Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 437: The Coolest Position (Double-Length)

Strange. This was really strange.

The opponents were just a bunch of high schoolers who had never even played professionally, yet somehow they were this strong...

In this third set, Team USA had already deployed their strongest lineup. No one was letting their guard down anymore. And yet, as the match approached its midpoint—it was still Team Japan in the lead?

"What the hell is with these guys?!"

"What an interesting match," Micah Christenson suddenly said.

The others turned to him, surprised to see a gentle smile tugging at Micah Christenson's lips.

"Christenson…!?"

"Until now, they've all been the stars of their own stages—just a bunch of high schoolers playing volleyball in school clubs," Micah said, a wistful look in his eyes. "They don't carry any heavy burdens. They're just fighting with everything they've got…chasing after victory."

"That kind of feeling…It's something we who were raised on the ideals of professionalism—who've always looked up at the pro scene—might never fully understand."

"To face opponents this pure…It's honestly moving."

The rest of the team looked at each other in confusion. Chasing victory? That was what they had always done too, wasn't it…?

"Russell, Anderson—you two probably get what I mean," Micah said with a smile.

"Yeah. They don't seem to have any distractions when it comes to winning," said Aaron Russell calmly.

"Hah. It's more than just winning…" Matt Anderson said, eyes following Kaedehara Taichi's figure. "Every single one of them thinks they're the strongest."

"What are you guys even talking about—?" Max Holt couldn't help asking.

"I don't expect you to understand," Micah Christenson replied, glancing at the rest of them. "But to see such an unpredictable, electrifying match unfold right before our eyes—and to wear such disappointed expressions…"

"There's nothing more satisfying than crushing opponents like these."

-----

Serve rotation. Japan now had the serve. Kaedehara Taichi stepped onto the service line.

Team USA didn't hesitate to set up a four-man receive formation.

In terms of pure serve-and-receive skills alone, Japan had clearly come out ahead in this match.

Taichi tossed the ball, ran up, jumped—and struck!

BOOM!!!

A powerful jump serve from the left hand!

The ball fired out like a bullet, rocketing straight toward the corner of the American side.

Smack!

"Get it!" Taylor Sander shouted.

It made no sense—how could this guy maintain such terrifying speed on every single serve? Just managing to receive the ball took all his effort. There was no way he had energy left to handle the spin.

Micah Christenson sprinted up, bumping the ball back toward the net, and Matt Anderson leapt for the spike.

"Triple block!" Hoshiumi Kōrai, Sakusa Kiyoomi, and Kageyama Tobio all jumped simultaneously.

Matt Anderson aimed to avoid the blockers and spiked toward the three-meter line on Japan's right—only to catch a glimpse of Kageyama's arms shifting in the same direction.

They changed their blocking strategy?

BAM!!!

The ball shot through the gap between the three blockers and slammed down just past Kageyama on the three-meter line.

Matt Anderson scored.

[Japan 12 – 9 USA]

"Sorry!" Kageyama called out.

Their opponent had adjusted their attack midair—proof that his own thoughts had been read.

"No worries. Next one," Taichi said.

Just one step. If he had been a step further forward, he might've been able to receive that ball.

Serve rotation again—now it was Team USA's turn.

The good news: Micah Christenson was rotating to the back row.

The bad news: Micah Christenson was serving.

Japan reacted the same way the Americans had earlier—Hoshiumi Kōrai quickly dropped into the back row, forming a four-man receive.

"Tweet!—"

The whistle blew.

Micah Christenson fired a powerful jump serve.

Starting somewhere in the middle of the match, Christenson had been laser-focused on targeting Japan's setters with every serve—whether it was Miya Atsumu or Kageyama Tobio.

BOOM!!!

With the defensive coverage now narrower, Miya Atsumu was practically facing the serve head-on.

Smack!

He barely managed to receive it—the ball flew off toward Kaedehara Taichi on the right.

"Cover it!"

It didn't seem like Taichi heard Atsumu's call at all—he just sprinted straight toward the front row.

At that moment, he and Kageyama passed each other. Kageyama quickly slid into position beneath the ball.

Thump!

Taichi jumped from the back row for a spike.

"Double block!" Max Holt and Taylor Sander both jumped up to intercept.

