Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

As long as it wasn't Oikawa serving, Date Tech still had a glimmer of hope. They managed to save the ball, but it drifted back toward Seijoh's side.

At the net, Kogane leapt with all his might, his long arms brushing the ball and redirecting it.

"Don't let them have it!"

"Spike it!"

Their third-year seniors shot to their feet, fists clenched. The players on court knew it too: this point could not be given away. Kogane pushed the ball back just enough for Aone to launch into the air, hammering a spike down with all his power—

—but Seijoh's receivers handled it cleanly.

The stands erupted, cheer squads on both sides clashing in volume.

"Get this point, Seijoh!"

"Date Tech, hold strong!"

The ball floated high. Oikawa slid into position, eyes sharp.

Karasuno held their breath.

Calling Iwaizumi's name, Oikawa sent him the set. As Iwaizumi sprinted in, Date Tech's young Setter recognized the play. Kogane charged forward, aligning with Aone and Futakuchi to form the Iron Wall.

But experience makes the difference.

"Your defense isn't tight enough, rookie!"

Iwaizumi's spike split the gap between Kogane's still-closing arms, slamming the ball onto the floor.

The Iron Wall crumbled.

The whistle blew. 25 points. Seijoh took the second set.

Seijoh wins 2–0.

The gym erupted in applause. Iwaizumi clenched his fist in triumph before a teammate tousled his sweat-soaked hair.

"Well done, Iwaizumi."

"You totally stole the spotlight."

Oikawa, grinning helplessly, sighed. "To choose a frontal breakthrough at the very end… I can't match you today, Iwa-chan."

Both teams lined up, bowing to one another as the crowd honored them with applause. Only one side could advance, and this time, it was Seijoh.

Kogane's hands trembled with frustration as Date Tech exited the court.

"He actually pierced their arms straight on… unbelievable."

Hinata's eyes widened in awe.

"As expected of their Ace," Asahi murmured. Sugawara nodded firmly. "That's Hajime Iwaizumi."

Daichi's voice cut in, firm and steady. "Our opponent's decided. Everyone, let's move."

Karasuno filed toward their prep room.

Meanwhile, Date Tech's departing players were intercepted by their retired seniors.

"Kogane, you're still green. And you, Captain—you finally get how tough Moniwa had it, don't you?" Kamasaki teased.

"I knew that already," Futakuchi snapped back, unwilling to concede.

"Then keep growing. Stronger than ever," Moniwa said simply, his tone leaving both Futakuchi and Aone stunned.

As they walked away, Futakuchi smirked. "Since you're here, Moniwa-senpai, come back and practice with us."

"You guys really…" Moniwa sighed, while Sasaya scolded Kamasaki for loosening his tie in public. The Iron Wall would continue to train, even in defeat.

In another corridor, Karasuno's first-years crossed paths with Date Tech's players. Aone's gaze lingered on Hinata.

"Not every opponent that's hard to block is tall."

The words hung in the air as they brushed past each other. No promises were made, but both sides thought the same thing: Next time, I'll block you.

Back in Karasuno's prep room, a subtle nervousness filled the air. Seijoh had beaten them once before. Even after Wakutani, the memory of that loss weighed heavily. Asahi and Yamaguchi sat quietly, working through their nerves.

But this time, things were different. Nobody was rushing to the managers for stomach medicine.

Daichi clapped his hands, voice cutting through the silence. "Enough sitting around. Warm up. Loosen up. We're not the same team anymore. We're going to Nationals—how can we stop here?"

Hayato stepped up beside him, grinning. "Daichi-senpai's right. Play with confidence. You've got him backing you up… and me too. We've played countless practice matches against Tokyo's best. We're Karasuno reborn. Let's give Seijoh a real surprise!"

His words landed. The anxiety in the room shifted into fire.

"Yeah! We're not the same as before!" Tanaka roared.

"Don't forget me!" Nishinoya added, leaping onto Tanaka's shoulder.

"How could we? You're Karasuno's Guardian Deity." Hayato winked.

The nickname made Nishinoya flush bright red. "D-Don't say it like that! It's embarrassing…"

Koyuki's eyes sparkled. "Guardian Deity? That's so cool!"

Hayato chuckled, but then Uki chimed in, "Then what about you, Hayato? Do you have a nickname?"

"Nope."

Hinata jumped in immediately. "You should! Date Tech has their Iron Wall, and we've got the Guardian Deity. Hayato-senpai needs one too!"

"You already have 'Strongest Decoy,'" Kageyama muttered, grabbing Hinata's collar before he could get carried away.

The tension broke. Laughter filled the room, nerves melting away. Daichi exchanged a glance with Hayato, both smiling.

Then, unexpectedly, Arima Hizume—the quiet blue-haired girl usually buried in classical Japanese—was pushed forward. Tilting her head thoughtfully, she spoke at last.

"…Fierce Bird. How about that?"

The room stilled. Hizume's gaze stayed on Hayato.

"Fierce Bird, huh? It fits. You're scary when you attack," Tanaka nodded.

"Yeah. Especially when you click your tongue after getting blocked," Hitoka added, making Kiyoko laugh softly.

"Impressive nickname," Kiyoko agreed.

"Fierce Bird…" Hayato repeated, rubbing his neck with a sheepish grin. "I guess I'll take it."

Cheers erupted. And so, in a cramped prep room at Sendai City Gymnasium, the nickname of the boy who would one day shake the volleyball world was born.

Hayato Kuroha—the Fierce Bird.

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