Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 65: Inter-High Group

Mid-May was supposed to be an ordinary day, but for the players of Aoba Johsai High School's volleyball team, it carried extraordinary significance.

After practice, rather than dispersing as usual, the team stayed back in the gym. A mixture of nervousness and anticipation hung in the air.

Today, they would learn the news that could shape their journey ahead—the grouping for the Inter-High (IH) Prefectural Qualifiers.

The tension in the room was palpable. The moment the coach, Irihata, and the team manager, Mizoguchi, stepped into the gym, it felt like a breeze had swept through, dissipating some of the anxiety while simultaneously kindling fresh waves of expectation.

"Mizoguchi-sensei?" Iwaizumi Hajime was the first to break the silence.

"Thank you for waiting," Mizoguchi's voice was calm yet commanding. "Now, I'll announce the groupings for the IH Prefectural Qualifiers."

His words froze the air.

Everyone in the gym held their breath. Excitement mixed with trepidation filled their hearts. After all, the qualifiers' groupings didn't just determine their first opponents but also hinted at whether their road to Nationals would be smooth or fraught with obstacles.

Though the team was determined to win the championship and claim the title of the strongest, no one wanted to face Shiratorizawa right out of the gate.

Coach Irihata silently observed the players' reactions. While they were visibly tense, he also noticed their eagerness for the challenges ahead and an unrelenting hunger for victory.

Satisfied, he nodded to himself. With such a mindset, no opponent could truly intimidate them.

Mizoguchi unfurled the sheet of paper in his hands and began reading out the details.

"Miyagi Prefecture skips district qualifiers and starts directly with the prefectural round," he explained. "Out of 55 teams competing across the prefecture, only one will earn a ticket to Nationals."

The players tensed at this reminder—just one team would advance. A single loss would shatter their dreams of Nationals.

"For Aoba Johsai, our goal is clear: to claim the top spot in Miyagi Prefecture," Mizoguchi emphasized.@@@@

Taichi Kaedehara could feel the weight of the stakes through Mizoguchi's matter-of-fact tone.

Sports at this level were merciless. Fifty-five teams, each with players who had poured their sweat and effort into training, all vying for victory. Yet, only the team that kept winning, again and again, would stand under the spotlight at Nationals.

"The top eight from last year's tournament will be seeded and skip the first round," Mizoguchi continued. "Additionally, because the total number of teams is odd, one lucky team will draw a bye and also skip the first round."

"Day two will probably bring either Date Tech or Karasuno," Kunimi Akira reasoned, eyes glued to the matchups.

"Wait....Karasuno being here makes sense, but why is Date Tech in this bracket too?" Yahaba Shigeru asked, finally understanding why the senior players had been so quiet earlier.

Date Tech—dubbed the 'Iron Wall'—was a team notorious for its exceptional blocking, earning a fearsome reputation that extended beyond its technical prowess. Their towering defence wasn't just about skill; it had a psychological edge that could crush opponents' spirits.

Playing against Date Tech often felt like slamming into a wall—both literally and mentally. Their relentless blocks weren't just successful defensive manoeuvres; they were precision strikes aimed at dismantling the confidence of opposing attackers.

For most offensive players, facing Date Tech's iron defence repeatedly led to subtle yet inevitable shifts in mentality.

What began as fierce determination could devolve into creeping self-doubt. Their defensive strategies disrupted not just the pace of the game but the very thought processes of their opponents.

"So, I guess it's safe to say our second-day opponent will be Date Tech," Hanamaki Takahiro speculated, his tone betraying a hint of wariness.

"Hmm? Why so sure? Karasuno should be manageable, right? I mean, the last time we saw them, they were far from their best," Yahaba countered.

"That's because Karasuno's ace wasn't enough to overcome Date Tech during the Miyagi Exhibition back in March. They lost 0-2, didn't they? And their new little guy probably isn't ready to handle that kind of wall on his own," Hanamaki explained matter-of-factly, backing his claim with recent results.

Still, if things unfolded as expected, Karasuno might advance, Taichi thought to himself. After all, Karasuno's growth had been nothing short of revolutionary.

"It's hard to say..." Oikawa Tōru interjected, catching Taichi's subtle expression of doubt. It seemed the two of them were on the same page. "With Tobio there, he'll definitely help their ace break through those barriers."

Because that's exactly what I would do, Oikawa mused. As fellow setters, their thought processes sometimes mirrored each other eerily.

"All right, enough," Coach Irihata clapped his hands, snapping the team's focus back. "No matter who it is..."

"We will win!"

The team echoed the declaration in their hearts, each member silently vowing to rise above every challenge in the days ahead.

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