Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 517: Reversal! Reversal! And Another Reversal! (Triple-Length)

DH trailed slightly in the score, but a faint look of relief could be seen on Coach Nick's face.

With Kitajima Kippei in the front row, the fact that the score hadn't widened was already the best-case scenario in Nick's pre-match expectations. In fact, this was one of the essential conditions for DH to defeat AD.

Now, all that remained was to fight it out in the final stretch of the set!

———

AD serve. Hirugami Fukurō leapt for a powerful jump serve.

Kubo Wataru received the ball. Iizuna Tsukasa stepped in and set it high toward the left wing. Kaedehara Taichi took to the air for the spike!

"Double block!" Sokolov Tatsuto and Ushijima Wakatoshi leapt together.

BOOM!!

The ball slipped past Ushijima's right side and fell near AD's sideline.

Hoshiumi Kōrai came sliding in and saved the ball!

The ball flew out toward the boundary line. Tsunotate Kazuki stepped in to assist and bumped it back to the centre of the court.

Ushijima leapt up for the kill!

The ball curved around Tom Wilde's block and dropped toward DH's deep left corner.

Smack!

Yoshii Hiyu picked it up!

The ball veered out of bounds. Taichi chased after it, lowered his centre of gravity, and sent it flying back with a backwards bump under his waist—

A textbook setter's form!

The ball returned to the air above the left wing. Tom Wilde jumped and struck!

BOOM!!!—

The ball scraped past the double block and slammed into AD's back row.

Tsunotate was stepping on the sidelines as he picked it up again!

"Cover—!" The ball had serious power behind it, and Tsunotate stumbled backwards.

Hoshiumi Kōrai sprinted toward the landing point of the ball.

Sokolov, Ushijima, and Hirugami launched a triple offence simultaneously!

BOOM!!!

A long diagonal set zipped across the court, landing precisely at the left front. Sokolov smashed the ball down hard!

Smack!

"One touch!" Taichi got a hand on it.

The ball veered toward the right corner. Kitajima Kippei's first touch sent it back toward the net.

Iizuna jumped from the front row—fake set, sudden spike!

—Smack!

But Ushijima stuffed it straight back into DH's court.

Kubo Wataru dove from the back row and just barely saved it!

Taichi seized the moment to launch a quick attack!

Sokolov leapt for a solo block—but the ball whizzed past his left side!

SMACK!!!

Tsunotate received it, rolling twice backwards to absorb the force.

The ball soared again, and Matia Bottono rushed in to set it.

Ushijima jumped at the net and slammed the ball!

BOOM!!!—

—SMACK!

This time, Taichi and Tom Wilde formed a perfect double block and sent the ball back to AD's side.

Hoshiumi saved it again. Matia with another set—

Whoosh—!

The ball soared high over the right wing.

With Taichi and Tom Wilde both pulled left by Sokolov and Ushijima, Hirugami launched a back-row attack from the right!

"Tsukasa!"

Iizuna barely managed to form a block at the net. Yoshii, Kubo, and Kitajima spread into a fan-shaped defensive formation against Hirugami!

BOOM!!

Smack!

Kubo caught the ball!

"I may not be able to do both offence and defence, but I can at least lighten Taichi's load in the back!"

The ball veered toward the baseline. Taichi turned his head just in time to hear Yoshii shout—

"I got it!"

"So reliable~" Taichi chuckled and turned his attention back.

This point—they had to take it!

Yoshii sent the ball flying back to the left wing. Taichi ran up the sideline and jumped!

"Triple block!" Sokolov, Ushijima, and Hoshiumi all went up!

Taichi aimed right at Sokolov's fingertips and slammed it down!

Swoosh!

Just as Sokolov shifted his hand away, Taichi twisted his wrist and the ball slipped clean through the gap in the block.

—BOOM!!!

"They fell for it—!"

THUD!!!

The ball crashed onto AD's three-meter line and bounced back.

Taichi scored!

[DH 23 - 23 AD]

"To be tied again at such a critical point…" Coach Suzaku rubbed his fingers together, face tense. "It's only been a few months, but DH's defence is so much more refined now…"

Rotation. DH to serve.

Kaedehara Taichi stepped onto the service line.

"Beep! Substitution for DH."

"Kujō Reiji IN, Kitajima Kippei OUT."

Kujō stepped onto the court with excitement. This is the finals—just one step from the championship!

AD, as usual, formed a four-man reception formation.

"Tweet!—" The whistle sounded.

Taichi tossed the ball, ran up, leapt, and served!

BOOM!!!

The ball was so fast it left only an afterimage.

SMACK!!

It hit Matia Bottono's arm and flew out of bounds.

Tsunotate gave chase but failed to save it.

Kaedehara Taichi—service ace!

[DH 24 - 23 AD]

DH's first lead of the set—and it was for set point!

