Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

"Chiba, have you compiled all the results from Golden Week?"

"Yes. A total of 28 practice matches—23 wins and 5 losses. Among them, ten matches went to a full three sets."

During Golden Week, Aoba Johsai and Shiratorizawa jointly hosted an intensive training camp. The invited teams from within the prefecture included Karasuno, Date Tech, and Kakugawa Academy.

The seven-day camp schedule was packed from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day. Every team was required to face off against the other four teams once. For every player, it was an intense test worthy of being called volleyball hell.

The players not only had to deal with physical exhaustion but also had to bear immense psychological pressure. Every loss threatened to dent team morale, while each win came at a significant cost.

If Kaedehara Taichi had still been with Aoba Johsai, then the gap in strength between teams might have made things much easier for everyone involved.

However, with both Kaedehara Taichi and Kyōtani Kentarō having moved on to the V1 League, Aoba Johsai suddenly lost two of its core offensive weapons. The other long-suppressed teams in Miyagi Prefecture pounced like sharks scenting blood, surging with renewed fighting spirit.

Still, coaches like Irihata Nobuteru and Washijō Tanji knew full well that the overall skill level in Miyagi had declined. The spectacle from last year's Spring Nationals—where Miyagi's top two representatives, Aoba Johsai and Karasuno, clashed in the finals—was unlikely to repeat itself.

Aoba Johsai had undeniably weakened. But the other teams were also impacted to varying degrees by the graduation of key players.

Karasuno lost both its wing spiker Tanaka Ryūnosuke and libero Nishinoya Yū, leaving holes in both offence and defence. However, after their runner-up finish at Nationals, Karasuno attracted many skilled freshmen. Coupled with the continued growth of Hinata Shōyō, Kageyama Tobio, and Tsukishima Kei, expectations for them remained high.

Yamaguchi Tadashi, now the team captain, had gone from a clutch server to a core starter. His increasingly sharp serves had given many opponents a headache.

Shiratorizawa saw the graduation of setter Shirabu Kenjirō and middle blocker Kawanishi Taichi. Of the powerhouse team from Ushijima Wakatoshi's era, only Goshiki Tsutomu remained. Now, Goshiki and Kamihara Atsushi were dubbed Shiratorizawa's Twin Aces. When they rotated to the front line together, their combination of heavy and sharp attacks overwhelmed their opponents.

Date Tech had experienced the steepest drop. Last year during the Inter-High, their third-year core led by Aone Takanobu and Futakuchi Kenji brought the team to its best finish ever—top eight in the nation. But this year, most of the roster had graduated, leaving only Koganegawa Kanji, Sakunami Kōsuke, and Kimura Ryōta.

Even so, Koganegawa and Kimura had shown astonishing talent and rapid growth. Date Tech still remained one of Miyagi's powerhouses.

Kakugawa Academy, thanks to the influence of their Ace of Aces Hyakuzawa Yūdai, had finally managed to recruit a few talented or experienced volleyball players. They were the youngest team of the bunch, but brimming with potential. They had already begun to chant, "We're going to Nationals."

Practice Match Results:

Aoba Johsai: 23 wins, 5 losses (4 wins, 3 losses vs. Karasuno; 1 loss each to Shiratorizawa and Kakugawa)

Shiratorizawa: 9 wins, 19 losses (1 win vs. Aoba Johsai, 5 wins vs. Date Tech, 3 wins vs. Kakugawa)

Karasuno: 23 wins, 5 losses (4 losses vs. Aoba Johsai, 1 loss to Kakugawa)

Date Tech: 5 wins, 23 losses (no wins against Aoba Johsai or Karasuno, 2 wins vs. Shiratorizawa, 3 vs. Kakugawa)

Kakugawa: 10 wins, 18 losses (1 win each against Aoba Johsai and Karasuno, 4 wins each vs. Shiratorizawa and Date Tech)

"There were ten matches that went to a third set," Coach Irihata said, tapping his index finger on the table. "We lost five of them. That gives us only a 50% win rate in three-set games…"

Because Aoba Johsai had won the Spring Nationals again last year, Miyagi still had two slots at Nationals this year. Based on practice performance so far, those two teams would likely still be Aoba Johsai and Karasuno.

But no one felt that merely qualifying for Nationals was enough.

Mizoguchi Sadayuki looked gloomy. Back when Taichi was still with Aoba Johsai, the team had swept every match at Nationals—2–0 or 3–0 wins across the board, never dropping a set.

Even including prefectural qualifiers, their only loss had been a single set to Karasuno in the finals.

"Mizoguchi-kun, why the long face?" Irihata Nobuteru asked with faux concern. "Where's that fire you had last year when you were desperate to become a coach?"

Mizoguchi Sadayuki shot him a glare. "You're the one who got all the glory. Aoba Johsai pulled off a Nationals three-peat. I swear, even the wrinkles on your face look deeper from how much you've been smiling."

