Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty
Chapter 460: The Demon on the Court (Double-Length)

"So that's the guy Taichi was talking about—his serving is second only to Taichi's?"

Yoshii Hiyu straightened up. "Seriously, what kind of monsters are these? You're telling me that's a freshly graduated high schooler?"

"Yoshii-senpai, do you need help?"

Iizuna Tsukasa adjusted his position a step back.

"Nope, I got it."

In pro matches, a floater aimed at the front court rarely resulted in a direct point. One reason was that professional players reacted much faster than high schoolers. The other was their generally superior receiving technique.

Still, even if it didn't directly score, a floater could occasionally be a good tool to disrupt the opposing team's offensive rhythm.

Yoshii Hiyu didn't underestimate it. What DH lacked had always been a stable offence. Defensively, they weren't far behind the top teams.

Now, the trio of 'veterans' holding down DH's backline were the team's best receivers. There was no reason to compromise the offensive formation just because of a single serve.

"Come on, high schooler!"

For the first time, Miya Atsumu saw all of the back-row defenders itching to take his serve.

"Don't look down on high schoolers, you damn geezers!"

He tossed the ball and launched his second serve.

BOOM!!!—

There was no tricky movement this time. Just sheer speed—and that alone was overwhelming.

Smack!

Kitajima Kippei barely managed to receive it.

"Cover!"

"Mine!"

Iizuna Tsukasa called out, stepping in to stabilise the play.

Yoshii Hiyu pulled back. Better to leave it to the specialist. These youngsters were getting a little too scary...

Fwoosh—!

DH's first offensive pass was lifted steadily to the left by Iizuna Tsukasa.

"Go announce your arrival, ace!"

Thud!

Kaedehara Taichi leapt up to spike.

"Triple block!" Bokuto Kōtarō, Meian Shūgo, and Oliver Barnes rose in unison.

Above the triple block, a hand paused mid-air.

BOOM!!!

Thud!

The ball slammed just in front of Miya Atsumu and bounced away.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with an over-the-block spike!

[DH 1 - 2 Black Jackals]

"No…no way."

"That was so high…Did he just spike over Shūgo?"

"Just like Akutsu did this morning..."

"That's insane! Isn't he only seventeen?!"

"That's just unnatural." Meian Shūgo gave a wry smile. "Can't this guy act a little more like a high schooler?"

"Strength in volleyball has nothing to do with high school or pro level," Sakusa Kiyoomi said coolly. "If you're still clinging to that childish idea, you're going to lose this match fast."

"Ah, scary…Sakusa's scolding the captain again." Inunaki Shion shrank back.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it."

Meian laughed it off. "I wouldn't dare underestimate a beast like that."

Service change. DH to serve.

Tom Wilde served toward Miya Atsumu.

Generally, rookies struggled with reception—it took at least a year to get used to the pro level. And Atsumu, being a setter, was a prime target. Forcing him to take the first touch could throw Black Jackals' rhythm into disarray.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

"You're not messing with our setter that easy, big guy!"

Inunaki Shion received the ball, delivering a pass just a little off-target.

From the left, Miya Atsumu sent the ball high to the far right.

Oliver Barnes sprinted along the sideline and leapt for the spike.

"Double block!"

Kaedehara Taichi and Iizuna Tsukasa went up together.

BOOM!!!

Just as overwhelming—the ball ripped past Iizuna's reach and hammered down in front of Tom Wilde.

[Oliver Barnes—Power Opposite:Height: 207 cm

Serve: 88 | Receive: 75 | Dig: 60 | Set: 68 | Spike: 98| Block: 96

Spike Reach: 358 cm /Block Reach: 338 cm.]

A rare sight in Japan's pro league—a power spiker with almost no defensive capability. His offensive firepower was undeniable, but for Black Jackals, keeping him on the court long-term might be a double-edged sword.

Oliver Barnes scored.

[DH 1 - 3 Black Jackals]

Service change. Black Jackals to serve.

Bokuto Kōtarō's powerful jump serve.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

"Cover!"

Kitajima Kippei received and shouted.

These guys' serves were way too good…

Iizuna Tsukasa scrambled into position and made a solid pass from the sideline to the centre.

Thud!

Kaedehara Taichi leapt up to spike.

"Triple block!" Meian Shūgo, Oliver Barnes, and Sakusa Kiyoomi went up together.

