Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 91: Supression

"Nice serve, Taichi!"

"One more ball!"

Amidst the praise of his teammates, Kaedehara Taichi delivered his second serve, once again targeting Ōhira Reon.

The volleyball seemed to wobble in the air, but it reached Ōhira's position swiftly. To him, it still looked like it was going out of bounds.

However, having misjudged the previous ball, he didn't dare to take another gamble.

Smack!

Without much time to react, Ōhira lunged forward in a desperate dive to receive the ball.

"Lucky!" Taichi, who had been watching the ball intently, noticed it veering slightly off-course. Close call.

"Cover!"

Shirabu Kenjirō sprinted outside the court to save the ball, and Tendō Satori sent it back over the net.

"Chance ball!"

Hanamaki Takahiro received the ball cleanly, allowing Oikawa Tōru to set it high.

Boom!

Kyōtani Kentarō executed a flawless cross-shot, stunning Shiratorizawa and scoring a commanding point.

[Aoba Johsai 9 - 5 Shiratorizawa]

"This new face....could he be a power hitter?"

Aoba Johsai's current form had left Shiratorizawa completely unprepared.

Beep! Shiratorizawa called for a timeout.

The turn of events in the match was unexpected! Many reporters on the sidelines deleted their prewritten articles and began scribbling furiously while watching the game unfold.

Aoba Johsai now had three players capable of scoring directly off their serves: the new player's powerful jump serve, Oikawa Tōru's increasingly formidable serves, and the surprising jump float serve from their first-year.

From the very start, Aoba Johsai had delivered nothing short of a spectacle.

If the ball couldn't be properly set to Ushijima Wakatoshi, even he wouldn't be able to do much!

"Looks like everyone assumed our strategy to counter Ushijima Wakatoshi was through serving," Coach Irihata said with a relaxed smile.

Even Aoba Johsai hadn't entirely expected this outcome. While Kyōtani Kentarō's serving performance was part of the plan, Kaedehara Taichi's jump float serve was an unforeseen bonus.

Judging by his second attempt, though, there was still room for improvement.

"Maintain the lead. Don't let Ushijima Wakatoshi score easily. We have to take this first set!" Coach Irihata decisively instructed, determined to capitalize on the momentum.

"Yes!"

On the other side, Coach Washijō didn't resort to scolding his players. They had done all the necessary preparations during practice; now, it was simply about executing.

"Just focus on getting a high receive, then set it to Ushijima!" His instructions were straightforward. Washijō still placed his faith in individual strength.

"Yes!"

With the timeout over, the match resumed.

Kaedehara Taichi continued to serve. This time, the ball flew straight toward Ushijima Wakatoshi.

Ushijima Wakatoshi scored.

[Aoba Johsai 20 - 18 Shiratorizawa]

"Nice one, Ushijima!"

"Shiratorizawa, push forward! Shiratorizawa, push forward!"

Although breaking through a three-man block was demoralizing, Aoba Johsai had already anticipated such situations and mentally prepared themselves.

The strategy was working! Ōhira Reon's next serve again targeted Kyōtani Kentarō.

"Damn it!"

This time, the serve was even trickier, skimming dangerously close to the boundary line.

Frustrated, Kyōtani mishandled the ball, sending it straight toward Shiratorizawa's side.

Bang!

Tendō Satori capitalized on the opportunity and jumped to spike it down immediately.

Shiratorizawa scored again, narrowing the gap to a single point.

[Aoba Johsai 20 - 19 Shiratorizawa]

"S-sorry..." Kyōtani muttered, visibly upset. Even he knew that this misstep might shift the game's momentum entirely.

"Damn it!" His frustration boiled over, leaving him unsure of how to make amends.

"Move to the side." Hanamaki Takahiro spoke up unexpectedly. "I'm not as good at receiving as Watari or Iwaizumi, but I can at least help cover you."

Kyōtani didn't know how to respond, but he could sense that this was his teammate's way of lending a hand.

"You're not on the court for your receiving, are you? You and Taichi are Aoba Johsai's primary offensive weapons right now. If you can't give it your all, we're the ones who'll be in trouble."

Kyōtani stepped back quietly, processing Hanamaki's words.

Ōhira Reon's third serve once again targeted Kyōtani.

"I've got it!" Hanamaki called out, worried that Kyōtani might hesitate. He stepped across and received the ball cleanly.

Freed from the burden of receiving, Kyōtani started his approach. After holding back for two rotations, he was finally able to attack, leaping to the net with visible determination and anger.

"Guessed—wrong?" Tendō Satori, anticipating Kyōtani's attack, quickly extended his block in front of him.

The volleyball, however, landed squarely on Shiratorizawa's side.

"How could I not use such a perfect decoy?"

Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru spoke in unison, their faces lighting up with mischievous, almost smug smiles.

Without any prior communication, just by observing Kyōtani's charged-up demeanour, Kaedehara Taichi had guessed that Oikawa would never send the ball in that direction.

"Right?"

Kaedehara Taichi grinned at Oikawa.

_________

[T/N] - If you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on my Patreon. Trust me, it's awesome!

Link - /Iseeblack [Remove the brackets]