Haikyuu : The Unstoppable Force

The Afternoon Showdown Begins

After the morning match ended, the afternoon game was just around the corner!

The tight schedule put immense pressure on the participating teams.

Playing against two opponents in a single day was a true test of a team's resilience.

If a team could win in straight sets, it wasn't too bad. But if the match dragged on...

It would push the players to their physical and mental limits.

However, this was likely the tournament's intention.

Only through the flames of adversity could a team forge itself into something greater!

And Izumitate was a team built for endurance.

Despite the intense morning battle, their energy remained high.

Izumitate's Pre-Match Discussion

Inside the Izumitate team lounge—

"So, does anyone have any impressions of our opponent this afternoon?"

Irie Yusuke, their libero, asked the room. Though he was their defensive anchor on the court, his personality was always lively and upbeat.

Their captain, Kitamura Yuta, had been resting with his eyes closed. Upon hearing the question, he slowly opened them.

"No matter who the opponent is, we'll defeat them."

Izumitate's victories were often 2-1 battles, almost always involving a comeback after losing the first set.

But this also meant that they rarely had time to study their next opponent before a match.

"Haha! Don't be so serious, Kitamura-senpai!"

Irie Yusuke grinned.

"I heard that they used to be a powerhouse team and even made it to Nationals!"

"But then they got weaker over time, and now they're barely worth mentioning."

"They're also known as—"

'The fallen powerhouse! A flightless crow!'

In the corner, Maruyama Haito, their setter, adjusted his glasses while scrolling through his phone.

"Oh?"

"A fallen powerhouse? A flightless crow?"

"So…"

"Does that mean we'll have an easy time this afternoon?"

Irie Yusuke's eyes lit up as he turned toward Maruyama.

"Hmph! Don't celebrate too early."

Maruyama sneered.

"Have you forgotten what kind of group Group A is?"

His tone turned sharp as he tapped his screen.

"Karasuno made it through by eliminating Date Tech and Aoba Johsai!"

"And both were 2-0 sweeps!"

Even Kitamura Yuta, usually composed, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"What…?"

"Didn't Aoba Johsai and Date Tech just have an off-day and let Karasuno slip through?"

Irie Yusuke asked, still doubtful.

"You idiot! Look at the match schedule before talking!"

Maruyama shot him an exasperated glare.

"A team that makes it out of a group like that…"

"Isn't one to be taken lightly."

Kitamura Yuta stood up, stretching his arms.

"It doesn't matter."

"It doesn't matter who the opponent is."

"As long as we play with our full strength—"

"Even powerhouses like Shiratorizawa aren't unbeatable!"

"Yes, Captain!!"

The Match Begins

Tweet!

The two teams lined up at the net.

"Let's have a good match!"

The players exchanged bows, their gazes meeting across the court.

Izumitate's aura was as steady as a mountain, ready to endure any storm.

But Karasuno's presence was like a blazing meteor, burning with relentless momentum and an aggressive edge.

"Hah! Looks like Karasuno's going to dominate this one too."

In the stands, a middle-aged man wearing a cap sneered as he analyzed the situation.

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

A younger spectator beside him looked puzzled.

"Hmph! You must not have watched Karasuno play before."

"Their style is similar to Araigawa."

"They're an offensive powerhouse."

"And that type of team is exactly what Izumitate thrives against."

"Huh??"

The young man looked even more confused.

"But... didn't Izumitate just beat Araigawa this morning?"

"Hmph! That's just because Araigawa was too weak."

The man let out a dismissive snort.

"When they face Karasuno, Izumitate is going to get crushed!"

The young man didn't seem convinced. He shot the man a wary look, then quietly moved a few seats away.

"Hmph! Kids these days! No respect for experience!"

First Serve: The Impact Begins

Tweet!

The match was underway!

Izumitate's ace, Shikata, stepped up to serve.

"Shikata! Start us strong!"

"Yeah!"

He sent a sharp floating serve over the net.

But for Karasuno, this was nothing new.

Tanaka read the trajectory instantly, stepping forward to receive.

The ball sailed cleanly toward Kageyama.

And for Kageyama—

His first pass of every match always went to Akira.

Especially against teams they were facing for the first time.

Because everyone knew—

If Akira's first spike landed cleanly, it would send a message.

A message that would shake the opposing team's momentum from the very start.

Kageyama made the set—

Akira jumped.

At the same time, Izumitate's three-man block formed in front of him.

But this was where their lack of preparation showed.

Had they studied Karasuno's matches beforehand…

They would've known one critical fact.

DO NOT CHALLENGE AKIRA'S SPIKE HEAD-ON.

But now, it was too late for regrets.

Kageyama, knowing the block was there, didn't send a high set.

Instead, he set a normal-height quick attack.

BOOM!

The ball smashed into the blockers' arms—

Like a falling axe splitting dead wood.

The impact forced their arms apart!

Then, the ball shot past them and crashed into Izumitate's libero—

Slamming into his outstretched arms—forcing them back at an awkward angle!

And finally—

With a thunderous sound—

The ball hit the ground!

Point, Karasuno!

"This… what just happened??"

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Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones