Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty

Chapter 196: Just Get Stronger

Kageyama Tobio had been the best player at Karasuno ever since his first year.

For a genius like Kageyama, volleyball occupied 99% of his life.

But that remaining 1%—the part about love—

Karasuno had completed it for him.

One day, he would step onto the world stage.

Karasuno had slowed down his race to the top—

But in doing so, they had also ensured that he would one day become a true King.

Yet here—

Surrounded by monsters just like him—

Kageyama suddenly realized something.

He could afford to be even bolder.

To be more reckless.

To unleash himself entirely.

Kageyama Tobio was absorbing everything like a sponge.

Kageyama Tobio was growing—fast.

Serve switch—

Team B's Nakamoto Shigeru stepped up to serve.

For Team B, this was the rotation where their libero, Komori Motoya Jin, wasn't on the court.

Boom!

Nakamoto aimed his jump serve at Kaedehara Taichi.

Smack!

Taichi's first pass was flawless.

Miya Atsumu, without hesitation, sent the ball high—

Boom!

Here it comes!

Hoshiumi Kōrai—taking flight once more!

"Triple block!"

Kageyama Tobio, Kawakami Tomota, and Matsumoto Dai jumped together.

But—

Not high enough!

Boom!

Hoshiumi spiked over the block!

Smack!

But, it got read!

There was no libero in Team B's backline right now—

But Sakusa Kiyoomi, in Burst Mode, had a better receive than any high school libero in the nation right now!

The ball shot into the air—@@@@

Directly above Kageyama Tobio.

Simultaneous multi-position attack!

Aside from Nakamoto Shigeru, who had no back-row attacking ability, the other four players all rushed forward.

Including Sakusa Kiyoomi!

His first-touch hadn't slowed him down at all!

Team A's front row locked onto the four incoming attackers—

Especially Sakusa, whose cold, expressionless face made it impossible to read his intent.

Boom!

Kageyama Tobio jumped—

And with one hand—

SLAMMED the ball down!

Smack!

Hirao Jin anticipated the setter dump—

But he couldn't keep the ball in play.

[Team A 9 – 7 Team B]

"Oh?"

"Miya Atsumu" tilted his head, smirking.

"Kageyama's spiking is pretty damn good too."

There were plenty of players on the court that interested him—

But in the end, it was Kageyama Tobio, the other setter, that drew his attention the most.

After all—

[Team A 9 – 8 Team B]

The rotation had changed, but the feeling of Sakusa's spin was still there. Kaedehara Taichi furrowed his brows—was there truly no way to counter his spikes?

No...there had to be a way. It was just a matter of time before he found it.

Nakamoto Shigeru served the third ball.

It was almost unbelievable—his teammates were this strong.

And to think this was only the result of thirty minutes of warm-up...Nakamoto found himself glancing at Kageyama Tobio.

Just how advanced was this first-year's spatial awareness?

Boom!

Once again, the serve targeted Kaedehara Taichi. As long as the play wasn't broken, there was no reason to change their approach.

"I got it!"

Kaedehara Taichi called it early—did they really think they could bully him like a soft target?

He delivered a sharp reception, sending the ball high into Miya Atsumu's setting zone.

This damn fox...he better put in some effort!

Feeling the sheer resentment in that pass, Miya Atsumu was at a loss for words.

He had been setting excellent balls for Hoshiumi Kōrai, yet somehow, Sakusa Kiyoomi was still picking them up—even without a libero on the court.

Miya Atsumu leapt, shaping his hand as if to spike.

Kawakami Tomota jumped up to block him directly.

"So, I can only bait one of them?"

Miya's upper body tilted back slightly—just a feint. His other hand swiftly lifted the ball, pushing it behind him.

A reverse set—back attack!

Kondō Masato evaded Matsumoto Dai's block and executed a clean spike.

Boom!

Finally, Team A reclaimed a point.

[Team A 10 – 8 Team B]

"Miya-senpai, nice set," Kaedehara Taichi praised him absentmindedly. See? You should've done this earlier.

Miya Atsumu twitched the corner of his mouth—there was no way that praise was sincere.

Personal grudges!

-----

As the match progressed, both teams gradually pieced together their opponents' tactics and main scoring patterns through real-time adjustments.

Sakusa Kiyoomi's explosive form had been a key factor in Team B's earlier lead. The most defining trait of the Big Three was that when they were in top condition, their scoring became nearly unstoppable.

However, Team A quickly adapted—if they couldn't stop him, they would simply outscore him.

With Hoshiumi Kōrai and Kaedehara Taichi as their primary offensive weapons, Team A's attacking firepower was equally relentless.

The game became a deadlock, both sides exchanging points in a high-level battle where every rally carried suspense.

This tug-of-war continued until Kondō Masato's service error allowed Team B to take the lead at the 20-point mark.

[Team A 19 – 20 Team B]

Kageyama Tobio stepped up to the service line.

-----

His thoughts drifted back to an elementary school volleyball match.

Back then, when his team was leading, Kageyama had deliberately held back on his serves in the later half of the game.

His grandfather, Kageyama Kazuyo, had watched in confusion and asked young Tobio why he had done that.

The little boy hesitated as if he had done something wrong, then mumbled:

"If I don't hold back...the match will end too soon..."

"I really...really want to keep playing..."

Kageyama Kazuyo had simply smiled.

"As long as you keep getting stronger, you'll be able to play more and more incredible matches."

—

"As long as I become stronger, even greater opponents will appear before me."

"Grandpa, I think...I finally understand a little."

Standing at the baseline, Kageyama Tobio let out a genuine laugh.

[Ding! Kageyama Tobio has entered Burst Mode]

[Kageyama Tobio (Burst Mode)—Setter: Overall Ability Rating: 96

Height: 182 cm | Power: 95 | Jump: 95 | Stamina: 99 | Speed: 90

Technique: Serve: 98 | Set: 100.]

The atmosphere on the court shifted.

A moment of silence—

Then, Kageyama tossed the ball into the air.

_________

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