Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 594: The Monsters Feast! · 3 (Double-Length)

Service rotation. Ryujin to serve. Iizuna stepped onto the service line.

Finally, the players of San Juan let out a breath of relief. Iizuna's serve wasn't weak, but it definitely wasn't threatening either.

Right now, trailing in points, San Juan had been left flustered by Ryujin's continuous strong serves.

However, just as they were starting to relax—

"Beep! Ryujin requests a substitution."

"Miya Atsumu IN, Iizuna Tsukasa OUT!"

"Ryujin is actually making a proactive substitution while leading by five points!"

On the sidelines, Coach Suzaku wore a stern expression. A five-point lead wasn't enough for this set—he wanted to widen the gap completely and take the set firmly in hand.

"I'm counting on you," Iizuna said warmly. "Serve a good one."

"Yes!" Miya Atsumu nodded deeply, focused and composed.

Once Atsumu stepped onto the service line, Conte dropped to the back row, and San Juan was forced to maintain a four-man receive formation.

"If you hold fast to today's result…what will tomorrow become?"

"Taichi, can you guess?"

"What should I do today?"

"Tweet!—" The service whistle blew.

Atsumu took a deep breath and tossed the ball high.

BANG!!!

The ball dropped sharply to the front left side of San Juan's court, diving right over the net!

"It's a sudden-change float serve!"

"At this world championship, there are only a handful of players who can directly score points with jump float serves—Miya Atsumu is one of them!"

Ramos locked onto the ball intently. "Before it changes—"

He jumped up at just the right moment, pushing his hands toward the ball.

Smack!

"—??!"

The ball suddenly dipped lower, hitting Ramos's wrist and dropping to the floor.

Bruno lunged forward, but it was too late.

Atsumu's serve scored directly!

[San Juan 4 - 10 Ryujin]

The arena fell silent.

"Blanco, aren't you going to call a timeout yet?" Frey asked anxiously. This was no longer a matter of denying the opponent a breather—trailing by six points, the momentum was completely in Ryujin's hands.

Coach José gripped his tactical board tightly, falling silent for a moment. "Hold on…just a little longer."

---

Ryujin continued serving.

"Don't let it bother you! Stay focused! Shut him down next ball!" Conte shouted loudly.

Honestly, even if they lost the third set, it wouldn't be a huge problem. Conte could see that the opponent was clearly putting everything into this set—this reckless style wouldn't last until the end.

However, losing seriously and losing by giving up were two entirely different things.

If they relaxed now, they would just be giving Ryujin breathing space.

Just like Ryujin was trying to completely crush them early on, San Juan needed to cling onto them tightly, giving them no room to relax.

"Tweet!—" The service whistle blew again.

Atsumu tossed the ball high, ran up, leapt, and launched his second serve!

BOOOM!!!

The ball fired toward San Juan's back row like a cannonball, incredibly fast!

"So he switched to a power serve!"

Conte's expression tensed as he stepped in to receive.

"—?!"

Just as the ball was about to meet Conte's arms, it suddenly veered, slamming down onto San Juan's court!

THUD!!!

"What was that?"

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Conte's forehead.

Atsumu scored another service ace!

[San Juan 4 - 11 Ryujin]

"—That's unbelievable!"

"That was undoubtedly a powerful jump serve, but it also shifted at the last second near Conte's arms!"

"If targeting middle blocker Ramos wasn't enough to showcase Atsumu's skill, then scoring directly against Facundo Conte certainly proves it—Miya Atsumu is one of the very best servers on this court right now!"

"His serves are so unpredictable. By the time you can tell if it's a power serve or a float serve, the ball is already at your face!"

"A seven-point lead!"

"Even in the rare sets San Juan has lost, no team has ever managed to suppress them like this!"

As the commentator shouted wildly, the atmosphere in the arena turned feverish.

"Beep! San Juan requests a timeout."

-----

"Well done! 'Tsumu!"

In Hyogo, at a small shop called "Onigiri Atsumu," they were staying open late these days.

"That's the Atsumu I know! I'll show this footage to my students tomorrow!" Akagi Michinari (a trainee PE teacher at Inarizaki High) laughed loudly.

"You just want to show off," Ginjima Hitoshi (a personal trainer) rolled her eyes.

"Showing off isn't bad at all. Besides, they really are amazing now," Ōmimi Ren (a public servant) said warmly.

Apart from some former Inarizaki volleyball club members, the shop was full of local neighbors interested in volleyball, all gathered to watch the live broadcast of this distant overseas match.

"Oh my, he's just as handsome as Osamu!" an elderly lady chuckled.

"Haha, right?" Atsumu Osamu laughed heartily. "This guy's playing great today."

"Shinsuke, was this Miya Atsumu and that Ojiro Aran your teammates back then?" a new customer (a business partner) asked.

"How about it?" Kita Shinsuke turned around, smiling. "My teammates are incredible, aren't they?"

-----

Timeout over. The match resumed.

Ryujin kept serving. Atsumu stepped up for his third serve!