The momentum flipped in an instant!

"Wouldn't it be ironic if I subbed in and the match ends before I even touch the ball?" Kujō Reiji couldn't help thinking.

Taichi served his second ball!

BOOM!!!

The ball flew between Matia Bottono and Tsunotate Kazuki.

"I got it!"

Tsunotate slid sideways and barely got a hand under it. Matia followed up and set the ball.

Front row—Sokolov, Hoshiumi, and Ushijima all launched into attack mode!

The moment the ball was up, AD seamlessly shifted into full-offence formation. The pressure was suffocating—Kujō felt it rushing toward him like a wave!

"Kujō! Right side!"

Taichi's shout brought him back to his senses—his body moved on instinct.

The ball soared high on the right. Ushijima leapt to spike!

"Double block!" Tom Wilde and Kujō jumped up.

Ushijima's left arm tensed, blasting the ball against the block!

BOOM!!!—

—SMACK!!!

The ball bounced off the block and back toward AD—

Landing just outside the left sideline!

Touch-out!

Ushijima scored!

[DH 24 - 24 AD]

"What insane spin! That left-handed spike is terrifying!"

"He hit it from the right, and it flew out to the left?!"

—"Left-handed cannon! Ushijima Wakatoshi!"

Rotation. AD serve. Ushijima walked to the service line.

With Kitajima off the court, DH had to shift Iizuna back into the back row, forming a four-man reception line to face Ushijima's serve.

"Tweet!—" The whistle blew.

Ushijima jump served with full force!

BOOM!!!—

The ball flew straight between Iizuna and Yoshii.

No—there was side spin!

It curved midair, veering toward Iizuna's side!

Smack!!!

Iizuna absorbed the blow, stumbling back two steps as the ball shot off diagonally.

"Kujō!"

Taichi chased the ball down and jumped!

Tom Wilde and Kujō jumped up in unison!

—BOOM!!!

Kujō spiked over the top of Hoshiumi's block!

Ushijima picked it up!

Tsunotate assisted the second touch. Tom Wilde leapt to block in front of Sokolov—

Whoosh—!

The ball shot toward the left wing.

Matia Bottono spiked straight at Iizuna!

BOOM!!

Smack!

Touch-out!

Matia scored!

[DH 24 - 25 AD]

AD strung together two points and stole back the lead!

—"Didn't expect the final blow to come from the setter! Tsunotate clearly read DH's blocking formation and set it up just right."

—"Kujō hasn't been able to make an impact on either defence or offence since subbing in. Looks like Coach Nick's substitution strategy may need some reconsideration…"

DH had been one point away from taking the set, but now AD had them backed against the wall!

Kujō stood frozen, fists clenched at his sides in frustration.

"Kujō, the match isn't over yet," Taichi said calmly. "Don't show that face just yet."

If they wanted to beat AD, everyone's strength was necessary.

"We're just down by one. Let's secure the next point."

"…Yes!"

Ushijima served again.

The ball arced over the net and dropped sharply!

Kubo Wataru dove and saved it!

Iizuna ran in to set. Taichi, Tom Wilde, and Kujō all launched into attack!

Whoosh—!

Even with two blockers on the left, Taichi still jumped from the back row.

The set reached him in stride.

"Double block!" Matia and Sokolov forced a cover.

BOOM!!!—

The ball slipped between the two blockers and slammed into AD's court.

Kaedehara Taichi scores!

[DH 25 - 25 AD]

"Now the real game begins," Taichi said to Kujō Reiji.

Tom Wilde launched a powerful jump serve, and Heiwajima Toshirō received it cleanly.

Matia Bottono stepped in to set. Sokolov Tatsuto rushed the middle for a quick attack.

Kaedehara Taichi handled the spike calmly. Iizuna Tsukasa leapt in the middle and, after drawing off a blocker, floated the ball toward the high right wing.

Kujō Reiji went up against a double block—and slammed it down!

The ball landed in the deep left corner of AD's court and bounced out of bounds.

A textbook cross-court angle!

Kujō Reiji scores.

[DH 26 - 25 AD]

Tom Wilde served again.

Heiwajima's first pass was on point. Hoshiumi Kōrai jumped at the net for a fake attack, drawing Kujō's block.

The ball veered to the middle—Sokolov spiked again!

It sailed just over Iizuna's block—a wipe shot!

Sokolov scores.

[DH 26 - 26 AD]

-----

BOOM!!

Nitta Asahiro spiked down hard.

[DH 28 - 28 AD]

Service change. DH to serve.

Taichi returned to the front row.

"Beep! DH requests a substitution."

"Kitajima Kippei IN, Kujō Reiji OUT."

The score was still deadlocked, but DH couldn't keep substituting like this anymore (they had subs left, but Kujō couldn't re-enter this set).

