Haikyuu : The Unstoppable Force

Chirping!

Since Aoba Johsai won the coin toss, Karasuno started with the serve for the first set.

"Tsukishima! Send in a good serve!"

After launching the ball across the court, Karasuno's three front-row players focused on Aoba Johsai's movements.

Prepare to block!

However, unlike in other matches, this time, all three were extra attentive, keeping an eye on Oikawa's movements!

Slam!

A clean reception by Aoba Johsai's libero!

Here it comes!

Two attackers in the front row sprinted at the same time!

Who will spike?

Or is it...

Chirping!

The sharp sound of sneakers squeaking against the floor echoed through the court.

Out of nowhere, Akira suddenly jumped!

Almost simultaneously!

Oikawa executed a surprise setter dump!

Smack!

Before anyone could react, Akira immediately shut it down, stuffing the ball right back onto Aoba Johsai's court!

A blocked point!

"Oh my god! What a quick reaction!"

In the stands, the excited voices of Karasuno's supporters erupted in unison.

"How did he do that?? Just as Oikawa jumped, he jumped with him! But Oikawa didn't show any signs of a setter dump beforehand!"

"Exactly! Normally, a second touch attack like that is a masterstroke from Oikawa!"

"Scoring the first point like this shakes the opponent's confidence. It throws them off balance for the rest of the match!"

"But with Akira blocking it straight away, the psychological effect might be reversed!"

"That's right!"

"I feel like this match is going to be tough for Aoba Johsai!"

...

"Heh! Oikawa, do you really think you can win with little tricks like that?"

Akira smirked as he locked eyes with a startled Oikawa across the net.

Oikawa furrowed his brows, but his usual cocky smirk returned as he shot back,

"Don't let me get the chance! Otherwise, you're losing points!"

"But you've already lost one!"

Neither side backed down, exchanging sharp words across the net.

Back at the baseline, Kageyama turned to Akira.

"Did it work?"

"When I blocked the net, Oikawa was definitely startled."

"But he's not someone who gets shaken that easily. We'll need to keep pressuring him before it really starts affecting him."

"Got it!"

Kageyama clenched his fist in determination.

"I'll keep my eyes on him!"

Chirping! Karasuno's point, serve continues!

Smack! Aoba Johsai's libero made another clean reception.

But this time, Oikawa didn't go for another setter dump. Instead, he played it safe and set it up for the wing spiker to attack.

However—

Akira shut it down again!

"Damn it!"

Oikawa glared at Akira on the other side of the net.

"I knew this was possible, but actually seeing it happen is really frustrating!"

"You're just as annoying as ever, Oikawa!"

Akira grinned confidently.

The referee's whistle blew!

Tsukishima stepped up for another serve.

But this time, Aoba Johsai pulled off a back-row attack to throw off Karasuno's blockers.

At the last second, Tsukishima in the back row managed to dig the spike!

Kageyama swiftly moved into position and set the ball to Akira, their ace attacker!

Of course!

Seeing Akira rise for a spike, Aoba Johsai's three blockers stepped back, bracing for impact!

Kageyama's eyes widened as he watched Akira in mid-air, ready to strike.

"He predicted it perfectly!"

Boom!

Even with Aoba Johsai's full preparation, they couldn't stop Akira's spike!

The ball deflected and flew straight out of bounds!

Chirping!

The match had just begun, but Aoba Johsai was already trailing 0-3!

And all three points belonged to Akira alone!

"What's happening?"

"Is Oikawa and the team off their game today?"

"It feels like we're at a total disadvantage right now!"

The Aoba Johsai supporters murmured anxiously.

"That Karasuno guy is incredible!"

"Yeah! He's almost as good as Oikawa!"

"Losing suddenly doesn't feel so bad if we get to watch someone like that!"

...

Just outside the stadium entrance—

"Brother! Hurry up! We're going to miss it!"

"Alright, alright! I don't get why you're so impatient."

Iwai Kento led the way, urging his brother to keep up.

"Seriously! You always watch his matches, and now you're rushing to see him again."

Trailing behind, Iwai Yasui muttered complaints under his breath.

"Hmph! Like you have any right to judge me!"

"Don't think I don't know—you've secretly watched Akira's matches when I wasn't around!"

Caught off guard, Iwai Yasui's face turned red.

"I… That's different!"

"I was studying his techniques, not fanboying like you!"

Kento gave his brother a look of disbelief.

"Yeah, yeah, sure you were!"

"Shut up! Let's go! The match has already started!"

...

Anything can happen on the court.

Right now, Karasuno had the advantage.

But one rotation could turn things around for Aoba Johsai!

Aoba Johsai had earned their reputation as one of the strongest teams in the prefecture.

With Oikawa leading them, every player could unleash their full potential.

Oikawa, who understood his teammates' strengths and habits, conducted their plays like a maestro.

Every attack, every movement, every strategy—it was all within his control!

But Akira wasn't an easy opponent either.

Even with Aoba Johsai adapting their defense to counter him…

Most of Akira's attacks still landed!

There was a hidden rhythm in his spikes.

Every hit seemed to find the exact spot Aoba Johsai least wanted it to go!

Smack!

Aoba Johsai's libero barely dug out another straight spike!

"What's going on?!"

He clenched his jaw as he watched the ball fly out of bounds.

"It was a straight shot!"

"But after it hit my arm… it deflected to the left?!"

"And before that, it went to the right…"

"How are we supposed to receive this kind of ball?!"