Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 379: Easy Advancement

[Shinzen High 25 - 21 Kashiwai Academy]

[Shinzen High 23 - 25 Kashiwai Academy]

[Shinzen High 25 - 22 Kashiwai Academy]

Both teams were fairly skilled, but among them, the now second-year Chigaya Eikichi clearly stood out from the rest. In a close match, whether or not a team had a star player often determined the outcome.

After a year of training, Chigaya Eikichi had grown noticeably more mature and confident. Offensively, his spikes were full of power, and thanks to his left-handedness and 195 cm height, his attack angles were sharp and his spin unpredictable—giving opponents no time to react.

Defensively, his reflexes were quick and his anticipation spot-on. Often, he could shut down opposing hitters all on his own.

[Chigaya Eikichi—Middle Blocker: Overall Rating: 88.5; Height: 195 cm, Strength: 90, Jump: 86, Stamina: 88, Speed: 85; Key Attributes: Serve: 88, Block: 90, Spike: 92.]

This match proved that his serves were also highly threatening: fast, precise and capable of disrupting the opponent's formation effectively.

Even though he was a middle blocker and didn't stay on court as long as the wing spikers, Chigaya Eikichi still finished the game as the top scorer.

"No wonder he got nominated for the Japan–USA Exchange Match." Taichi thought to himself.

For a second-year middle blocker, there probably weren't many above him in terms of skill.

"That guy's seriously strong. No wonder he was Taichi's teammate at the National Youth Camp," Yahaba Shigeru said in awe.

"Kindaichi, can't you just take him down?" Taichi asked, turning his head. "You're both second-years, aren't you?"

"I'll do my best!" Kindaichi Yūtarō replied earnestly.

"...Ugh, fine."

Taichi gave a helpless nod—this guy really didn't know how to give an interesting answer.

The first day of Nationals passed by without much fanfare.

Date Tech's match was held at Court D, against Tsubakihara Academy, the second representative from Kanagawa.

Tsubakihara had made it to Nationals for the third consecutive year, their seventh appearance overall, and had made noticeable improvements each time. They'd left a strong impression on many spectators.

In contrast, Date Tech—from Miyagi—was returning to Nationals after an eleven-year absence. For most of the audience, it was the first time they'd even heard of the school.

The biggest highlight before the match was Date Tech's towering height—and for the more observant spectators, the fact that they hailed from the same prefecture as reigning champions Aoba Johsai.

[Date Tech 25 - 20 Tsubakihara Academy]

[Date Tech 25 - 18 Tsubakihara Academy]

Date Tech crushed their opponents in a dominant 2–0 victory, advancing to the second round.

The Court D audience was won over immediately by this previously unknown team—on day one, no less.

So strong!

Date Tech's players radiated power that was visible to the naked eye.

The iron wall capable of crushing any attacker's confidence was no longer exclusive to Kamomedai High.

"The Iron Wall of Date" echoed across Court D, accompanied by the team's hypnotic, rhythmic cheering.

-----

On the second day of the tournament, Aoba Johsai finally had their first match.

"Taichi, long time no see." Chigaya Eikichi's smile looked a little strained. "Didn't expect to run into you guys this soon."

"It's been a while. You've gotten way stronger," Kaedehara Taichi replied casually as he greeted him.

The two weren't particularly close. After a brief exchange of greetings, they returned to their respective courts to warm up—after all, they were about to become each other's greatest obstacle in the second round.

"Eikichi, you really know Taichi?!"

Outside Hitter Shinohara Kuniki looked shocked. "He even remembered your name!"

"...I told you already, we were teammates during the National Youth Training Camp!" Eikichi muttered.

"Then can you get me his autograph?"

Setter Ishiba Kenta scooted over excitedly. "My little sister loves him."

"..."

Eikichi looked away. Even I haven't dared to ask him for one yet...!

"Looks like you guys are pretty relaxed," Shinzen's coach Yoshiki Sasagawa said with a chuckle.

"Coach!"

The players were still somewhat nervous, so they had started talking about unrelated things to ease the tension.

"It's fine. We already said everything we needed to last night."

Coach Yoshiki placed one hand on Eikichi's shoulder and the other on Ishiba's.

"Just give it your all. As long as you don't leave behind any regrets."

"Yes, sir!!!"

After warm-ups, the players took their places on the court.

Miyagi Prefecture First Representative—Aoba Johsai High School—Their ninth Nationals appearance, second year in a row.

Saitama Prefecture Representative—Shinzen High School—Their eleventh Nationals appearance, first in two years.

At Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Court A, the Inter-High Nationals second-round match—Aoba Johsai vs. Shinzen—began!

-----

Eighteen minutes into the first set.

[Aoba Johsai 20 - 12 Shinzen High]

"Tweet!—"

Aoba Johsai calls a substitution—Yamabuki Yūjin IN, Kaedehara Taichi OUT.

Aoba Johsai's ace was subbed off, seemingly declaring that the rest of the match was merely garbage time. Such a move was rare in the Nationals, but neither the crowd nor commentators thought Aoba Johsai was being arrogant.

The gap between the two teams was simply that wide.

From the moment the match started, the disparity was as clear as an uncrossable chasm.

All those media predictions about Aoba Johsai only being the third seed? Laughable now.

Kyōtani Kentarō's service ace signalled the start of Aoba Johsai's onslaught. Under the direction of Kunimi Akira and Yahaba Shigeru, the team launched a 5–0 opening attack.

Shinzen's counterattack was stifled repeatedly by Kindaichi Yūtarō and Yūki Yōji's blocks—and even Chigaya Eikichi, who had shone in the previous match, struggled this time.

Even if he broke through the block, he couldn't ignore Aoba Johsai's libero, Nakamori Daiki.

Taichi didn't even perform all that much—two kills and a block. He ranked third in team scoring.

Yet Shinzen didn't dare ease up on him defensively. Not that it helped.

Aoba Johsai maintained overwhelming control of the match. The crowd erupted with cheers—there was no doubt about it:

They were still the kings of this court!

-----

One hour later—

[Aoba Johsai 25 - 16 Shinzen High]

[Aoba Johsai 25 - 18 Shinzen High]

In the second set, Kaedehara Taichi didn't even appear. Yahaba Shigeru was subbed out as well, replaced by Tōma Kaoru.

There were now four first-years on the court for Aoba Johsai.

Even so, they wrapped up the match swiftly and cleanly.

Spectators began to realise a terrifying truth:

Even Kyōtani Kentarō and Kunimi Akira—in most other high schools—would be regarded as undisputed aces.

With a clean 2–0 sweep, Aoba Johsai defeated Shinzen High and advanced to the third round of the Inter-High Nationals.

_________

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