Haikyuu: Zero to Almighty

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Kozume Kenma slipped into the storage room, evading Kageyama Tobio's piercing gaze.

Meanwhile, Azumane Asahi's rugged, mature demeanour accidentally frightened the first-year Yūki Shibayama from Nekoma.

Not far away, Nishinoya Yū dashed off after loudly challenging Yaku Morisuke to a one-on-one duel, leaving chaos in his wake.

Sawamura Daichi sighed in resignation as he discussed the team's antics with Kai Nobuyuki.

Sugawara Koushi, ever the peacemaker, repeatedly apologized to Yaku Morisuke for the disorder, but the volleyball court remained a scene of pandemonium.

Coach Nekomata chuckled as he watched the lively youths before him, but his eyes suddenly stopped on a familiar face.

"Keishin, are you going to take this seriously or not? Three matches, and not a single win!" Nekomata's sharp voice carried a hint of scolding as he narrowed his eyes.

Ukai Keishin froze. "..."

He couldn't argue.

"But....Coach Ukai has only been here for a few days," Takeda-Sensei interjected, attempting to mediate.

"Hmph! Even an outsider like you works harder than he does!" Nekomata retorted mercilessly.

Veins visibly bulged on Ukai Keishin's forehead. "Next time, I'll definitely win! Just wait and see!"

That was exactly the reaction Nekomata wanted. He leaned in, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "Oh? Let's hope it's not just empty words!"

Keishin bit his tongue. Don't get mad, don't get mad….old guys are all like this!

Naoi Manabu, standing nearby, let out a sigh. Here we go again….He stepped forward to pull Nekomata back. "Coach Nekomata, please, don't pick fights!"

"Hmph! It's his fault for looking exactly like his grandfather!" Nekomata grumbled while being dragged away.

"Enough! Act your age already!" Naoi scolded.

Keishin felt like steam was about to erupt from his ears. I swear, I'll get my revenge on the big stage someday!

When it was time for the two teams to part ways…

"Farewell, my friend!"

Tanaka Ryūnosuke and Yamamoto Taketora dramatically clasped hands, tears streaming down their faces like a melodramatic scene from a period drama. In mere hours, the two had become sworn brothers, bound by a shared love for volleyball and passion for battle.

"What....is this?" Kenma, stepping off the court, froze at the sight before him.

"Don't look. It's contagious," Kuroo Tetsurō deadpanned as he tugged Kenma away.

"Kenma!"

A voice called out, stopping him in his tracks. Kenma turned to see Hinata Shōyō running toward him.

"Last time we met, you mentioned you didn't really like volleyball, right?" Hinata asked, panting heavily.

"Ah....yeah, something like that…" Kenma replied hesitantly. Just as Hinata was about to respond, Kenma raised his head, his gaze unwavering.

"But now, there's someone I want to defeat."

"Until I beat him, I guess I'll stay interested in volleyball, I guess..." Kenma added, a rare glimmer of determination flickering in his voice.

"Huh?" Hinata's eyes widened in surprise. He had heard Inuoka Sō speak about Nekoma's practice match against Aoba Johsai before, but their conversation hadn't touched on this.

"Wait, did you guys lose to Aoba Johsai in that practice match?"

Hinata Shōyō's expression shifted instantly, his head tilting as he stared at Kozume Kenma. The intensity radiating from him was almost suffocating.

Kenma instinctively held his breath but quickly relaxed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Shōyō, you're definitely an interesting one."

The intensity in Hinata's demeanour abruptly dissolved, replaced by a look of naive cluelessness.

Realizing that Hinata wouldn't understand without a proper explanation, Kenma briefly recounted the events of Nekoma's practice match against Aoba Johsai.

"So, I really want to see Taichi's reaction when he loses," Kenma said, a rare glimmer of excitement flickering in his normally calm eyes.

"Then next time…" Hinata's voice trailed off, barely audible.

