Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 430: A Rookie Like You (Double-Length)
If there was one offensive player on Team Japan that the American team had to watch out for, it was probably Kaedehara Taichi.
After all, in the first set, Kaedehara Taichi had stood out in both attacking and blocking—he was undeniably hard to defend against.
That said, Kaedehara Taichi wasn't anything extraordinary.
While it had been arrogant of the Americans to think he was only on par with Ethan Champlin, the truth was that Kaedehara Taichi had yet to show the kind of overwhelming presence that Aaron Russell—the ace of the U.S. team—had demonstrated.
Besides, judging from the first set alone, Kaedehara Taichi hadn't shown much back-row scoring ability. Then again, under the pressure of the American team's blocking, few players could manage successful back-row attacks anyway.
However, that assumption seemed to crumble during the second set. If Kaedehara Taichi hadn't been hiding his skills in the first set, then this could only mean he had made some kind of breakthrough during the match.
That said, it was also clear that up to this point, the U.S. team had still been playing with a fairly relaxed mindset.
"Tweet!—"
The whistle for the serve sounded.
Sarukui Fūto launched a powerful jump serve.
The ball flew between Micah Christenson and Erik Shoji.
"Mine!"
The trajectory was decent, but the ball's speed was quite ordinary compared to the others.
Smack!
Micah Christenson received the serve with ease, sending a clean first touch toward the front row. Jeff Jendryk leapt for a spike.
"Left side—!"
Before Kai Suzuharu could finish speaking, Kaedehara Taichi had already moved into position, jumping in sync with him.
"Double block!"
BOOM!!!
The volleyball blasted through the space above Kai Suzuharu's hands.
"We really can read it now!" Sarukui Fūto's eyes lit up.
The American attackers had the upper hand in height and power, but their trajectories weren't especially unpredictable. As long as the blockers could constrain the attack path well, the back row defenders could clearly read the ball's movement.
Smack!
"Cover!" Sarukui Fūto shouted.
Still, handling a spike of that power cleanly was no easy task.
Miya Osamu quickly rotated in and accurately passed the ball from beyond the baseline to the right wing. Kaedehara Taichi leapt for the counterattack.
"Oh?"
Micah Christenson looked slightly surprised—perhaps to make up for their physical disadvantages, the Japanese players' receiving and setting techniques were notably refined.
"Triple block!" Jeff Jendryk, Torey DeFalco, and Thomas Jaeschke jumped up together.
This time, Thomas Jaeschke pressed his arms downward—he would rather allow Kaedehara Taichi to spike over the block than risk getting hit with a wipe.
BOOM!!!
The ball soared just above Jaeschke's arms. Micah Christenson quickly adjusted into position again.
Smack!
Christenson received it, and as Jaeschke landed, he immediately moved to set the ball to the middle for a high quick.
Thud!
Torey DeFalco leapt into the air.
"Here it comes again—with that insane height!"
"Triple block!" Kai Suzuharu, Miya Atsumu, and Kaedehara Taichi all jumped together.
BOOM!!!
Torey DeFalco's spike blasted past, clearing Miya Atsumu's outstretched arm by half a forearm's length.
"Atsumu—!"
"I know I'm the shortest blocker, but I jumped just for you!" Miya Atsumu grinned, satisfied with his setup.
Smack!
Miya Osamu dove in from the back row and saved the ball—had the twins not shared that unique intuition, the ball would have hit the floor a second later.
Landing, Miya Atsumu quickly turned and repositioned, sending a clean back set high to the left wing.
"Block him!"
The American front line quickly shifted leftward. For Japan to play so aggressively now and even try a quick at this moment—
"Just what I hoped for!"
"Triple block!"
The more rushed the attack, the less likely it was to break through the U.S. block.
Thud!
Kaedehara Taichi leapt—the net was completely sealed off by the Americans.
"You guys probably haven't experienced this before..."
BOOOM!!!
The ball blasted through Thomas Jaeschke's block and slammed down onto the American side's three-meter line.
"...the feeling of being crushed head-on!"
Kaedehara Taichi scored with a direct spike!
[Japan 9 - 9 USA]
Japan tied the score!
Thomas Jaeschke stared wide-eyed at his hands, which had been forcefully knocked aside—he couldn't believe it.
"I actually got blown through by someone shorter than me?!"
But the tingling sensation on his arms didn't lie, and the red mark rapidly blooming on his forearms proved what had just happened.
"Just a few centimetres taller and you keep running your mouth."
Kaedehara Taichi stared coldly at Thomas Jaeschke.
"Haven't you realised you've been the weak spot in your team's block all along?"