The block was tight.

With Barnes anchoring the left side, Meian joined him to seal off Taichi's crosscourt. On the right, Sakusa—despite not reaching full height—angled his palm upward like a tray.

Only one narrow path remained for Taichi to spike through—but Inunaki Shion was already waiting there.

"Incredible…"

Smack!

—"The Black Jackals' block is as airtight as ever! Even Kaedehara Taichi is forced to pull back!"

Taichi tipped the ball behind Oliver Barnes.

"Now how will you set this one, Atsumu?"

"Tch—!"

Atsumu dove forward, saving the ball.

Sakusa landed, quickly retreated, and passed it again.

It was going to the left—Meian Shūgo sprinted laterally and jumped to spike.

"Double block!"

Nitta Asahi and the recovering Kaedehara Taichi jumped to meet him.

No—something was off!

"That sneaky Sakusa—!"

Meian's arm swung at empty air.

From behind him, Bokuto Kōtarō's figure rose into view.

—BOOM!!!

Smack!

The ball soared over the blockers and slammed into Yoshii Hiyu's arms, flying out of bounds.

—"Meian went for a decoy!"

—"The real set from Sakusa Kiyoomi was a back-row attack from Bokuto Kōtarō!"

—"What a sharp line shot!"

Bokuto Kōtarō scored!

[DH 1 - 4 Black Jackals]

"Black Jackals' offence is way too fierce!":

"Their offence is still incredibly threatening—even when their first touch is off."

"Well, Black Jackals is the most aggressive team in the league. No matter how you spin it, DH isn't in their league."

"The morning match was more exciting…This one looks like it's gonna be a one-sided stomp…"

The stands buzzed with noisy chatter. The Hornets being scheduled for the preseason showcase had already annoyed some fans from other teams. Even if it was just an exhibition match, strength still mattered on this court.

Black Jackals continued serving—this time it was Bokuto Kōtarō's second serve.

BOOM!!!

"I got it!"

This time, the ball came straight at them. Kubo Wataru received it cleanly—perfect pass.

Iizuna Tsukasa was in the front row and leapt up to set the ball. Standing right across from his former captain was Sakusa Kiyoomi.

Whoosh—!

Without hesitation, Iizuna set the ball high to the middle. Kaedehara Taichi soared for the spike.

"Double block!" Meian Shugo and Oliver Barnes jumped together.

BOOM!!!—

The ball flew precisely toward the back right corner of Black Jackals' court.

Smack!

It hit Inunaki Shion's arm and bounced out of bounds.

Kaedehara Taichi scores.

[DH 2 – 4 Black Jackals]

"Even with two blockers, we couldn't stop him?" Meian thought grimly.

"So that's what his spike feels like…" Inunaki Shion straightened his body, muttering, "Powerful, fast, and spinning hard. Yeah, that would've been more than enough in high school."

"Sorry, I'll get the next one!" Inunaki said with a grin.

Suddenly, he glanced across the net.

Kaedehara Taichi seemed to have heard his comment and was looking at him with a faint, amused smile.

"Oi oi, don't tell me you're aiming for me." Inunaki smiled back, equally friendly. "I'm the libero, y'know. I'd love that."

-----

The first set was already halfway through, and so far, everything was playing out as the audience had predicted. Judging by the current score, there was a clear disparity in offensive firepower between the two teams.

At outside hitter, middle blocker, and opposite positions, every player on Black Jackals' side had solid attacking capabilities. In contrast, DH could only rely on Kaedehara Taichi and Nitta Asahiro for consistent points.

Though Tom Wilde's attacks looked flashy, they kept getting picked up by Inunaki Shion or Sakusa Kiyoomi.

[DH 12 – 16 Black Jackals]

After the timeout, DH served. Iizuna Tsukasa launched a powerful jump serve.

BOOM!!

Since targeting the setter wasn't working, DH changed tactics. This time, they aimed at someone who wasn't good at receiving: Oliver Barnes.

If they couldn't disrupt Black Jackals' entire offence, at least they could take one strong attacker out of the equation.

"I got it!"

In Black Jackals' rotation, Inunaki was assigned to cover for Miya Atsumu, while Sakusa Kiyoomi covered for Oliver.

Smack!

Sakusa received the ball. Miya Atsumu swiftly moved into position to set.