"Hm?" Kenma leaned in slightly, puzzled.

Hinata seemed to gather his courage and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Next time! We'll defeat Aoba Johsai first, and then we'll beat you guys!!"

Kenma: "..."

My ears….they're going to bleed.

"Sure, I'll look forward to it," Kenma replied, his tone flat yet oddly sincere.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the gym, the captains and coaches of both teams were shaking hands to bid farewell.

Sawamura Daichi wore a warm, polite smile. "Next time, we won't lose."

Kuroo Tetsurō mirrored the smile but with a mischievous edge. "Oh? I was under the impression next time you'll be fighting Aoba Johsai."

Their handshake tightened, veins bulging in their arms as both refused to back down in their silent contest of strength.

Sugawara Koushi and Yaku Morisuke watched from the side, shuddering. "Terrifying, absolutely terrifying!"

Unlike the captains, Ukai Keishin and Naoi Manabu couldn't even maintain the pretence of civility. Their expressions twisted into grimaces as their verbal sparring escalated.

"Next time, it won't be as easy as today."

"Hah, if it were, it wouldn't even count as practice."

Their arms, like those of their captains, strained as they gripped each other's hands—competitive to the very end.

Sugawara pressed his palm to his forehead. "It's the same on this side too, huh?"

Yaku sighed helplessly. "No class at all…"

Elsewhere, Aoba Johsai's team was winding down after their own training.

"Ahhh—I really want to watch a practice match between Nekoma and Karasuno," Taichi Kaedehara muttered as he sprawled on the gym floor.

"The match should be over by now. Also, didn't you say the same thing this morning?" Kindaichi Yūtarō, who was stretching beside him, asked dryly.

"Don't you want to see it too? It sounds like it'd be so fun!" Taichi said, his voice brimming with curiosity.

"Right now, training is more important. Watching others won't help me get better. I'd rather be on the court myself," Kindaichi replied firmly, his eyes filled with determination.

Hearing Kindaichi's response, Taichi glanced over at him. He couldn't help but think about how Kindaichi's passion for volleyball had only grown after graduation.

Not only had he continued playing, but he had become an outstanding middle blocker in the V2 league.

Kindaichi Yūtarō really is amazing, Taichi thought to himself.

In his mind, stats began to form:

[Kindaichi Yūtarō. Overall Ability: 79, Height: 189 cm, Power: 84, Jumping: 78, Stamina: 88, Speed: 72, Technique: Blocking: 75, Spiking: 83.]

Hm? It's been a while since I checked, but Kindaichi has grown a lot. His power and speed have both improved, and his coordination seems better too. Blocking has even become one of his strengths. That practice match with Shiratorizawa must've taught him a lot.

Taichi's thoughts drifted toward the future.

Aoba Johsai's current lineup was still dominated by third-years, but once they graduated, the team's dynamic would undergo a major shift. If no talented first-years joined next year, the responsibility would fall heavily on the current first- and second-years.

By then, Kindaichi would undoubtedly be one of the team's most reliable players. The thought made Taichi smile unconsciously.

He was already imagining how much stronger he himself would become in the future.

"Taichi?" Kindaichi asked, confused. Mid-conversation, Taichi had suddenly started grinning to himself.

"It's nothing," Taichi said, pushing himself off the floor. He patted Kindaichi on the shoulder. "Keep it up. Do your best!"

With that, he turned and walked out of the gym, leaving behind a confident and carefree silhouette.

[Kaedehara Taichi (Post-Training Camp Stats)]

Power: 80

Jump: 70

Stamina: 78

Speed: 90

Technique: Receive: 75, Serve: 72, Spike: 78.

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[T/N] -Here's the promised Extra Chapter. And, as usual, 160 Powerstones for another Extra Chapter tomorrow.

But, if you guys want to read 50 Chapters in advance of the current story, you can support me on my Patreon. Trust me, it's awesome!

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