Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 523: Are You Afraid of Me? (Double-Length)
A comeback from a 1–2 deficit!
Though some in the audience had suspected it might happen when the second set ended, now that it had truly materialised before their eyes, it still felt hard to believe.
The scales of victory were tilting in DH's favour!
———
"Asahiro, you bastard, stealing our spotlight!"
Kitajima Kippei threw an arm around Nitta Asahiro's neck in a headlock. "Why didn't you go for an ace earlier? Had to save it for the very end, huh?"
"You punk, was this all part of your grand scheme!?"
"Hehe," Nitta replied with a grin. "Heroes always show up at the final moment. Ever heard of dramatic timing?"
The two roughhoused as they returned to the bench.
Though Kitajima grumbled about Nitta hogging the credit, truthfully, they were all just relieved to have scraped through that third set. Given Kubo Wataru's current condition, the fourth set could very well be DH's biggest crisis yet.
"Kubo, how are you holding up?" Coach Nick asked.
"Still decent. I can stay on the court, but I probably won't be much help on defence," Kubo admitted frankly.
At a time like this, being transparent about his state was the best way to respect his coach and teammates.
Coach Nick frowned.
It was painfully clear now: DH's bench lacked depth. No matter how you looked at it, their backup libero was nowhere near Kubo in experience or skill.
Now came the tough question—should they give up on the fourth set?
Under normal circumstances, Kubo's stamina was more than enough to last a full match. But tonight's first set against AD had dragged on for far too long. Even though the second and third sets hadn't been as close in score, the sheer number of rallies far exceeded what was typical.
Teams like AD, Black Jackals, and EJP were offensive powerhouses—but it was always draining to go up against AD's tenacious defence. AD, on the other hand, was used to this kind of grinding battle.
Conceding the fourth set and letting Kubo rest for a do-or-die fifth seemed risky on the surface, but it might actually be the safer choice. Judging from Kubo's condition at the end of the third, even if he stayed in the fourth, it would be hard to take it.
And if DH was forced into a deciding fifth set with AD, their odds of winning would only shrink.
Even Black Jackals had managed to claw back from a 1–2 deficit, only to be shut down by AD in the fifth set.
Beyond fatigue, AD's ability to adapt to opponents grew stronger with each set.
"Do we go all in?" Coach Nick asked.
The players fell silent, each deep in thought. AD was a powerful team. They couldn't afford to let emotion drive their decisions.
"I have an idea," said Kaedehara Taichi suddenly. "I don't want to give up any set. We fight—but not recklessly."
Everyone on DH turned to look at him.
———
In the AD bench area—
"...Against Kaedehara Taichi's spikes, make reception your last resort. Focus on blocking to cut off his angles—don't aim for kills."
"As for that No. 22, Kujō Reiji—his attack distribution over the last three sets is 23% left, 31% centre, and 46% right. He clearly favours the right side, so focus your defence there."
"If the timing's right, go for the block kill to throw him off his rhythm."
"In general, improve our first-touch reception and extend rallies. That plays to our strengths."
"DH's Kitajima Kippei and Kubo Wataru are showing signs of fatigue. In long rallies, target those two."
"We are Schweiden Adler. We are the kings of the league. Now—go take the win that belongs to us!"
"Yes, sir!"
———
Fourth set begins.
Schweiden Adlers' lineup:
Front row—Opposite Hitter Ushijima Wakatoshi, Outside Hitter Tsunotate Kazuki, Middle Blocker Hirugami Fukurō.
Back row—Middle Blocker Sokolov Tatsuto (Libero: Heiwajima Toshirō), Outside Hitter Hoshiumi Kōrai and Setter Matia Bottono.
DESEO Hornets' lineup:
Front row—Outside Hitter Kitajima Kippei, Setter Iizuna Tsukasa, Middle Blocker Tom Wilde.
Back row—Middle Blocker Nitta Asahiro (Libero: Kubo Wataru), Opposite Hitter Yoshii Hiyu and Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi.
"DH's libero isn't on the court? And that tall outside hitter isn't in the front row either?"
Unlike casual viewers, DH's loyal fans instantly recognised the lineup—this was a modified rotation used before Kujō Reiji had been added to the team.
Back then, Nitta Asahiro didn't rotate with the libero in the back row. Originally, this was meant to bolster DH's offence. But now, the motive was clear: to give Kubo Wataru more recovery time.
However, this also meant that DH's blocking up front and passing in the back were both weakened.
Previously, this lineup had struggled against strong opponents.
"What's Nick Foster thinking?" puzzled fans muttered. "Why isn't he pushing all the way while they've got the momentum?"
"Tweet!—"
No matter the doubts, the whistle blew. DH to serve first.
Kaedehara Taichi tossed the ball, ran up, jumped—
—BOOM!!—
The ball wasn't overly fast but drew a smooth arc through the air.
