Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

For the first time in a year, Aoba Johsai once again defeated Karasuno on the stage of the Interhigh prefectural preliminaries.
"This doesn't feel like the level of a
match at all…"
Though Aoba Johsai had won cleanly in straight sets with a large point gap, Karasuno's performance left the audience in awe.
Karasuno's fans thought back to the match and still couldn't shake the feeling that there had been a glimmer of hope. But since the outcome had already been decided, there wasn't much point in discussing
anymore.
"Thank you for the match!!!"
Both teams lined up at the net to shake hands and say their goodbyes.
Kageyama Tobio's expression was somewhat blank. He couldn't understand
The Aoba Johsai team no longer had Oikawa-senpai. Even the figure of him in Kageyama's memory seemed to be drifting farther and farther away.
Kageyama reached out,
—but all he could see was Oikawa Tōru disappearing into the darkness.
"Hey, Kageyama."
A voice snapped him out of his daze. Kaedehara Taichi was holding his hand.
"Oikawa-senpai spent two whole years in high school
against Ushijima-senpai… Actually, if you count junior high, that makes five years," Taichi said with a smile on his face.
Kageyama stared at him in confusion, not understanding why Taichi suddenly brought this up.
"The frustration you're feeling right now—
, and for
longer, even deeper."
Taichi's expression turned serious.
"You'll get stronger too,
you? Don't waste that astonishing talent that even Oikawa-senpai was jealous of."
Ennoshita Chikara and Yahaba Shigeru watched Taichi and Kageyama carefully as they shook hands. Even Daichi had specifically warned them before graduation to protect the promising talents on the team
"Don't worry, Taichi usually knows where the line is when it's not during a match," Yahaba said, sensing the tension in Ennoshita's grip and knowing exactly what he was worried about.
"Haha…"
Ennoshita let out a stiff yet polite laugh.
He hadn't expected Taichi to actually encourage Kageyama after the match. People
were more complicated than they seemed.
Back in the rest area, Kageyama still couldn't get Taichi's words out of his head.
Kageyama had played volleyball since he was a child.
—but to him, it was all because he had worked hard. For a long time after his grandfather passed away, volleyball had been his
world.
So, when others couldn't do something, Kageyama's first instinct was always to think,
He never once considered that the difference could lie in
.
"I'm sorry. This loss was my fault!"
The coach's voice interrupted Kageyama's thoughts.
Ukai Keishin bowed deeply to the Karasuno players.
"As a coach, I
have a lot to learn."
"Coach!"
"Coach Ukai!"
A loss was a loss—
. No amount of excuses would change that fact.
Ukai's apology only made the Karasuno players feel more regret and frustration.
If they had just done their jobs properly—this was on
.
"Still, we're definitely getting closer to Aoba Johsai step by step. That first set today was beautiful."
"Next time, we'll come back even stronger!"
"Yes, sir!!!"
———
On the way back to the bus, Kageyama Tobio walked with unusually heavy steps. A faint crease formed between his brows, his eyes filled with confusion and contemplation.
"Kageyama, what've you been thinking about this whole time?"
Hinata Shōyō had tried talking to him several times with no response. Finally, he couldn't hold it in anymore and shouted.
"
. You wouldn't get it."
"How can anyone get it if you don't say anything?! Don't tell me you're
of Taichi now? I'm warning you—when Spring High rolls around, I'm
getting that win back!"
"…
."
"Kageyama, I think I know what you're thinking," said Ennoshita Chikara from the side.
"Huh? That punk Taichi said something to you again?" Tanaka Ryūnosuke growled, looking ready to throw hands. "I'll go
him out for you!"
"No," Kageyama said, still puzzled. "Taichi said…I have the
of talent that would make Oikawa-san jealous. I don't get it…"
Everyone from Karasuno exchanged looks.
"That's it? What's there to
get?"
"Do I
have that kind of talent?" Kageyama said uncertainly. "Or is it just Taichi exaggerating…?"
"HUH?!"
The whole team froze. Wait a second…did this guy
not know he was a genius?!!
"Our King really knows how to get on your nerves, huh," Tsukishima Kei muttered with an annoyed look.
"There's no need to doubt it," said Ukai Keishin, firmly. "The moment I saw your quick attack that first time, I knew—
."
"Fast sets that land perfectly in the spiker's hitting window, no matter where you are on the court… And the kind of speed that can toy with blockers
If we're talking
talent, you're the best setter I've seen in your age group."
"Then…why haven't I caught up to Oikawa-san? Or Miya Atsumu…?"
It almost sounded like Kageyama was blaming his teammates—
. He was simply being honest with himself.
"You lack
and
of the game," Ukai answered without hesitation. He'd paid close attention to this prodigy more than anyone else.
Kageyama's growth in technical skill at Karasuno had been subtle, but the real change was in how he learned to balance his own ideas with the needs of the team. That alone marked a massive transformation—and Ukai never felt the need to rush that progress.
The last time Kageyama had shown major technical growth was after the
. And in about a month and a half, he'd have another shot.
"No need to rush," Ukai said, patting Kageyama on the shoulder. "I got word from Coach Washijō. Around mid-July, there's going to be a
. Based on your performance with the
last year, plus recommendations from Coaches Washijō and Irihata—you're
likely to be selected."
