Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 531: Conflict

As expected, Oikawa Tōru and Hinata Shōyō lost the match in a clean 0–2.

After all, their opponents were seasoned beach volleyball players. While Hinata was undeniably strong, Oikawa wasn't just a beginner—he wasn't even qualified to be called one. In a two-player beach volleyball match, where reception, setting, and spiking all required individual handling without cover from teammates, there were simply too many skills Oikawa had yet to adapt to.

Hinata didn't mind. For him, just getting to play a match with Oikawa-senpai again was already more than enough. Oikawa, on the other hand, returned to the sidelines filled with frustration and regret.

Off to the side, Kaedehara Taichi tucked his phone away, utterly satisfied.

---

Five minutes later.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" A pained scream rang out. "Taichi! What the hell did you do?!"

Oikawa furiously shoved his phone toward Taichi, pointing at a certain group chat.

[Aoba Johsai Volleyball Club – Class of 2012 Group Chat]

Kaedehara Taichi: Image.jpg (Oikawa with his face buried in the sand, butt sticking up awkwardly)

Iwaizumi Hajime: "Can't see the face, but this idiotic pose has to be dumbass Oikawa."

Hanamaki Takahiro: "Iwa-chan, you're so mean! You just said you can't see his face and still called it an idiotic pose, lol…"

Matsukawa Issei: "Some people just carry a certain…aura that never changes."

Kaedehara Taichi: Image2.png (Oikawa off-balance mid-set, face full of panic—he looked like he was about to fall on his butt any second)

Watari Shinji: "Is this Oikawa-senpai trying to learn beach volleyball? Looks like he's putting in so much effort."

Yahaba Shuu: "How can you even see effort in that picture?"

Kindaichi Yuutarou: "Isn't that just effort in comedy…?"

Yahaba Shuu: "Pfft." Laughingface.png

Kaedehara Taichi: Image3.png (Oikawa and Hinata both diving for the same ball, expressions contorted mid-air as they crash into the sand)

Kindaichi Yuutarou: "Shōyō's there too? Taichi, where are you guys playing?"

Kunimi Akira: "Master of the candid shot."

Iwaizumi Hajime: "Candid shot master."

Hanamaki Takahiro: "Candid. Shot. Master."

Kaedehara Taichi: Image4.png

...

Kaedehara Taichi: ImageN.png

"Taichi! You'd better explain yourself!" Oikawa growled through gritted teeth.

"I'm just documenting life," Taichi replied flatly.

"Then why are they all these kinds of pictures?!"

"Didn't you once tell a reporter that 'Every second of this genius deserves to be captured on camera'?"

Oikawa: "…"

-----

That afternoon, Hinata brought Oikawa and Taichi to tour the São Paulo volleyball club he belonged to.

Even while training in beach volleyball, Hinata made it a point to regularly play indoor matches with the club's youth team to maintain his feel for indoor volleyball.

It was during one of those matches that the club's assistant coach, Darlan Zotto, recognised him.

The "Ninja Shōyō," the miracle boy from abroad dominating the beach—Hinata Shōyō was far more famous online than he'd ever realised.

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"I didn't expect you to be this good in indoor volleyball too!" Darlan had exclaimed. "Shorty, how'd you feel about trying out for our team?"

"We are one of the top clubs in Brazil."

"Sure!" Hinata had agreed without hesitation.

And so, thanks to a lucky series of coincidences, Hinata Shōyō had become a member of the São Paulo men's volleyball club's second team.

---

"Well, that's just like Chibi-chan," Oikawa laughed. "So, how are you finding the club?"

The San Juan club had travelled to Brazil to participate in the South American Championship, scheduling practice matches with various teams—São Paulo included. In fact, São Paulo would likely be one of their biggest rivals in the tournament.

"I've only been here for half a month, so I'm still getting used to things," Hinata replied. "But getting to train with such high-level players every day is just amazing!"

"Oh, and—everyone here is so tall!"

"Well, this is the world stage," Taichi chuckled.

Brazilian clubs were known for having some of the tallest average heights in the world. Hinata truly stood out in that crowd—though not necessarily for the expected reasons.

-----

Hinata Shōyō excitedly led Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi through various areas of the club, his eyes shining with pride, talking nonstop like a professional tour guide:

"Look, this is the gym where we usually train, over here is the super awesome strength training room, and that's the tactics room! After every match, the coaches do all this crazy-detailed analysis and review…"

Oikawa and Taichi listened with polite smiles. Having played professionally for years, they were already more than used to these kinds of facilities. But seeing Hinata this enthusiastic, neither of them had any intention of cutting him off.

Just as they were about to enter the training gym, three tall players approached from the opposite side. The tallest one, leading the group, raised his brows slightly and scanned the three of them with an arrogant gaze before speaking coldly:

"Hey, who are you guys? Wandering around like you own the place?"

"Ah—sorry!" Hinata apologised reflexively. "I'm Hinata Shōyō, I just joined the club. These two are my friends. They're—"

"New to the club?" Bruno Redson turned to the two beside him. "Do you guys know him? Some staff member's kid?"

"I'm a player!" Hinata clarified quickly, then looked at one of the others beside Bruno. "Alan, you remember me, right?"

These three players were: Bruno Redson, an opposite hitter for São Paulo's first team; Alston, an outside hitter for the second team; and Alan Sousa, a middle blocker also on the second team. The latter two had played in a few practice matches with Hinata, though they hadn't interacted much.

"Oh~ Right, I remember now," Alan said. "You're that rookie who just joined the second team."

"Joined the club and already showing off to your friends?" Alston sneered. "This isn't a place for tourists."

Hinata's bright smile froze on his face, a pang of grievance rising in his chest. "I already cleared it with Coach. And they're—"

"Fine, if you already got permission, then finish your little tour quickly and be on your way," Bruno said dismissively, waving a hand. "Don't disturb our afternoon training."

"And if you've joined the club, then focus on training hard. Coach Darlan does like to bring in flashy players from outside, but believe me, there's no shortage of those who stay a month or two and disappear."

Kaedehara Taichi and Oikawa Tōru exchanged a glance after hearing a few lines. They'd more or less figured out who these people were. Although the tone didn't sound overtly hostile, the condescension and disdain were undeniable.

Oikawa narrowed his eyes slightly, a trace of annoyance flashing through his gaze. He took a step forward, a faint, sardonic smirk tugging at the corners of his lips:

"Does that arrogance of yours come from actual skill?"

Bruno blinked, caught off guard. "You are…?"

"Hahaha, there you are!" The commotion near the gym entrance had already attracted attention. Coach Darlan Zotto approached with a smile. "Oikawa, and Taichi, welcome to São Paulo's club!"

Oikawa Tōru, only 21 years old—Argentina's genius setter, ranked among the top ten in the world.

Kaedehara Taichi, just 18 years old—champion of both Japan's V1 League and Argentina's A1 League, and already ranked among the world's top twenty outside hitters. The only reason he wasn't ranked higher was because he hadn't yet played in any international-level tournaments...

"You're them?!" Bruno exclaimed, the realisation dawning. No wonder they'd seemed vaguely familiar.

They were set to face Argentina's San Juan Club in a practice match tomorrow, and had just recently watched footage of their games. What no one had expected was that the "rookie" newly added to their own club would know players of this calibre.

Coach Darlan, sensing the tension in the air, quickly came up with a distraction and smiled, "Since you're all players, if there's any conflict, why not settle it through volleyball?"

Bruno's eyes lit up at the suggestion, and he was just about to speak when—

"Sorry, but I have no interest in playing with rookies," Kaedehara Taichi finally spoke, his tone light and indifferent.

_________

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