Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

"We are Wakutani—we grow stronger with every setback! Now's the time to show our true strength. Let's go!"

Captain Nakashima stood tall at center court, rallying his teammates. Their response was fierce, and the gym trembled with their determination.

The whistle blew—Karasuno's serve. Wakutani received cleanly, and their offense spread wide, striking with a feigned attack.

Hinata jumped to block—too early.

"Idiot! Hinata, don't chase the setter, follow the ball!" Kageyama barked, frustration sharp in his voice.

Wakutani spiked from the opposite side, landing the point. Their huddle erupted in celebration.

Daichi immediately stepped in, clapping Hinata on the back. "Don't dwell on it. Focus on the next rally."

Kageyama grumbled but let it drop, while Hinata's shoulders sagged—until Daichi added, "They've studied your quick, Hinata. That means you're strong enough to be feared."

Just like that, Hinata's eyes blazed with renewed fire. "Then I'll get even stronger!"

Hayato watched this exchange with quiet admiration. As expected of Captain Daichi… He always lifts us back up.

The battle heated up. Karasuno's varied attacks carved through Wakunan's defense, but their opponents refused to fold, answering point for point.

The scoreboard ticked higher—Karasuno reached twenty first.

Hayato felt his chest loosen. So this is it… Daichi's safe.

In the "original" timeline he half-remembered, Daichi had collided with Tanaka during this very match, even losing a tooth. But now, Karasuno's steadiness had prevented the desperate scramble. No crash, no injury. Relief washed over him like a tide.

Moments later, Hayato rose high and slammed down a block.

"Hayato-kun!!!"

The girls in the stands shouted his name in unison. Saeko pumped her fist.

"Nice one, Hayato! His blocking is terrifying."

Shimada adjusted his glasses, nodding. "Yeah. Back in practice matches, his wall gave us nightmares."

In another corner of the gym, Oikawa and Iwaizumi of Aoba Johsai observed closely.

"Tch. Number 13 makes me sick," Oikawa muttered. "Geniuses like him are the worst."

Iwaizumi smirked. "Physical ability, technique—he's the real deal. By third year, he could be another Ushiwaka."

At that name, Oikawa visibly twitched. Ushijima Wakatoshi. One of the top three Aces in Japan—the very rival he despised most.

"Ugh. Why are there so many monsters in our generation? Annoying…" he pouted, earning an eye-roll from Iwaizumi.

Back on court, Karasuno surged forward. Hayato and Hinata's tandem spikes electrified the crowd. Kageyama sneaked in a daring setter dump, bringing them to match point—24:20.

"Match point!" Saeko screamed, crushing Hitoka in a gleeful hug. Hitoka squeaked, resigned to her fate.

From the bench, Sugawara hollered encouragement, and the momentum burned bright.

But Wakutani wasn't done. Their mustached setter suddenly tipped on the second touch, stealing back a point.

"Ahh, too bad!" groaned Karasuno's fans in unison.

Daichi clapped firmly. "Forget it. Next point—we end it here."

Wakutani's captain stepped up for the serve. His jump serve cracked through the air—but Nishinoya was there.

"Leave it to me!" he roared, arms steady as he dug the ball perfectly.

"Nice one, Noya!" Sugawara shouted, eyes shining.

Karasuno launched into their signature simultaneous attack. Wakutani scrambled—Nakashima screamed for defense.

The gym vibrated with tension. If Karasuno scored here, the set was over.

Hayato soared at the net, eyes locked on the ball. Wakutani's blockers jumped with him—triple block ready.

But at the last instant, he glanced sideways. Daichi was in position.

"Daichi-senpai! It's yours!"

Gasps erupted as Hayato let the ball slip from his fingertips, redirecting it in a perfect arc.

"What—?!" Wakutani's triple block froze, too high, too late.

Daichi's instincts fired. His body moved before thought—spike, full force.

The ball thundered down.

Point, Karasuno.

25:20.

The gym exploded.

"YEEEES!" Hayato roared, high-fiving Daichi with wild joy.

The captain himself looked stunned, staring at his hand as if he couldn't believe he had scored match point.

Cheers rang from every corner—the bench, the stands, the substitute players.

"No one expected it," Takeda-sensei whispered, wide-eyed. "To think the first set would be won this way…"

Coach Ukai folded his arms, lips curling into a rare smile. "Heh. That's Karasuno for you."

And just like that—the first set against Wakutani was theirs.

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