Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty
Chapter 479: Two Away Games in a Row (Double-Length)

Thanks to a generously spaced match schedule, the DH club had a full week of rest after the opening game.

But now, Kaedehara Taichi would be leaving Aichi Prefecture with the team to begin a stretch of two consecutive away games in the regular season.

"Tom, I suggest you specialise in line shots down the sideline from now on."

The day after the match, Kaedehara Taichi brought Iizuna Tsukasa along to find Tom Wilde.

Although he had said on game day that he would conduct special training for Kitajima Kippei, Yoshii Hiyu, and Tom Wilde, in reality, there wasn't much he needed to teach the first two from a technical standpoint.

After all, those two veterans had been competing in the pro league for nearly a decade. They had long since developed their own playing styles that suited them. Given their age, it would be difficult for them to absorb any new techniques.

As for their attitude on the court, Taichi wasn't naïve enough to think that just because his skills were superior, he could dictate everything and expect everyone to fall in line.

In the end, the only person who truly needed his guidance was Tom Wilde.

Taichi did have some thoughts about the two veterans, Kitajima and Yoshii—but he knew it wasn't the right time to voice them.

Taichi had watched the match footage against the Green Rockets twice.

Once was to appreciate—ahem—to reflect on his own tactical choices and spiking form. The second time was to analyse Tom Wilde's problems.

And the conclusion he reached on Wilde's offence was the suggestion he had just given:

"Mm…I don't get it." Tom Wilde asked bluntly. "I've got a lot of attack options, so why focus only on the line shot?"

"In the three sets against the Green Rockets, you attacked eight times and scored four points in the first set. In the second set, ten attempts yielded four points. In the third set, you attacked four times and scored three…"

"And what does that mean?" Tom listened closely.

"The first set's scoring rate was slightly below your true level, but still within the normal range. In the second set, Coach Nick had you take on more offensive responsibility, so the blockers focused on you. In the third set, I helped draw the defence, which is why your efficiency spiked."

Iizuna Tsukasa chimed in with the analysis. Tom Wilde nodded.

"Out of your 11 total points, seven were from line shots, one from a wide cross, three from a sharp line, and you attempted a short cross once—which went out."

Tom raised a hand to interrupt. "But, Tsukasa, you should know—if there's no variety in my attacks, the blockers will definitely just focus on the line."

"That used to be the case. A double block was enough to shut down your front," Taichi said with a smile. "But with me on court now, future matches will force the opponent to allocate only one blocker to you at most."

"Tom, it's true you can hit other angles, but your first choice is always the line shot. By the time you try to read the block and switch up your shot, you've already lost half the power."

"The proof is in your ball speed: your line shots usually come out around 100 km/h. But your other angles only clock in at about 60 km/h."

"And most crucially, whenever you hesitate—even if you still go with the line shot—your ball speed drops to around 80 km/h. So instead of fumbling through options, why not sharpen your best weapon to the finest edge possible?"

Truthfully, Taichi was already being rather tactful. In his opinion, Tom Wilde wasn't really suited to cross shots at all. As a middle blocker standing two meters tall, his weapons should be height and power.

When facing multiple blockers, Wilde's attack rhythm would noticeably stutter. That brief hesitation caused him to miss the timing to contest the ball at the highest point, forcing him to rely on alternative shot angles.

"At the very least, when you're up against Tsukishima Ren and Nishiura Keigo, you should suppress them with power hits."

Tom fell silent. A thought crossed his mind, and he turned to Taichi.

"You're right," Taichi said openly, knowing what Tom was thinking. "The main reason I'm asking you to specialise in line shots is because I'll be there drawing the defence."

Tom Wilde was 24 years old this year. Judging by his current form, he still had room to grow. But his development trajectory wasn't aligned with what the team needed from him right now.

There was no doubt—Kaedehara Taichi was asking him to sacrifice. If Wilde's future teammates weren't players like Taichi, who could draw defenders like a magnet, then specialising in line shots would only become a liability.

But this was the kind of "adjustment" required for a championship run.

Now Tom understood why Taichi had brought Iizuna along. Still, there was a sense that he hadn't fully committed. If he had, he would've brought Nitta Asahiro instead—or had Coach Nick deliver the message directly.

This is what it means to be a professional, Tom thought. He had always drawn a clear line between work and personal life.

"Go on," he said.

Deep down, Taichi still clung to some hope—he believed that even if others didn't agree, he could lead the team to a championship through sheer personal growth.