Whoosh—!

The ball flew out from the right corner and sailed toward the left-centre zone in the front row—where Sakusa Kiyoomi leapt for the kill.

Knew it…

Matt Anderson jumped to block.

BAM!—

Smack!

The ball ricocheted off Matt Anderson's arm and dropped quickly toward the left.

Sakusa's target had been the block all along—

If it hits the block anyway, then there's no need to aim for the hands and try to score off a touch-out. Landing it inbounds works just as well.

Thud!

One foot caught the ball—Matt Anderson had landed on one leg, off-balance, almost falling. He caught himself with one hand on the floor and pushed up in one smooth motion.

Micah Christenson was already in position beneath the ball.

"Damn it!"

Sakusa hadn't expected that to be saved. He glanced at Micah—thankfully, since Micah had stepped up from the back row, he couldn't execute a second attack.

Matt Anderson recovered and ran laterally to the left, leaping again—Sakusa was already there, blocking him head-on.

Whoosh—!

The ball sailed steadily to the right. Max Holt faked a spike, drawing both Hoshiumi and Kageyama into the block.

BOOM!!!

Aaron Russell scored off a back-row attack.

[Japan 12 – 10 USA]

"These guys are so damn annoying!"

Team USA continued serving.

Micah Christenson served again.

BOOM!!!

Smack!

Miya Atsumu received it cleanly. Kageyama immediately stepped in to set—Hoshiumi, Sakusa, and Kaedehara Taichi all launched an attack.

Whoosh!—

The ball soared high into the air. Kageyama knew exactly how to feed the jump-happy little guy.

Thud!

Hoshiumi soared up from the far left.

"Triple block!" The Americans had insanely fast block coordination.

BOOM!—

Smack!

"First touch!" Matt Anderson shouted.

It looked like just a light jump, yet it was enough to keep up with Hoshiumi Kōrai's spike.

Smack!

Aaron Russell made the first touch, lifting the ball up. Micah Christenson leapt at the net to set.

"Damn it!"

Even though they knew there was no way Micah Christenson would go for a second attack, Japan's front line couldn't help but be momentarily distracted by his movement.

The three attackers on the U.S. team split up quickly and launched a simultaneous assault.

THUD!

"——!?"

The volleyball landed directly on Japan's court. Sakusa Kiyoomi and Hoshiumi were still posed to block, unable to move.

Point for the U.S.

[Japan 12 – 11 USA]

In the blink of an eye, the score gap had closed to just one.

"What the heck was that?!"

"The ball just…hit the floor?"

Gasps rose from the audience—not because of some dramatic spike, but because Micah Christenson hadn't even touched the ball. Aaron Russell's first touch had flown right past the blockers and dropped straight onto Japan's court!

Precisely because they were sure Micah wouldn't attempt a second attack, Sakusa and Hoshiumi had focused all their attention on the hitters.

Yet without even touching the ball, Christenson had the same effect as a second attack!

"That guy's way too smart," Hibarida Fuki muttered with a furrowed brow. "That timing was just too perfect…With this, defenders will be forced to keep watching him, no matter what…"

The U.S. team continued serving.

Micah Christenson launched his third serve.

The root of Japan's recent struggles was no mystery—Miya Atsumu had been targeted repeatedly. With his passes disrupted, even though Kageyama Tobio could still accurately set the ball to the front-row attackers, scoring remained tough against the well-prepared U.S. block.

While both teams were on par offensively, when it came to defence—especially blocking—the Americans clearly held the edge.

Smack!

The ball flew toward Japan's back corner. Kaedehara Taichi received it, and Kageyama jumped at the net to set. Sakusa and Hoshiumi both launched into attack.

There were no blockers in front of Kageyama—just like the situation Miya had faced earlier.

BOOM!

No setter could resist the temptation. Kageyama went for the kill himself.

"Bring it!"

Taylor Sander shifted right to block, while Erik Shoji dove to save.

They only dared attempt such coverage because they had full faith in their ability to make the save.

Smack!

The ball bounced off Erik Shoji's wrist and popped into the air.

"Nice dig!"

Micah Christenson quickly repositioned and sent the ball high to the centre.

Thump!

Matt Anderson leapt for the spike.

