Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 515: The Finals Begin! (Double-Length)
April 5th.Three days remained before the final match.
Unlike their usual training routine, DH had three guests today.
"Congrats on making it to the finals, Taichi-senpai!" Kai Suzuharu shouted excitedly.
"We're the same year, aren't we? No need to call me senpai," said Kaedehara Taichi, giving the three in front of him a strange look.
Kai Suzuharu, Kunimi Akira, and Kindaichi Yūtarō—DH had invited three rookies for a trial.
"Surprised, Taichi?" Kindaichi Yūtarō said in his usual blunt manner.
Taichi rolled his eyes. No wonder Kindaichi had been bombarding him with nonsense messages the past few days—clearly itching to say something but never getting to the point. Now that everything was laid out, it was easy to reverse-engineer the logic behind it.
"DH really went all out just to keep you around," Kunimi Akira remarked with a wry smile.
He had known from the start that Kaedehara Taichi would only stay with DESEO Hornets for a single season.
A year ago, when multiple clubs had extended offers to him, Taichi had firmly set two non-negotiable conditions:
First, he would only sign a one-season contract. This drew a clear and limited timeline for any partnership.
Second, he demanded to be treated as the team's absolute core—granted control over tactics, ball distribution, and more.
These two conditions scared off most clubs instantly. To place a prematurely graduated high schooler at the centre of their system was already a gamble—and for just one season? Most club executives saw it as a massive risk.
Why devote resources to nurturing someone who'd likely leave just as he hit his stride?
In their eyes, one year wasn't enough time for a high schooler to make any meaningful impact.
And if the second demand was harsh, the first was outright unacceptable.
But just when most clubs were hesitating or turning sceptical, Coach Nick directly approached DH's upper management.
"What are you still hesitating for?" he said, showing them footage from the Japan–US exchange matches. "Can you name a single pro player who was performing like this at sixteen?"
"But…just one year…" The execs looked uncertain.
"Hah. If not for those two conditions, you think we'd even stand a chance at signing him?" Coach Nick chuckled. "You really think what he wants is training and nurturing from us?"
"Completely wrong."
He handed over Taichi's match data from his second year of high school.
"This kid doesn't need us to teach him how to play. What he wants is a chance to face strong opponents on the professional stage."
Graduating early at just 17, with his talent already fully on display—was there really any doubt he'd be able to grow? To Coach Nick, Kaedehara Taichi's real motive for entering the pro scene early was clear: the high school circuit could no longer satisfy his hunger for high-level competition. With no more worthy rivals in sight, what he craved was a broader, more challenging arena.
And the one-year contract? From that perspective, his goal became obvious: Kaedehara Taichi never had his sights set solely on Japan. His ambitions reached far beyond. It was the world of volleyball at large that truly called to him.
"So they should know by now they can't keep me," Taichi said.
He and Kunimi Akira had stepped aside for a private chat, while the rest of the DH team crowded around the other two. After all, they were especially curious about these promising high schoolers—especially Kindaichi Yūtarō, who had once been Taichi's teammate.
"You two really plan to join DH?" Taichi asked, brows slightly furrowed.
For Kunimi, DH wasn't a bad choice. With Taichi leaving next season, the position of starting wing spiker would open up. Regardless of whether Kitajima Kippei retired or not, Kunimi would likely have chances to play.
But Kindaichi was a different story. Nitta Asahiro was DH's developmental cornerstone and already a solid player. Realistically, Kindaichi, Tom Wilde, and Kai Suzuharu would all be fighting for the same spot.
Moreover, Kindaichi and Tom had similar roles—except Kindaichi was essentially the lower-tier version. Even with tactical rotations in mind, any substitute would more likely be someone stylistically different—like Kai Suzuharu.
"For me, I'll probably pick DH," Kunimi replied. "Most other teams wouldn't let me start my first year. Here, I've got a chance."
"As for Kindaichi—he got the DH offer and lost his mind with excitement. I doubt he considered anything else."
"Sounds about right." Taichi chuckled. "Even if he tried to, I doubt he'd come up with much."
Kunimi gave a noncommittal shrug. "As for Kindaichi, I'm sticking with the original plan. I want him to try out with a few other clubs. At the very least, he needs to land somewhere he'll get substitute appearances and train with the main roster. Otherwise, being in V1 won't mean anything."
"Yeah. That's for the best," Taichi nodded.
