Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty
Author: IseeBlack
Chapter 380: Have They Really Grown Weaker?
"Inubishi Higashi is a team that truly embodies the term
."
"They don't carry the
or
of traditional powerhouses, yet their gritty spirit and outstanding performance have made them stand out among the competition."
"Inubishi Higashi has reached nationals for three consecutive years—
—and each year, they've
themselves. Although they narrowly lost to Itachiyama in last year's Spring High, they still made it to the
."
"And the ones who have carried the team to such heights are three core players who have finally begun to shine—outside hitter Sanada Shunpei, middle blocker Akiha Kazuma, and libero Moriyama Makoto."
"This year, they've even been seeded
among the title contenders. Yet somehow, this steadily improving Inubishi Higashi is set to face Aoba Johsai on the
of the tournament."
"Let's hope they can keep up with the reigning champions…"
"This damn commentator! Did they seriously call us the
!?" Inubishi Higashi's middle blocker Akiha Kazuma raged, swinging his arms furiously. "They
think there are
teams stronger than us?!"
"Well, Aoba Johsai is only seeded third," said Moriyama Makoto, now a second-year, murmuring softly.
"We made it to the
last year, and they still ranked us fifth? Who the
are those four teams ahead of us?" Akiha complained, scowling.
"Itachiyama, Kamomedai, Aoba Johsai, Inarizaki," Sanada Shunpei replied flatly.
Akiha fell silent. "..."
"
. I still don't think we're any weaker than them. And that damn commentator saying we need to
—what a joke!"
Sanada quietly rewound Aoba Johsai's second-round match, watching it again. "Aoba Johsai
win Spring High. We lost 0–2 to Itachiyama last year, and they beat them 3–1. However you look at it, they
seem stronger."
There weren't many recent videos of Aoba Johsai available to Inubishi Higashi. This was already the third time Sanada had watched this one.
"But didn't
only give them the third seed because their captain—
—graduated?" Moriyama asked, frowning. "They clearly took a big hit in terms of strength, right?
, we've only grown stronger!"
Inubishi Higashi only had one graduating third-year:
Mukai Taiyō.
"Even so," Sanada said, pointing at the screen, "they still won the second set without even sending Kaedehara Taichi onto the court."
"...Have they
grown weaker?"
Akiha didn't argue, even though he was clearly annoyed. After all, the first step to defeating an opponent was to
their strength—Inubishi Higashi had made it this far
because of that mindset.
"Even so, we'll beat them."
"Of course," Sanada replied, calm as always. Yet beneath his composed exterior burned an undeniable fighting spirit. Last year, they'd missed the chance to face Kaedehara Taichi by a single match. That had left him with some regret
he was finally getting his wish.
A player ranked among the nation's Top Three Aces
he deserved a shot at the spotlight.
-----
"Today is the third day of the Inter-High Nationals, and here on Court A, where the spectators are gathered, we're about to witness
of the morning bracket!"
"Two seeded champion teams meeting
than expected—only one will advance!"
"As the teams enter for warm-ups, let's turn our attention to them!"
"Both teams are considered relatively new contenders on the national stage, but we're sure everyone here is more than familiar with them! Now, let's look forward to the match's kickoff!"
As the commentator's passionate hype filled the venue, the players from Aoba Johsai and Inubishi Higashi began their warm-up routines.
"Kindaichi, don't you feel like those guys have been staring at you this whole time?" Kaedehara Taichi asked in a suspicious whisper.
Kindaichi Yūtarō glanced across the net
several of the Inubishi Higashi players were looking directly in their direction.
"Why?" Kindaichi murmured, frowning. He didn't recognize
of them…
"Maybe they overheard you saying
shut them down at the net?" Taichi replied earnestly.
Kindaichi had actually suspected that too. Without showing any weakness, he glared back across the net
"Kunimi," he muttered to Kunimi Akira, his tone a mix of nerves and excitement, "I think I'm being targeted."
Kunimi rolled his eyes and pulled Kindaichi away from Taichi, stepping into his place beside him.
"How about now?"
Kindaichi looked back across the court.
"Kunimi, they're staring at
now!" he said, voice rising in disbelief.
Kunimi: "I…"
Meanwhile, having had his fun messing with Kindaichi, Kaedehara Taichi turned his attention back to observing Inubishi Higashi's lineup with a cheerful glint in his eye. "I'm sizing you guys up, so what are
staring at?"
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
he was ranked among the
nationwide
;
,
,
,
,
It was rare to see this kind of pure power build from other regions, but to Aoba Johsai, it was a familiar pattern.
—definitely a major weapon.
;
,
,
,
,
;
.
Seeing that, Taichi understood why Inubishi Higashi was being hyped so much.
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
Unfortunately, there was a
in skill between those three standout players and the rest.
The setter, a first-year, was…
. But for a team on the national level, his ability just didn't cut it.
though in their second or third years, weren't particularly exceptional either. It was probably a sign that Inubishi Higashi hadn't been able to recruit many strong newcomers.
Then again, that was a fairly common problem. For a first-year to make a real impact in the Nationals, unless they were the
, they'd pretty much have to be a genius.
"Well then—let's wrap this up fast and get off work early," Taichi muttered.
His sharp gaze finally withdrew, and the Inubishi Higashi players, who'd been feeling oddly tense, visibly relaxed.
