Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty
Chapter 563: We Won’t Lose (Double-Length)

"Damn~ these two teams are insanely strong!" Nitta Asahiro clicked his tongue in awe.

"Waaaah! Did you guys see that? Shōyō's so amazing now!" Bokuto Kōtarō yelled excitedly. "I'm honestly so moved!"

"Yes, yes, yes—imagine, that tiny shrimp next to Kageyama is now holding his own. Pretty shocking." Miya Atsumu's smile carried a deeper meaning.

The Ryujin squad, who had originally been watching Lublin vs. Mazembe on Court B, had at some point gathered at the edge of the Group A arena.

As for why they had stopped watching the Group B match—well, the outcome over there was basically decided already, the whole match nearly a one-sided massacre.

None of the Ryujin doubted they would advance from their group, so it was necessary to watch the Group A club match up close.

Kunimi Akira's gaze locked firmly onto Kageyama Tobio on the court. Who would have thought that the two from Kitagawa Daiichi would meet again on the world stage?

Moreover, if Trentino and the Ryujin both advanced from the round robin, there was even a chance they might face each other.

Even though the knot between Kunimi and Kageyama had long been untangled, Kunimi's determination to defeat Kageyama had not faded in the slightest.

"Every time I step onto the world stage, I can't help but think...these guys really are terrifying…" Hirugami Fukurō spoke solemnly.

The middle blocker group stood together. For them, the world stage was full of even stronger opponents.

"It's no wonder Coach Hibarida and Coach Suzaku are so desperate for two-meter middle blockers," Meian Shūgo said through gritted teeth. "On the world stage, it's almost unheard of to see middle blockers under two meters."

Those middle blockers over two meters tall had no less skill than the Japanese players, and the difference in height was something they could never make up for.

"I'll say it straight." Hondo Sakuma turned to the other three. "If Hakuba Gao and Hyakuzawa Yūdai had already developed more complete skills, you guys wouldn't even be standing here right now."

"Yeah, I know," Hirugami laughed. "Give them one more year, and they might fully bloom."

"But right now, we're the ones on this stage. No matter how big the gap—"

"I'll fight with everything I have to hold on!"

Nitta nodded silently and looked toward the other side of the court.

"Taichi…have I gotten even a little closer to you now?"

-----

"Tweet!—" The serve whistle sounded.

Back on court, the match continued.

Trentino to serve. Yuri launched a powerful jump serve!

Smack!

Yoandy received it, perfect pass.

Fernand jumped at the front and set. On the left side, Lucas and Hinata both initiated their approach.

"Ivan!" Alexander stood directly in front of Hinata and shouted to his teammates.

Zaytsev shifted over in one quick step. The moment he saw Lucas unable to hit, he moved left and jumped simultaneously with Alexander!

"Double block!"

"What?! That was so fast—such quick coverage!"

The ball passed in front of Lucas and came straight toward Hinata.

Alexander and Zaytsev's block completely swallowed him, and they even had extra coverage in case Wallace attacked from the back row.

BOOM!!

Hinata's arm tensed, swinging instantly.

Alexander pressed his block downward at the same time.

Smack!

The ball skimmed off Alexander's fingertips and flew out.

Trentino's back row had no chance to react—the ball landed just outside the baseline.

Off-the-block point! Hinata scored!

[São Paulo 22 - 21 Trentino]

—"Oh! Incredible!"

—"The pocket-sized attacker from São Paulo actually managed to score against Alexander and Zaytsev's double block!"

"Hahaha, they totally underestimated Shōyō!" Bokuto roared with laughter.

"It's not that simple," Hoshiumi Korai said quietly, seeing the true finesse behind Hinata's off-the-block shot. "He read their block."

"If he'd targeted the original block height, once they pressed down, it would've hit their palms and gotten blocked right back."

"So Hinata aimed exactly at the predicted fingertip position."