Back in high school, he never forced Iwaizumi Hajime, Kindaichi, or Kunimi to change for his sake. That mindset hadn't suddenly shifted in the pros.

Still, for all Tom Wilde's seemingly straightforward nature, when it came to decisions like this, he thought like an adult.

Taichi's gaze grew firm. "When I say 'line shot,' I don't mean just any. To be precise, I want you to focus on quick attacks down the line."

"That way, Tsukasa-senpai can coordinate better with you. There's no way the blockers can predict a fast, sideline attack from you. In a one-on-one situation, just crush them!"

Tom Wilde's role might become more peripheral, but on the court, he would become a real and immediate threat. How to deliver those quick sets consistently and accurately to the sideline—that was Iizuna Tsukasa's responsibility.

"I have one condition," Tom said.

"Yeah?"

"You can't leave DH until you've won us a championship. I don't care if that takes two years or three."

"One year," Taichi replied seriously. "Just this one year."

-----

October 22nd.

Kaedehara Taichi arrived in Osaka with the team to face the first opponent of their two-game road trip: Japan Railway Warriors (JRW)—nicknamed TheWarriors.

The Warriors' home stadium was located by the famed Dōtonbori River, one of Osaka's top tourist destinations.

Restaurants lined both banks, neon lights sparkled everywhere, and the air was rich with the scents of takoyaki and oden—this was Osaka's signature downtown energy.

The arena's exterior boasted a distinctive design, incorporating elements of Osaka Castle, the city's iconic landmark.

Traditional architectural features like sweeping eaves and wooden brackets merged seamlessly with modern materials—preserving the elegance of history while radiating a bold contemporary spirit.

At the entrance of the arena, a massive LED screen played promotional videos of the teams on a loop, drawing in a crowd of fans who stopped to watch.

Inside, the facility was fully equipped, and the view from the stands was excellent. No matter where one sat, the court could be seen clearly down to every detail. The lighting system under the dome could adjust brightness and tone based on the atmosphere of the match, creating a stunning visual effect.

Kaedehara Taichi stood at the centre of the court, looking up as he took in the surroundings. He couldn't help but marvel at the arena's ingenious design. Although this was an away game, he already felt the energy and vibrancy of the city. His teammates were warming up at the sidelines, the atmosphere relaxed yet full of fighting spirit.

"The vibe here's pretty great," said teammate Kitajima Kippei as he walked up to him with a smile. "But tonight, we'll be the ones to quiet the home crowd."

Taichi nodded. "Of course. Consider it a little 'gift' from the visitors."

Kaedehara Taichi didn't know much about the Warriors, but he had read a few reports online. Apparently, they had a fondness for tall domestic players—especially those over two meters. Initially, their top target had been Hakuba Gao.

It was said that Hakuba received even more offers than Hoshiumi Kōrai. In just his three years of high school, the over-two-meter-tall Shiroma showcased exceptional blocking and attacking skills, drawing attention from numerous clubs.

However, Tachibana Red Falcons successfully poached him with more favourable conditions and a more attractive development plan.

Having missed out on Hakuba, the JRW quickly shifted gears and set their sights on Hyakuzawa Yūdai of Kakugawa Academy. With Miyagi Prefecture producing talents like Ushijima Wakatoshi, Oikawa Tōru, and Kaedehara Taichi in recent years, Hyakuzawa and Kageyama Tobio became the next highly-contested prospects.

That said, while their scouting sense was sharp, this battle wouldn't be easy. Many clubs were eyeing the same players. After all, talents like them were destined to become pillars of Japanese volleyball.

As match time approached, Kaedehara Taichi took a deep breath, clearing his mind and focusing on the court.

This was his first away match of his professional career, and he took it very seriously. And then—

[DESEO Hornets 25 - 16 Japan Railway Warriors]

[DESEO Hornets 25 - 10 Japan Railway Warriors]

[DESEO Hornets 25 - 18 Japan Railway Warriors]

"Maybe a little too seriously."

In less than two hours, the match was over.

With a crushing 3–0 victory, DH bulldozed their opponents.

By the second set, over half the audience had already begun to file out. By the end of the third, only about a quarter remained—some of whom were fans who came specifically to watch Kaedehara Taichi.

In the first set, Taichi showed aggressive offensive intent right from the start. Whether it was cross-court spikes or back-row attacks, he landed them repeatedly. JRW's blocking was completely ineffective.

In the second set, JRW tried to turn things around with substitutions, but to little effect. Not only was Taichi's offence sharp, but he also scored multiple service aces, completely throwing JRW off rhythm.

