Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 344: Tōhō Academy
May 3rd.
The Aoba Johsai volleyball team sat aboard a bus heading toward Fukurōdani Academy.
For Aoba Johsai, last year's Spring Nationals quarterfinal match against Fukurōdani had been an incredibly tough battle. In terms of intensity, they had even found it more gruelling than their final against Itachiyama.
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However, after watching Nekoma play yesterday, the team was beginning to feel a bit concerned about Fukurōdani's current state.
"Come to think of it, among last year's powerhouse teams, Fukurōdani was one of those with the most third-years, right?" Kunimi Akira suddenly asked.
"Yeah," Yahaba Shigeru replied, flipping through Fukurōdani's team data. "Other than Akaashi Keiji, who was a second-year at the time, and Onaga Wataru, who was a first-year, the rest of the team were all third-years."
"So that means their strength must've dropped even more, right? If I remember correctly, they only have one third-year on the team now—Akaashi-senpai, right?" Kindaichi Yūtarō said. Aoba Johsai knew all too well the struggles that came with the departure of third-year players.
"That's true in theory, but it looks like Fukurōdani's first-years aren't ordinary," Yahaba said. "Have you guys heard of Tōhō Academy?"
"That name sounds familiar…I feel like I've seen it somewhere before." Kindaichi frowned as he tried to recall.
At the back of the bus, Yūki Yōji visibly straightened up upon hearing the name.
"You seem to know it well, Yūki," Yahaba noted. He had been keeping an eye on the first-years in the back.
Though Yamabuki Yūjin and Tōma Kaoru weren't as obvious in their reactions, it was clear they were also familiar with the school.
"Tōhō Middle School won the National Junior High Volleyball Tournament two years in a row," Yūki said. "Their ace, Sarukui Fūto, has been hailed as a genius by the media since his second year of middle school."
"An ace? A genius?"
At the very back, Kaedehara Taichi, who had been resting against the window with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, immediately intrigued.
"Leading his team to two consecutive national championships as a second-year? That's seriously impressive…" Kunimi murmured in admiration. No wonder the name sounded familiar. If their team at Kitagawa Daiichi had made it to Nationals in their final year, they might have had the chance to face them.
"So that means Yūki's team, Rakunan Academy, lost to them in the national finals," Nakamori Daiki said bluntly, not even considering whether his words might sting the towering first-year beside him.
"So? Is this Sarukui Fūto guy really that strong?" Kyōtani Kentarō asked, only concerned about one thing.
"He's strong," Yūki admitted, his brows furrowing slightly as he recalled the match. "He's incredibly fast, technically skilled, and his spiking rhythm is unpredictable. It makes blocking and defending against him really difficult."
Rakunan Academy had been the national runner-up, meaning they were no weak team. Individually, Yūki had been their core blocker. If even he found Sarukui hard to stop, then the guy must be seriously tough.
"So this incredible player ended up at Fukurōdani? And from what Yahaba-senpai said, he's not the only one from Tōhō who transferred there, right?" Kunimi asked.
"There are three of them. All three were starters at Tōhō Academy," Yahaba confirmed. "And now, they're all starting players for Fukurōdani as well."
Fukurōdani wasn't like last year's Karasuno or even Aoba Johsai. Like Itachiyama, they were a powerhouse program with plenty of talent at their disposal. The fact that these three first-years had immediately secured starting positions spoke volumes about their abilities.
"What's there to be nervous about?" Taichi's lazy voice drifted from the back. "The strongest team is still going to be us, right?"
At the front of the bus, Irihata Nobuteru leaned back against his seat, head resting against the cushion as he gazed out the window at the passing scenery. But his mind was focused on his players.
Listening to their conversations—some anxious, some confident—brought a small smile to his lips. Yet, at the same time, he couldn't help but reflect.
Building a strong team was like nurturing a sapling—it required careful guidance, patience, and dedication. Each player had their own personality and strengths, and moulding them into a unified force was no easy feat.
Taichi's confidence didn't just stem from himself; it came from his trust in his teammates' abilities. But the others still lacked that same conviction. They were too preoccupied with the gap between themselves and Taichi, afraid that if he were neutralized, they wouldn't be able to shoulder the burden.
Being cautious was fine, but they couldn't let fear show in front of an opponent. The most rational approach was to assess their situation objectively.
—They had more than enough strength to defeat any team.
-----
"Hey! Hey!! Hey!!!"
At the entrance of Fukurōdani Academy, a certain loud, wild-haired figure stood out like a sore thumb.
"Taichi! You guys finally made it!" Bokuto Kōtarō shouted enthusiastically.
As soon as the Aoba Johsai team stepped off the bus, they walked up to greet him.
"Bokuto-senpai, I thought you had to go back for training today," Kaedehara remarked.
"Well, since there are no official matches scheduled for Black Jackals during Golden Week, we only need to complete our assigned daily training," Bokuto explained.
"So that means—" Taichi's eyes lit up.
"Yep! We can have another showdown!" Bokuto burst into laughter, full of energy. "This time, I'll definitely beat you!"
Akaashi Keiji, standing quietly beside him, observed Bokuto with an expression that could only be described as…complicated.
"…Let's head to the gym first."
-----
Half an hour later.
"NO—!!!"
"Takeyuki-sensei! Akaashi! Just let me play!" Bokuto Kōtarō pleaded desperately.
Coach Takeyuki Yamiji rubbed his temples, clearly exasperated. "Bokuto, the point of this practice match is to train our new players and assess the team's current strength."
"Takeyuki-sensei! Just one match! Just one!"
"Akaashi, take him away." Kurou ordered.
"One set! Just one set!"
"Understood." Akaashi Keiji replied flatly as he grabbed Bokuto by the collar and dragged him to the bench.
"NOOOO—!" Bokuto's wails echoed through the gymnasium.
Taichi: "...."
Well, this was going to be a lot less fun than expected.
Just as he was processing this disappointment, a voice he didn't recognise but somehow found familiar reached his ears.
"So, you're Kaedehara Taichi?"
Taichi turned toward the source of the voice. The face seemed vaguely familiar, yet he was certain he had never met this person before.
"I'm Sarukui Fūto. Remember this name well, because today, I'm going to crush you."
Brown eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and provocation, lips curled into a smirk. But more importantly—his surname.
"Wait—you're Sarukui Yamato-senpai's younger brother?!" Taichi's eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise.
"Hmph. Everything my brother lost at Spring Nationals, I will take back for him."
Taichi took a moment to observe Sarukui Fūto carefully. He was just slightly shorter than Taichi, but his physique was well-balanced—his arm and leg muscles were clearly defined, built for explosive power.
If Yūki Yōji and the others had been wary of him, there was a good reason. In middle school, this guy must have been an absolute monster.
[Sarukui Fūto—Outside Hitter: Overall Rating: 90; Height: 186 cm, Strength: 88, Jump: 95, Stamina: 85, Speed: 95; Key Attributes: Block: 90, Serve: 88, Spike: 90.]
What a ridiculously strong first-year! His stats were practically on par with Kageyama Tobio's when he first entered high school!
No wonder he was called a prodigy.
Well, well…
This was getting interesting.
"Heh~"
"You sure have a mouth on you, firstie," Taichi said, grinning playfully. "Let me show you how real volleyball is played."
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