Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 320: The Nostalgic Quick Attack

"This is Taichi-senpai's strength! This is Aoba Johsai at full power!" Tōma Kaoru exclaimed excitedly.

Just moments ago, he had been in awe of Kageyama Tobio's abilities, unsure how Aoba Johsai could turn the tide. But in just a few minutes, the entire situation had flipped!

No wonder that during their practice match loss to Shiratorizawa, while the upperclassmen on the court had shown frustration, Coach Irihata and Manager Mizoguchi had remained completely unfazed.

Aoba Johsai with Taichi-senpai on the court was an entirely different team!

"Sorry, I was still a step too slow," Ennoshita Chikara muttered in frustration.

"Next ball!" Nishinoya Yū said firmly. "I'll receive the next one!"

The volleyball spun between Kaedehara Taichi's hands. The whistle blew, and he tossed the ball into the air once more.

Bang!

Another variation!

This time, it was a jump float serve!

"Kita!" Nishinoya shouted.

The ball wobbled unpredictably, capturing the attention of every Karasuno player as it crossed the net.

This time, Kita Seio was fully focused. With Nishinoya's warning, he had managed to track the ball's movement.

But—

How do I receive this?!!

If it was going to drop straight down, he should step forward and bump it from below. But if it was going to float a little longer before suddenly plunging, then he should take a step back and set it with his hands…

As Kita was thinking, the ball continued its trajectory without slowing down.

Above! Overhand receive!

Despite his sturdy build, Kita was agile. He stepped back with his right foot, lowering his stance while raising both hands above his head to catch the ball.

"It changed again?!!"

The ball suddenly shifted in midair, making an eerie lateral movement before grazing Kita's right hand and falling.

Smack!

A figure dove forward, stretching out to save it.

"Save!" Nishinoya felt overwhelmed. With Taichi's control over the ball, anyone with a weak receive could become his next target.

Karasuno had already touched the ball twice. Left with no other option, Kageyama sent it over the net without a proper attack.

"Chance ball!"

Kunimi Akira quickly bumped it toward the left wing.

"I got it!"

Just as Yukii Yōji was about to step forward, he heard a voice from behind and instinctively moved aside.

Kaedehara Taichi leapt from the back, preparing to spike.

"Three-man block!!!"

Kita and Hinata Shōyō switched blocking positions, with Kita sealing off the right-side cross-court angle.

Whoosh—!

But the ball was sent to the far right instead.

Boom!

Kyōtani Kentarō's spike landed for a point.

[Aoba Johsai 5 – 2 Karasuno]

"Surprised, delinquent-kun?" Taichi blinked playfully.

"T-That was incredible!" Tōchi Shishin stared blankly at Taichi's figure. Aoba Johsai's offence could only be described with two words—fluid and effortless.

Seeing it in person was completely different from watching it on TV or reading about it in magazines. Taichi-senpai's strength had to be experienced firsthand.

"Beep!—"

Karasuno called for a timeout.

Ukai Keishin felt numb. The match had started off perfectly—Kageyama's serves were more stable than ever, and Karasuno's momentum had been high—

Yet in the blink of an eye, Kaedehara Taichi had completely turned the tables.

Aoba Johsai had taken five consecutive points.

Ukai had no choice but to call a timeout.

Since the game had only just begun, and he had already given his players their pre-match instructions, there wasn't much left to say. All he could do was hope this break would interrupt Taichi's rhythm.

On Aoba Johsai's side, Taichi walked off the court, only to be met with the wide-eyed admiration of the first-years. The awe in their gazes was immensely satisfying.

"Taichi," Coach Irihata called out to him with a smile.

"I know, I know. I'll ease up a bit from now on."

Taichi never intended to push himself as hard as he would in an official match.

But ever since the Prefectural Tournament, Coach Irihata had clearly started restricting his playtime. Even in practice, he wasn't allowed to spike as much as before.

Taichi's training now focused more on stamina, receiving, and setting. His spiking practice was limited to the same level as Kunimi Akira's—which was far from enough.

"Yūki, I'll be counting on your performance from here on out," Taichi said casually.

