Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

The graduation ceremony hall was filled with a nostalgic atmosphere. Three days had passed since the Prefectural Tournament, and the Aoba Johsai players had gathered once again.

"Whoa! Kyōtani-senpai, you—"

Kaedehara Taichi rarely looked this surprised, and the rest of the team also stared in shock.

"If you have something to say, just spit it out!" Kyōtani Kentarō's impatience was obvious.

Infact, Taichi was so surpised that he naturally shifted from called Kyōtani 'Mad dog-senpai' to his original name.

"Kyōtani-senpai! You're not…planning to become a monk, are you?" Taichi covered his mouth in mock astonishment. "You still have a whole year left before graduation!"

"That's what you're going with?" Yahaba Shigeru sighed, rubbing his forehead. He should have expected this from Taichi.

"How lame," Kyōtani muttered indifferently.

To be fair, Taichi's reaction was understandable. After the Prefectural Tournament, Kyōtani had shaved his head completely bald. His signature yellow hair was gone, making him look more like a typical student.

"You're not a body double, are you? Wait—" Taichi's eyes widened with a sudden realization. "Could it be?! Are you actually Tanaka-senpai from Karasuno in disguise?! Have you come to steal Aoba Johsai's secrets?!"

"You little—" Kyōtani bared his teeth, looking ready to lunge at him.

"Ahem." Taichi nodded seriously as if confirming his theory. "Yeah, you're definitely still Kyōtani-senpai."

"It actually suits you," Yahaba said with a gentle smile. "At least now, you won't scare off the first-years."

Kyōtani didn't respond, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The first-years started chatting amongst themselves as they waited for the ceremony to conclude.

Just as Yahaba was about to leave, he heard Kyōtani's voice from behind him.

"Yahaba…next time, in a crucial moment, you can set the ball to me."

Yahaba blinked in surprise. It wasn't just a request for the ball—it was a declaration.

"I'll definitely score." Kyōtani's tone was stiff, but his determination was unmistakable.

"Alright." Yahaba suddenly realized just how lucky he was to be a setter at Aoba Johsai.

-----

The graduation ceremony carried a bittersweet tone. The third-years' faces were filled with both anticipation for the future and reluctance to leave their high school days behind. After singing the school anthem, the ceremony finally concluded.

Iwaizumi Hajime, Hanamaki Takahiro, and Matsukawa Issei—dressed in their formal graduation attire—quickly found their way to the volleyball team.

"Thank you for everything, senpai!" Led by Yahaba, the underclassmen bowed in unison.

"Thank you, too." Iwaizumi smiled warmly. "It's a shame that the loudest one isn't here."

As he looked at the juniors before him, full of energy and potential, a nostalgic expression crossed his face.

"If it weren't for you guys, Aoba Johsai probably wouldn't have made it to Nationals—let alone won the whole thing." He paused, his gaze carrying both fondness and gratitude. "Thank you for fulfilling Aoba Johsai's dream…and mine and Oikawa's as well."

"Iwaizumi-senpai—" Kindaichi Yūtarō pressed his lips together, holding back tears.

"Winning the championship isn't the only meaning of high school volleyball," Iwaizumi continued, "but for us, it was the greatest reward for all our years of hard work."

"Being able to accomplish this in my final year at Aoba Johsai…I couldn't be prouder. Thank you."

He bowed deeply.

"Iwaizumi-senpai…"

"But this isn't the end of your journey." Iwaizumi straightened, his gaze shifting from Yahaba to the rest of the team, finally settling on Kaedehara Taichi.

"Taichi's talent speaks for itself. Kunimi and Kindaichi are also incredibly gifted players. Yahaba, you need to lead the team and be their unwavering support."

"Yes, sir!"

"Aoba Johsai's Spring High victory isn't the finish line, right, Taichi?"

"Of course not," Taichi answered without hesitation.

"Oikawa will definitely make his mark in the professional scene, but I hope to see even more familiar faces there, too." Iwaizumi's voice was serious. "Your future is limitless."

"Thank you, senpai!!!"

-----

"So this is Aoba Johsai…It's a bit bigger than I imagined and surprisingly clean."

At the school gate, Nakamori Daiki adjusted his bag and peered inside with curiosity.

"Are you here to tour the school, kid?" A tall figure stepped out of the security office.

"Hello, sir. I'm actually a new student here," Daiki responded politely. Even the security guards are this tall? Is Japan's nutrition really that good? he thought to himself.

"…."

The man, however, only let out a short sigh.