"What did you say?!" Jaeschke's eyes burned with fury. He was the weakest on the U.S. roster—but to be dissected like this by a bunch of nobodies...
"I said, a rookie like you wouldn't even make it onto Team Japan."
Kaedehara Taichi's expression didn't change, his words bare and merciless.
Japan resumed serving.
Sarukui Fūto sent out his second serve.
Boom!!
"Mine!"
Japan's blockers and defenders were working together flawlessly now—straight-up attacks could no longer guarantee points.
Smack!
Micah Christenson's first touch went to the left. Thomas Jaeschke jumped for the hit.
A slight variation was all it took to tear open Japan's blocking scheme.
BOOM!!!—
—Smack!
The ball hit Kaedehara Taichi's arm—and dropped straight back into the American court.
Micah Christenson: "???"
Thomas Jaeschke's second attack had been blocked outright by Kaedehara Taichi!
Japan scored.
[Japan 10 - 9 USA]
"No way...?"
Thomas Jaeschke stared at Kaedehara Taichi in disbelief.
Suddenly, he noticed his teammates' cold stares.
"Wait, Chris—listen to me!" Jaeschke stammered.
"I know you passed to me as a decoy to pull the blockers, but—"
The flicker of anger in Micah Christenson's eyes faded. Without a word, he turned to the referee and signalled for a timeout.
"No, it's that damn kid's fault!!!"
"Beep! Timeout requested by Team USA."
None of his teammates paid attention to Jaeschke's protests. They simply walked off toward the bench.
Jaeschke's arms dropped limply to his sides. He knew—from this moment on, this match no longer had anything to do with him.
-----
"Japan's reception adapted quickly. Sure, we've got the height advantage," Micah Christenson said, "but points only count when the ball hits the ground."
"Jendryk and Russell will take over attacking. The rest of you, focus on defence."
"The only people who still think Team USA is strong...are probably just us."
"At this rate, not only did we lose the first set, we're currently trailing in this one too."
"I don't want to be proven right by that little shrimp from earlier—travelling across the ocean only to lose 0–2."
The team fell into a heavy silence.
"Christenson, may I sub in?" asked Matt Anderson.
"No need." Christenson didn't hesitate.
"I told you—you're sitting out one full set."
"Next time you step on court, I don't want to see any more rookie mistakes."
"Yes, sir!"
-----
"Beep! Team USA calls for a substitution—Thomas Jaeschke OUT, Taylor Sander IN."
The timeout ended, and the match resumed.
"They swapped him out after just one mistake. Cold-blooded, huh."
The players of Team USA returned to the court, their expressions grim. The casual arrogance they had displayed earlier was now completely gone. Their eyes were sharp and focused—like leopards zeroing in on their prey, every move from Team Japan on the opposite side of the net now held their full attention.
Team Japan resumed serving.
Sarukui Futo stepped up to the service line again. The feeling this time was completely different.
Team USA's formation no longer carried that prior air of nonchalance. What had been a slightly loose setup was now crisp and disciplined, with each player perfectly spaced and poised.
"Just how I like it!"
Clutching the volleyball tightly in his hands, Sarukui's fingers turned pale with tension. In his mind, he replayed the trajectory and power he needed over and over.
"Tweet!—"
The whistle blew.
Toss, approach, jump, swing.
Boom!!!—
Judging by the arc of the ball—this was his best serve yet.
Smack!
Erik Shoji handled the ball effortlessly.
Micah Christenson moved in to cover and sent the ball high to the left side. Jeff Jendryk jumped for the spike.
"Double block!" Kai Suzuharu and Kaedehara Taichi leapt together.
BOOM!!!
Smack!
The ball passed just above the block, slammed into Sarukui Futo's arm, and flew out of bounds.
Point for Team USA.
[Japan 10 – 10 USA]
Sarukui didn't even have time to feel proud of his excellent serve—Team USA's spike was already crashing in front of him.
Now that they were serious, Team USA's attacking rhythm had shifted up a gear.
Service change. Team USA to serve.
Taylor Sander's powerful jump serve came flying in. Sarukui barely managed to receive it.
"Cover it!"
"Oh?"
Miya Atsumu rushed to cover. Team USA completely ignored Kai Suzuharu and instead focused their defence on Kaedehara Taichi.
The newcomers on Team Japan's court were all distinct in style, but—
Sarukui Futo's reception was clearly lacking, and Kai Suzuharu had virtually no offensive threat!
"Tch, you guys are really underestimating us!"
Whoosh!—
And yet, Miya Atsumu set the ball to Kai Suzuharu for a quick attack.