"That's brilliant…" Hoshiumi murmured. "He's already adapted to blocks at this level and pre-plans his moves accordingly."

-----

"You're interesting, little shrimp." Alexander suddenly spoke in English. "For you to appear in my vision—consider it your honour!"

Hinata: "???"

"Sorry…I don't really understand…" Hinata understood a bit of English but completely missed Alexander's point.

Hinata turned to look at Wallace, who was trying to hold back his laughter.

"Don't mind him. Just a narcissist's provocation," Wallace explained.

Alexander clearly didn't mind being "disrespected," remaining utterly unfazed.

"It doesn't matter. When the miracle happens, you'll all understand."

Serve switch—São Paulo to serve.

Hinata's powerful jump serve was calmly received by Fabio. Kageyama set to the left wing.

Zaytsev leapt for a quick attack!

BOOM!!!

The ball hit the double block and deflected out of bounds.

"Get it!"

SMACK!

Hinata reacted instantly, sprinting beyond the left sideline and under-arming the ball back toward the net.

Fernand shifted to set it high. Lucas charged and jumped!

"Double block!" Zaytsev and Alexander rose together.

BOOM!!!—

The ball hit Zaytsev's arm and bounced back toward São Paulo.

—SMACK!!!

It landed on São Paulo's sideline and bounced up.

On the line—point!

Zaytsev scored on the block!

[São Paulo 22 - 22 Trentino]

Serve switch—Trentino to serve.

Kageyama stepped onto the service line.

Perhaps it was because he hadn't seen Hinata in so long, or because they were finally facing each other on this world stage—Kageyama felt more fired up than usual.

"But Shōyō…right now, you're not my target."

Kageyama placed both hands on the ball, lightly touching it to his forehead to steady himself.

"Tweet!—" The serve whistle sounded.

The ball was tossed high. Kageyama's approach started slow, then exploded in acceleration—at the moment the ball dropped, he leapt fiercely.

BOOOM!!!

A flash streaked by.

The ball landed between Wallace and Sanhos, bouncing high!

THUD!!!

Kageyama's serve—direct ace!

[São Paulo 22 - 23 Trentino]

At such a crucial moment, Kageyama had seized the lead with his serve!

"Kageyama—!" Hinata yelled at the top of his lungs. "I'm definitely going to beat you!"

-----

At that moment, far across the ocean, the Karasuno High School 2012 volleyball club alumni were watching this match.

At Sendai City Gymnasium, after the V2 League Sendai Frogs' home game had just finished—

"Tsukki, congrats on your win today!" Yamaguchi Tadashi raised a convenience store bag. "I brought you some Protein milkshake."

"Oh, thanks." Tsukishima Kei took it casually. "Have those two's match started yet?"

"First set is almost over," Yamaguchi replied with a grin. "They're so strong now!"

"Heh…they really are just a pair of volleyball freaks," Tsukishima said, chin in hand, wearing a forced smile.

"You better hurry and catch up to them!"

"Don't joke around—give me a break," Tsukishima grumbled, but then he saw Yamaguchi's serious expression.

"…Alright, I get it." Tsukishima let out a bitter smile.

Tsukishima had already received offers from V1 league clubs. Though he refused to admit it aloud, he never intended to stop chasing after them.

-----

At Sugawara Koushi's home, Karasuno's third-years from 2012 were also watching.

"Hahaha! Who would've thought they'd get this strong!" Asahi, who had recently become a fashion designer in Tokyo, laughed. "Were we really teammates with them?!"

"Of course," said Sugawara, now an elementary school math teacher in Miyagi. "Kids have unlimited potential!"

"You sound like their dad," Daichi joked. "But…even though it's been years, it all feels like yesterday."

"Yeah…really makes you nostalgic."

"So, who do you want to win?" Sugawara suddenly asked.

"Huh? That's such a tricky question!" Asahi grimaced.

"C'mon, answer!"

"Then I'll pick Kageyama—he's a true genius!"