"My name is Yūki Yōji. I'm also a new student at Aoba Johsai." His voice was firm and steady.

"Ahaha." Daiki let out an awkward laugh. Now that he looked closer, the guy did seem a bit too young to be a security guard.

A new student. And with that height…

Daiki had a suspicion. "Are you joining the volleyball team?"

It was late March—only out-of-town students would be arriving early to complete paperwork. And today was the first official day of Aoba Johsai's volleyball tryouts.

"You too?" Yōji seemed surprised at first but quickly understood. Based on Daiki's build, he was likely a libero.

"We're probably late. I was just asking for directions to the gym."

"Oh, no worries. I already told a friend to come get me. Let's go together." Daiki was already used to surprised reactions about his height. It didn't bother him anymore.

After all, the only thing that mattered to him was strength.

"A friend?" Yōji asked. "Is he on the team?"

"Yeah, he's the ace." Daiki tapped his phone impatiently.

Taichi had told him he'd be waiting at the gate ten minutes ago, but there was still no sign of him. Unbelievable.

"The ace? KAEDEHARA TAICHI?!!!" Yōji hadn't expected the first person he'd meet to have a direct connection to Aoba Johsai's star player.

"Daiki!"

Finally, a figure appeared in the distance.

"You finally made it! I've been waiting forever."

Daiki: "…"

"Taichi-senpai!" Yōji's voice suddenly rose in excitement. "I'm a huge fan!!!"

Taichi: "…"

-----

"Coach Irihata, all the new first-years have arrived."

With Taichi leading the last two recruits into the gym, Aoba Johsai's new team was finally complete.

Mizoguchi Sadayuki checked off the final names on his list and handed it to Coach Irihata Nobuteru.

"Alright—line up!"

For the first and only time that year, Irihata's voice carried a commanding tone.

"Everyone, line up properly!!!"

Yahaba called out, and the team swiftly gathered. The new first-years, who had been waiting nervously, quickly straightened up and lined up in two rows.

"Alright, let's start with introductions," Irihata said with a warm smile.

The first new member stepped forward without hesitation.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Yamabuki Yūjin, a graduate of Kitagawa Daiichi. My position is outside hitter. I hope to become a reliable ace!"

"Kunimi, he's your junior," Taichi teased, nudging Kunimi Akira. "And he's already gunning for my ace spot, huh? Impressive."

"He's got potential," Kindaichi said, clapping in encouragement. "Their team actually beat Shiratorizawa's middle school squad last year."

"That's impressive," Yahaba mused. "I heard Shiratorizawa's middle school team made it to the national semifinals, though most of their players just move up to high school."

The next first-year stepped forward.

"Nice to meet you! I'm Tōma Kaoru, also from Kitagawa Daiichi. I'm a setter. My goal is to set for Taichi-senpai on the national stage!"

Another Kitagawa Daiichi player—and a setter. Yahaba felt a slight chill. Great…he's here to take my spot.

"A setter, huh? I wonder what kind of sets he'll give me," Taichi mused with interest.

-----

"I'm Yūki Yōji, from Rakunan Academy. I play middle blocker. After seeing Taichi-senpai at Spring High, I knew I wanted to win the championship with him—"

"Ah, a middle blocker."

"Another Taichi fan…"

"He's so tall! Isn't he even taller than Kindaichi?"

"Where is Rakunan Academy? Never heard of it."

"Rakunan Academy is in Tokyo—last year's runner-up in the middle school nationals."

"Tokyo? With so many powerhouse schools, he didn't go to any of them and specifically came here for Taichi?"

"This year's first-years seem to have some strong players too."

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Nakamori Daiki from Wills High. I used to play beach volleyball, so my position is still undecided. Right now, I want to try playing in different roles."

"Haha…this kid must be someone Taichi picked up."

"Taichi has been praising him a lot lately."

"But…no experience in indoor volleyball?"

"This year is going to be interesting."

"All the new members have finished introducing themselves. Two girls have also volunteered to be team managers, bringing the total number of first-years joining to 24," Mizoguchi Sadayuki reported to Irihata Nobuteru.

"This is the influence of winning Spring High. Last year, we only had 13 new recruits," a player couldn't help but remark.

Coach Irihata nodded and stepped forward to address the newcomers. "I am Coach Irihata."

"—I am Manager Mizoguchi," Mizoguchi added in a low voice.

"Ahem, as you all know, we just won the Spring High championship," Coach Irihata said, sweeping his gaze over the first-years. "So, our next goal is simple: a consecutive title!"

