Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

A team like DH, whose overall strength was only around top eight in the league, had actually fought the championship favourite, the Black Jackals, to a 1-1 tie!

Even the most optimistic DH fans probably hadn't dared to imagine such a scenario.

"After the Black Jackals took the first set with their overwhelming firepower and seamless teamwork, DH came back in the second with unyielding tenacity!"

"Once Taichi returned to the front row, he shone brilliantly on both offence and defence. In the end, he led DH to take the second set, fully asserting his status as an undisputed ace."

"DH's performance today has been completely unexpected! Not only did they withstand the Black Jackals' offence, but they also showed astonishing resilience in critical moments!"

"True, but looking at the match as a whole, I still have more confidence in the Black Jackals," commentator Watanabe analysed. "Their ability to adjust and their wealth of experience give them a huge advantage. I think in the third set, the Black Jackals will likely regain control of the rhythm and use their offensive firepower to suppress DH."

"Even with such an unbelievable performance from Taichi?" commentator Daisuke asked.

"Even so. Let's not forget, Meian Shūgo isn't someone to be taken lightly. His blocking and attacking are just as threatening," Watanabe said seriously. "At the end of the day, volleyball is a team sport. An individual might win a set for you, but changing the entire course of a match through one player alone…that's asking too much."

Daisuke nodded. Watanabe's point was valid, but—

"Personally, I have a good feeling about DH today. Their team play has actually been quite solid overall. Sure, Taichi's form has been dazzling, but without the support of his teammates, he wouldn't even be able to launch those attacks."

"I believe the third set will be the turning point of this match. If DH can maintain this momentum, then Taichi will become the deciding factor at critical moments."

The commentators' predictions more or less reflected what the audience was thinking. Unlike at the end of the first set when most fans fully expected the Black Jackals to win, now everyone was unsure.

Would the Black Jackals reclaim control, or would DH keep creating miracles?

Everyone was eagerly waiting to find out.

-----

The interval ended—

The third set began.

MSBY Black Jackals' lineup:

Front row—Opposite Hitter Oliver Barnes, Outside Hitter Bokuto Kōtarō, Middle Blocker Meian Shūgo.

Back row—Middle Blocker Adriah Thomas (Libero: Inunaki Shion), Outside Hitter Sakusa Kiyoomi and Setter Miya Atsumu.

DESEO Hornets' lineup:

Front row—Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi, Opposite Hitter Yoshii Hiyu, Middle Blocker Nitta Asahiro.

Back row—Middle Blocker Tom Wilde (Libero: Kubo Wataru), Setter Iizuna Tsukasa, Outside Hitter Kitajima Kippei.

Both teams had made some adjustments to their formations. However, DH's core strategy remained unchanged: Nitta Asahiro and Iizuna Tsukasa continued to be positioned with space between themselves and Taichi, ensuring a more balanced strength distribution across DH's rotations.

The Black Jackals, meanwhile, had abandoned their opening power-serve approach from Miya Atsumu. From the very start, they deployed their strongest blocking formation.

Their goal was clear:

As long as they shut down Kaedehara Taichi, the rest of DH wasn't worth fearing.

DH to serve first. Kitajima Kippei stepped up to the line.

Coincidentally, DH's opening rotation for the third set was almost identical to the one they ended the second set with—

Giving the team a sense that their momentum hadn't been broken.

BOOM!!

Kitajima Kippei launched a powerful jump serve, targeting the front-row Oliver Barnes.

"Mine!"

Oliver Barnes stepped aside to make space—

From the back row, Inunaki Shion stepped up to receive the ball.

"Wait, what are they doing…?"

Miya Atsumu didn't go in to cover the ball—

Instead, the one moving up to support the setter's role…was Sakusa Kiyoomi, also coming in from the back.

Yoshii Hiyu dropped back for defence, while Kaedehara Taichi and Nitta Asahiro stood poised on the left and right, ready to react.

"—?"

"That's way too bold!"

Sakusa Kiyoomi sent the ball backward—

To the left wing of the Black Jackals' side of the court.

Suddenly, Oliver Barnes, who had just stepped aside and been boxed out by the two players coming forward, sprinted in from outside the sideline.

One foot landing just inside the three-meter line, he leapt.

Thud!

In the first set, Miya Atsumu had mostly avoided attacking into Kaedehara Taichi's block.

But now, in the third set, it was as if they were intentionally going straight at him.

Nitta Asahiro couldn't make it to the left in time—

Kaedehara Taichi jumped up for a solo block.

BOOM!!!

The volleyball shot straight past the right side of Kaedehara Taichi and slammed into DH's back corner.

"I got it!"

Thwack!

The ball struck Kitajima Kippei, causing his body to jolt slightly before it shot straight toward the baseline.

Yoshii Hiyu chased after it with all his strength and managed to bring the ball back into play.

For the final attack, Nitta Asahiro stepped onto the three-meter line and went for the spike from the right side.

"Bokuto!"

"Got it!"

"Double block!" Bokuto Kōtarō and Meian Shūgo leapt up in unison.

BANG!

The ball struck the blockers' hands and dropped back into DH's court.

Smack!

Iizuna Tsukasa dived from the back row and managed to save it. Yoshii Hiyu, barely back on court, rushed in again for a follow-up set.

Whoosh—!

The ball flew toward the left wing. Kaedehara Taichi dashed along the sideline for the approach.

Black Jackals' plan had worked—the rhythm of DH's offence had completely fallen apart! The first touch was unstable, the second setter wasn't Iizuna Tsukasa, and in this situation, having to force the ball to Kaedehara Taichi was exactly what they'd hoped for.

"Triple block!" Oliver Barnes, Bokuto Kōtarō, and Meian Shūgo all jumped together.

Bokuto Kōtarō had made up for Sakusa Kiyoomi's shortcoming in the last rotation—right now, Black Jackals' block was flawless!

"There's no space to swing."

Taichi's gaze sharpened. The path ahead was completely sealed. If the ball rebounded…they'd probably shut it down without hesitation.

BOOM!!—

Smack!—

"One touch!" The ball slammed against Bokuto Kōtarō's arm and bounced high.

"Chance ball!" Inunaki Shion called loudly.

"I got it!"

Miya Atsumu was already in position and received the first touch from near the baseline, sending it back up toward the net.

Kaedehara Taichi and the Black Jackals blockers landed simultaneously and looked up at the ball—just then, Sakusa Kiyoomi appeared.

"How excessive—"

Kaedehara Taichi jumped a second time to block at the net.

—BANG!!

The ball easily slipped past his outstretched hands.

"Not on my watch!"

A large hand intercepted the ball—Nitta Asahiro had just barely arrived from the right side.

Smack!

"—?"

The ball fell just past Nitta Asahiro's right side.

Thud!

The ball landed on DH's court. Sakusa Kiyoomi's second attack scored.

[DH 0 - 1 Black Jackals]

"Sorry!" Nitta Asahiro called out. "I knew it was coming, but that weird spin was way too much…"

You didn't always need to hit the ball off the block and out of bounds—if the ball touched the block and dropped straight down, that was a point too.

"You can't beat us, Taichi," Sakusa Kiyoomi said calmly.

Kaedehara Taichi glanced at Sakusa, Miya Atsumu, and Bokuto Kōtarō in turn—then smiled, a deep, meaningful grin forming on his face.

How interesting.

So this is what it felt like—to face the Monster Generation head-on.

_________

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