"I'll believe in Shōyō's miracle. What about you, Sugawara?"

"Hehe, I like them both! They're both my adorable juniors!"

"You sneak— that's cheating…"

Meanwhile, as a police officer in the Miyagi Public Safety Department, Daichi was busy stopping a teacher from force-drinking him. Chaos and laughter filled the room.

-----

In an office at Karasuno High—

"Coach Ukai…I think…my tears are about to overflow!"

"They already have, Takeda-sensei."

-----

Trentino continued serving.

Kageyama's second serve!

BOOM!!!

Smack!

Hinata received it, pass only half on target.

Fernand shifted to set—the ball floated above the right wing, Yoandy jumped to spike!

"Double block!" Alexander and Zaytsev rose together.

TAP!

Yoandy tipped the ball to Trentino's back corner.

"He's targeting Kageyama?!"

Smack!

Kageyama was forced to run back, facing away, and barely scooped the ball up from the baseline.

Alexander leapt immediately—second attack!

BOOM!!!—

The ball pierced through Lucas and Yoandy's double block!

Wallace dug it up!

Fernand rushed to set again.

"Give me the ball!" Hinata jumped from the back row!

BOOM!!—

"Droh—!"

Smack!

"One touch!"

The ball struck Alexander's hands and popped up. Even on a second jump, he blocked Hinata's back-row attack!

Fabio received the ball easily, perfect pass.

Kageyama leapt up to set. On the right side, Zaytsev charged in for a quick attack!

"Their counterattack is so fast!"

—BOOM!!!

The ball soared over the double block.

SMACK!!!

Sanhos barely managed to dig the powerful spike but lost his balance and fell hard to the floor.

The ball rebounded high back toward Trentino's side!

"Damn it—!"

"I got it!"

Kageyama had already predicted the trajectory and stepped in to push the pass straight up to the middle.

Alexander jumped to spike, drawing São Paulo's blockers forward—

WHOOSH!—

BOOM!!!

Suddenly, the ball shifted to the right side—Zaytsev smashed it down!

The ball landed hard inside São Paulo's court.

Zaytsev scored!

[São Paulo 22 - 24 Trentino]

A streak of consecutive points put Trentino at set point!

Trentino continued to serve.

Kageyama's third serve!

BOOM!!!—

The ball carved a sharp, straight line through the air, targeting São Paulo's back corner!

Smack!!!

Sanhos received it, but the pass drifted toward the sideline.

Yoandy covered as second setter, pushing it high into the centre.

Thump!

Wallace soared from the back row!

"Don't get cocky!"

"Triple block!" Boro, Alexander, and Zaytsev all jumped together.

—BOOM!!!

The ball passed over Boro's block.

SMACK!!!

Fabio took the full force of the ball and fell backwards, but the ball shot up high!

"Nice receive!"

Kageyama quickly moved to cover.

"Mine!"

Alexander sprinted sideways and took off again—the ball flew to the left wing.

"Triple block!" Lucas, Fernand, and Yoandy jumped together!

BOOM!!!—

Alexander smashed a straight shot!

The ball slipped past the left side of the block, crashing into São Paulo's back corner.

"It's over."

Smack!!!

A flash of orange—Hinata slid in front of the ball and dug it up!

The impact knocked him down, sliding backwards past the baseline as he sat on the floor.

The ball arced toward the net.

"Too close!"

Alexander jumped for a spike!

Smack!

"You little brat…it's too soon for you to win."

A huge hand suddenly blocked between Alexander and the ball—Wallace single-handedly popped it out to the right side!

Yoandy ran across and jumped to spike!

Zaytsev met him with a solo block!

BOOM!!!

The ball avoided the block and flew towards Trentino's baseline!

Kageyama saved it!

Yuri acted as second setter, sending the ball to the left wing.

—"It's too fast—both sides' defence and counterattacks are dazzling!"

BOOM!!!—

Alexander faced a double block and smashed it down!