BOOOM!!!

A pure power jump serve!

The ball became a blur, flying toward the gap between Taichi and Conte.

"I'll take it!"

Smack!!!

Taichi stepped up to receive, the ball bounced off his arms, soaring high toward the net.

"That height—" Oikawa didn't jump hastily but instead shouted to the left, "Ramos!"

—"Nitta! Put it away!"

Ramos and Nitta both jumped at the same time.

Using his height advantage, Ramos reached the ball first. Rather than spiking it, he tipped it one-handed to the side.

Thump!

Conte leapt to spike!

"Double block!" Hoshiumi and Sakusa both went up.

Block it!

Conte's eyes flashed sharply, his arm tensed, and he hammered the ball down!

BOOM!!!

The ball deflected off Sakusa's arm, crashing into Ryujin's back row.

SMACK!

Atsumu received it!

"Beautiful save!!" cheers erupted from the Japanese supporters' section.

"Cover!"

Atsumu felt no joy—he knew he hadn't managed a perfect first touch.

The ball floated toward the net. Nitta jumped.

"Too high—"

Nitta missed the ball, and in the next instant, his pupils shrank as a figure came into view.

—BOOM!!!

A huge hand slammed down on the ball that had just crossed the net.

A gust of wind whipped past Nitta's ear—at a height he couldn't even dream of reaching—

Taichi's back-row attack scored!!!

[San Juan 5 - 11 Ryujin]

"Beautiful," commentator David couldn't help but exclaim.

"That was a magnificent spike!"

"It was as if Atsumu had set the ball right into Taichi's hands…"

"The game is entering its next phase," Kozume Kenma's eyes sparkled.

---

Service rotation. San Juan to serve.

"Don't rush. Taichi is still in the back row. Be steady and secure another point!" Coach Suzaku shouted from the sideline.

The momentum that Atsumu had built with his serves was nearly blown away in a single strike by Taichi.

But it didn't matter—the tide hadn't turned yet.

"Tweet!—" The service whistle sounded.

Ramos went for a powerful jump serve!

BOOM!!!

The ball struck Atsumu's arms, bouncing high.

"San Juan is targeting Atsumu!"

Sakusa stepped up to set. Hoshiumi in the front and Bokuto from the back row both launched for the attack.

Conte and Loser marked them one-on-one.

Whoosh—!

The ball flew to the right. Nitta jumped to spike!

"Sakusa's back set was pinpoint precise!"

"This guy!" Loser quickly shifted sideways, jumping diagonally to block.

—BOOM!!!

A wipe-off spike!

The ball slammed into San Juan's court.

SMACK!

Taichi dove to save it!

Oikawa swiftly repositioned, setting high to the left. Conte leapt to spike.

"Double block!" Hoshiumi and Sakusa went up together.

—BOOM!!!

Another wipe-off spike!

The ball slammed heavily toward Ryujin's baseline.

Komori saved it!

"Komori's first touch was steady—the ball flew toward the net, Atsumu jumped to set!"

Whoosh!—

Sakusa soared from the middle to spike!

"Double block!" Conte and Loser clamped down tightly.

BANG!!—

The ball hit Loser's arm and flew out toward the right sideline.

Taichi jumped and immediately set it back to the net, Oikawa leapt to spike!

Nitta went up for a solo block.

Whoosh!—

The ball was redirected to the left wing again—Conte leapt!

"Double block!" Hoshiumi and Sakusa quickly shifted left and jumped together.

—BOOM!!!

"—?!"

"Sakusa!"

"Kiy—oomi!"

The ball slipped over the block and pounded hard inside Ryujin's three-meter line.

Conte scored!

[San Juan 6 - 11 Ryujin]

"Sakusa didn't jump. Is he injured?"

"No…I think he's just completely drained," Lim said.

The moment the whistle blew, Sakusa looked straight at the sideline.

Coach Suzaku only watched the court anxiously, without making any move.

"Good…" Sakusa lightly punched his thigh. "Just a bit longer!"

"Kiyoomi, are you okay?" Komori supported him.

"I'm fine."

Sensing the referee's gaze, Sakusa lightly pushed Komori away.

"Let's keep going. We must take the next point!"

Seeing no issues, the referee blew the whistle normally, and San Juan continued serving.

Ramos served again, still aiming at Atsumu.

BOOM!!!

"I got it!"

Bokuto covered for Atsumu and received the ball. Seeing Sakusa's state, he wanted to shoulder more responsibility.

The ball flew to the front row, not perfectly placed, but it was more than enough for Atsumu.

Ryujin's front row launched a triple threat attack, Sakusa gritting his teeth to join in.

San Juan's blockers were forced to split up. Conte and Loser each took one-third of the net.

Whoosh!—

"Atsumu really is a devil…"

The ball flew to the middle, Sakusa jumped to spike!

"Double block!" Conte and Loser both shifted to the middle and jumped diagonally.

BANG!!!—

The ball hit Conte's arm and flew out of bounds on the right side. Ramos couldn't save it in time.