"Wait—!"
Matia Bottono watched in disbelief as the seemingly out-of-bounds ball curved back inside.
Thud!!!
The ball zipped past his right arm and landed at his feet.
Line ball!
Kaedehara Taichi with the service ace!
[DH 1 – 0 AD]
Matia Bottono: "...Sorry."
It wasn't a difficult serve. But the moment of hesitation cost him.
"Shake it off! Next one!" Hirugami Fukurō shouted.
For AD, this set was do-or-die.
DH continued to serve.
Kaedehara Taichi launched his second ball.
BOOM!!!
Smack!!!
Another thunderous serve—Tsunotate Kazuki barely managed to receive it.
The ball ricocheted toward the net.
Matia Bottono set it to the right—Hirugami Fukurō launched into a quick attack!
"Double block!" Iizuna Tsukasa and Tom Wilde went up together.
—BOOM!
The ball soared over Iizuna's block—a deep cross!
Smack!
The spike hit Nitta Asahiro's arm and flew out of bounds.
Hirugami Fukurō scores!
[DH 1 – 1 AD]
"Just as I thought..."
Nitta Asahiro gestured forward, and Kitajima Kippei nodded.
Serve changes hands—AD to serve.
Ushijima Wakatoshi leapt high and unleashed a jump serve!
BOOM!!!
"I got it!"
Smack!!!
Kitajima shielded Nitta, who received the ball.
The ball floated near the net—Iizuna rushed in and set high to the right.
Tom Wilde leapt for a fake, drawing Hirugami up.
Taichi followed close behind—a staggered attack!
"Double block!" Hirugami jumped again with Bottono—
BOOM!!!
SMACK!!!
Touch out!
The ball ricocheted off Bottono's arms and dropped out of bounds.
Kaedehara Taichi scores again!
[DH 2 – 2 AD]
DH regained the serve.
Nitta Asahiro rotated to the front row, but even with him up front, DH still had only one strong blocker—the situation hadn't improved much.
Tom Wilde jumped and smashed a powerful serve—
BOOM!!
Smack!
A blistering serve, but once again, Heiwajima Toshirō received it cleanly!
Tsunotate Kazuki took over the second touch—Hirugami Fukurō and Matia Bottono simultaneously charged in from different angles!
Whoosh—!
DH's blocking formation was completely shredded by AD's multi-position offensive pressure.
Tsunotate launched a back-set—Ushijima Wakatoshi soared in from the back row and scored with a powerful spike!
[DH 2 – 3 AD]
Serve switched—AD to serve.
Tsunotate aimed his jump float serve straight at Nitta Asahiro in the front row.
Kitajima Kippei stepped in to shield and receive. First touch was a little off, but still playable.
Yoshii Hiyu handled the set, and—
Kaedehara Taichi launched a back-row attack!
BOOOM!!!
He blasted through the block for another point!
[DH 3 – 3 AD]
-----
"They're concentrating all offensive momentum around Kaedehara Taichi…"
Coach Suzaku finally saw through DH's intentions.
"They want to drag this out until the crucial phase—and then bring their full lineup back to confront us head-on?"
Right now, DH's weaknesses were obvious—their defence was teetering, under constant assault from AD.
They couldn't stop AD's attacks at all.
But DH had their own plan: if they couldn't defend, they'd simply keep attacking!
Just get the ball to Kaedehara Taichi—that alone was enough to keep the score tight.
And now, the side feeling the pressure to score…was AD.
They had to pull ahead before the set reached its climax.
-----
The score climbed, point by point, with both teams exchanging blows. The tempo of the match was rising rapidly.
"Defence! Focus on the defence!" Coach Suzaku shouted from the sidelines. "Hold firm! Be more tenacious! Draw out the rallies!"
AD's offence was undeniably effective—but each time, Kaedehara Taichi fired back just as fiercely.
And whenever AD locked in on him and managed to contain him, Nitta Asahiro would sneak in for a surprise score, keeping their defence guessing.
Smack!
Iizuna Tsukasa's serve was received by Ushijima.
Matia Bottono jumped to set from the front row—
Hirugami Fukurō and Hoshiumi Kōrai attacked simultaneously from opposite sides!
Whoosh—!
The ball arced high toward the left wing—
"Double block!" Nitta Asahiro and Kitajima Kippei jumped together.
Hirugami's spike roared past Kitajima's hands and—
Smack!
Kubo Wataru picked it up! (Tom Wilde was rotating with Kubo in the back row, per usual.)
Kaedehara Taichi launched another quick attack—
Hirugami leapt again to block.
Whoosh—!
The ball went to the middle this time—Nitta Asahiro jumped to strike!
"Double block!" Matia Bottono and Hoshiumi Kōrai leapt to block.
—BOOM!!
