Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 586 San Juan vs. Ryujin! (Double-Length)

No one had expected the heavily favoured Trentino to actually lose to Nizhnev. When the final whistle tore through the stadium air, the bewildered figures of Trentino's players stood in stark contrast to Nizhnev's frenzied celebrations.

"Yaku-san!!" Ivan shouted in excitement.

What everyone thought would be Nizhnev's final match unexpectedly turned into a new lease on life.

In the stands, Trentino fans sat in shock, their eyes lifeless and blank.

"Two consecutive losses in the group stage…Alexander's undefeated myth has been completely shattered."

After losing to San Juan, Trentino's psychological defences had completely collapsed. Even after taking the first set, they were overturned yet again.

In an instant, both on-site spectators and online fans erupted into a frenzy of discussion. Under a single round-robin system, needing a tiebreaker round to determine who advanced was extremely rare.

-----

December 19th, Day 4 of the Club World Championship.

The knockout rounds were postponed by a day. Trentino, São Paulo, and Nizhnev drew lots to play an intra-group round-robin.

After a day of matches, Trentino defeated both opponents with back-to-back 3–1 victories, ultimately advancing to the semifinals.

"What the heck…So after all that, it's still Italy advancing…"

From the result alone, it almost made the extra matches seem pointless.

However, San Juan, Lublin, and Ryujin all received a full day of rest amid the tight schedule. Meanwhile, Trentino, reborn from the flames, now felt like an entirely different, more mature team.

Whether these changes were good or bad for each team remained to be seen.

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December 20th, Day 5 of the Club World Championship.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Club World Championship stage!"

"After the fierce battles of the group stage, countless memorable moments are still vivid in our minds—those fiery comebacks against all odds, and those quiet, sorrowful farewells. And today, we finally arrive at the highly anticipated semifinals!"

"This morning's match will be Argentina's Club Atlético San Juan against Japan's Ryujin NIPPON, two outstanding teams," commentator David Gross announced passionately.

"I imagine the fans are already fired up, and of course, both teams are more than ready," said commentator Lim Scotch. "Just two days ago, we saw Ryujin and Mazembe in that brutal showdown, which they won with an impressive 3–0 scoreline."

"That victory gave Ryujin's players immense confidence on the world stage."

"And San Juan? In that 'Group of Death' known as Group A, they went undefeated—you know as well as I do, they understand exactly what it takes to win at the highest level."

David picked up Lim's words: "The momentum from the group stage is crucial for Ryujin. We've seen them steadily improve as they advanced, and today's match against San Juan will be a true test."

"It's an absolute treat to witness these two teams face off. Enough talk—let's hand it over to the court!"

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After warm-ups, the players took their positions.

CA San Juan's lineup:

Front row—Setter Oikawa Tōru, Middle Blocker Agustín Loser, Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi.

Back row—Outside Hitter Facundo Conte, Middle Blocker Martín Ramos (Libero: Santiago Santiago) and Opposite Hitter Bruno Lima.

Ryujin NIPPON's lineup:

Front row—Opposite Hitter Hoshiumi Kōrai, Middle Blocker Hondō Sakuma, Outside Hitter Kiryū Wakatsu.

Back row—Outside Hitter Bokuto Kōtarō, Middle Blocker Hirugami Fukurō (Libero Heiwajima Toshiro) and Setter Miya Atsumu.

"These guys…they don't even say hi before a match," Taichi clicked his tongue.

"Well, that's because your personality is too nasty. They all know exactly what you're like," Oikawa snickered.

"Heh, but they weren't ignoring me just now, were they?"

"That's only because you ruined my reputation too, Taichi!"

"What a shame…They probably won't want to talk even more after they lose." Taichi ignored Oikawa and sighed lightly. "I really am doing this for their own good, you know~"

Conte silently closed his eyes, not wanting to watch these two shamelessly bicker.

"Beeep—!"

The match began. Ryujin served first. Miya Atsumu stepped onto the service line.

"Ryujin's two setters have truly shone in this Club World Championship! Atsumu is all about creativity and aggressiveness, always daring to attempt the most difficult techniques and striving for 'unexpected perfection.' His sets are not only accurate but also artistic, delivering lethal attacks at seemingly impossible moments."