Sakusa scored!

[San Juan 6 - 12 Ryujin]

"We really underestimated Sakusa. Just being on court, he remains a huge threat!"

"Great set!" Sakusa said between breaths.

Atsumu paused, stunned. In his memory, this was probably the first time Sakusa had complimented his set.

"Hmph, I don't care whether you have any strength left," Atsumu grumbled stiffly. "If you can't score off my perfect set, then you might as well go sit on the bench."

"I will."

Service rotation. Ryujin to serve.

Nitta jump served powerfully!

BOOM!!!

Santiago received it, though it was only half-accurate.

Oikawa jumped to set in the front row, Conte, Taichi, and Loser all launched a triple attack!

BAM!!!

Just as Ryujin's blockers tensed up, Oikawa suddenly rotated his body and tipped it down!

The ball landed right at Sakusa's feet.

Oikawa's second-touch attack scored!

[San Juan 7 - 12 Ryujin]

"Sakusa's reaction is clearly slower now—the fatigue is really taking its toll," Kuroo Tetsurō commented. "Why hasn't Coach Suzaku subbed him out yet? Kiryū and Ojiro should be warmed up already."

Kenma watched the formations carefully and said slowly, "I think he wants to keep Sakusa until the next serve rotation."

"Compared to Kiryū and Ojiro, Sakusa's serve is more threatening."

"But if they force him to stay on and end up conceding points because of it, it'll backfire completely," Kuroo sighed.

"Yeah…but I think the other players on court probably understand that, too."

-----

Service rotation. San Juan to serve, Taichi moved to the front row.

"Don't worry, hold this ball!"

"Bring it on!"

"Tweet!—" The service whistle sounded.

Conte tossed and launched a powerful jump serve!

BOOM!!!

The ball arced and crashed hard into Ryujin's back row.

Bokuto didn't have time to cover; Atsumu was forced to receive!

"Damn it!"

The ball deflected forward.

"I got it!" Hoshiumi quickly repositioned.

Front row: Meian, Sakusa. Back row: Bokuto. All three launched for an attack!

Taichi stood quietly right in front of Sakusa.

Whoosh!—

The ball flew high to the left wing.

Meian feinted, drawing Loser's block. Bokuto soared from the back row!

Loser jumped again for the block, Oikawa joined in for support.

BOOM!!!

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

Wipe-off point!

Bokuto scored!

[San Juan 7 - 13 Ryujin]

"Never thought Bokuto would use that move," Kuroo laughed. "I thought he'd go for a straight smash."

"Probably because they couldn't afford to miss that point," Yaku Morisuke said. "With Taichi in the front row, it's too dangerous. If they don't find a way to break out, they'll get stuck in this rotation."

"Bokuto had built an image of constantly using sharp, brute-force shots early on. Using a wipe-off move here totally caught San Juan off guard."

Kuroo nodded. "Anyway, they successfully got Sakusa onto the service line."

-----

Service rotation. Ryujin to serve.

"Give me the ball," Taichi suddenly said. "As long as you receive it, just set it high."

Taichi's voice was quiet, but clear enough for every teammate to hear.

The San Juan players focused their minds, knowing this was an absolute order.

"Tweet!—"The service whistle sounded.

Sakusa took a deep breath and tossed the ball. His approach was not fast, and though he jumped with all his might, the height wasn't anything spectacular.

However—

BOOM!!!

In mid-air, Sakusa's arm swung forward at incredible speed. His right arm drew back at a sharp angle, then his upper arm, forearm, and wrist moved in perfect coordination to whip forward!

"Here it comes!"

The ball left Sakusa's hand, slicing just over the net and tracing a strange trajectory in the air.

"With this height…"

Loser instinctively jumped, trying to push the ball up with both hands, but he only caught a ghostly blur.

"Idiot!"

Santiago cursed—not only had Loser missed, but he also blocked part of the back row's view.

Luckily, the ball wasn't too fast. Santiago still stepped forward to meet it.

"Fall back!" Oikawa shouted loudly.

"Huh?" Before Santiago could react, the ball seemed to stall midair, then "drifted" backward toward the deep court.

"There's another change?!" Santiago's pupils shrank sharply. "I can't reach it!"

Smack!

Conte dove and just managed to touch it, but the ball shot out past the baseline.

Oikawa chased it down.

Smack!—

A pass leaping in from beyond the baseline, soaring high toward the net.

Thump!

Taichi leaped!

"Triple block!" Bokuto, Meian, and Hoshiumi all jumped together.

"What will it be?!"

Sakusa stared intently at Taichi.

—BOOOM!!!

The next moment, the ball smashed with a loud crashing sound in front of him.

CRASH!!!

Taichi's wipe-off spike scored!

[San Juan 8 - 13 Ryujin]

"Satisfied? If you're exhausted, go sit on the bench," Taichi said coldly.

Sakusa lifted his head, meeting Taichi's indifferent gaze head-on.

"Watch closely—from here on out, I'll show you exactly how I'll crush you all!"

_________