"Understood!" Yūki Yōji responded, composed and unshaken.

The timeout ended quickly, and the match resumed.

As Taichi stepped onto the service line, he noticed a small adjustment in Karasuno's receive formation.

Originally positioned at the baseline, Ennoshita Chikara had now stepped up a meter behind the three-meter line, leaving Nishinoya Yū and Kageyama Tobio to handle the backcourt receptions entirely.

"They're really confident, huh?"

Taichi sent his fourth serve.

Boom!!—

Smack!

Nishinoya once again managed to receive it, but the ball still veered toward the baseline. However, this time, it flew higher, with little horizontal movement.

Kageyama rushed in to cover.

Not good!

Having played alongside multiple top-tier setters, Taichi instantly recognized that for most setters, this position would require a desperate save. But for Kageyama—

It was a perfect first touch.

Thump!

Hinata Shōyō shot up from the right side of the net.

This familiar yet unfamiliar setup—Aoba Johsai hadn't seen this attack in three months.

Whoosh!—

The ball zipped from the baseline to Hinata's palm with pinpoint accuracy.

Bang!

Aoba Johsai's blockers had no time to react. The ball landed behind Kyōtani Kentarō.

Hinata scored.

[Aoba Johsai 5 - 3 Karasuno]

On the sidelines, both teams' first-years felt like they had been in a constant state of shock since the match started.

From Kageyama's dominant serves at the beginning to Taichi's insane cut shot flipping the game around, followed by his devastating jump serves forcing Karasuno into a timeout…

And now—the mind-blowing Super Quick Attack.

Just from that one play, Tōma Kaoru realized the massive gap between him and Kageyama. The difference between them was like a bottomless chasm.

"This really brings back memories," Taichi admitted. For just a moment, he felt a tiny pang of nostalgia for Oikawa Tōru's sets.

After all, landing a super quick attack was a unique kind of thrill.

The evolved version of the original Freak Quick Attack—the Hinata-Kageyama Super Quick—was back in full force!

"It's fine, don't dwell on it," Taichi said with a grin, turning toward Yōji and Nakamori Daiki, his eyes gleaming with interest. Using a play like this to train their rookies was almost too extravagant.

Nakamori, on the other hand, was completely engrossed in the match. This was even better than their game against Shiratorizawa. From the moment it started, he couldn't afford to let his focus waver for even a second.

And even then, unexpected plays kept unfolding before him.

"Bring it on!" Nakamori said, full of fighting spirit.

However—

Hinata stepped up to serve and sent over the most normal serve imaginable.

Nakamori: "...???"

Of course, even in actual matches, normal serves weren't unheard of. But after witnessing the consecutive serves from Kageyama and Taichi, and considering how Hinata had just delivered that incredible spike…naturally, expectations had risen.

"That was a terrible serve!!!" Nakamori couldn't help but shout.

Hinata, blushing, quickly ran back onto the court.

Smack!

Nakamori received the ball perfectly, and Kyōtani leapt up for the spike.

"Three-man block!"

Tsukishima Kei, Tanaka Ryūnosuke, and Kita Seio jumped together.

Boom!

The ball slipped past Kita's left side, slamming into Karasuno's back right corner.

Smack!

Hinata somehow appeared in the right spot, but the ball struck his arm and deflected out of bounds.

Kyōtani scored.

[Aoba Johsai 6 - 3 Karasuno]

"So close!" Hinata shook his head in frustration.

Kyōtani shot a strange look at Kita and Hinata.

What was up with this big guy's blocking?

Not only had he left the line shot completely open, but he also disrupted his own teammate in the back row.

Also—since when was this little guy so sharp with his receives?

He definitely hadn't been in that position just moments ago…

"Idiot! Moron!" Kageyama insulted Hinata with his usual lack of vocabulary, feeling utterly disgusted with himself for even considering that they might turn the game around together.

The serve switched back to Aoba Johsai.

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Yōji stepped up and—

Sent over a completely normal serve.

Nakamori: "…"

For a second, he wondered—was being a libero…a waste of his talents?

_________

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