Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 188: Three Announcements

"Selected? Selected for what?" The Aoba Johsai players wore puzzled expressions.

"Heh, this is big news! None of the other teams know yet!" Mizoguchi Sadayuki's excitement had clearly gotten the better of him; he had run all the way from the office to deliver the news.

Now that he had caught his breath, he was intent on building some suspense.

"Mizoguchi-san! Please, just tell us!" The players, ever cooperative, bowed in unison.

"Ahem, listen up, everyone!" Mizoguchi cleared his throat, then solemnly announced,

"Tōru Oikawa has been selected as an official member of the National U19 Youth Team!"

The gym went silent for a moment.

"!!!"

"The National Youth Team?!"

"An official member of the U19 team?!"

"That's incredible!!!" exclaimed Kindaichi Yūtarō, his jaw practically hitting the floor.

"The U19 Youth Team is the national representative team for players under 19, right?" Even Kunimi Akira, usually calm and composed, couldn't hide his surprise.

"Doesn't that make him the same as Ushiwaka?" Matsukawa Issei murmured.

"But Ushiwaka was already a reserve member of the Youth Team, wasn't he? He officially became a regular player earlier this year," Iwaizumi Hajime added.

Mizoguchi nodded. "Yes, and this is largely thanks to Coach Washijō and Ushijima Wakatoshi. During the Inter-High Nationals, Oikawa's outstanding performance caught the attention of the U19 staff."

He continued, "Since he's a third-year, they consulted with Ushijima and Coach Washijō before granting him this exceptional opportunity."

Mizoguchi paused, then looked directly at Oikawa. "There might still be individual assessments for you after you join, but I'm sure you'll handle them just fine."

Oikawa stood frozen in place. This was completely unexpected.

For someone who had always measured himself against Ushijima, the significance of the Youth Team was not lost on him.@@@@

Unlike Ushijima, who had already achieved national recognition, Oikawa had never even competed on the national stage.

Was he not good enough?

Did he lack potential?

These thoughts had often haunted him, filling him with self-doubt.

But now, it felt like a layer of ice in his heart had melted. His expression shifted from shock to gratitude to excitement, before settling into a nonchalant mask—albeit one that couldn't fully hide his joy.

"Didn't Mizoguchi-san also mention Taichi earlier?" Hanamaki Takahiro suddenly pointed out.

"Ahem, onto the second announcement!" Mizoguchi teased, relishing the suspense. "The National Youth Team has invited Taichi Kaedehara to attend next month's intensive training camp!"

!!!

Even though they had somewhat anticipated it, hearing it confirmed left the Aoba Johsai players stunned.

This was the standard pathway to becoming a regular member of the U19 team. Excelling at the training camp would pave the way for Taichi to join the team in the future officially.

Only the rarest, most talented first-years were ever scouted for this camp.

While Oikawa's face earlier had displayed a whirlwind of emotions, Taichi Kaedehara remained composed.

"Oh, okay," Taichi replied casually.

"Yes, understood!" Kawanishi responded loudly.

"Shirabu."

"Present!"

"From now on, the responsibility of organizing the team's offence falls entirely on you. There are no weak spikers in Shiratorizawa. Use them effectively. Also, work on sharpening your defensive skills."

"Got it!"

"Umeda."

"Here!"

"You need to stabilize your positioning. Never slack off during training."

"Understood!"

"Tsunohama."

"Here!"

"Focus on improving your reaction speed at the net."

"Yes, sir!"

"Samukawa."

"Present!"

"Is Ushijima planning to go through the entire team?" Yamagata Hayato chuckled.

"Well, he's always been attentive to everyone," Tendō Satori replied, his usual playful grin in place.

"Goshiki."

"H-Here!" Goshiki Tsutomu stiffened as he answered.

In the brief silence, waves of regret flooded him.

Serve receptions, blocks, mental fortitude—there was so much he needed to address. How could he have the audacity to call himself the ace up until now?

Ushijima's gaze softened as he looked at Goshiki. His normally stern expression eased, and his tone carried a rare warmth.

"The team will be in your hands from now on."

There was no additional advice. Entrusting the team to Goshiki was, in itself, the most profound guidance Ushijima could give to Shiratorizawa's future ace.

"Yes, sir!!!" Goshiki's voice cracked as he shouted, tears streaming down his face.

The third-years watched their typically boisterous junior with tender smiles.

Seated at the back, Coach Washijō observed this passing of the torch.

With just a single sentence, Ushijima had encapsulated the unwavering trust and expectations of the seniors for Goshiki.

As Kawanishi watched this unfold, a memory of what Semi had once said to him during a match surfaced.

"Even if they don't show it, the ones who care about you guys the most are Tendō and Ushijima..."

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