"Ahahaha…" Irihata laughed loudly. "But this is when coaching skills truly get tested! Besides, Aoba Johsai isn't weak now, either."

"Coach, you know it's not just the teams in Miyagi I'm worried about."

After dominating last year, Miyagi's schools attracted nearly 30% more students from outside the prefecture. But surprisingly, despite the larger influx, there hadn't been any particularly impressive rookies this year.

Miyagi's recent national success owed much to a string of extraordinary newcomers:

Class of 2010: Ushijima Wakatoshi, Oikawa Tōru, Tendō Satori

Class of 2011: Not as stellar, but still included Nishinoya Yū, Kyōtani Kentarō, Aone Takashi

Class of 2012: Kaedehara Taichi, Kageyama Tobio, Hinata Shōyō, Kunimi Akira

Class of 2013: Players like Nakamori Daiki and Kimura Ryōta who had made a splash at Nationals

But now, in the year that Kaedehara Taichi had gone pro, no outstanding first-years had emerged.

With all of Japan's "Big Three Aces" now in the pros, the current stars among wing spikers were:

Third Years: Riseki Heisuke (Inarizaki), Kunimi Akira (Aoba Johsai), Hyakuzawa Yūdai (Kakugawa)

Second Years: Sarukui Fūto (Fukurōdani), Kimura Ryōta (Date Tech)

First Years: Chita Chidō (Itachiyama), Narisa Ao (Kamomedai High), Kubo Terunao (Inubishi Higashi High)

Mizoguchi didn't know much about Narisa or Kubo, but Chita Chidō from Itachiyama was already a strong contender for Best Rookie of the Year.

In mid-April, Itachiyama made a rare trip to Miyagi for a practice match against Aoba Johsai.

Their starters travelled from Tokyo over the weekend and played three matches the next day—each one going the full three sets.

Even though Itachiyama had also weakened following the graduation of Sakusa Kiyoomi and Komori Motoya…

Match 1

[Aoba Johsai 25 – 22 Itachiyama]

[Aoba Johsai 25 – 27 Itachiyama]

[Aoba Johsai 23 – 25 Itachiyama]

—Itachiyama wins

Match 2

[Aoba Johsai 27 – 25 Itachiyama]

[Aoba Johsai 20 – 25 Itachiyama]

[Aoba Johsai 28 – 26 Itachiyama]

—Aoba Johsai narrowly wins

Match 3

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 25 Itachiyama]

[Aoba Johsai 32 – 30 Itachiyama]

[Aoba Johsai 28 – 30 Itachiyama]

—Itachiyama wins again

That first-year ace named Chita Chidō—on the court, he was second only to Kunimi Akira. In fact, he was already outperforming Aoba Johsai's second-year wing spiker, Yamabuki Yūjin.

Itachiyama had delivered a crushing blow to Aoba Johsai, who had been champions in the Prefectural Citizens' Tournament, making them feel the pain of Kaedehara Taichi's departure for the first time—a pain that was even more tangible than when Oikawa Tōru had left the team.

Meanwhile, Itachiyama returned to Tokyo brimming with the sweet satisfaction of revenge.

"Don't worry," said Coach Irihata kindly. "Just like Oikawa's departure helped Taichi grow, the same will happen for these guys after Taichi's departure. They've clearly been training harder."

"That's true," agreed Mizoguchi Sadayuki, thoughtfully. "Especially the third-years. Kindaichi has always worked hard, but lately he's been watching all kinds of match footage with Yūki, and he seems to be understanding the importance of analysing the game now."

"What surprises me the most is Kunimi. I've never seen him work this hard."

-----

Thud!

The volleyball hit the floor.

"Nice spike, Kunimi-senpai," said Nakamori Daiki sincerely. He realised he had completely underestimated just how impressive Kunimi Akira was as a wing spiker.

When Kaedehara Taichi was still Aoba Johsai's main attacker, Kunimi had mainly focused on receiving and setting to support him. But now that Yamabuki couldn't carry the offensive load alone, Kunimi had gradually shifted his focus from defence to offense.

Height, strength, speed, jumping ability, technique—Kunimi didn't particularly excel in any one area, but he also didn't have any glaring weaknesses.

A player like him would normally be considered very common in high school volleyball—but on the court, Kunimi played completely differently from others.

Smart.

It was a quality hard to observe with the naked eye, but in Kunimi, it stood out more clearly than anyone else.

Nakamori had only sensed this kind of intelligence in a few people before—Kozume Kenma of Nekoma, and Tsukishima Kei of Karasuno.

Kenma played like a master strategist, manipulating the flow of the game with his sets. Even though Nekoma lacked firepower in offence, he always found ways to score. Those seemingly effortless touches, processed at lightning speed in his mind, always ended up in the most threatening spots—catching opponents completely off-guard.

