Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 204: Star Player (Double-Length)

"Coach, can I go in now?" Bokuto Kōtarō seemed to have shaken off his earlier frustration.

Hibarida Fuki didn't answer immediately. Instead, he asked, "Bokuto, I recall Volleyball Monthly ranking you among the top five aces in the nation, alongside a few others."

"Uh...yeah." It was rare to see Bokuto this quiet.

"Even though the whole 'Top Five' or 'Top Three' thing is just a gimmick from Volleyball Monthly, the fact that there's little controversy about it means the public sees some truth in those rankings," Hibarida said, turning to face him. "So, Bokuto, why aren't you in the top three?"

Bokuto didn't answer. He simply stepped past Hibarida, gazing at the ongoing match in silence.

"...Coach, can I go in now?" Bokuto asked again.

Hibarida looked at his back and let out a soft chuckle.

They had kept an eye on Bokuto Kōtarō since his first year, when he became a starting player for Fukurodani.

From a young age, he had set his sights on going pro.

His technique—especially his ability to read the ball's trajectory—was remarkably precise.

But his childlike personality had been a constant headache for the U19 coaching staff.

Just what kind of player was he, really?

At this moment, as Hibarida took in Bokuto's broad back, the defined muscle lines, and the calmness in his voice, realization dawned on him.

Maybe Bokuto understood everything already. Maybe he was just waiting for the right moment to grow.@@@@

"Go, Bokuto Kōtarō," Hibarida thought, feeling a sudden surge of anticipation.

Beep! The Youth National Team called for a substitution—Bokuto Kōtarō IN, Ojiro Aran OUT.

Bokuto exchanged places with Ojiro without any flashy gestures.

But because it was Bokuto Kōtarō, not being flashy was what felt the most unusual.

[Ding! Bokuto Kōtarō has entered Burst Mode]

[Bokuto Kōtarō (Burst Mode)—Outside Hitter: Overall Ability Rating: 96.7

Height: 185.3 cm | Power: 98 | Jump: 95 | Stamina: 97 | Speed: 95

Technique: Serve: 96 | Receive: 96 | Spike: 100]

A player who could get dejected over the smallest thing was also capable of becoming unexpectedly unstoppable.

The moment Bokuto stepped onto the court, his entire presence ignited.

The worst part? Miya Atsumu had just missed a serve, handing the ball to the Youth National Team.

And stepping up to the service line was Oikawa Tōru.

This was the signal for a counterattack.

Against Oikawa, it was impossible to cover both of his serve variations at once.

"Step back a bit. Oikawa-senpai's jump serve is stronger," Kaedehara Taichi advised. "If he uses a float serve, we'll just have to react accordingly."

As Oikawa's teammate, Taichi's insight carried weight.

Even though the three back-row receivers were confident in their skills, they all took a small step backwards.

Oikawa gritted his teeth. Are they seriously underestimating my float serve?!

He tossed the ball into the air, rushed forward, and smashed it with a powerful jump serve.

Sure enough, if they had prepared for his float serve instead, this would have turned into a quick attack for the Reserve Team.

BOOM!

The serve shot straight toward Miya Atsumu. Despite his earlier mistake, Atsumu remained completely focused. The extra space from stepping back gave him more time to adjust his posture.

Smack!

Kageyama Tobio swiftly moved into position, setting the ball high in the centre. Hoshiumi Kōrai soared up and spiked it down.

Bang!

Smack!

Finally, Tatsuki Washio managed to time Hoshiumi's spike, scoring an effective block touch.

Iizuna Tsukasa sprinted to the baseline to save the ball while Oikawa dashed forward to set.

As they passed each other, their eyes met—each instantly understanding the other's intent.

"Bokuto!" Oikawa called out.

His first ball back on the court had to be spectacular.

Iizuna's pass was clean. As the ball floated into Oikawa's hands, he jumped, weighing his options.

But the man who had been waiting quietly on the side...

He hadn't moved much.

And yet, his presence was impossible to ignore.

—Whoosh!

Oikawa sent the ball soaring to the left wing.

Bokuto sprinted in from outside the sideline at an angle.

"Three-man block!"

Kaedehara Taichi, Hoshiumi Kōrai, and Kageyama Tobio jumped, sealing off the crosscourt angle.

Taichi and Hoshiumi stretched their hands as far as they could, pressing them diagonally to eliminate Bokuto's cross-shot.

Bokuto's body unfurled midair, his right arm drawing back to its limit. Unlike Kyōtani Kentarō, who folded his entire torso for insane angles, Bokuto's form balanced power and grace.

"Atsumu! Block the straight shot!"