"At the very least, it's a free shot at an empty net!"
Boom!!
Micah Christenson merely stepped forward to waist-height. It was as though Team USA's defensive setup had cleanly split the court in two.
Smack!
Even though Kai Suzuharu gave it his all and aimed the spike toward the three-meter line, Micah dashed forward and received it cleanly.
"Terrifying guy!"
"Aaron!"
"Got it."
Aaron Russell jumped in the front row. Japan's front line was in disarray—only Kaedehara Taichi reacted in time.
Whoosh!—
The ball was sent toward the right wing.
—BOOM!!!
Jeff Jendryk spiked through an empty net. The ball slammed almost vertically into Japan's court.
This was the domino effect of a powerless attack.
Another clean point by Jeff Jendryk.
[Japan 10 – 11 USA]
Team USA had scored consecutively after the timeout.
Taylor Sander served again.
BOOM!!!
This time, the target was clear—straight at Sarukui Futo!
"Damn it!"
Smack!
The ball struck Sarukui's arm and shot past the end line.
Nakamori Daiki lunged from the backcourt to save the ball.
Final touch—Miya Osamu sent it over without spiking.
"Free ball!"
Team USA didn't go for a casual block. Instead, they chose a well-structured attack.
Smack!
Erik Shoji passed the ball smoothly—perfect first touch.
Micah Christenson jumped from the back row to set.
All three of Team USA's front-row hitters launched their approach simultaneously!
"I—I can't tell where it's going!" Kai Suzuharu's eyes darted around, unable to read the setup.
If they split the blockers up one-on-one, then Kai, Atsumu, and Taichi wouldn't be able to pose any threat to the spikers.
BOOM!!!
The ball struck Japan's backline and bounced up.
"—!?"
Micah Christenson scored with a back-row setter dump.
[Japan 10 – 12 USA]
"A setter dump from the back row?!!"
"Team USA's completely exploited Japan's current vulnerability in the backcourt defence!"
Even the commentators had seen through it—of course Coach Hibarida knew as well. But Team Japan only had three substitutions left.
"…Looks like it's still too early for him."
"Beep! Team Japan calls for a substitution."
"Sarukui Futo OUT, Sakusa Kiyoomi IN."
Team USA to serve again.
"You're not even giving him a chance? Fine, I'll change targets."
Taylor Sander served for the third time, the ball rocketing straight toward Miya Osamu.
BOOM!!!
"You bastards…Stop underestimating us!"
Smack!
Miya Osamu received the serve solidly.
Atsumu moved in to set. This time, Team USA didn't dare shift their block entirely to one side—Sakusa Kiyoomi had started his approach from the back row.
Whoosh—!
The ball flew high toward the right wing. Kaedehara Taichi jumped for the spike.
"So it's still this side?"
"Double block!" Torey DeFalco and Jeff Jendryk leapt together.
BOOM!!!—
Taichi's spike met the block head-on.
Smack!
The ball struck DeFalco's arms and bounced high.
"This guy…!"
Smack!
Erik Shoji received it cleanly again. Micah Christenson moved in to set.
Team USA's front line quickly spread out, launching another triple-option attack.
"Again? How are we supposed to block this?" Kai Suzuharu's brain whirled as he tried to read the play.
Whoosh—!
The ball soared to the left wing. Aaron Russell jumped for the spike.
Kai had no choice but to jump.
"Hold firm—!"
A shout rang out from the side. Kaedehara Taichi crashed into him from the right, just barely aligning with him.
"Double block!"
BOOM!!!—
The ball slammed into Kaedehara's hands and popped up.
"Damn it!"
The ball hovered right above the net.
Jeff Jendryk and Taichi both leapt.
With nearly 20cm height difference, and Taichi on his second jump…
Smack!
Jendryk reached the peak first and slammed the ball down.
"This…is the gap you can never cross." A satisfied smirk spread across Jeff Jendryk's face.
Smack!
Nakamori Daiki dove and saved the ball.
"TAICHI!!!"
Kaedehara Taichi landed and immediately sprinted to the right wing.
"You're not scoring!" Jendryk's grin froze on his face.
So fast!
Did he know the ball would be saved from the beginning?!!
Whoosh—!
Atsumu set the ball high toward the right wing.
Thump!
Kaedehara Taichi stomped hard, pushing off the floor with everything he had.
"Triple block!" Aaron Russell, Jeff Jendryk, and Torey DeFalco all jumped together.
A towering wall with an average height over 205cm—
And yet, a single hand appeared above all three!
—BOOM!!!
The ball soared over the block.
An over-the-block spike!!
_________
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