"Double block!" Sakusa and Hoshiumi rose in sync.

BOOM!!!

The ball avoided the block and slammed onto the left three-meter line of Japan's court.

Smack!

Komori Motoya dug it up!

"Don't think you can keep scoring so easily!" Komori raised his brow smugly.

"Now!" Miya jumped in to set, and Kaedehara Taichi was already charging in from the back row.

Whoosh!—

BOOM!!!

"Double block!" Max Holt and Taylor Sander jumped to intercept.

But an unsuccessful attack often left holes in the block.

The ball smashed down on the left-side three-meter line of the U.S. court and bounced off hard.

Kaedehara Taichi scored with a back-row attack!

[Japan 13 – 11 USA]

After a fierce back-and-forth, Japan held firm, denying the Americans the equaliser and breaking their momentum!

-----

The score continued to climb for both sides, the pace of the match accelerating even further.

The spectators sat glued to the court, their hearts rising and falling with each point. One moment the U.S. landed a beautiful spike, and the next, Japan fired back. The ball zipped back and forth over the net, and both teams were now firing on all cylinders.

"You've got the picture now, right, Kai?"

"Yes, sir!" Kai Suzuharu nodded firmly. Thanks to the fierce rallies from his senior teammates, the image in his mind was becoming clearer and clearer.

"Beep! Japan requests a substitution."

"Hirugami Sachirō OUT, Kai Suzuharu IN."

"Beep! USA requests a substitution."

"Taylor Sander OUT, Torey DeFalco IN."

It was obvious now—Japan had taken the lead at 20 points, and both teams were preparing for the final push.

[Japan 20 – 19 USA]

Serve change. Japan was up to serve.

Kageyama Tobio gripped the volleyball tightly in both hands and drew in a deep breath. If nothing went wrong, this might be the last time he stood on the court this match.

"Tweet!—"

The whistle blew.

Kageyama tossed the ball, ran up, leapt, and served.

BOOM!!!—

Smack!

The ball struck Aaron Russell's arm and soared into the air.

"Cover!"

Micah Christenson scrambled to reposition.

He hadn't expected such a powerful serve from Japan—when a back-row player received a serve that forcefully, it often left them out of position to join the next attack. In the beginning of the match, the U.S. could afford to rely on Matt Anderson alone, but now—

They clearly weren't a one-man team anymore.

Whoosh—!

"Right wing!" Kai Suzuharu shouted loudly. Even though he was trapped by Anderson's block on the left, he still had to make the call—that was the purpose of being on the court!

Torey DeFalco leapt for a spike.

"Double block!" Hoshiumi and Sakusa jumped to stop him.

BOOM!!!—

A wipe-off spike!

The ball grazed over the top of the block and slammed toward the right sideline of Japan's court.

Smack!

Kageyama Tobio dived and saved the ball.

"Miya-senpai—!"

If there wasn't another setter on the court, Kageyama would never have made such a desperate save.

Whoosh—!

The ball arced steadily toward the centre. Hoshiumi leapt to spike.

"Triple block!" Max Holt, Matt Anderson, and Torey DeFalco all jumped together.

Would it be a wipe-off? A direct hit?

The instant psychological duel between attacker and blockers unfolded.

—BOOM!!

Smack!

The ball grazed off Matt Anderson's fingertips and shot far out of bounds.

Erik Shoji gave chase toward the baseline. "As long as I can get to it, we can still counterattack!"

Smack!

The ball flew back toward the U.S. back row. Micah Christenson jumped—

BOOM!!!

Smack!

The ball traced a wicked arc and smacked off Kageyama's arm, flying out of bounds.

A powerful back-row spike—left-handed—from Christenson, executed so flawlessly even most regular hitters couldn't dream of matching it.

Micah Christenson scored from the back row.

[Japan 20 – 20 USA]

This was what it meant to be a true "setter with a sword."

Micah Christenson's performance embodied that perfectly.

At 196 cm tall, with impeccable sets, delicate spiking technique, a trained left hand, and the ability to launch attacks from both front and back row…

In that moment, Miya Atsumu and Kageyama Tobio both caught a glimpse of how vast the world truly was.

—"As expected, setters are the coolest."

_________

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