Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 122: Surpassing Oneself

Finally hearing the familiar system notification sound, Kaedehara Taichi let out a deep breath of relief. Holding his ground against Kiryū Wakatsu alone had pushed him to his limit.

"Damn Oikawa, you're always a step too slow."

Mujinazaka's Nozomu Mami served the ball sharply over the net.

"Cover!" Iwaizumi Hajime called out as he barely managed to dig the serve.

Oikawa Tōru stepped in with a flawless form, balancing himself mid-step as he jumped to deliver an immaculate set.

Kaedehara Taichi was already airborne on the right wing. The Mujinazaka blockers were a step too slow to keep up.

"What a beautiful set!"

"Despite the first pass being out of position, Oikawa's exceptional movement laid the foundation for this pinpoint toss!"

Kaedehara Taichi scanned the Mujinazaka defenders' positions mid-air, his eyes sharp. For the first time in a while, there was no wall obstructing his view of the court.

His right arm swung down decisively as the ball aligned perfectly in front of his palm.

Smack! Only Kiryū Wakatsu anticipated his move.

"He got it!"

"Kiryū Wakatsu, who rotated to the back row, took charge of the reception again! Oikawa and Taichi's combination attack failed to score!"

"Save it!" Kiryū shouted.

Ezota Naoharu dashed to the back and leapt off one foot, desperately sending the ball back.

In the front row, Usuri Mitsuru tipped the ball toward Aoba Johsai's weak backcourt.

"Chance ball!"

Watari Shinji dashed to intercept, deftly controlling the ball with a precise dig.

Oikawa quickly set the ball high to the left wing, where Taichi pulled back for a running approach from the back row.

"Block him!"

The high toss gave Mujinazaka's blockers enough time to react, and both Hondo Subaru and Unnan Keisuke leapt to form a wall in front of Taichi.

Boom!

"A powerful spike! Kaedehara Taichi shattered one of Mujinazaka's twin towers, Unnan Keisuke, with brute force!"

Pop!

"But Kiryū Wakatsu anticipated the play again, picking up the spike with a stunning dig!"

Usuri Mitsuru set the ball high and centred it, creating an opportunity for their upcoming ace, Ezota Naoharu to strike from the back row.

Pop!

Oikawa handled the reception with practised ease, sending the ball perfectly to his envisioned position.

He transitioned smoothly into another precise set for the right wing.

"Mad-Dog-chan!!!"

Kyōtani Kentarō launched himself into the air, facing only Mujinazaka's setter in front of him.

Bang!

Kyōtani's spike ricocheted off Usuri's hands and crashed into Mujinazaka's court.

But...

Pop!

"Kiryū Wakatsu read it again!"

"Kiryū Wakatsu's defensive prowess is truly jaw-dropping! Even under Aoba Johsai's relentless high-speed attacks, Mujinazaka's backline holds strong!"

"Wakatsu-senpai! The match starts now!" shouted Bishin Haruma, his voice echoing across the court.

Kiryū's gaze steadied, his resolve reignited.

-----

[Aoba Johsai 21 – 22 Mujinazaka]

The match was neck and neck again.

Smack!

Kaedehara Taichi's spike deflected off the blockers' hands and out of bounds. Aoba Johsai scored.

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 22 Mujinazaka]

Boom!

Kiryū executed a flawless three-step approach from the back row, breaking through the double block with a powerful spike.

[Aoba Johsai 22 – 23 Mujinazaka]

Bang!

Oikawa feigned a spike but instead delivered a perfect set to the left wing. Kindaichi seized the opening and scored.

[Aoba Johsai 23 – 23 Mujinazaka]

Then...

Oikawa Tōru stepped onto the service line.

"Both teams have demonstrated incredible serving strength, but at this critical juncture, a direct scoring serve could change everything!"

The commentator, Ōtomo, felt lucky to be calling such a thrilling match.

The intensity of the third set had surpassed everyone's expectations. Cheers erupted from all corners of the stadium, wave after wave.

"A-O-BA—JOH-SAI!"

"MU-JI-NA-ZA-KA!"

"Oikawa, go for it!"

"Kiryū, don't give up!"

"Taichi, fight!"

The thunderous applause and chants reverberated through the stadium, their echoes crashing against the walls like an unstoppable tide.

"Don't let him score! Take the serve back immediately!" Mujinazaka's players were laser-focused, their concentration at its peak.

"To bring out 100% of your ability in a match is no easy feat, but now is the time to surpass yourself!"

Oikawa tossed the ball into the air with one hand, taking his approach as it descended. At the apex of his jump, his arm swung through with perfect precision.

Neither the deafening cheers nor the pressure fazed him. In fact, it only fueled his energy.

"The entire world is cheering for me!!!"

Bo—om!

The ball zipped across the court like a lightning bolt, striking Mujinazaka's backline.

Oikawa scored a flawless service ace.

[Aoba Johsai 24 – 23 Mujinazaka]

Aoba Johsai had reached the match point in the deciding set.

_________

[T/N] - If you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on my Patreon. Trust me, it's awesome!

Link - /Iseeblack [Remove the brackets]