Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

"Our first opponent today is Nekoma. How did we do yesterday?"

After a thorough warm-up, Coach Ukai gathered the team, glancing at Kiyoko, who was flipping through her notebook to check the records.

"Yesterday's matches were a mixed result: 25:21 and 20:25," Kiyoko reported. "So, we're tied with one win and one loss."

"In other words, we only managed a draw. Even with Hayato now on the team, your coordination still needs work," Coach Ukai summarized. He then turned to Hinata and Kageyama, adding, "You two haven't faced Nekoma in a while, right? This is your chance to redeem yourselves."

Hinata and Kageyama nodded in unison, motivated by the challenge ahead.

The lineup for today's match was as follows: Kageyama, Hinata, and Tanaka in the front row, Tsukishima, Nishinoya, and Hayato in the back row, with Tsukishima rotating in for the libero. The opponent began with the first serve.

"Bring it on!" Hinata shouted, locking eyes with Haiba Lev across the net. He took a defensive stance, ready for the battle ahead.

"Nice receive!" Tanaka called out as the ball came over. Hinata and Kageyama executed their Freak Quick, scoring a point and bringing the score to 10:12. Haiba, using his remarkable height and reaction speed, had begun to keep up with Hinata's pace. He almost managed to touch that last ball, making Hinata anxious.

With Tanaka serving, the ball came over, and the game continued. After the ball was received, Daichi perfectly set it, calling out, "Chance ball!" Hinata leapt for the spike, but Haiba was ready. He jumped diagonally and made a clean block, sending the ball back with such power that Nishinoya couldn't recover it. Nekoma scored a point, and Haiba received praise from his teammates.

"Was that really blocked so easily?" Mr. Takeda muttered in disbelief.

"It's their quick attacks combined with Haiba's impressive height and quick reflexes," Coach Ukai sighed, crossing his arms. He watched Haiba reposition himself, his competitive energy palpable.

Haiba, standing near the net, beckoned Hinata with a taunting gesture, signaling, Bring it on.

Hinata, his spirit fully ignited, returned the challenge with a defiant look.

Meanwhile, Kageyama whispered to Hinata, suggesting they switch to a normal quick attack. This plan was immediately intercepted by Kenma, Nekoma's setter, who signaled to Haiba to switch to adaptive blocking.

The ball came over with a standard serve from Kenma. Tanaka received it, and Karasuno launched another attack. This time, Hayato was rotated to the front row. Kageyama set him up perfectly.

"Kuroha-senpai!" Hinata called, passing the ball over.

"Got it!" Hayato responded confidently, spiking the ball with tremendous force. Even though Haiba tried to adjust with his adaptive blocking, his hang time couldn't match Hayato's. The ball pierced through the double block and flew toward Kenma, who narrowly dodged it, but couldn't stop it. Karasuno scored again.

Hayato, though pleased with the point, noticed Hinata looking disappointed. Hinata had jumped for the spike, but neither of the two blockers had focused on him, which left him frustrated.

Meanwhile, Kenma realized Hayato had deliberately aimed the ball at him. Watching Hayato celebrate, he fell into deep thought.

As Hayato prepared to strike again, Kenma communicated with Yaku, the libero, and the two players adjusted. Yaku moved to the front row, ready to receive the ball. When Hayato went for his next attack, Yaku expertly handled the reception, stopping Hayato's spike from landing.

"Damn, as expected, they play smart," Hayato muttered, a bit frustrated, but quickly adjusted with Kageyama to prepare for a block. With Hinata now rotated to the back row, Karasuno was in a weaker defensive position.

The ball was touched, but still remained on Karasuno's side. "Chance ball!" shouted Kageyama, who quickly made a second attack and scored a point.

"Well done, Kageyama!" Hayato cheered, ruffling his junior's hair in approval.

"Thanks for the compliment," Kageyama replied, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

Both teams continued to trade points, keeping the tension high. When Hinata rotated to the front row again, his competitive spirit was at a peak. He leapt to intercept a set, but just before he could make his move, he felt a sudden shift in the air—a predatory aura. Hayato, sensing the same thing, looked at Hinata and understood in an instant. Hinata was trying to claim the ball for himself.

With a piercing, domineering aura, Hayato rose into the air, his spike smashing through the blockers, sending the ball crashing down with an undeniable force.

"Whoa, that was scary," Haiba muttered under his breath, still stunned by Hayato's fierce presence.

From the sidelines, Sugawara speculated, "Hinata was about to grab that ball from Hayato, wasn't he?"

"Yes," Asahi nodded, his expression serious. "His posture and the way he jumped—it looked like they were going to collide. But then Hayato just exploded into action and took control of the ball."

Meanwhile, Hinata, realizing what had happened, quickly dropped to his knees and apologized to Hayato.

"I'm terribly sorry, Kuroha-senpai," he said, his voice full of regret. "I was just too focused on the ball."

Hayato, now with a calm expression, extended a hand to help Hinata up. "It's okay. These things happen. But always be mindful of those around you, alright?"

Hinata, still slightly shaken, nodded, clearly taking the lesson to heart.

After the moment of tension passed, Coach Ukai scolded Hinata lightly, "Pay attention, or what's the point of shouting out? You need to be more aware of your surroundings."

As Hinata received comforting words from his teammates, Hayato stood by, an enigmatic smile on his face.

Coach Ukai leaned back in his chair, watching the whole scene unfold. He couldn't help but admit, "Hayato Kuroha... He's completely evolved into Karasuno's new Ace."

On the other side of the court, Coach Nekomata also observed the situation with a thoughtful gaze. "A new raptor has claimed the crow's nest, and the little crow tried to challenge him but was swiftly put in his place. What will happen now? Will the 'foreign king' adapt to the nest, or will the 'little crow' rise to challenge him?"

Coach Nekomata crossed his arms and reflected. "Those who refuse change can never evolve. How far Karasuno will go depends on how they handle this new dynamic."

As both teams continued to battle it out, the match finally ended with a score of 25:20, marking a significant victory for Karasuno.

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POWER STONE!!!

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