The Central Gymnasium, specially prepared for the finals, was buzzing with anticipation. Referees stood ready, scorekeepers and reporters took their places, and the two teams about to clash on this grand stage—Karasuno and Shiratorizawa—carried the weight of the prefecture on their shoulders.
A few nervous Karasuno players finally calmed down after Daichi's firm scolding, and the team began their warm-up.
Then came the thunder.
Shiratorizawa's massive cheering squad moved as one. Led by a booming taiko drum in the front row, their chants rolled across the gymnasium like waves. The six organized formations, shouting with military precision, were overwhelming compared to Karasuno's modest cheering section.
"That's… amazing," Sugawara muttered, his voice caught somewhere between awe and tension.
"Yeah," Asahi agreed. "As expected of Shiratorizawa."
"Strong schools always seem to carry this kind of overwhelming aura," Sugawara added.
"If Takanori heard you say that, she'd bite your head off," Asahi teased.
At the mention of her name, both turned instinctively toward Karasuno's cheering squad. Koyuki, noticing their glance, smiled and waved brightly, as if to say we've got your backs.
"Even for their sake, we can't lose in terms of morale," Tanaka said, puffing out his chest as his eyes drifted toward Shiratorizawa's entrance.
"Strange," Nishinoya murmured, "hasn't their team shown up yet?"
"They're taking their time."
"Confident, huh? That's the arrogance of a king."
And right on cue, Shiratorizawa appeared.
One by one, the towering players emerged from the tunnel, greeted by an explosive cheer. At their center was their immovable Ace—Ushijima Wakatoshi. His sheer presence silenced Karasuno for a moment.
"No matter how many times I see him, he's always intimidating," Sugawara whispered.
"Yeah… that aura is unreal," Asahi added.
Daichi's jaw tightened. "But only one team's going to Nationals. We'll be the ones to defeat them."
The team answered with a sharp, unified "Oh!"
The warm-up began. Since there was only one court, spike drills were taken in turns. Shiratorizawa went first.
Their setter, Shirabu Kenjirō, tossed a high, steady ball to Ushijima.
The Ace leapt—shoulders squared, left arm raised high—and struck.
Bang!
The sound echoed through the gym as the ball rocketed straight down, slamming onto the hardwood before ricocheting all the way into the second-floor stands. The shockwave of noise made even the reporters flinch.
"That sound… it's insane," Kohane gasped.
"Yeah," Koyuki murmured, eyes wide. "It bounced to the second floor."
The stadium had just witnessed why Shiratorizawa reigned supreme.
Shiratorizawa's style was simple yet brutal. Where most teams sought openings through speed, feints, and tempo changes, Shiratorizawa relied on their overwhelming spear. If the pass wasn't perfect? Set it to Ushijima. If the point was critical? Set it to Ushijima. Because once the ball touched his hand, it was nearly unstoppable.
One force to crush ten thousand techniques.
That was their philosophy.
Karasuno's players felt the pressure, but also the thrill.
"Ushijima's amazing…" Hinata whispered, but his voice quivered with excitement rather than fear. His wide eyes sparkled with determination. "It makes my blood boil!"
Kageyama glanced at him, and their eyes locked. "Yeah."
Even Hayato's pulse quickened. "So that's Ushijima… huh? Strong, no doubt. But that just makes me want to smash through even more."
Flexing his wrists, he felt his blood rushing, eager for his turn.
The whistle blew. Warm-up rotations switched, and Karasuno wheeled their cart of volleyballs onto the court.
As Hinata picked up a ball that had rolled near Shiratorizawa's side, a tall, mature-looking player with thick lips retrieved it for him.
"Here."
"Th-thanks."
Hinata blinked. He'd been thinking of Ushiwaka's legendary retainer—Benkei—and for a second thought this player, jersey number 4, fit the image perfectly. But someone called him "Reon" in an oddly English-sounding way—like Lion. Hinata's brain whirled, confused and amused at the same time.
"That little shorty just nicknamed Reon 'Benkei,' didn't he?" Tendō Satori grinned, leaning toward Semi.
"Ha… figures," Semi sighed.
But Tendō's sharp eyes soon drifted elsewhere. They locked onto Hayato, who stood tall among Karasuno's lineup.
"That's the rookie, right? The so-called 'Fierce Bird.' Only one year of volleyball, but already standing on this stage. Doesn't look too special compared to our Ushiwaka."
"Don't underestimate him," Semi warned. "His spikes and serves pack a punch."
"I know, I know~" Tendō waved lazily, though the curiosity in his gaze lingered.
Meanwhile, up in Shiratorizawa's cheering section, a group of girls had spotted Hayato too.
"Look, Karasuno's number 13. He's so handsome."
"Totally my type… Ah, if only he wasn't the enemy. Think I can get his contact after the match?"
Their giggles mixed with the thunderous chants, though their confidence in Shiratorizawa's victory made them treat Hayato's presence as more of a distraction than a threat.
But Hayato wasn't there to be admired.
As Karasuno began their spike warm-up, Kageyama tossed a precise ball—perfect height, perfect arc.
Hayato shut his eyes for a moment, inhaled deeply, then snapped them open, sharp and focused. His body launched upward, arms slicing through the air as his palm connected with the ball.
Bang!
A straight-line spike, fast and merciless, slammed into the floor and ricocheted high—so high it reached the second tier, just like Ushijima's.
The Shiratorizawa crowd faltered, their cheers momentarily silenced.
Hayato landed, his eyes blazing.
Karasuno's Fierce Bird had bared his claws.
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A/N: Hey everyone, I'm really sorry for not being able to post any new chapters lately. Our city in Davao Oriental was recently hit by an earthquake, and things have been pretty rough. The tremors shook our whole neighborhood — our house even got slightly damaged, and it's been chaotic ever since.
I've been trying to gather myself and make sure everyone's safe first before I get back to writing. The experience honestly left me a bit shaken (literally and emotionally), but don't worry — I'm still here, and I haven't forgotten about you all.
Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. I'll be back to updating as soon as everything settles down. Please keep us in your prayers. 🙏
Patréon com/Lukas25