of panic on their faces.

Date Tech served.

With Nishinoya Yū in the back row, Karasuno's serve reception remained solid, giving Kageyama Tobio ample time to consider his next move.

And yet, Kageyama chose the most direct option.

Hinata Shōyō sprinted to the far right side of the court, with Aone Takanobu hot on his heels.

"It's a decoy, right? Didn't they just block his quick attack?"

Whoosh!

Amid the murmurs and doubts from the crowd, Kageyama still set the ball toward Hinata Shōyō.

"They've got him!"

Date Tech's Kenji Futakuchi recognized the toss direction and quickly moved to support Aone, forming a double block.

Their combined height made it easy to match Hinata's jump.

But in their rush, a flaw appeared in their positioning: a small gap had opened between their blocking hands, just wide enough for a volleyball to pass through.

In midair, Hinata Shōyō's sharp eyes locked onto that gap.

The ball reached him precisely where he needed it, as if guided by an invisible thread.

Smack!

The volleyball blasted through Date Tech's double block, hitting the court behind them—an undefended spot.

Hinata Shōyō scores!

_________

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