"Japan–USA Exchange Match?" Hinata repeated, clearly unfamiliar with the name. "Can I go too?"
"Hah?" Ukai blinked in surprise.
"Dumbass," Tsukishima cut in mercilessly. "This is a
event. The players picked are
athletes from all over the country. Even our so-called
needs a recommendation. Do you
get how this works?"
"
!!!"
"Well then, Kageyama," Ukai said seriously, "When that opportunity comes, make sure you grab it."
"Yes!!"
Kageyama nodded hard.
Only now, he had one more thing—a sense of anticipation.
———
"We should get going too." Futakuchi Kenji led his teammates to their feet. "What a bore. Of course, it's Aoba Johsai again."
"Futakuchi-senpai! I think Taichi's calling you!" Koganegawa Kanji called out.
Futakuchi turned around and looked toward the rest area inside the gym.
—Even though no sound reached him, Futakuchi had no trouble reading those words from Taichi's lips.
Kaedehara Taichi slightly tilted his head with his chin raised, wearing a teasing smirk.
Suddenly, a blond-haired first-year burst out from behind Futakuchi and shouted loudly, "Taichi-senpai! Tomorrow, I'll lead Date Tech to crush Aoba Johsai and prove who the
strongest ace of Miyagi is!"
Aoba Johsai's players clearly saw Kaedehara Taichi's expression freeze. He hadn't expected a first-year to challenge him.
But the next moment, they saw Taichi
a thumb in Ryōta Kimura's direction.
"Eh?" That reaction completely caught Date Tech off guard. "He's
generous?"
It had taken all his courage to speak up—if he was going to model himself after Taichi-senpai, then he had to copy his personality too. But just as the smile was settling on his lips, it
.
Taichi flipped his thumb
.
"Courage is
. But that was a foolish move."
"Trash talk needs to be backed by skill."
———
Although both teams had already secured their spot in Nationals, the battle for the Miyagi title was still at stake.
"Let's have a good match!"
.
.
.
.
"What? Taichi's starting in the back row again?"
As the players took their positions, Date Tech quickly realised Aoba Johsai had placed Kaedehara Taichi in a strong server formation. It was the same lineup from their last encounter in the Prefectural Citizens' Tournament.
"You guys really
learn, do you?" Futakuchi laughed.
Just like last time, when Taichi was in the back row, Date Tech could deploy its strongest blocking rotation. Scoring against them would be tough for Aoba Johsai.
"Oh? If you assumed Taichi would start in the front, why place your
in the back?" Yahaba smirked openly. "Don't tell me you were trying to avoid Taichi and accidentally sent him straight into the fire?"
Futakuchi had to admit—that
the headache. Kimura Ryōta had insisted on provoking Taichi before the match. Originally, they had planned to ease him into the pace of facing Aoba Johsai before he got targeted.
...
"No worries, Futakuchi-senpai." Kimura Ryōta waved it off. "I saw Taichi-senpai's serve yesterday. I already
not to expect a perfect receive."
"I'll try to get the ball up at least. I'll leave the rest to you guys to cover for me!"
"You're a
idiot," Futakuchi groaned, closing his eyes in frustration. "Sakunami, the back row's all yours!"
"Yes, sir!"
Aoba Johsai to serve first. Kaedehara Taichi stepped up to the service line.
The whistle blew.
Taichi rotated the ball slowly in his hand, narrowing his eyes.
It was really starting to get on his nerves.
"He's aiming at me." The moment their eyes met, Kimura Ryōta felt a chill race down his spine.
He hadn't felt
like this from the bleachers.
Suddenly his mouth went dry. That arid sensation climbed up from deep within, lodging itself in his throat. He swallowed unconsciously. The suffocating pressure slammed into him like a crashing tide, drowning him in an instant.
Taichi tossed the ball up lightly and began his approach.
In the next instant—
The ball disappeared from Kimura's view.
The deafening sound erupted behind him.
Kaedehara Taichi had served a no-touch ace.
"Don't worry about it! Next ball!" Sakunami Kōsuke rushed over to Kimura's side. "Try to adjust to his serve speed within the next three balls."
"Y-Yes!" Kimura
, still clearly shaken.
Taichi smiled at him from the service line, then casually took a few steps back.
Kimura stared in dazed confusion at the motion, suspicion flashing through his eyes.
The whistle blew again. Taichi tossed the ball into the air, then started his run-up.
He soared into the air.
So high!
—perfect! It looked exactly like a spike!
Kimura's breathing quickened. His heart pounded violently against his chest, as if trying to escape its cage.
Taichi swung his right arm in one fluid motion.
The sound rang out, thunderous.
The volleyball spun fiercely and crashed right by Kimura's feet, bouncing up
.
Another no-touch ace by Kaedehara Taichi.
Kimura's knees buckled beneath him—
.
"Kimura! Are you okay?" Sakunami Kōsuke reached out a hand to him, only to realise Kimura was
slightly, his eyes filled with a trace of fear toward something he couldn't quite understand.
"Damn
bastard." Futakuchi Kenji cursed under his breath. Those two serves had been excessive
The second one was even faster than the first.
All it would do was crush Kimura under even more pressure.
Futakuchi had no choice. He signalled to the coach on the sideline.