In the third set, Kitajima Kippei and Kubo Wataru were subbed out. JRW managed to keep pace briefly in the opening moments, but Nitta Asahi and Tom Wilde gradually picked up momentum, widening the score gap once again.

Over the three sets, Kaedehara Taichi scored 14, 15, and 6 points respectively—6 of which came from his serves.

Nitta Asahi scored 7, 6, and 9.

Tom Wilde scored 2, 3, and 7.

DH's playing style was becoming increasingly defined, with a clear division of labour between defensive and offensive players.

After the match, Kaedehara Taichi was humble in his post-game interview.

"Playing away does feel a bit different," he admitted, "but my job is to focus on the match. Today's win was a team effort, and there's still plenty we need to improve on."

In any case, even if Hyakuzawa Yūdai from Kakugawa Academy didn't have much of a choice, if he truly wanted to go pro, Kaedehara Taichi was confident he wouldn't miss this game.

-----

October 29.

The Hornets arrived in Kanagawa Prefecture—like Tokyo and Aichi, it housed two V1 League teams. DH's second opponent: the Yokohama Harbour–based NSC Rootless Birds.

At night, the lights of Yokohama Harbour glittered across the water, the salty sea breeze brushing past the Ocean Dome Arena, Rootless Birds' home court. This venue, shaped like the deck of a massive ship, sat right by the docks. Beyond its glass façade loomed freighters of tens of thousands of tons. LED lighting strips across the dome mimicked the shimmer of ocean waves, while the blue-and-white seats were designed to resemble ship railings, giving spectators the feeling of sailing with the tide.

When DH's bus pulled up to the arena, Kaedehara Taichi's attention was immediately caught by a massive poster near the entrance—a mid-air shot of Kobayashi Takuma, Rootless Bird's ace outside hitter, in the midst of a powerful spike.

Behind him, a splash of crashing wave effects exploded across the background, with the bold caption:

"Yokohama's Giant Wave—Devour All Challengers."

"This player looks kind of familiar...but Rootless Birds isn't ranked very high in the league, right?" Taichi asked. They hadn't made the top eight—otherwise, he figured he'd remember them better.

"Kobayashi, huh? This is probably the final act of his prime," Kitajima Kippei replied. The two had been in the same era of players, though Kobayashi had peaked for much longer.

Kobayashi Takuma, Outside Hitter, 29 years old, 198 cm tall.

A regular on the Japan men's national volleyball team, he was known for his fierce attacks and calm game temperament. He had often been the core scorer in international tournaments. Kobayashi's technical strengths were clear: powerful jump serves and a wide range of attack patterns, especially his lightning-fast, razor-sharp line spikes that left blockers utterly helpless.

However, with age and accumulating injuries, his performance had begun to slip from its peak. While still capable of stepping up in critical moments, the decline in stamina and reaction speed made him less effective in high-intensity matches.

Kobayashi Takuma was something of an unlucky player. Despite his strength, repeated injuries had led to him being traded across several clubs. He had only joined Rootless Birds last season, but it was evident he hadn't adapted well to the team's playstyle. They failed to make the playoffs, and criticism inevitably fell on him.

Kaedehara Taichi fell silent. This too, was part of a professional athlete's path.

-----

At 8 PM, the away match between DH and Rootless Birds officially began.

Right out the gate, Rootless Birds revealed their tailored strategy.

Kobayashi Takuma delivered a 110 km/h jump serve that thundered across the court like a cannonball, slamming into DH's back row. Kaedehara Taichi barely managed to dig it up.

The off-target reception forced setter Iizuna Tsukasa to improvise. On the left wing, Nitta Asahiro leapt at full stretch—only to be met by Rootless Birds' double block. The ball was brutally stuffed back into DH's court.

"Tch. Looks like they've done their homework on us," Nitta muttered as he shook out his wrist. But his tone remained unfazed.

Kaedehara Taichi focused his gaze on Rootless Birds' back row. The fighting spirit radiating from Kobayashi Takuma was palpable.

---

[Kobayashi Takuma—Outside Hitter:Height: 198 cm

Serve: 95 | Receive: 90 | Dig: 85 | Set: 88 | Spike: 93| Block: 88

Spike Reach: 352 cm /Block Reach: 320 cm.]

---

"What a lovely welcome. I appreciate it," Taichi said with a dazzling smile.

"Though, senpai—maybe it's time you started thinking about retirement."

_________

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