Haikyuu: Reborn in Karasuno

"This is the third time we've faced Karasuno with our current lineup. And each time, they've surprised us. This time will probably be no different. I want you all to pay special attention to number 13, second-year Hayato Kuroha. You already know his abilities from our previous matches, so I won't repeat myself. Stay calm, fight with everything you have, and victory will be ours!"

"Yes, Coach!"

During the pre-match huddle, Aoba Johsai's coach stressed Hayato's name. The entire Seijoh lineup listened with sharp, serious expressions.

"Although I hate to admit it," Oikawa stepped forward, voice steady, "Karasuno is really strong. Iwa-chan and I watched their last match against Wakutani."

Hanamaki Takahiro, number 3, raised a brow in surprise.

"It's rare for you to be that honest."

"Because it's the truth. If we take them lightly, they'll swallow us whole. So let's go all out from the very start."

"Oh!" the team roared in unison.

Oikawa swung his arms as he walked toward the court, ready to deliver his usual rallying cry. But before he could say, "Today, I believe in you all", his teammates beat him to it.

"We believe in you, Captain!"

Oikawa blinked, caught off guard. Their trust in him was undeniable—and overwhelming.

"Being told that so suddenly… makes me a little embarrassed," he muttered, flustered.

One by one, his teammates patted his shoulder. The first, of course, was his partner in crime, Iwaizumi.

"We believe in your first serve. But if you mess up, you're buying us ramen."

"A big bowl of chashu ramen," another chimed in.

"And extra gyoza for me!"

Hanamaki turned, smirking at the underclassmen. "C'mon, first and second-years, place your orders too."

Oikawa groaned. "You guys are seriously doing this right now?!"

But he couldn't back down. Hands on his hips, he declared confidently, "Fine. I'll succeed. No ramen for you."

On Karasuno's side, Coach Takeda raised his voice with his usual poetic flair.

"The wings that were once broken have healed. The crows have grown stronger day by day. You have sharpened your minds, your techniques, your bodies—for this very moment. Now, soar through the sky and unleash everything you've trained for. The results will follow. I believe in you."

His words brought nods of determination from every player. Then, Coach Ukai took over.

"Let's be real. Seijoh was once your worst matchup—stable, flexible, hard to break through. But things are different now. After facing the powerhouse schools in Tokyo, you've grown. You've been reborn. Now's the time to prove it. Attack with everything you've got!"

"Yes!" Karasuno roared back.

The starting lineup was the usual: Hinata, Tanaka, and Kageyama in the front row, with Daichi, Hayato, and Tsukishima in the back. Nishinoya rotated in for Tsukishima as libero. Since Seijoh had the first serve, Karasuno immediately brought Noya on court.

Both teams were brimming with confidence. The roar from Seijoh's cheering squad filled the gym as Oikawa stepped up to serve. His teammates heckled from behind:

"Soy sauce!"

"Pork bone!"

"Dandan noodles!"

"Do you guys want me to succeed or fail?!" Oikawa snapped.

The whistle blew.

"Unfortunately for you," Oikawa muttered with a sly grin, "I'll definitely succeed."

His jump serve cut through the air with his trademark "Ohhh~~" and slammed toward Karasuno's side.

Daichi braced himself, receiving the serve with a solid thud against his arms. Both captains—Daichi and Oikawa—grinned fiercely.

"Whoa, that's insane…" Koyuki gasped from the stands.

Hitoka, sitting beside her, leaned in to reassure her. "Don't worry. It won't break his arms. Daichi's solid."

But even Daichi's perfect timing couldn't neutralize the force completely. The ball shot backward, dangerously close to returning to Seijoh's side.

Hinata wouldn't let it end there. He leaped higher than ever, managing to tip the ball midair and redirect it toward Seijoh's front court. Kindaichi lunged for it, but his set came off awkward, sending the ball back toward Karasuno.

"Tobio!" Hayato shouted, already charging from the back row.

"Hayato-senpai!"

Kageyama tossed sharply, and Hayato met it in stride, hammering the ball down with explosive force.

Boom!

The volleyball landed squarely inside Seijoh's court.

"Alright!"

"First point, Karasuno!"

The bench erupted in cheers.

Oikawa scowled, but the game was only beginning.

Now Karasuno rotated. Kageyama took the serve. The crowd's voices rose.

"Kageyama! Bring it!"

He launched a powerful jump serve aimed at the corner—sharp, fast, and difficult to read. But the risk was high. Hanamaki wisely judged it out, letting it sail past the line.

Seijoh gained their first point.

"Don't mind, don't mind!" Daichi clapped.

"Next one!"

Iwaizumi stepped up, delivering a brutal serve of his own. Daichi absorbed it with gritted teeth, but the ball still ricocheted dangerously. Kageyama dove in, hooking it back one-handed.

"Ryu!"

Tanaka followed up with a fierce spike, earning the point.

"Nice, Kageyama!"

"Great hit, Ryu!"

From the stands, Saeko's voice rang out: "Nice one, Ryu! Your sister loves you!"

"Sis! Don't say that! It's embarrassing!" Tanaka shouted, face red.

Meanwhile, Hinata fidgeted, anxious. "I wanna hit, too…"

Both teams refused to back down. Every rally was hard-fought, every point earned. Hayato could feel Seijoh's strength firsthand—they were sharper than any opponent Karasuno had faced yet. A team with Seijoh's Aces and Oikawa as their setter was relentless, able to claw back points the instant they fell behind.

Then Kageyama leaned close to Hinata. "Next one—quick."

Hinata's eyes lit up. He nodded furiously, almost too excited to breathe.

Daichi received another serve cleanly, giving Kageyama the chance. Hayato deliberately shouted, "Give me the ball!" drawing Kindaichi's eyes for just a split second. That was all Hinata needed.

He darted in, lightning fast, leaping high above the net.

"Fly!!" the girls in the cheering squad screamed.

Hinata's palm smacked the ball down into Seijoh's open court.

"YESS!!"

Hinata's hands stung red, but he didn't care. His face glowed with exhilaration.

"That kid… he's running faster than before," Oikawa muttered, annoyed. "Karasuno's banner wasn't wrong. Fly, huh?"

"Nice hit, Shoyo." Hayato grinned, high-fiving him.

The two were in perfect sync. If the defense focused on Hayato, Hinata would strike. If they focused on Hinata, the 'Fierce Bird' would spread his wings instead.

The scoreboard shifted—Karasuno led, 5–4.

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