Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 139: An Unbelievable Team Assignment

The first day of the training camp was filled with continuous matches, with each team playing two sets against every other team.

Shiratorizawa—7 wins, 1 loss (dropped a set to Aoba Johsai)

Aoba Johsai—7 wins, 1 loss (dropped a set to Shiratorizawa)

Date Tech—3 wins, 5 losses (lost to both Shiratorizawa and Aoba Johsai, as well as one set to Jousanji)

Jousanji—2 wins, 6 losses (lost all sets to Shiratorizawa and Aoba Johsai, and dropped a set to Kakugawa)

Kakugawa—1 win, 7 losses

In Shiratorizawa’s exclusive coaching room, coaches from various schools gathered to discuss players with promising potential.

Aoba Johsai—Kyōtani Kentarō, Kaedehara Taichi, Kunimi Akira, Kindaichi Yūtarō.

Coach Irihata basked in the envious glances from the others before he spoke slowly, savouring the moment:

"Kyōtani’s growth has been a bit lopsided. He’s an aggressive attacker, but his height is insufficient for effective blocking as a middle blocker. His receiving skills are weak, making him a liability as an outside hitter..."

Feeling the dangerous glares intensifying, Irihata cleared his throat and shifted the topic

"Let’s move on to other teams."

Shiratorizawa—Kawanishi Taichi, Goshiki Tsutomu.

Coach Irihata smirked to himself, thinking, Our Taichi is definitely the stronger one.

Coach Washijō seemed to read Irihata’s thoughts and snorted. "Goshiki is our next ace, but his composure still needs work. He requires careful refinement."

Date Tech—Aone Takanobu, Futakuchi Kenji, Kanji Koganegawa.

Although Date Tech’s results hadn’t been particularly impressive, Coach Oiwake had much to say. Aone and Futakuchi’s blocking had been nearly perfected at the last Inter-High tournament. With the addition of Koganegawa, a 191cm first-year, Date Tech had a promising future.

"Koganegawa may be rough around the edges, but with his height, he could develop into an excellent large-scale setter."

Other notable players included Terushima Yūji from Johzenji and Hyakuzawa Yūdai from Kakugawa.

"Terushima is an all-rounder, but his erratic personality makes him an unstable factor in matches. As for Hyakuzawa—if he were part of a strong team, he’d be a nightmare for opponents in the next two years."

—An Hour Earlier—

"Iwaizumi as an outside hitter is more than adequate," Coach Irihata said, his brows furrowed. "Among the outside hitters here, he’s easily top five. Putting him at libero wastes his potential."

"I won’t argue with that," Coach Washijō replied. "But being 'adequate' isn’t enough when facing teams at the national level. Iwaizumi's skill set makes him capable of becoming exceptional in receiving."

Coach Irihata paused, considering the point. Though their coaching philosophies differed, both had decades of experience and sharp eyes for talent.

After all, Washijō was the same coach who relegated a highly capable setter like Semi Eita to the bench—but that move pushed Semi to develop a deadly jump float serve as his secret weapon.

Irihata recalled Aoba Johsai’s match-ending rally against Shiratorizawa in the recent tournament. It was Iwaizumi’s perfect receive against Ushijima’s spike that kept the play alive, leading to Aoba Johsai’s decisive point.

Still, moving Iwaizumi from a key offensive role to a defensive specialist seemed a cruel fate. He had already sacrificed much, putting his heart into defence to strengthen the team’s foundation.

Stripping him of the title of outside hitter—one of the most dynamic roles—felt like too great a blow.

"I’ll allow him to play libero for the training matches," Irihata finally said. "Experiencing different positions may broaden his vision. But unless Iwaizumi himself requests it, I’ll make sure he wears the number 4 jersey and finishes his high school volleyball career as an outside hitter."

"Stubborn as always," Washijō snorted. "Well, Aoba Johsai is your team, not mine."

Irihata smiled confidently. "And as an outside hitter, Iwaizumi will help Aoba Johsai defeat Shiratorizawa at Spring Nationals."

Washijō laughed bitterly. "Such big talk for a man who’s only beaten us once—just once—in these last few years."

"Spending so much time with this group of players, I feel younger these days, Washijō." Irihata's eyes twinkled with satisfaction as he saw the irritation on the other coach’s face.

Anabara Takaaki had been trying to excuse himself from the brewing tension, but no opportunity arose.

Sharing the room with two of Miyagi’s most venerable coaches—one of whom had coached him back in his student days—left him feeling completely out of place.

"Anabara, find a nearby izakaya for later," Washijō suddenly ordered. "I’m going to drink this old man under the table."

"Hah, you’d better make sure someone’s around to carry you back, old man," Irihata sneered.

Their eyes locked, and sparks seemed to fly as their gazes clashed.

_________

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