Whether or not they ended up on the same team, they all had to keep moving forward.
-----
April 8th, Sendai City Gymnasium.
The 2014–2015 V1 League Finals: DESEO Hornets vs. Schweiden Adlers!
Kaedehara Taichi inhaled the familiar scent of Salonpas spray—it was here that he'd won his very first championship.
"Now entering the court, the players of Schweiden Adlers and DESEO Hornets, accompanied by children from Aoba Junior Volleyball Club and Date Tech Angels!"
"Taichi-oniichan, hello!" said the little girl holding Taichi's hand. Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement. "I finally get to meet you in real life!"
"Hello, little one," Taichi replied softly.
Wait a minute…
Taichi looked more closely at the girl's orange-colored hair and vaguely familiar face.
"Are you…Hinata Natsu?"
"Yep! You know me, Taichi-oniichan?" Natsu looked a little shy. "After the match, can I get your autograph?"
"Of course! I'm friends with your brother." Taichi smiled. "Is he here watching today?"
"Uh-huh!" Natsu pointed toward a section in the crowd.
Taichi looked over. It was a bit far, but he could make them out—Hinata Shōyo was there, along with several other Karasuno members.
"Haven't spotted Kageyama, though," Taichi muttered.
"You mean that grumpy big brother?" Natsu pointed in the opposite direction. "He had a fight with my brother and went over there."
"Oh…so he's definitely joining AD now."
Taichi looked toward AD Club's bench—just in time to lock eyes with Kageyama Tobio.
"What a pity," Taichi thought. "This match still isn't the stage for those two freaks."
-----
As the commentators enthusiastically introduced the match, both teams finished their warm-ups.
"Let's have a great match!!!"
DESEO Hornets' Starting Lineup:
Front row—Middle Blocker Nitta Asahiro, Opposite Hitter Yoshii Hiyu, Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi.
Back row—Outside Hitter Kitajima Kippei, Setter Iizuna Tsukasa and Middle Blocker Tom Wilde (Libero: Kubo Wataru).
Schweiden Adlers' Starting Lineup:
Front row—Opposite Hitter Ushijima Wakatoshi, Middle Blocker Hirugami Fukurō, Outside Hitter Tsunotate Kazuki.
Back row—Outside Hitter Hoshiumi Kōrai, Middle Blocker Sokolov Tatsuto (Libero: Heiwajima Toshirō) and Setter Matia Bottono.
The match begins—with AD serving first!
Matia Bottono launched a powerful jump serve, the ball slicing through the air with a sharp sidespin straight toward DH's back row.
Kitajima Kippei received it—only a half-accurate pass.
Iizuna Tsukasa stepped in, adjusting his position and sending the ball to the right wing. Kaedehara Taichi soared into the air for the spike!
"Double block!" Ushijima Wakatoshi and Hirugami Fukurō jumped simultaneously.
Tsunotate Kazuki moved to the back row, and Hoshiumi Kōrai slid into position at Zone 4, forming an L-shaped four-man receive formation!
This spot...feels too familiar. Taichi seemed suspended in midair. Right, Ushijima-senpai?
—BOOM!!!
The ball cut above the blockers—
An over-the-block spike!
THUD!!
The ball slammed into the centre of AD's court.
"Miyagi—your king is back!!!"
Kaedehara Taichi scored!
[DH 1 - 0 AD]
"360cm!"
—"Taichi opens the match in peak form, scoring the first point for DH!"
"Shake it off!" Hirugami Fukurō called out, lowering his palm to settle the team. "It was an over-the-block spike—nothing we could've done. Let's prep for the next!"
"Yes!"
Serve switches—DH now serving.
Nitta Asahiro unleashed a powerful jump serve.
BOOM!!
Smack!
Heiwajima Toshirō handled the serve smoothly—perfect receive.
Matia Bottono leapt from the front to set the ball. Ushijima and Hirugami initiated a dual-side attack, charging from opposite ends.
Whoosh—!
The ball flew to the side away from Taichi.
Hirugami Fukurō leapt and spiked—
BOOM!!!
Smack!
The ball zipped past Tom Wilde on the right, smacked the sideline, and bounced out of bounds. ƒгeewebnovёl_com
Line-hugging straight shot!
Hirugami Fukurō scored!
[DH 1 - 1 AD]
"Beautiful kill!"