"You all come from different schools and have your own training methods. However, here at Aoba Johsai, we have our own style."

"Observe your upperclassmen closely. See how their experience in the national tournament shaped them, how winning a championship transformed them. I hope you take these lessons into your own training and quickly integrate into the team."

"Every leaf of Aoba Johsai has its own uniqueness, but don't forget that all of it stems from deep-rooted foundations."

"Yes!!!"

"The first years will begin with physical tests. The second and third years, warm up and then start team practice."

"Understood!"

"Huh? No friendly match to welcome the new players?"

Just as everyone was about to disperse, Kaedehara Taichi suddenly spoke up.

Mizoguchi Sadayuki: "…"

This kid was making it way too obvious that he wanted to mess with the newcomers.

"Taichi, didn't Coach just say the first-years should observe us and learn? This isn't very mature of you," Yahaba Shigeru sighed.

"I think it'll be beneficial," Taichi said, walking toward the first-years. "You all seem confident, as if you're about to be starters right away."

"Why not test your skills first?"

The first-years exchanged glances. While they all had high expectations for themselves, facing a national champion high school team as "middle schoolers" seemed like a lost cause from the start.

"Come on, Taichi, don't mess with them."

"Is it really that boring?" Taichi looked a little disappointed.

"You say it—how do we play?"

The smallest player, Nakamori Daiki, was the first to step forward. "We have 22 people on our side."

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint me," Taichi said with a grin. "It's simple. Split into two teams and play against us to ten points. I just want to see your level."

"So…" Nakamori began counting on his fingers, "11 players versus 6?"

Was Daiki silent for so long because he was struggling with the math? Kaedehara Taichi hadn't expected someone to be this bad at numbers. Still, at least he got it right in the end.

"You think this is soccer?" Nakamori rolled his eyes.

"If you're afraid of losing, all 22 of you can play at once. I just worry the court might be too crowded," Taichi said indifferently.

"Then let's give it a try!"

Yūki Yōji stepped forward as well. Even though he knew how strong Taichi was, with 11 players, they might have a chance.

Almost all the first-years had seen Kaedehara Taichi in action before, but now they were witnessing another side of him—unbelievably arrogant.

"I'm in too!"

"Count me in!"

-----

"The first-years will take their physical tests first. After that, we'll have the match," Coach Irihata decided. After all, it was an interesting idea, wasn't it?

A match was the fastest way to evaluate these newcomers.

"Taichi, don't go too overboard later. They're still your juniors," Irihata warned.

"Coach, I know," Taichi replied with a grin.

-----

Twenty minutes later, both teams were lined up.

The first-years had 11 players packed into a 9m × 9m half-court, making it feel slightly overcrowded. Each player's defensive zone was barely one square meter, making it seem like every receive was within reach.

This only boosted their confidence. No matter how they looked at it, having 11 players on the court was a bit excessive.

The first-years served to start the match.

A basic overhead serve flew toward the backcourt.

Smack!

Watari Shinji received the ball effortlessly, and Kaedehara Taichi leapt into the air.

"Three-man block!"

Even though some of the first-years at the net were over 180 cm tall, Taichi's hitting height was still way above their block.

Whoosh—!

Taichi sent the ball to the right instead.

"He didn't spike?"

Kunimi Akira jumped up and swung.

Boom!

Smack!

"Save it!"

The ball was faster than the first-years expected, and the angle was sharp. However, thanks to their sheer numbers, they managed to dig it up.

"I got it!"

Tōma Kaoru moved in and set the ball.

"Oh?"

What initially seemed like a set aimed forward suddenly went behind him.

"A subtle wrist adjustment? Good flexibility, and he even added a little misdirection before the pass. Not bad," Taichi thought to himself.

Yamabuki Yūjin jumped to spike!

As Kindaichi Yūtarō shifted left, the ball veered right. He immediately halted his momentum, took two long strides, and jumped diagonally.

"So fast! He still managed to block it?!"

Yamabuki Yūjin hadn't expected Tōma Kaoru's set to be read so quickly.

Boom!—

The ball bypassed the block and shot toward the middle of the court.

—Smack!

A pair of large hands smothered it.

The ball landed at Yamabuki Yūjin's feet.

"When did he—?!"

"There was another person?!"

Kaedehara Taichi landed and gave an apologetic look.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

"Tōma, that was a beautiful set. Yamabuki, your spiking technique is pretty refined too."

"But—too slow."

"A ball like that, even if you hit it ten times, you still wouldn't score."

_________

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