Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

BOOM!!!

Nitta Asahiro launched a powerful jump serve, and the ball shot toward the back row of Black Jackals.

"Atsumu!"

"Got it!"

Atsumu swiftly slid into position at the left baseline and bumped the ball up with his hands.

"I got it!"

Sakusa Kiyoomi jumped in to cover and set the ball. Bokuto Kōtarō sprang up from the left to spike.

"Double block!" Tom Wilde and Kaedehara Taichi jumped at the same time.

The path of the ball was completely sealed off—or so it seemed!

BOOM!!!—

At the precise moment the blockers descended, Bokuto whipped his arm through the air. The ball shot past right in front of Kaedehara Taichi.

A tight line shot hugging the net!

Whap!

Yoshii Hiyu received the ball.

"Cover!"

Iizuna Tsukasa moved forward to set, sending the ball high toward the centre. Kaedehara Taichi jumped to spike.

"Double block!" Bokuto Kōtarō and Meian Shūgo leapt together.

—BOOM!!!

The ball grazed Meian's fingertips, then ricocheted off Oliver Barnes' arm and flew out of bounds.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with the spike.

[DH 10 - 10 Black Jackals]

"Watanabe-sensei, it seems like neither team has pulled ahead in the third set. What's your take?"

"This third set marks a turning point in the entire match," Watanabe replied, arms folded across his chest and voice calm. "Because of that, both teams are being more conservative with their offence and defence. Compared to the first two sets, I believe this one will turn into a tug-of-war. Whichever team finds the breakthrough first will likely win this set—and lay the foundation for victory in the match."

"Could you briefly analyse both teams' current situations?"

"No problem. Let's start with the Hornets," he said, nodding slightly.

"For them, the only time they can pose a serious blocking threat to Black Jackals is when Kaedehara Taichi and Nitta Asahiro are both in the front row. Most of the time, they can only try to restrict the hitting lanes through block positioning and rely on tight defence to counterattack. That's also been their main strategy since last season."

"As for their offence, the bulk of the burden still falls on Kaedehara Taichi. In terms of finishing the attack, it's hard for the others to provide much support."

Suzuki Daisuke nodded in agreement. "That's definitely the case. Although DH is continuing to keep Nitta Asahiro on the court, it hasn't translated into meaningful results so far."

"As for Black Jackals," Watanabe continued, "their defence is centred around their blocking, with Meian Shūgo acting as the anchor. Receiving plays more of a supporting role. Aside from Kaedehara Taichi, most of DH's attackers haven't been able to overcome their block."

"Offensively, they're more mobile and balanced, with multiple attack options. If the situation stays the same, the longer the set drags on, the more it'll favour them."

Oliver Barnes scored with a high-reaching spike.

[DH 10 - 11 Black Jackals]

Service changed hands— Black Jackals to serve.

Meian Shūgo scored a direct point with his serve.

[DH 10 - 12 Black Jackals]

Black Jackals continued serving.

Meian served again.

"Mine!"

"Cover!" Nitta Asahiro received the serve.

No matter how many times he tried, it still felt forced to follow up with an attack after receiving. Now that he thought about it—he had switched from wing spiker to middle blocker in the first place because his receiving wasn't good enough. Nitta Asahiro smiled wryly at the thought.

Iizuna covered and set the ball high to the right.

Kaedehara Taichi jumped and slammed a straight spike down the sideline, skimming just inside the line.

[DH 11 - 12 Black Jackals]

Service change—DH to serve.

Kaedehara Taichi stepped up to the service line.

BOOM!!!

Kaedehara Taichi delivered a direct service ace.

[DH 12 - 12 Black Jackals]

"120 km/h."

To the spectators on the sidelines, this number had become almost numbing by now.

"Tweet!—"

Taichi sent out his second serve.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

Sakusa Kiyoomi barely managed to receive it, and Miya Atsumu quickly stepped in to set the ball.

Since the Black Jackals were using a four-man reception formation against Taichi's serve, only their right wing attacker, Adriah Thomas, was left in the front row to initiate an attack.

Fwoosh—!

Thud!

Adriah Thomas leapt in from the right side to spike.

"Triple block!" Kitajima Kippei, Iizuna Tsukasa, and Tom Wilde jumped simultaneously.

—BOOM!!!

The volleyball flew over Iizuna's block, heading straight toward the back row—right at Nitta Asahiro.

Smack!

Yoshii Hiyu courageously received the ball.

Iizuna quickly moved into position to set.

DH launched a four-point synchronised attack!

In the front row were Kitajima Kippei and Tom Wilde; in the back row, Nitta Asahiro and Kaedehara Taichi.

Just as DH's front-row offensive power was at its weakest, the Black Jackals' front-row blocking lineup happened to be at its thinnest.

Miya Atsumu, Sakusa Kiyoomi, and Adriah Thomas were spread out across the net. As they tried to analyse the direction of Iizuna's set (left or right), they also had to anticipate the timing of the block (early or late).

Fwoosh!—

Iizuna chose to avoid Adriah Thomas and sent the ball to the left.

Miya Atsumu leapt to block, and Sakusa quickly moved in from the right to join him.

Whoosh!

Kitajima Kippei swung and missed.

BOOM!!!

Nitta Asahiro scored with a back-row attack!

[DH 13 - 12 Black Jackals]

Unnoticed until now, DH had quietly strung together three consecutive points and taken the lead.

"Beep! Black Jackals call for a timeout."

Samson Foster stood with his hands on his hips, brows deeply furrowed as his eyes swept across DH's bench. His gaze carried a flicker of surprise and weight—clearly, he hadn't expected Nick Foster's tactical adjustments to work so quickly.

Nitta Asahiro's back-row movement had grown smoother with each play—If I can't follow up after receiving, then I just won't receive at all, he thought.

In truth, Nitta Asahiro was functioning more like a power opposite, disregarding his official position.

At present, the Black Jackals were stuck in their worst defensive rotation. Their front-row blockers—Miya Atsumu, Sakusa Kiyoomi, and Adriah Thomas—only had Adriah capable of defending one-on-one. In the back row were Inunaki Shion, Bokuto Kōtarō, and Oliver Barnes. Oliver was the clear weak point in reception. And when covering for him, the remaining two simply couldn't guard the entire backcourt.

"So we have to power through this rotation with brute force!" Samson Foster grabbed his clipboard and rapidly drew up a new scheme.

"Atsumu, when facing Kaedehara Taichi's serve, don't force an immediate attack. Focus on stabilising and adjusting the offensive rhythm—wait for the right opportunity to strike decisively!"

"Got it!" Miya nodded.

"Sakusa, Thomas—you two need to target the block. DH's block coordination is shaky in this rotation. You can finish the rally right at the net."

"Understood!"

"And keep your eyes on Nitta and Taichi's movement patterns. They won't always launch back-row attacks honestly and predictably."

"Understood!!"

"Now go crush them, my jackals." Samson Foster swept his arm outward. "Show them what the number one offensive team in the league looks like!"

"YES SIR!!!"

_________

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