Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 287: Prefectural Tournament

[Author's Note]: In reality, the Spring High Tournament, Interhigh, and National Sports Festival (Kokutai) are considered the three major high school volleyball competitions in Japan. This fanfiction follows Haikyuu!!'s setting and omits the National Sports Festival.

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The Prefectural Tournament in March was different from the Interhigh and Spring High Tournament—it only determined the champion within Miyagi Prefecture. While the event lacked the scale and prestige of a national competition, it carried unique significance for the prefecture's schools.

For all teams, this tournament marked the beginning of a transition period. With the departure of third-year seniors, gaps were left in their lineups, while new recruits wouldn't officially join until the school year started in April.

This competition was both a test for the remaining players and a warm-up for the incoming first-years. Coaches had to construct new team structures around their current core members, laying the groundwork for the future.

As March approached, uncertainty and anticipation filled Miyagi's volleyball scene. And with Aoba Johsai now holding the title of national champions—despite losing four of their third-year starters—they had become the prime target for every team in the prefecture.

For their rivals, this was the perfect opportunity. Last year, they had been crushed by Aoba Johsai's overwhelming strength. But now, with the cracks in the team exposed, they burned with the desire for revenge, eager to dethrone the national champions.

Aoba Johsai's remaining players could feel the pressure mounting from all directions. Training became more intense than ever.

Now, it was up to them to defend Aoba Johsai's honour.

"Now announcing the new starting lineup:

Outside hitter—Kaedehara Taichi.

Outside hitter—Kunimi Akira.

Outside hitter—Kyōtani Kentarō.

Middle blocker—Kindaichi Yūtarō.

Middle blocker—Honda Heisuke.

Setter—Yahaba Shigeru.

Libero—Watari Shinji.

That is all."

The announcement of Aoba Johsai's new lineup came with a surprise: Kunimi Akira and Kyōtani Kentarō, two players rarely fielded together in the past, were now starting at the same time.

Naturally, Yahaba Shigeru, the newly appointed captain, would take over the setter role. Meanwhile, Onda Heisuke, another second-year who had been on the twelve-man roster but never received much playtime, was stepping up as a middle blocker.

"Before the new first-years arrive, you all need to perform well in the Prefectural Tournament," Coach Mizoguchi Sadayuki said as he scanned the team. "Improving your individual skills, strengthening team chemistry—there's still a lot for you to work on. Don't let your national championship victory make you complacent."

"Yes, sir!"

"Good. Now, begin technical drills!"

"Yes!"

"Taichi, let's practice together first."

As they transitioned into free practice, Yahaba Shigeru approached Kaedehara Taichi.

Among Aoba Johsai's new lineup, Yahaba had little experience setting for any of the three first-year hitters. And of those three, Taichi was the one he had the least familiarity with.

"Sure, Yahaba-senpai."

[Yahaba Shigeru—Setter: Overall ability 82: Height: 181 cm, Strength: 82, Jump: 78, Stamina: 80, Speed: 85. Techniques: Receive: 89, Set: 89.]

Taichi analyzed Yahaba's stats.

Technically, Yahaba was a solid setter. However, his physical attributes lagged behind. Unlike Kenma Kozume or Kunimi Akira, he didn't have the kind of sharp intellect that could fully compensate for his weaknesses.

Simply put—his sets would be fine in a standard match. But against powerful opponents, when the game's intensity surged, his ability to maintain consistent sets could become a problem.

"Taichi, let's try a spike first!"

Yahaba suddenly realized something.

For some reason, he felt nervous setting for Taichi. He had never felt this way even when sitting on the bench watching from the sidelines. But now, just practising with him…the pressure was unmistakable.

"Alright."

Taichi moved to the baseline.

[Kaedehara Taichi]:

Position: Outside Hitter.

Height: 188 cm.

Strength: 96.

Jump: 90.

Stamina: 92.

Speed: 95.

Techniques: Serve: 95, Receive: 90, Set: 85, Spike: 95.

He didn't need excessive preparation—just a slight adjustment in stance. Once he saw Yahaba ready, he started his approach.