When facing Nekoma, the best tactic was brute force.

Tsukishima's intelligence, on the other hand, came from his control over the game's rhythm. He read opponents' minds and set traps in advance. At critical moments—when the opponents were riding a scoring streak and full of momentum—he would intentionally show a flaw, bait them with a feint, and make them commit an error, shifting the tide of the game in an instant.

Over Golden Week, Aoba Johsai had suffered plenty at Tsukishima's hands at the net.

Kunimi shared similarities with them but also had his own style. He wasn't a strategist like Kenma, nor did he calmly manipulate the opposition like Tsukishima.

Kunimi used his intelligence for himself—choosing when to conserve energy, when to give his all, when to defend, and when to attack. In different situations, he made different choices. As a result, his offensive rhythm had become strangely unpredictable.

—That night, after their loss to Itatsuyama, Kunimi Akira approached Nakamori Daiki.

"Daiki, do you want to become Aoba Johsai's ace?" Kunimi asked bluntly.

"Huh?" Nakamori blinked, confused. "Why? You played really well today, didn't you? That first-year ace from Itachiyama didn't perform any better than you."

"Maybe. But he'll grow. And he'll grow fast," Kunimi replied calmly. "Yūjin's ceiling is probably about the same as mine. But that guy's ceiling…could be Sakusa Kiyoomi."

"If our goal is still to dominate the nation, then our offensive firepower isn't enough."

"Makes sense," Nakamori nodded.

"So…are you in?"

"Nope. I don't want to."

Kunimi: "…Taichi said you used to be a wing spiker."

Nakamori: "Yup."

"Then why not?"

"Being a libero is fun!" Nakamori said without hesitation.

"Yeah, figures. Anyone close to Taichi turns out to be a bit of a weirdo," Kunimi muttered.

"I love that moment when some arrogant ace goes all out with a spike and still can't score off me. They end up flailing around, yelling in frustration…I've grown addicted to that feeling."

"…You're making half of that up," Kunimi said flatly.

Nakamori didn't explain further and continued, "My ultimate goal is to make Taichi show that same frustrated expression. I want him to get so mad he starts yelling nonsense!"

"I support you!" Kunimi nodded approvingly. "In that case, keep being our libero."

"But honestly, I think Taichi would just get even more fired up."

Nakamori: "…"

That…actually sounded like exactly what would happen.

…

A short silence passed between them.

"I keep thinking about what I can do right now," Kunimi murmured. In truth, this mindset had emerged after he became Aoba Johsai's captain. For some reason, Kunimi just couldn't stand the thought of Aoba Johsai being underestimated on his watch.

"Then just grow faster. Become a better ace than all of them," Nakamori said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

"Spoken like a true genius, huh?" Kunimi said with a sigh.

"You got picked for the Japan-America Exchange Program team in your second year—aren't you a genius yourself?" Nakamori shot back. "Oh wait~ you didn't make the final roster, right?"

"You little—" Kunimi hadn't really cared about that before, but now Nakamori made it sound like some kind of disgrace.

"So tell me—why don't you want to be the ace?" Nakamori asked.

"…" After a long silence, Kunimi slowly replied, "It's too exhausting."

Nakamori: "???"

"Are you serious?"

"You get targeted by the opponents, everyone has expectations of you, you need balanced offensive and defensive skills, and you don't get a single second to rest on the court." Kunimi rattled off a whole list. "Just thinking about it makes me tired."

"I'm outta here." Nakamori turned and walked away without even looking back.

"Eh—" Kunimi reached out, but failed to stop him. "What a disrespectful way to treat your captain."

The chilly night sky gave off a faint breeze. Stars scattered like diamonds embedded in a vast black silk curtain.

Kunimi wandered slowly, deep in thought. The abilities I have…the places where I can still improve…the ways to defeat our opponents…

"Kunimi! There you are!" Kindaichi Yūtarō's voice shattered the quiet around him. "The gym's about to close! Hurry back!"

"Kindaichi!" Kunimi suddenly called out.

"Huh? What's up?" Kindaichi asked as he gently pushed Kunimi toward the gym.

"Let's win Aoba Johsai's fourth championship together."

"Of course!" Kindaichi answered as if it were obvious. "Hasn't that always been our goal—to take the national title?"

"Yeah. Yeah, it has."

"You okay, Kunimi? You seem…kinda off."

"How annoying. Even you can tell?" Kunimi grumbled, wondering if he'd made the wrong decision.

"Huh?" Kindaichi looked puzzled.

"Anyway, I've decided…" Kunimi muttered listlessly, "I'll be Aoba Johsai's ace."

"…Huh? Haven't you already been?"

Kunimi: "…"

Forget it. For now, I'll just do what I can.

That's my answer.

_________

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