Kaedehara Taichi's instincts kicked in. He shouted out without hesitation—even skipping the honorifics.

Atsumu didn't care about that detail. He had already been watching Bokuto's movements. Even though he didn't believe Bokuto could hit a straight shot, he still shuffled a step toward the sideline.

BOOM!!

Bokuto's straight shot arrived right on cue.

But what no one expected—

It slammed into the three-meter line.

[Reserve Team 21 – 21 Youth National Team]

"...He really pulled that off?"

"I thought for sure he was going crosscourt!"

"Not only did he fake the angle, but he practically crushed it into the front row! That was insane!"

Players on the sidelines gasped in shock. But Bokuto simply stared at the spot where the ball had landed, completely focused.

Actually, the crosscourt shot might've worked too, he thought absentmindedly.

Height: 188 cm | Power: 99 | Jump: 92 | Stamina: 95 | Speed: 98

Technique: Serve: 98 | Receive: 92 | Set: 88 | Spike: 96]

[Ding! Hoshiumi Kōrai has entered Burst Mode]

[Hoshiumi Kōrai (Burst Mode)—Outside Hitter: Overall Ability Rating: 96

Height: 169.2 cm | Power: 90 | Jump: 100 | Stamina: 98 | Speed: 92

Technique: Serve: 98 | Receive: 98 | Set: 92 | Spike: 100]

After being directly challenged by Bokuto Kōtarō—who could possibly remain calm?

Oikawa served for the third time, this time targeting Komori Motoya.

Smack!

Komori handled the serve with ease.

For a moment, Oikawa wondered if there was something wrong with his serve.

THUMP!

Hoshiumi leapt into the air.

Only Mujinazaka's Unnan had jumped to block.

SMASH!

Without drawing in extra blockers, Hoshiumi went for a direct spike!

Despite an imperfect set, Hoshiumi forced the ball straight to the backline.

Smack!

Iizuna reacted instantly, cushioning the ball as he retreated.

Oikawa quickly stepped in. The Reserve Team's defence had shifted toward Bokuto, and after a brief hesitation, he set the ball left—

For the first time, Ushijima Wakatoshi had been completely overlooked.

His face remained expressionless. Bokuto's performance hadn't affected him, but it was rare for him to be left completely unguarded.

As the high ball descended, Ushijima began his approach.

Komori, Sakusa, and Miya Atsumu all turned to focus on him.

Kageyama had no time to reach the left side. Hoshiumi was sprinting over, but the only one who could set up a proper block in time was—

Kaedehara Taichi.

At the very least, he had to form a barrier in front of Ushijima.

Ushijima jumped, swinging into his spike—

Right in front of him, Taichi extended both arms.

Ushijima adjusted, spiking down the straight line instead.

BOOM!!

SMACK!

THWACK!

Three sounds rang out almost simultaneously.

Ushijima's spike.

A hand appears from below on the right.

Another hand reaching from the left.

The ball ricocheted off both Hoshiumi and Taichi's hands, bouncing back into the Japan Youth Team's court.

Iizuna tried to kick-save it but failed.

[Reserve Team 22 – 22 Japan Youth Team]

They had actually blocked Ushijima!

Aside from the two blockers, no one had anticipated this outcome.

"Yosshaa!—"

Hoshiumi and Taichi jumped and high-fived midair—finally, the Reserve Team had stopped the Japan Youth Team's scoring streak!

Serve change.

Kageyama Tobio stepped up to serve.

He tossed the ball, took his approach, and launched into his serve.

His form—his entire motion—was identical to Oikawa Tōru's.

BOOM!

Even the sheer force of the serve was identical!

Iizuna braced himself, absorbing the serve's impact and sending it high.

Oikawa rushed over and set the ball to the right. Bokuto leapt once again—

"Double block!"

This time, the Reserve Team had committed to a two-man block, with four defenders covering the court behind them.

Kaedehara Taichi and Chigaya Eikichi stood in front of Bokuto.

Sakusa covered the sharp cross, Hoshiumi stepped back to cover the straight shot, Miya Atsumu guarded the deep angle, and Kageyama anchored the centre.

BAM!

"This is AMAZING!!!"

Bokuto's eyes sparkled. Being completely marked only made him more excited.

In an instant, he locked eyes with Taichi—his instincts screamed that if he spiked right, he'd be shut down.

So—he twisted his wrist at the last second, slamming the ball down against Chigaya's forearm.

The ball dropped straight through the seam.

Bokuto scored!

[Reserve Team 22 – 23 Japan Youth Team]

"Hey! Hey! HEY!!!"

Bokuto's celebration echoed through the gym once more.

_________

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