Now it wasn't just the score putting pressure on them—it was also the rotation order.

Kitajima Kippei's powerful jump serve flew—

Smack!

The ball clipped the net and bounced upward!

His few minutes off-court had clearly thrown off his rhythm.

But by sheer luck, the ball dropped just inside AD's court—difficult to handle!

Smack!

Hoshiumi Kōrai dove forward and just barely managed to keep it up.

The ball drifted out of bounds. Heiwajima chased it down with one hand and hooked it back toward the net.

Hirugami Fukurō jumped to spike it!

BOOM!!!—

The ball hit the double block of Nitta Asahiro and Kaedehara Taichi and dropped back into AD's court.

—Smack!!!

Still in the air—Hirugami himself picked it up as he fell!

Tsunotate Kazuki stepped in to bump it again. Ushijima Wakatoshi jumped from the left to spike!

"Double block!" Nitta and Taichi jumped together again!

BOOM!!!

The ball ricocheted off the block and popped up.

Smack!!

"Chance ball!" Kitajima calmly received it—perfect first touch.

Iizuna Tsukasa pushed the set toward the left wing. Taichi backed up, took a run-up, and launched his spike!

"Double block!" Ushijima and Hirugami both jumped to seal it.

—BOOM!!!

The ball slammed down at Matia Bottono's feet and bounced away.

"That diagonal was lightning quick…"

The moment Hirugami saw Taichi gearing up for the spike, he already moved to seal the angle—but the next instant, the ball had already shot through.

Kaedehara Taichi scores.

[DH 29 - 28 AD]

Another chance for DH!

They served again. Kitajima Kippei's second serve targeted the deep right corner—Matia Bottono.

Smack!

Perfect receive. Tsunotate stepped in for a calm second touch—AD's offence remained perfectly in rhythm.

Hirugami blasted a quick attack down the middle!

BOOM!!!

"Double block!"

BANG!

Smack!

Nitta Asahiro popped the ball up. With both Nitta and Taichi in the front row, DH's blocking strength was finally showing its bite!

"Chance ball!" Iizuna calmly received it and passed it on target.

Yoshii Hiyu stepped in to assist as the second setter.

Final push!

Nitta and Taichi launched attacks from both wings—left and right!

Whoosh—!

The set went high to the right wing. Kaedehara Taichi took flight and spiked down hard!

"Double block!"

—BOOM!!

The ball slipped just over the top of Ushijima and Hirugami's hands—a wipe shot!

SMACK!!!

It didn't score?!

Heiwajima Toshirō had placed his palm right under the ball before it hit the floor! It smacked into the back of his hand and popped high into the air!

"Hiss—" The entire crowd inhaled sharply—that must've hurt, it looked like it could've snapped his fingers!

Ushijima leapt again—a second attack!

"Double block!" Nitta and Taichi stayed sharp and leapt up instantly! freewёbnoνel-com

Tap!

The ball was tipped by Nitta's arm and popped back into AD's airspace.

A rebound ball!

But—it flew behind Ushijima!

Hoshiumi Kōrai jumped from the back row!

"No way—is he going to attack from there?!"

"He'll pass it…right?!"

Thud!

Taichi landed—and immediately jumped again!

He couldn't take the risk!

Hoshiumi's pupils contracted—but his spiking motion didn't change.

"You really think I'd fall for that, Hoshiumi-senpai?"

—BOOM!!

"—?!"

The ball skimmed Taichi's fingertips and flew back toward AD's side—but it landed just outside the left sideline.

Touch out!

Hoshiumi Kōrai scores!

[DH 29 - 29 AD]

—"AD is just relentless!!"

—"Even their short guys jump like monsters!"

The two teams were tied yet again.

Service change—AD to serve.

-----

Hirugami Fukurō launched a powerful jump serve!

Yoshii Hiyu barely got a hand under it—the ball flew diagonally toward the left wing. Taichi leapt!

The ball cleared the net by only about 20 centimetres (men's net height is 243 cm), but Sokolov still jumped across from Taichi—

Even if it were just a centimetre above the net, he couldn't let Taichi spike uncontested!

Whoosh—!

Taichi floated the ball all the way to the far right. Tom Wilde leapt to spike!

"Double block!" Hoshiumi and Ushijima jumped together!

"Damn it!"

BOOM!!!—

No space to swing freely, Tom Wilde hammered the ball into Hoshiumi's arm. It deflected—and Tsunotate dove in to save it.

"He got that?!"

Tom Wilde's forehead pulsed with frustration.

Matia Bottono quickly stepped in to set.

"Tom!"

Whoosh—!

The ball flew high to the left wing. Sokolov spiked!

BOOM!!—

—SMACK!!!

Tom Wilde dropped into coverage—and together with Taichi, they stopped it cold!

Thud!

Finally, the sound of the ball hitting the ground echoed.