"Meanwhile, Iizuna Tsukasa embodies absolute rationality and stability. He can restore a team's rhythm whenever they lose their way. To have these two world-class setters on the same team…Ryujin's attackers are truly blessed!"

"Ryujin continues their usual strategy today, starting with Atsumu as the setter. Not only can he help the team transition quickly into offence, but his powerful serve is also a critical factor."

"Tweet!—"The serve whistle sounded.

Atsumu tossed the ball high, approached, jumped, and struck!

BANG!!!—

The first serve was a jump float!

But Atsumu's jump float was unlike anyone else's—it still carried incredible speed!

Smack!

The ball dropped sharply. Santiago dove, barely saving it.

"Cover!"

Oikawa quickly moved to position, a small smirk on his lips.

Whoosh!—

The noticeably slowed ball speed seemed to announce to everyone: this attack would go to that man.

"Bring it on!"

Ryujin's front line rushed to the right wing and leapt.

"Triple block!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Hoshiumi, Hondō, and Kiryū formed a towering wall on one side of the net.

THUMP!

Taichi soared into the air, his posture exuding absolute dominance.

—BOOOM!!!

The moment his spike rang out, the air itself trembled. The ball turned into a white flash, slicing over the block before anyone could react and slammed violently in front of Atsumu.

BANG!!!

The ball bounced high.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with a super-high reach spike!

[San Juan 1 - 0 Ryujin]

"380 cm!!!"

"The Demon King of San Juan has arrived!"

"Just from the first ball alone, we can see that Taichi is in perfect form today!"

David's commentary, combined with the roaring cheers of the fans, instantly sent the arena atmosphere into a frenzy.

Serve switch—San Juan to serve.

Oikawa stepped up. As the whistle blew—

BOOOM!!!

"Oh my god, what was that flash?!"

"The ball smashed down on Ryujin's end line!"

Oikawa scored directly off the serve!

[San Juan 2 - 0 Ryujin]

"124 km/h!!!"

"An ultra-fast serve from San Juan's setter—Oikawa Tōru!"

"For his first serve of the match, this ball showed incredible precision!"

"This unbelievable setter makes every touch feel like a leaping note on a musical staff, culminating in a deafening cadenza that explodes on the opponent's defence!"

"David, believe me, he's going to be the brightest setter in this tournament!" Lim shouted in awe.

"Of course! I absolutely agree!" David replied excitedly.

San Juan continued serving.

Coach Suzaku gestured on the sidelines. After Hoshiumi, Kiryū also moved to the back row—Ryujin now had five receivers ready.

Oikawa tossed the ball, approached, jumped, and struck!

"Will he target the same spot again?"

"He won't!"

"The ball dropped sharply—it's a jump float serve!"

The ball dipped just past the net, targeting Ryujin's 3-meter line. Kiryū, who had just retreated, lunged forward to save it.

SMACK!

"The ball hit the receiver's arms and ricocheted straight to the floor!!!"

"What a vicious spin!"

"Another direct serve point! Two consecutive aces—!"

Oikawa scored on the serve again!

[San Juan 3 - 0 Ryujin]

"People always say that change is the spice of life—and it's the same with serving!"

"Oikawa Tōru is displaying astonishing ball control; no one can read the disguise in his serve beforehand!"

"Tweet!—"

Oikawa served for the third time.

BOOM!!!

Smack!!!

Heiwajima Toshiro received it, the first pass flying high.

Miya Atsumu quickly stepped in to set.

"Could this be the turning point for Ryujin?"

Whoosh!—

The ball soared to the right wing. Kiryū Wakatsu leapt for a spike!

"A double block!" Loser and Taichi jumped up together.

Not high enough!

Taichi, positioned on the right, perfectly shut down the straight shot.

Kiryū twisted in midair, his muscular arms unexpectedly flexible.

BOOOM!!!

The ball slipped through the narrow gap between the block and the net, crashing onto San Juan's left sideline.

SMACK!!!

The ball hit Oikawa's arm and flew far out of bounds.

Kiryū scored with a spike!

[San Juan 3 - 1 Ryujin]

"Even though his shot was predicted, Kiryū still forcefully took the point!"

"Look at those powerful muscles—he's no less imposing than San Juan's attackers!"