—"Who's Miya going to set it to?"

—"Wait! DH's defence just shifted formations."

"Let's go one-on-one!" Nitta Asahiro and Kaedehara Taichi spread out to opposite ends of the net, while Yoshii Hiyuu dropped to the back to form a four-man receive.

—"They're going with solo blocks against Black Jackals' overwhelming offence?!"

"For DH, this might be a necessary gamble," another commentator said. "With Miya Atsumu coordinating, Black Jackals can attack from anywhere. Trying to use concentrated blocks would just put them behind."

Whoosh—!

The ball shot toward the right wing. Oliver Barnes rose for the spike.

"Atsumu's up to something," Yahaba Shigeru frowned. The right side was Kaedehara Taichi's zone.

BOOM!!!

The spike slipped past Kaedehara's left side block.

"As long as I restrict the trajectory, they should be able to handle it."

Smack!

Kubo received the ball—but the moment it touched him, his body jolted.

"…That familiar sting."

He got it!

But it wasn't over. The ball rebounded toward Black Jackals' side.

"I got it!"

Iizuna and Taichi both rushed forward.

Nitta shifted left to pull the defence away. Meian followed him for two steps, then stopped closer to the centre.

There was no way they could go for a quick set to the left—maybe Iizuna could pick it up, but a fast play from that angle was out of the question.

Meian didn't let the attackers draw him out. Where he stood now gave him a full view of the left.

Smack!

Iizuna jumped and flicked the ball toward the high right—Taichi leapt for the spike.

"Triple block!" Meian, Oliver, and Sakusa jumped together.

-----

"It's over! They still got the triple block—he didn't pull them off!" Seijoh's first-year rookie, Tano Shuuji, said nervously.

"What are you talking about, Tano," Kunimi Akira said coolly. "That's our ace."

-----

The glint in Kaedehara Taichi's eyes had vanished—replaced by a gaze as sharp as a blade.

"Playtime's over. Time to counterattack."

Kaedehara's arm swept forward in a wide arc, palm covering the entire ball.

BOOOM!!!

Sakusa's block shattered instantly.

Smack!

The ball smashed into Inunaki's arm. The impact numbed him immediately. Before he could react, it deflected diagonally and struck his Tsukasalder.

His body lurched sideways. He staggered two steps before he could steady himself.

The ball landed out of bounds.

Kaedehara Taichi scores again!

[DH 13 – 16 Black Jackals]

"He…wasn't even using full strength before?" Inunaki stared at him in shock. "Why?"

"Tsukasa, just send everything to me from here on," Taichi said calmly. "Now that our senpai have figured out how to handle their offence, it's our turn to catch up."

DH served again. Iizuna targeted Oliver once more.

Sakusa covered again and received it cleanly.

This time, Miya sent the set to the left. After faking out Nitta with a dummy spike, Bokuto Kōtarō launched a back-row attack just like before.

"Don't underestimate us!" Nitta sprang up again to block.

But Bokuto easily avoided the block with a violent, sweeping diagonal shot.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

Iizuna was forced to receive the ball.

"We've got more than one setter." Yoshii quickly filled in, leaping to set.

Nitta and Taichi both launched into their approach.

"Mark Taichi!"

"Give it to Taichi!"

Miya and Iizuna shouted to their respective teammates at the same time.

But honestly, they didn't even need to shout—because at this point, the sheer presence of that one figure on the court was overwhelming.

Thump!

Kaedehara Taichi flew into the air.

"Triple block!"

"—?!"

"He's higher than Akutsu?!!"

Even Black Jackals' back row players could see that arm rising above Oliver Barnes' 207 cm block.

—BOOOM!!!

The sound of the spike exploded louder than anything else in the stadium.

White vapour burst around the ball as it ripped through the air.

BANG!!!

The ball grazed Inunaki Shion's cheek, then landed squarely on the back line behind him—perfectly in.

Kaedehara Taichi scores again!

[DH 14 – 16 Black Jackals]

The ball hadn't even touched him, yet Inunaki's right cheek throbbed with pain.

"As a libero, you really should be catching those, Inunaki-senpai," Taichi said with a narrow-eyed smile.

Inunaki suddenly recalled what so many of Taichi's past opponents had said about him in interviews—

"He's a demon on the court."

_________

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