Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 373: Japan–U.S. High School Volleyball Exchange Match

"Being in the same prefecture as a team like that...not sure if it's a blessing or a curse…"

Being close to strong rivals pushed players to grow rapidly. It gave them a clear look at the distance between themselves and the very best. That constant, looming pressure—it was also the best kind of training.

But on the flip side, it made breaking out onto the national stage far more difficult.

Even under Ukai Keishin's sharp and critical eye, Karasuno now had the strength to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other teams across Japan.

"…Sigh." Ukai stepped out of the convenience store and instinctively lit a cigarette. "In the end, this loss was on me—my strategy got figured out. I held these guys back."

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"Let's all get stronger—see you at Spring Nationals!"

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[Aoba Johsai—Coach Irihata's Office]

"Sorry for calling you in so early, Taichi." A man unfamiliar to Taichi greeted him from the couch as he entered the room.

"Good morning," Taichi replied politely.

The man appeared to be in his forties, his accent hinting that he was from the Tokyo area.

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Katase Jun, the Vice President of the Japan Volleyball Association," the man said cheerfully, eyeing Taichi with interest. "First of all, congratulations on leading your team to defend the IH prefectural title and becoming Miyagi's top representative. Yesterday's match was fantastic."

"Thank you. Winning was the result of everyone's efforts on the team," Taichi replied calmly.

So this was about that. The Japan national volleyball team was under the umbrella of the Japan Volleyball Association. If someone like this had come all the way here, it had to be about that matter.

Katase blinked in surprise. Taichi showed neither nervousness nor excitement. He wasn't loud like the previous candidates they'd met—just a polite kid.

"Well then, let's get straight to the point," Katase said, clearing his throat. "Coach Irihata may have already mentioned it—around mid-July, we're holding a Japan–U.S. High School Volleyball Exchange Match, jointly with the American side."

"It's going to be an important match. We're putting together the strongest youth team we can and taking this very seriously."

"Taichi, on behalf of the Japan Youth Team, I'd like to officially invite you to join."

"…."

So it really was that, Taichi thought. Not that he wasn't looking forward to it—but in this kind of serious setting, part of him really wanted to say, 'But I refuse!'

"Taichi?" Coach Irihata gave a small cough, trying to nudge him back to reality.

Taichi shouldn't have been this surprised. Irihata had already told him he would definitely be invited. Still, having the vice president himself show up…maybe that title had caught him off guard?

"Oh, this kind of match sounds fun—I'll definitely join," Taichi said cheerfully as he came back to his senses.

Katase nodded. Then, Taichi suddenly asked, "Mr. Katase, can you tell me who else is on the team?"

"Taichi!" Mizoguchi Sadayuki, who had been sitting quietly in the corner, looked alarmed. You couldn't just ask something like that!

"Hm? Is that not allowed?"

"Haha, it's not that," Katase chuckled. "We've only just confirmed the starting lineup."

"Really?" Taichi leaned forward with interest.

Katase couldn't help but laugh. Should I even keep talking? This kid...

"The starting lineup currently includes Sakusa Kiyoomi and Komori Motoya from Itachiyama, Miya Atsumu and Suna Rintarō from Inarizaki, Hoshiumi Kōrai and Hirugami Sachirō from Kamomedai—and you."

"All third-years, huh." Taichi nodded thoughtfully. Honestly, he had no objections to those names. But if they included the bench, there were definitely some underclassmen who deserved a spot—like his own team's prodigy, Nakamori Daiki.

Actually, Katase already had a reserve list. Players like Miya Osamu from Inarizaki, Hakuba Gao from Kamomedai, Sanada Shunpei and Akiha Kazuma from Inubushi-Higashi, and even Aone Takanobu—whose performance in yesterday's final had caught Katase's eye. Japan didn't produce enough quality middle blockers, after all.

Aside from those third-years, they were also considering second-years like Riseki Heisuke (Inarizaki), Kunimi Akira (Aoba Johsai), Kageyama Tobio (Karasuno), Hyakuzawa Yūdai (Kakugawa); and first-years like Sarukui Fūto (Fukurodani), Nakamori Daiki (Aoba Johsai), Kai Suzuharu (Inubushi-Higashi), Kimura Ryōta (Date Tech), and Nagamatsu Muto (Shiratorizawa).

But the final roster was limited to just 14 players. The rest had to be carefully selected—and there was no need to explain it all to the boy in front of him.

"If you haven't decided on the reserves yet, I'd like to recommend Aoba Johsai's Kunimi Akira and Nakamori Daiki. If you've watched our matches, you'd know how good they are," Taichi suddenly said, unprompted. "Also, Kyōtani Kentarō, Aone Takanobu, Kageyama Tobio, Nishinoya Yū…sure, I beat them all—but they're still really strong."

"Taichi!" Even Coach Irihata covered his face this time. This kid truly didn't care about decorum.

"Hahaha!" Katase burst into laughter.

"You really are something else. Don't worry, I've already noticed that Miyagi has a lot of players who've been overlooked," he said. Back when Ushijima Wakatoshi dominated the region, they'd completely missed out on players like Oikawa Tōru.

Now, Ushijima had been replaced by Taichi. That was all.

"We'll finalise the team based on how everyone performs at the Inter High Nationals. After the tournament, you'll join a two-week training camp, and then represent Japan in the match against the U.S."

"We're hoping you all achieve a great result."

"To put it simply, we just have to win, right?"

Taichi's confident tone caught Katase off guard—then he laughed.

"Exactly. Just win the match."

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