Ryujin finally broke the serve; service switched.

Kiryū tossed the ball high, took three perfect approach steps, jumped, and struck!

BOOM!!!

Pop!

The ball clipped the net and popped up, flying toward San Juan's back row.

"I got it!"

Conte prepared to receive, but Oikawa darted in first, making a delicate overhead set to the middle.

Thud!

Kaedehara Taichi soared!

"Triple block!" Bokuto Kōtarō, Hoshiumi Kōrai, and Hondō Sakuma jumped together.

"Hmm?"

Taichi frowned slightly and softly tipped the ball.

BOOM!!!

The ball flew to the left wing, where Loser smashed it down into an empty court!

[San Juan 4 - 1 Ryujin]

"Hey." Taichi looked over at Ryujin's players impatiently. "What are you guys doing?"

San Juan scored almost effortlessly.

"A ridiculous missed block like that…" Coach Suzaku's brows furrowed tightly. "They're focusing too much on Taichi."

---

Service switched; San Juan to serve.

Loser tossed the ball and fired a powerful jump serve!

BOOM!!!

Smack!!

Atsumu received it, though the pass was only half on target.

Hoshiumi moved in to assist, sending the ball toward the front left. Bokuto jumped for the spike!

"A double block!" Taichi and Ramos rose together.

BOOM!!!—

THUD!

Bruno, standing at the three-meter line on the right side, touched it but couldn't keep it in.

Bokuto scored with the spike!

[San Juan 4 - 2 Ryujin]

"Ryujin's offensive flow is so smooth. You can always trust Bokuto's cross-court shots!"

"His shallow diagonal feels so effortless—as if the ball is drifting in the air!"

"He might be one of the best at shallow diagonals in this entire Club World Championship!"

"It feels like the match is finally back on track… Looks like the clash we were waiting for is finally starting!" David said dramatically.

Service switched; Ryujin to serve.

Hondō Sakuma launched a powerful jump serve!

BOOM!!!

A high-angled power serve—the most common type in the Club World Championship.

Smack!

Santiago received it steadily, the first pass right on target.

Taichi had already soared to the left front; Oikawa's set arrived perfectly on time.

Hirugami and Bokuto both jumped to block, sticking close.

BOOM!!!

A super quick spike!

The ball smashed into the court right in front of Atsumu, leaving no room for doubt.

Kaedehara Taichi's ultra-fast attack was not just about speed.

San Juan easily scored.

[San Juan 5 - 2 Ryujin]

"Ryujin's block was already quick enough; they tried to stand in Taichi's way."

"But Taichi is just calmly 'killing' them," David said.

"Oh!" Lim exclaimed. "Next up, it's another test of Ryujin's receiving abilities."

Service switched; San Juan to serve.

Taichi stepped onto the service line.

Ryujin quickly organised a five-man "W" formation in the back row.

"This feeling…it's so familiar." Taichi wore a nostalgic smile.

Seeing Ryujin adjust so quickly and maintain their offensive rhythm…it was truly delightful for him. After all, he didn't want this to be a boring match.

"Tweet!—"

The serve whistle sounded.

Taichi tossed the ball lightly, his approach steps relaxed and smooth.

Thud!

He rose high, body extending gracefully in midair, before whipping his right arm downward.

"Here's one for you all~"

BOOOM!!!

SMACK!!!

Hoshiumi left the ground instantly, tumbling backwards as the ball bounced high.

"Save it—!"

The ball dropped toward the top of the net, its trajectory suggesting it might fall into San Juan's court.

Bokuto leapt up high.

"Stop him!" Conte jumped to block in front of him.

Smack!—

But Bokuto didn't spike—instead, he awkwardly hooked the ball back into Ryujin's side with one hand.

"A terrible pass."

"I got it!"

Kiryū, already used to such chaos, was ready!

Thud!

Kiryū jumped from the back row, precisely finding the contact point. Using his core strength, he drove his arm forward.

BOOOM!!!—

A full-force spike!

—SMACK!!!

The ball slammed into Ramos and Conte's double block, rebounding heavily into Ryujin's court.

"—?!"

"Sorry, but please don't underestimate us."

San Juan scored on the block!

[San Juan 6 - 2 Ryujin]

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