Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 110: The World Will Soon See

"Oh dear, it seems Aoba Johsai's #16 player, Kyōtani Kentarō, isn't happy with the referee's decision. A disagreement has erupted, and Aoba Johsai was given a red card."

"Looks like the coach might sub him out now. Such a shame, considering how brilliant Kyōtani has been so far," commented the announcer.

In contrast, the spectators largely agreed with the referee's decision. Some even thought the punishment was too light—many felt the 'blonde brat' deserved to be ejected entirely.

"Nohebi has left quite a favourable impression on both the audience and the referees," Coach Irihata explained patiently to Kyōtani. "Referees aren't gods or machines; it's only natural that their decisions can subconsciously favour the team that appears more disciplined." He added, "Getting into conflicts with referees on the court doesn't help anyone."

Kyōtani remained silent, his anger giving way to guilt for costing his team a point. This was the national stage, after all.

"Mad Dog-chan, thanks." Oikawa Tōru patted him on the shoulder. "They've been targeting you all match, but you've held it together really well. That's impressive."

"It's not like I'm doing it for you," Kyōtani muttered, turning his head away.@@@@

"I'm even more surprised that the court hasn't thrown you off your game. That cross shot you spiked earlier was insanely precise!" Kaedehara Taichi chimed in.

"It's nothing. I'm used to it," Kyōtani replied nonchalantly.

The rest of the team was suddenly reminded that, before rejoining Aoba Johsai, Kyōtani had spent a long time playing in unfamiliar gyms.

Adapting to new environments was second nature to him.

"No big deal, but since you've already got a yellow card, take a break for now," Iwaizumi Hajime said, reassuringly. "Leave the rest to us."

Kyōtani, fully aware of the severity of his earlier outburst, was surprised that no one blamed him.

"Yes, Iwaizumi-senpai."

A collective gasp came from the team.

"Mad Dog-chan, why don't you call me that too?" Oikawa quipped.

Kyōtani: "..."

The timeout ended, and the match resumed.

Substitution for Aoba Johsai—Matsukawa Issei in, Kyōtani Kentarō out.

"Oikawa-senpai, judging by your last serve, I'd say you've fully adjusted now, haven't you?" Taichi asked as they returned to the court.

"Yeah, I'm ready. It's infuriating that my perfect serve got wasted like that," Oikawa replied, his usual grin replaced by a sharp, focused expression.

Nohebi took the serve, with Naoyasu Kuguri stepping up to the service line once again.

"He's clearly aiming for a spot that overlaps the setter's movement path with another player's position. It's a textbook way to disrupt the flow."

"Aoba Johsai manages to barely receive it, but their movements still seem a bit stiff."

"Especially #1, Oikawa. This might be his first national tournament, so it's no surprise he's feeling the pressure," the commentator speculated.

As Iwaizumi received the serve, he momentarily obstructed Oikawa's path. The delay cost Oikawa his optimal positioning for the set.

But in a flash, Oikawa darted forward, adjusting with incredible speed. Taking a single leap under the ball, he raised it effortlessly with both hands.

And there, mid-air, was Kaedehara Taichi.

Boom!

Kaedehara's spike landed cleanly, earning Aoba Johsai the point.

[Aoba Johsai 8 – 9 Nohebi]

"What exceptional control from his upper body! Such a stable set!"

"The whole court—no, the entire world—will take notice of him!" exclaimed commentator Otomo, standing up in excitement.

"Haha...That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

In the stands, a man in a suit watched intently. After seeing that play, he seemed to have made up his mind.

Scanning the roster, he found Oikawa's name and jotted 'U19' beside it.

"Here it comes! Nohebi Academy's strongest offensive combination—Daishō and Numai's parallel attack!"

"It's received by Iwaizumi Hajime! What a remarkable player, excelling in both offence and defence!"

"And right after that, Aoba Johsai's ace Kaedehara Taichi strikes back!"

"Aimed at the baseline—but Nohebi's libero, Akama Sō, read it perfectly!"

"These two players have such sharp court awareness—it's incredible to watch!"

-----

"One touch!"

"A beautiful block! Refusing to let any attacker score easily, Aoba Johsai's third-year, Matsukawa Issei, shines!"

"Hanamaki Takahiro's spike is blocked again by Nohebi. As expected, this Tokyo team is relentless!"

"Numai Kazuma prepares for another spike! The block is three-man strong! He avoids it!"

"They got it!!"

"The synergy between Aoba Johsai's blockers and libero Watari Shinji is outstanding. That receive was nothing short of perfect."

"This rally is neck and neck—both teams are evenly matched in this tug-of-war for the point!"

"And Aoba Johsai finally chooses to set the ball to—"

"The ace, Kaedehara Taichi, on the left wing!"

"Triple block!" Daishō Suguru, Seguro Akihiko, and Numai Kazuma leapt together.

After an entire set, Taichi had executed seven quick attacks and nine diagonal spikes. Though his diagonal shots were becoming sharper, Nohebi's triple block effectively sealed off the right-hand angles.

"This ball—we will block it!"

Taichi sprinted along the sideline and jumped with explosive force. In that fleeting moment, Oikawa, closest to him, swore he could hear the sound of the wind.

As Taichi hovered in mid-air, his arm rose higher than Daishō Suguru's block on the leftmost side.

For a split second, time seemed to slow down for Daishō.

He thought he saw a faint smile on Taichi's lips as the muscles in his arms tensed.....

Was it his left hand?!

Boom!

In Daishō's stunned gaze, Kaedehara Taichi's left-handed straight shot grazed his fingertips and smashed onto Nohebi's sideline.

_________

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