AD reclaimed serve with ease.
Tsunotate Kazuki sent a jump float serve targeting DH's back right corner.
Iizuna was forced to receive it, lightly lifting the ball forward—Kaedehara Taichi charged for a second-touch attack!
"Double block!" AD's front line rose again.
Whoosh!—
Taichi faked the spike and instead sent the ball to the right.
Tom Wilde jumped—
BOOM!—
Smack!
"What—?!"
"Touch!" Hoshiumi shouted.
172cm just blocked a 202cm spike!
Tom Wilde hadn't even noticed Hoshiumi was there!
Tsunotate quickly bumped the ball forward—Ushijima leapt for the kill!
"Double block!"
Whoosh—!
Same setup—Ushijima sent the ball to the left this time. Hoshiumi dashed laterally and jumped—
BOOM!!
The ball slipped between Kubo Wataru and Kitajima, landing cleanly at DH's backline!
Smack!
Hoshiumi Kōrai scored!
[DH 1 - 2 AD]
"Didn't expect you to start setting, Ushijima-senpai." Taichi commented with meaning.
"My job is to score, not just spike," Ushijima said coolly.
AD continued their serve.
Tsunotate stuck with the plan, once again targeting Iizuna with a float serve.
Smack!
This time, Iizuna didn't panic. A clean receive—perfectly in position.
Yoshii Hiyu passed the ball to the middle—Taichi jumped!
"Triple block!" Hoshiumi, Ushijima, and Hirugami all rose together.
Taichi tightened his swing and brought his arm crashing down—
BOOM!!!—
The ball deflected off Hoshiumi's block and slammed into AD's court.
SMACK!
Heiwajima dug it up—sky-high!
Matia filled in and set the ball.
"Right side!" Taichi yelled.
Hirugami leapt—
"Double block!" Taichi and Tom Wilde went up.
BOOM!!!
The ball barely squeezed past Taichi's left, flying toward DH's back corner.
Kubo reacted in a flash and dug it out cleanly.
"One more!"
Iizuna stepped in and once again set it to the centre. Taichi ran and jumped—
"Triple block!"
—BOOM!!
Another over-the-block smash!
The ball shot past the block trio and pounded into the court in front of Matia Bottono.
Kaedehara Taichi scored again!
[DH 2 - 2 AD]
"No worries, we expected that," Hirugami waved it off. "Next!"
"Yes!"
Serve switch—DH to serve.
Yoshii Hiyu walked to the line, brows furrowed.
AD's composure was unsettling. Even facing Taichi's unblockable spikes, they showed zero panic…
BOOM!!
Yoshii targeted AD's setter in the back row with a powerful serve.
Matia was forced to receive it—half-accurate again.
"I've got it!"
Tsunotate swiftly stepped in, flawlessly setting the ball to the right.
As if he were the team's actual setter!
Yoshii's attempt to disrupt AD's rhythm—completely ineffective!
Taichi was being held off by Hoshiumi. Hirugami, facing Iizuna's solo block, went straight for an overhand spike.
BOOM!!!
The ball rocketed off DH's backcourt.
Hirugami scored!
[DH 2 - 3 AD]
"Nice set!"
"Nice spike!"
AD celebrated with relaxed energy.
Serve switched back to AD.
"Kunimi, why do you look so grim?" Kindaichi asked in confusion. "It's not like the match is going badly…"
Kunimi shook his head. "If this keeps up, DH's offensive load will become too much."
"If they keep relying on Taichi to score, they won't win in the end. DH needs to find a second scoring option."
Hirugami's jump serve!
BOOM!!
Smack!!
Yoshii barely dug it up—emergency cover from Iizuna.
Only two DH front-row hitters were available: Taichi and Tom Wilde.
Taichi was being double-marked by Sokolov and Ushijima. Hoshiumi hovered in between both hitters, ready to assist.
Now that's just insulting.
Whoosh—!
The ball soared to the right—Tom Wilde jumped.
Hoshiumi went up for a solo block!
—BOOM!!
Over-the-block spike!
The ball slammed into the floor in front of Hirugami and bounced up.
Tom Wilde scored!
[DH 3 - 3 AD]
"Huuuh…" Kunimi let out a sigh of relief.
DH really was different from the version that lost to Black Jackals and AD before. This time, scoring from someone other than Taichi helped ease the pressure of AD's focused defence.
_________
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