An overhand spike—
Smack!
Heiwajima Toshirō dove and made a flying save!
Ushijima cushioned the ball and passed it toward the left wing.
Hirugami Fukurō jumped again—
Nitta was a step too late to block—
BOOM!!!
Another brutal cross shot slammed into Iizuna Tsukasa's arm and flew out of bounds.
Hirugami Fukurō scored again.
[DH 10 – 12 AD]
Serve change—AD to serve.
Hirugami rocketed a jump serve with a wicked sidespin—
The ball dipped sharply over the net!
Kubo Wataru lunged forward, planting his right foot, stretching his palm under the ball.
Smack!
The ball bounced off the back of his hand and popped into the air.
If Kubo hadn't been on the court, that serve might've been an instant point for AD.
The ball veered outside the right sideline—
Iizuna Tsukasa rushed to cover and made a daring long toss toward the left wing!
Thud!
Kaedehara Taichi leapt from the back row!
"Triple block!" Matia Bottono, Hoshiumi Kōrai, and Sokolov Tatsuto all jumped up.
BOOM!!!—
The ball pierced through the left edge of the block and smashed down right on the sideline beside Hirugami.
Line ball!
Kaedehara Taichi scored!
[DH 11 – 12 AD]
DH clawed one point back again!
But—
"Don't worry—they're reaching their limit," Hirugami shouted to his teammates. "Let's play our style—slow and steady. No pressure!"
On the other side of the net, Kaedehara Taichi landed, gasping hard, his chest heaving with every breath.
Sweat soaked his messy hair, clinging to his forehead and cheeks. His jersey was drenched, sticking tightly to his body, making the outlines of his muscles stand out even more.
"Taichi?" Iizuna glanced over, concerned.
"I'm fine."
Taichi gave him a cheeky wink.
Iizuna wasn't reassured. He slowly placed a hand on Taichi's back.
Taichi's spine was still straight, shoulders solid and steady—no sign of collapse.
It didn't seem like Taichi was lying. He hadn't hit his limit yet.
But…all that sweat was real.
"If the gap widens beyond two points, we won't even get a chance to fight at the end of the set," Taichi said.
"AD wants to play it safe and control the pace. Fine, let them—but we can't let them pull ahead."
"Got it. Next time they build a lead, we'll sub in Kujō," said Kitajima, turning toward the bench. "Kubo should be recovered enough by now, right?"
"I'm not—I mean, I haven't—"
Kubo wanted to deny it. But when he saw Taichi carrying the entire team on his shoulders...
"…Yeah. I want to finish this too. After all, it'll be our first V1 League championship."
"Championship…"
Yoshii Hiyu murmured. He'd never imagined that this dream might actually come true—and now it was within reach.
A fire lit in Nitta Asahiro and Tom Wilde's eyes. It felt like their strength was reigniting.
"Then let's take them down," Kaedehara Taichi said with a confident smile.
"Yeah!"
Serve change—DH to serve. Kaedehara Taichi rotated to the front row.
Kitajima Kippei launched a float serve targeting Ushijima—
Smack!
Ushijima passed it cleanly—perfect receive.
Tsunotate stepped in to set.
AD's front line—Matia Bottono, Hoshiumi Kōrai, and Sokolov Tatsuto—all surged forward in a triple threat!
Whoosh—!
The ball flew toward the side away from Taichi—
Sokolov Tatsuto leapt to spike!
"—?!"
"Double block!" Taichi and Nitta Asahiro jumped together!
"No way—they're already here!?"
Tsunotate was sure—when the ball left his hand, Taichi was still on the opposite side!
BOOM!!!
SMACK!!!
"One-touch block!" Taichi shouted.
The ball shot up into the air off his arm—
"Chance ball!"
Kubo Wataru made the perfect pass.
"Give it to me!"
Taichi hit the floor running, pulled wide and began his approach.
Keep the gap small?
Sure, that's what he'd told the team.
But what he really wanted—was to take the lead right now.
Iizuna jumped and set the ball up high.
THUMP!
Kaedehara Taichi soared.
"Triple block!" Matia Bottono, Hoshiumi Kōrai, and Sokolov Tatsuto all jumped together—
"Is he never tired…?"
Tsunotate Kazuki muttered, eyes locked on Taichi's figure rising above the net.
—BOOOM!!!
The ball streaked like a missile over the block and slammed into AD's court.
Kaedehara Taichi scores with another super spike!
[DH 12 – 12 AD]
"372 cm!!!"
His new max spike height record had just gone up—again!
On the sidelines, Hirugami's eye twitched.
This guy…does he even look tired to you!?
DH had tied the score!
Taichi tilted his head, eyes locking with Tsunotate's through the front line of AD.
With a cool smile, he said—
"Are you afraid of me?"
"I've already seen through your sets."
_________
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