Whoosh—!

Despite his tension, Yahaba's set was crisp and precise, sending the ball steadily toward the left wing.

Taichi glanced at the ball briefly and immediately judged its height. He slowed his approach slightly, his footwork light yet powerful, each step calculated with precision.

Thud!

With effortless control, he leapt into the air and smashed the ball down.

A clean shot.

Inside the three-meter line.

"Whoa—!"

"How ridiculous—" Some of Aoba Johsai's substitute players stared in shock.

If there was no block, could his spike actually go almost straight down? Then how was anyone supposed to receive it…?

"Yahaba-senpai, you can set it a palm's width higher," Kaedehara Taichi said calmly.

"Got it." Yahaba Shigeru nodded. He had set the ball half a palm's width higher than for Kyōtani Kentarō, but evidently, that still wasn't enough for Taichi.

Kaedehara Taichi returned to the service line.

"Taichi, let me try blocking you this time." Kindaichi Yūtarō stepped to the opposite side of the net. "Otherwise, you'll just be spiking freely."

"Do as you like." Taichi's tone was indifferent.

"This idiot…" Kunimi Akira muttered, watching Kindaichi walk straight into a disaster.

Kaedehara Taichi took his approach again, this time deliberately not syncing up with Yahaba's set timing.

Fwsh—!

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The set timing was just right. Taichi nodded in approval. He only needed a single glance at the ball before shifting his focus to Kindaichi's block.

"Courageous, but foolish."

As the ball reached the left-wing, Taichi suddenly sped up, taking a single step before launching into the air.

"I got it!" Kindaichi yelled, reaching high to block.

In midair, Taichi's movements were smooth and natural. His right arm swung swiftly, easily bypassing Kindaichi's hands before slamming the ball down.

Boom!—

A sharp cross, landing right at the back corner.

"Wow—"

"Smart move today, Kindaichi." Taichi grinned mischievously. "I thought you'd actually try to block my spike."

Kindaichi landed with no sign of disappointment.

"I never planned to block you alone. I cut off your angle and guessed where you'd hit. That means I won!" He looked quite pleased with himself.

Taichi: "…" What kind of delusional victory logic was this…?

"How was that one?" Yahaba asked expectantly.

"Great!" Taichi nodded firmly. "But, Yahaba-senpai, could you raise it another palm's width?"

"Again?!"

"Yeah. Normally, the last one would've been fine, but when there's a block, it should be a bit higher." Taichi said it so naturally that it was hard to argue.

…Just a bit higher? Yahaba was finally starting to understand how absurd Taichi really was.

"Kunimi, want to try receiving?" Taichi suddenly called out.

"No." Kunimi rejected him without hesitation.

"Come on, it's boring if I just keep spiking. This is practice too." Taichi tried coaxing him.

"No." Kunimi remained unmoved.

"We'll do it together," Watari Shinji smiled at Kunimi.

"How about we add three more players?" Watari then suggested to Taichi. "Make it six on defence?"

"Great!" Taichi agreed readily. Six-man defence was just standard practice, after all.

For the third time, Taichi stepped onto the baseline, finally looking a little serious. He gave Yahaba a slight nod before taking off toward the net.

Fwsh—!

The ball soared high toward the left wing.

About half a palm higher than what I asked for…Does he not usually set this high?

Thud!

Taichi's feet pushed off the ground forcefully as he sprang into the air.

"Double block!" Kindaichi and Honda Heisuke jumped together on the other side.

"Haha, now this is fun!"

He hadn't expected Honda to join in too. Moreover, the opposing court was now fully stocked with six receivers! The second-years, amused by the challenge, had all stepped in.

Straight shot, cross shot, deep shot, midcourt—every possible angle was covered.

"So what?"

Taichi tightened his arm, drawing a half-circle behind him before swinging forward with full force.

BOOM!!!

For a moment, the ball seemed to vanish from sight.

A wipe-out spike over the block!

The ball slammed into the centre of the court and bounced high.

"You're still not enough!"

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