Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

The serve rotated to Itachiyama's side, and Iizuna Tsukasa stepped up to the service line.

In theory, this was Itachiyama's strongest formation. Like Oikawa Tōru, Iizuna was also a dual-wielding server, capable of both jump floats and jump serves.

However, it was rare for him to score directly from serves in the Nationals.

But for Itachiyama, that didn't matter. As long as Iizuna's serve disrupted Aoba Johsai's offensive rhythm, it was enough. They were confident that as soon as the ball returned to their court, Sakusa Kiyoomi's next attack would guarantee them a point!

Bang!

Iizuna executed a jump float serve.

"I got it!" Iwaizumi Hajime stepped forward, receiving the ball with his forearms.

The pass wasn't perfect, but Oikawa Tōru remained unfazed.

Whoosh—!

The ball flew steadily toward the right wing. Kaedehara Taichi leapt up once more.

"Triple block!"

Sakusa Kiyoomi, Mizushima Yū, and Nishimura Hiroyuki jumped in unison.

After learning from their previous mistake—when Taichi had scored off their hands—Itachiyama's blockers adjusted. This time, they left minimal gaps between their hands and the net, ensuring a solid, well-formed block. Their arms were fully extended, their posture unwavering, eyes locked onto the ball with intense focus.

At the centre of the three-man wall was Mizushima Yū, a second-year. He showed no signs of the nervousness he had displayed off the court.

They're surprisingly disciplined…Taichi thought to himself. But then again, it's not like anyone actually underestimates Itachiyama's players.

BOOM!!!

With a resounding impact, Taichi's full-powered spike slammed into Mizushima's arms.

Smack!

The ball blasted past his block, landing forcefully on Itachiyama's side of the court.

Kaedehara Taichi scored.

[Aoba Johsai 6 - 2 Itachiyama]

"I know exactly what you guys are thinking," Taichi said, nodding to himself. "You assume that once your ace gets the ball, they'll score, right?"

He grinned. "Well, that's funny. My teammates think the exact same thing."

The serve rotated to Aoba Johsai's side.

"Kindaichi, serve a good one!"

"Kindaichi, be bold with it!"

Kindaichi Yūtarō stepped up to the service line, his gaze steady. The doubts he once had about his serving ability were long gone. The intense battles of the Spring High had forged him, sharpening both his skill and mentality.

To face his weaknesses head-on. To recognize his flaws and work tirelessly to correct them.

That was what mattered most.

Boom!

Kindaichi launched his serve with full force.

Smack!

The ball struck the back of Kaedehara Taichi's head and flew high into the air.

Kaedehara Taichi: "…"

Kindaichi Yūtarō's serve had misfired.

Itachiyama gained a point.

[Aoba Johsai 6 - 3 Itachiyama]

Aoba Johsai: "…"

Itachiyama: "…"

—Then, both teams burst into laughter at the same time.

The only exceptions were Kindaichi Yūtarō, who stood frozen at the service line, and the only actual victim—Kaedehara Taichi.

"Kindaichi, that was a seriously bold serve, hahaha…" Oikawa Tōru laughed even harder than the players on Itachiyama's side.

"Oi, sen-pai…" Taichi enunciated each syllable carefully. "I'm next in the serving order, you know."

"Ahem." Oikawa cleared his throat, immediately switching to his captain mode. "Kindaichi! Go back and practice your serves properly!"

"Yes, sir!" Kindaichi straightened up and responded loudly. Then, turning cautiously to Taichi, he stammered, "Uh, sorry about that…Are you okay?"

Expressionless, Taichi said, "If you don't block at least a few of Sakusa-senpai's spikes this match…heh."

"Uh—yes! Understood!" Kindaichi had hesitated for a second, but after hearing that ominous chuckle, he immediately agreed.

Watari Shinji subbed in for Kindaichi, offering him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Taichi's not that petty."

"Right! Thank you, Watari-senpai!" Kindaichi finally relaxed, heading back to the bench.

Kunimi Akira: "…"

One of them had the audacity to say it.

The other actually believed it.

The serve rotated back to Itachiyama.

The brief comedic interlude had lightened the mood slightly, but the real reason for the shift in the atmosphere was Kindaichi Yūtarō's serve error—bringing the score gap closer once again.

Sakusa Kiyoomi stepped up to the service line.

Itachiyama was launching their counterattack.

The players of Aoba Johsai tensed up.

In this year's Spring Nationals, no team had successfully received Sakusa's first serve.

Not even once.

This fact weighed heavily on them like an unshakable mountain. They weren't arrogant enough to believe they were an exception. On the contrary—Aoba Johsai's serve reception was arguably one of the weakest among the quarterfinalists.

Sakusa tossed the ball into the air.

Boom!—

The ball carved a sharp arc through the air, hurtling toward Aoba Johsai's back row—targeting the far-right side.

Watari Shinji.

A direct challenge to Oikawa Tōru's serve strategy.

Smack!

Shinji lunged a step to the side, bracing himself for the receive. But the moment the ball struck his arms—

—it shot out of bounds.

Sakusa Kiyoomi had scored an ace.

[Aoba Johsai 6 - 4 Itachiyama]

—"Receiving Sakusa's serves requires two steps. First, make contact. Second, control the ball. Don't focus solely on the spin—his ball trajectory is what makes it lethal."

Shinji recalled Coach Iribata's words from before the match, steadying himself.

Aoba Johsai was no longer just an ordinary team.

But Watari Shinji was still just an ordinary player.

He wasn't as dazzling as Kaedehara Taichi or Oikawa Tōru. He hadn't shown visible leaps of progress like Kunimi Akira or Kindaichi Yūtarō.

And yet, he remained steadfast in his position, quietly giving his all.

On the surface, it was Aoba Johsai's players who always expressed their gratitude toward him—thanking him for his quiet support, for looking after them during training, for keeping them grounded in matches.

But in truth, it was Watari Shinji who had been carrying gratitude in his heart all along.

He was thankful to Aoba Johsai—this team that had long since become brilliant, yet still embraced an ordinary player like him.

He always wore a calm, unassuming smile. In games, he was neither conspicuous nor prone to critical mistakes.

That was why—at this moment—none of his teammates realized just how much pressure he was carrying alone.

But he never thought about retreating.

No matter how ordinary he was, he was still part of Aoba Johsai.

And there would come a moment—one precise, decisive moment—where even an ordinary player like him would be able to perform an extraordinary feat.

He would protect Aoba Johsai's honour.

"Shinji-senpai!"

"…Hm?"

Kaedehara Taichi turned his head slightly, flashing a gentle smile.

"Trust yourself and receive it," he said. "No matter how many points they take with their serves—I'll take them back."

"…Yeah."

This was Aoba Johsai's ace.

Shinji watched Taichi's back with pride swelling in his chest.

The trust and confidence from his junior gradually eased the tension within him.

"Bring it on."

For the first time in the National Championship's central arena—

Aoba Johsai's No. 7, libero Watari Shinji, raised his voice for all to hear.

_________

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