A vicious cross-court spike!

Smack!!

Sanhos barely managed to get his hands up to keep it in play.

Yoandy covered, pushing it high again—it was Wallace's back-row attack!

"Double block!" Alexander and Zaytsev quickly closed the middle.

SMACK!—

The ball ricocheted off the block, bouncing high!

A ricochet?!

But it wasn't a good result—the ball hovered above São Paulo's front line, spinning wildly.

THUMP!

"This kid…"

"When did he—?!"

Hinata launched from the back row!

"So high…like he's flying…"

Alexander and Zaytsev landed, then sprang up for a second jump.

—BOOM!!!

The ball skimmed off their fingertips!

Smack!!!

Kageyama appeared in Trentino's back corner—the ball hit his arm and flew out of bounds!

Hinata scored with a back-row attack!

[São Paulo 23 - 24 Trentino]

"They held on!"

"Shrimpy!!"

"Beautiful spike!!!"

The São Paulo players rushed toward Hinata, all trying to rub his head first.

The match wasn't over yet!

Serve switch—São Paulo to serve!

Lucas targeted Kageyama with a powerful jump serve. Yuri covered and passed it up.

The ball angled forward. Kageyama quickly repositioned and set to the middle.

Alexander rose for the spike!

"Double block!" Yoandy and Souza jumped together!

"Don't kid yourselves."

—BOOM!!!

The ball brushed past Yoandy's fingertips and soared out of bounds.

"Still not enough?"

Yoandy frowned slightly—it was so close. But when he turned back, he saw Hinata already under the ball.

"!!!"

"He actually chased it down! That's insane!"

"But—the height isn't enough—"

Hinata sprinted without slowing down, straight toward the advertising board—

THUMP!

His left foot pushed off the ground, right foot planted on the billboard as a springboard —

Midair, Hinata twisted and swung hard!

WHAP!!!

The ball flew back into São Paulo's court!

"Unbelievable! Unbelievable!" the commentator screamed. "What incredible coordination and what a fearless move!"

Fernand stifled his excitement and leapt to set.

The remaining four São Paulo attackers all launched at once!

"That little bean sprout!" Alexander stayed in the middle but kept his eyes locked on Hinata.

BOOM!!!

Fernand faked a set and directly scored with a second-touch attack!

[São Paulo 24 - 24 Trentino]

—"São Paulo ties it up with consecutive points!"

—"Hinata's miraculous save brings both teams back to level!"

"Hehehe…" The smile on Kaedehara Taichi's face could no longer be hidden. He stood and shouted loudly toward the court: "Shōyō! Go! Beat Kageyama!"

"Hm?" Oikawa Tōru looked at Taichi suspiciously, then took a deep breath and shouted just as loudly: "Tobio-chan! Don't lose to Chibi-chan!"

"Taichi!"

"Oikawa-senpai!"

The match wasn't over—the fire in their eyes burned even brighter.

-----

São Paulo continued serving.

Lucas's second serve aimed toward the libero.

Fabio received it cleanly, perfect pass.

Whooosh!—

—BOOM!!!

In the blink of an eye, Zaytsev smashed the ball down from above the block.

Ultra-fast quick attack!

When Fabio's pass arrived perfectly, Trentino's front line had two players instantly responding to Kageyama's set.

In that split second when São Paulo's blockers hesitated—

Zaytsev scored!

[São Paulo 24 - 25 Trentino]

Serve switch—Trentino to serve.

Zaytsev tossed the ball high, approached, jumped, and smashed it!

BOOOOM!!!

The ball skimmed the end line, its surface visibly denting as it struck the ground.

BANG!!!

No one touched it!

Zaytsev scored directly with his serve!

[São Paulo 24 - 26 Trentino]

"Sorry, but…we won't lose."

"130 km/h!!!"

"Beeeeep—!"

The first set ended.

Winner: Trentino Volley.

_________

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