."
"They don't carry the
or
of traditional powerhouses, yet their gritty spirit and outstanding performance have made them stand out among the competition."
"Inubishi Higashi has reached nationals for three consecutive years—
—and each year, they've
themselves. Although they narrowly lost to Itachiyama in last year's Spring High, they still made it to the
."
"And the ones who have carried the team to such heights are three core players who have finally begun to shine—outside hitter Sanada Shunpei, middle blocker Akiha Kazuma, and libero Moriyama Makoto."
"This year, they've even been seeded
among the title contenders. Yet somehow, this steadily improving Inubishi Higashi is set to face Aoba Johsai on the
of the tournament."
"Let's hope they can keep up with the reigning champions…"
"This damn commentator! Did they seriously call us the
!?" Inubishi Higashi's middle blocker Akiha Kazuma raged, swinging his arms furiously. "They
think there are
teams stronger than us?!"
"Well, Aoba Johsai is only seeded third," said Moriyama Makoto, now a second-year, murmuring softly.
"We made it to the
last year, and they still ranked us fifth? Who the
are those four teams ahead of us?" Akiha complained, scowling.
"Itachiyama, Kamomedai, Aoba Johsai, Inarizaki," Sanada Shunpei replied flatly.
Akiha fell silent. "..."
"
. I still don't think we're any weaker than them. And that damn commentator saying we need to
—what a joke!"
Sanada quietly rewound Aoba Johsai's second-round match, watching it again. "Aoba Johsai
win Spring High. We lost 0–2 to Itachiyama last year, and they beat them 3–1. However you look at it, they
seem stronger."
There weren't many recent videos of Aoba Johsai available to Inubishi Higashi. This was already the third time Sanada had watched this one.
"But didn't
only give them the third seed because their captain—
—graduated?" Moriyama asked, frowning. "They clearly took a big hit in terms of strength, right?
, we've only grown stronger!"
Inubishi Higashi only had one graduating third-year:
Mukai Taiyō.
"Even so," Sanada said, pointing at the screen, "they still won the second set without even sending Kaedehara Taichi onto the court."
"...Have they
grown weaker?"
Akiha didn't argue, even though he was clearly annoyed. After all, the first step to defeating an opponent was to
their strength—Inubishi Higashi had made it this far
because of that mindset.
"Even so, we'll beat them."
"Of course," Sanada replied, calm as always. Yet beneath his composed exterior burned an undeniable fighting spirit. Last year, they'd missed the chance to face Kaedehara Taichi by a single match. That had left him with some regret
he was finally getting his wish.
A player ranked among the nation's Top Three Aces
he deserved a shot at the spotlight.
-----
"Today is the third day of the Inter-High Nationals, and here on Court A, where the spectators are gathered, we're about to witness
of the morning bracket!"
"Two seeded champion teams meeting
than expected—only one will advance!"
"As the teams enter for warm-ups, let's turn our attention to them!"
"Both teams are considered relatively new contenders on the national stage, but we're sure everyone here is more than familiar with them! Now, let's look forward to the match's kickoff!"
As the commentator's passionate hype filled the venue, the players from Aoba Johsai and Inubishi Higashi began their warm-up routines.
"Kindaichi, don't you feel like those guys have been staring at you this whole time?" Kaedehara Taichi asked in a suspicious whisper.
Kindaichi Yūtarō glanced across the net
several of the Inubishi Higashi players were looking directly in their direction.
"Why?" Kindaichi murmured, frowning. He didn't recognize
of them…
"Maybe they overheard you saying
shut them down at the net?" Taichi replied earnestly.
Kindaichi had actually suspected that too. Without showing any weakness, he glared back across the net
"Kunimi," he muttered to Kunimi Akira, his tone a mix of nerves and excitement, "I think I'm being targeted."
Kunimi rolled his eyes and pulled Kindaichi away from Taichi, stepping into his place beside him.
"How about now?"
Kindaichi looked back across the court.
"Kunimi, they're staring at
now!" he said, voice rising in disbelief.
Kunimi: "I…"
Meanwhile, having had his fun messing with Kindaichi, Kaedehara Taichi turned his attention back to observing Inubishi Higashi's lineup with a cheerful glint in his eye. "I'm sizing you guys up, so what are
staring at?"
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
he was ranked among the
nationwide
;
,
,
,
,
It was rare to see this kind of pure power build from other regions, but to Aoba Johsai, it was a familiar pattern.
—definitely a major weapon.
;
,
,
,
,
;
.
Seeing that, Taichi understood why Inubishi Higashi was being hyped so much.
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
;
,
,
,
,
;
,
.
Unfortunately, there was a
in skill between those three standout players and the rest.
The setter, a first-year, was…
. But for a team on the national level, his ability just didn't cut it.
though in their second or third years, weren't particularly exceptional either. It was probably a sign that Inubishi Higashi hadn't been able to recruit many strong newcomers.
Then again, that was a fairly common problem. For a first-year to make a real impact in the Nationals, unless they were the
, they'd pretty much have to be a genius.
"Well then—let's wrap this up fast and get off work early," Taichi muttered.
His sharp gaze finally withdrew, and the Inubishi Higashi players, who'd been feeling oddly tense, visibly relaxed.