Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

"Good serve!"

"Cover!"

"I got it!"

The gym echoed with the sound of sneakers on hardwood and voices yelling from all sides. Karasuno and three other teams clashed in a high-intensity match, each giving their all.

Off to the side, Hinata was slumped in a chair, drenched in sweat and catching his breath. His towel barely made a dent—each wipe was instantly followed by more sweat trickling down his face. Pushing himself to his absolute limits, Hinata had played three full sets at full sprint. This was different from his usual energy-conserving style. Now, every run, every jump was explosive—and exhausting. But the payoff was clear: his speed had skyrocketed, and the faster he got, the harder his quick attacks became to defend against.

His new rhythm also brought fresh chaos to opposing teams when combined with Hayato's offense. At Hayato's suggestion, Hinata had begun communicating more with Kageyama using hand signs, refining their coordination. Their latest weapon? A coordinated decoy play involving Hinata, Hayato, and Kageyama. With all three in the front row, any of them could receive the set—and once defenders locked onto a feint, the actual attacker would score with a clean hit.

The strategy was deceptively simple. In theory, a solid back-row defense could counter it. But that was easier said than done. Hayato's spikes were brutal, and Hinata's speed was insane. Receiving either one of them pushed opposing liberos to the edge.

Throughout the morning, Coach Ukai rotated the entire Karasuno roster, making sure everyone got playing time. He looked especially pleased when Tsukishima began showing some spark on the court. It didn't go unnoticed—Kageyama picked up on it instantly. The usually passive blocker, who rarely went up for feints, was now jumping—maybe not high yet, but still jumping.

Karasuno wrapped up the morning with five matches and three wins. Even though everyone got a turn, the regulars shouldered the heaviest load. Hinata, their boundless energy machine, was now too wiped out to cause any trouble—evidence of just how draining it all was.

Hayato, too, was spent. Every time he hit the court, he played full throttle. His spikes were consistent scorers, but the cost was steep—each one drained his stamina. In the last match before lunch, Yamaguchi subbed in to practice his jump float serve. Though he started strong, Karasuno lost the set in the second half. At this stage, Yamaguchi's arsenal was still too limited.

Break Time

During the break, the managers arrived with plates piled with watermelon. A kind gesture from the parents of Morisen High players, it was a refreshing treat after the intense morning.

Groups scattered onto the lawn outside, casually munching away. Hinata wandered over to the Nekoma crew and challenged Lev to a watermelon seed-spitting contest—he lost miserably.

Meanwhile, Hayato joined the third-years and reported on the incident with Tsukishima from the night before. Since Kuroo had already spoken to him that morning, Hayato felt it right to fill in the team captain, Daichi.

"That doesn't surprise me," Daichi said calmly after hearing the situation.

"Yeah," Asahi added. "Tsukishima said something similar back when Hayato first joined."

"Right! He once said his job was just to not mess up while Hinata was in the back row," Tanaka recalled. "And my sister mentioned something once about a Tsukishima on Karasuno back during the Little Giant's time. Maybe it's connected?"

No one really knew—Tsukishima never talked about himself much. But Hayato knew the full story. Tsukishima had looked up to his older brother, who wasn't a regular, but had lied and pretended to be one for his younger sibling. When the truth came out, it wasn't shame Tsukishima felt, but guilt—for having pushed his brother to that point.

"Well, whatever happened, he's clearly more motivated today," Daichi noted.

"Yeah," Asahi agreed. "Something's changed."

When they both looked at Hayato, he just smiled.

"I had a talk with him. But the rest? That's between him and me."

"A trade secret, huh?" Daichi chuckled.

Just then, Sugawara called everyone back. They tossed their watermelon rinds, washed up, and returned to the gym for the afternoon session.

The Role of a Leader

As they washed their hands, Daichi glanced sideways at Asahi.

"Hayato's quietly solved another issue on his own again."

Asahi nodded. "Have you made your decision?"

"Yeah. Hayato's got the maturity and sense of responsibility. He's the right one to take on the roles of Captain and Ace after us."

Afternoon Matches

The afternoon training was lighter than the morning. After a single match, which Karasuno lost, the punishment was running up the hill and back.

Later, as Asahi cooled down, he was approached by someone unexpected—Tsukishima.

"You've improved a lot, Tsukishima," Asahi said with a warm nod before turning to Tsukishima. "What's on your mind?"

"Azumane-senpai… doesn't it bother you?" Tsukishima asked bluntly. "Being surpassed by someone new—like Hayato?"

Asahi paused. Then he smiled.

"Of course it stings. Hayato's strong—and confident, like a true Ace. From where we stand, you and I, we're in the same boat."

He looked up at the sky, speaking more to himself than to Tsukishima.

"But with you first-years and Hayato joining, our team finally has hope. When we came to Karasuno, we were told it was a fallen powerhouse. A team that couldn't fly anymore. We fought hard, but it wasn't enough on our own."

"But now? Now, we can dream again. So even if it stings, it also fires me up. I haven't given up. Not on being a regular. Not on being the Ace."

The late afternoon sun bathed Asahi in gold, and Tsukishima watched him, a strange warmth flickering in his chest. His hand moved subconsciously to his heart, as if to steady its beat.

"Thank you, Azumane-senpai," he said, bowing low.

As Tsukishima walked away, lighter somehow, Yamaguchi caught up with Asahi.

"Azumane-senpai, you really fired him up. Just wait—you'll see a new Tsukishima soon."

Asahi gave a wry grin. "Heh… guess I've got one more rival now."

Evening Practice

In the final two matches of the day, Tsukishima played noticeably different—more engaged, more aggressive, more alive. Even Hitoka noticed.

"Kiyoko-senpai… Tsukishima-kun's… different today."

Kiyoko placed a hand on Hitoka's shoulder and gave a knowing nod.

"Another Karasuno fledgling… ready to take flight."

Hitoka's cheeks flushed with excitement. "Yes!"

The day's training ended at last.

Bokuto, ever persistent, found Hayato and clung to him immediately.

"Hayato! You promised! C'mon, let's go spike together!"

Hayato chuckled. "Alright, alright. Just let me grab someone… Tsukishima!"

Tsukishima, mid-wipe, froze. Seeing Bokuto beside Hayato, he hesitated for just a moment before walking over.

"You guys doing individual training again?"

Even Kuroo did a double take.

"Oh my, oh my," he said teasingly, stepping in with a smirk.

Tsukishima scowled but said nothing. Before he could retaliate, Hayato nudged him.

"Let's go. Ignore them."

Bokuto threw an arm around Tsukishima's shoulders.

"Well well, you're moving up fast, Tsukishima!"

Hinata, watching them from afar, looked like he was about to explode from envy.

"Tsukishima's getting to train with Hayato-senpai and Fukurodani's Ace?! So unfair!"

Yamaguchi explained calmly, "They trained yesterday, too."

"I'm going to watch!"

And with that, Hinata bolted after them.

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POWER STONE!!!

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