DH scores on a block!

[DH 32 - 32 AD]

Service switched—DH to serve.

Kaedehara Taichi stepped onto the service line while Kitajima Kippei rotated into the front row.

"Hoo—"

Taichi drew in a deep breath. At the sound of the whistle, he tossed the ball skyward.

BOOOM!!!

The next instant, the ball appeared directly in front of Tsunotate Kazuki's face.

SMACK!!

Tsunotate reacted on instinct—his shoulder jerked up, but the ball ricocheted off it and flew out of bounds.

Service ace!

Taichi scored directly off the serve!

[DH 33 – 32 AD]

"125 km/h!"

"This monster...He's still that focused?" Tsunotate muttered through ragged breaths, glancing up at the scoreboard. "How is this still the first set..."

This set had taken more out of them than two regular sets combined—too many dives, too many transitions.

Both teams had used up their timeouts. On the sidelines, Coach Suzaku signalled with his hands.

AD shifted their formation—this was the first time they adopted a five-man receive to deal with a single opponent's serve.

Taichi's expression grew serious.

DH's current front row—Tom Wilde, Iizuna Tsukasa, and Kitajima Kippei—didn't exactly inspire confidence when it came to blocking AD's offensive power.

"We have to finish this with the serve!"

"Tweet!—" The whistle blew again.

Taichi tossed the ball. With a flawless three-step approach, he leapt, his body fully extended in midair. His arm swung back, then slashed forward with explosive force.

BOOOOM!!!—

The ball carved a white arc through the air, slicing over AD's court like lightning.

BANG!!!!

Before Heiwajima Toshirō could even take a full step, the ball had already smacked the court.

"IN!"

The line judge's flag dropped down—inside the line.

Another serve point for Taichi!

And with that, Set 1 came to a close.

"Beeeep—"

"Wait!"

Coach Suzaku slammed the challenge buzzer and immediately gestured for the second referee—both hands forming a rectangle.

"Challenge: Service Out!"

He hadn't seen the ball land clearly—but this was AD's last chance.

Taichi's serve was so powerful, it left a strong impression on the line judge. Suzaku was betting that even the judge might've been fooled by its speed.

Play was paused. The first referee confirmed the challenge. The Hawk-Eye operator quickly retrieved footage and generated the 3D trajectory.

"Challenge successful!"

The ball had landed just 5mm past the sideline (Hawk-Eye margin of error: ±3mm).

Taichi's serve was out.

[DH 33 – 33 AD]

"That's a shame...That would've broken his personal serving record again…"

"133.8 km/h!!!"

"Just one more ace and that could've sealed the set."

Service switched—AD to serve.

Ushijima Wakatoshi stepped up for a power serve, unleashing a monstrous presence.

BOOM!!!

SMACK!!

Yoshii Hiyu barely managed to dig it out, the ball bouncing high into AD's court.

"Damn it!"

"Free ball!"

Heiwajima Toshirō bumped it right to the net. From the right side, Hoshiumi Kōrai soared up for the spike.

"Double block!" Iizuna and Kitajima leapt together, trying to close the angle.

Tom Wilde was pinned left by Sokolov Tatsuto.

BOOM!!—

The ball snuck past the left edge of the block and slammed into the floor just inside the three-meter line—right by Tom Wilde's foot.

A tight-angle spike right along the net!

Hoshiumi scored!

[DH 33 – 34 AD]

"AD's offence just kicked into another gear," Kunimi Akira muttered.

He finally realised what had felt off near the end of the set—the subtle shift in roles between Hoshiumi Kōrai and Tsunotate Kazuki. Kōrai was leaning more into offence, while Tsunotate focused more on defence and coverage.

Coach Nick's earlier substitutions had been right. DH's current front row couldn't keep up with AD's full-powered attack.

AD to serve again.

Ushijima Wakatoshi cast a long, meaningful look at Kaedehara Taichi.

"Tweet!—" The whistle blew.

Ushijima tossed the ball, stepping in naturally. His eyes stayed locked on the ball as both arms swung.

Thump!

With a heavy third step, he launched upward, forming a perfect arch in midair. At the peak, his core drove his arm through a vicious strike.

BOOOM!!!

The ball distorted under the sheer force, flying like a cannonball into DH's backcourt.

WHAM!!!

The ball tore between Yoshii and Kubo, sweeping through the air and crashing against DH's baseline.

No challenge needed.

The white mark on the line said it all.

Ace! Ushijima's serve ended the set.

[DH 33 – 35 AD]

"125 km/h!!!"

On the sidelines, Coach Suzaku stood up sharply.

Ushijima had just shattered both his personal service speed record and the club's.

But more importantly—

That point ended the first set.

"Beeeeeep—!"

The whistle rang out long and clear.

First Set Winner: Schweiden Adlers!

_________

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