Haikyuu: Zero To Almighty-Chapter 551: San Juan vs. Nizhnev

December 16th—Day One of the Club World Championship

Morning Matches:

Group A:Argentina's CA San Juan vs. Russia's Nizhnev

Group B:Japan's Ryujin NIPPON vs. Qatar's Al-Rayyan

Afternoon Matches:

Group A: Italy's Trentino Volley vs. Brazil's ASAS São Paulo

Group B:Poland's LUK Lublin vs. Congo's Mazembe

"Dear viewers, welcome to the wind-and-fire intertwined battleground of Rome, Italy! You are now watching live coverage of the 2016 Men's Volleyball Club World Championship! The fire of battle is about to ignite, as top clubs from around the globe converge like stars on this grand stage!"

"Here at the PalaLottomatica Arena, a venue where countless miracles have unfolded, the tournament begins with a clash between the South American lions of San Juan, and the iron tide of Europe—Nizhnev!"

"Will the wild spirit of the savannah tear through steel? Or will the polar bear's block claim dominance over the net? Let's find out!"

-----

"Taichi, what are you thinking about?"

As usual, right before the match, Oikawa Tōru leaned in for a hushed exchange with Kaedehara Taichi, the way he always used to back in their Aoba Johsai days.

"I was just observing something," Taichi said. "Looks like we're the shortest team in Group A."

"Why are you looking at me?" Oikawa took a cautious half-step back. "I'm not the shortest setter out there!"

"You really have the nerve to say that?" Taichi gave him a side glance.

Oikawa wasn't wrong—technically, only Kageyama Tobio and Miya Atsumu were shorter than him among the starting setters in this tournament…

"Taichi, what's the plan today?!" Loser asked excitedly. Even though it was his first Club World Championship too, something about following Taichi's lead just felt right.

All of San Juan's players turned to look at Taichi. Ever since he'd been confirmed as the team's ace during the South American Championship, their offensive rhythm had grown more and more outrageous.

No one had been able to stop San Juan's attacks.

Bad form? With Taichi on the court, such a thing didn't exist.

That nearly arrogant level of confidence he exuded had gradually infected the team through every match.

And now, they had no reservations about treating him as the absolute core of the team.

They believed in him—without question—as the strongest player in the world.

No one else even came close.

"Didn't everyone say Group A is the Group of Death?" Taichi smiled faintly. "Well, they're not wrong. It's just that—"

"We're the ones bringing death to them."

-----

"Taichi. Long time no see."

Yaku Morisuke appeared in front of Kaedehara Taichi, flanked by his "underlings."

"This time, we're the ones with the height advantage."

Back in their high school days, Nekoma had never once beaten Aoba Johsai, not in friendlies, and not in nationals. They had always been the smaller team, cornered into defense, ultimately defeated.

Now, the tide had turned.

Just as Yaku had sought revenge against Sakusa and others during training matches, there was only one opponent left for him to face again.

"Yaku-senpai, I heard you crushed those guys who stayed behind in Japan," Taichi said with a sweet, dangerous smile. "Surely that's not where your confidence is coming from?"

"Huh, you've got good sources," Yaku replied. "I figured they'd be too embarrassed to talk about that. Wait…was it Kunimi who told you?"

"Well, then you two will soon have something in common—losing to me."

"Looks like you didn't grow taller in Russia, Yaku-senpai," Taichi said cheerfully, "but your ego sure did."

"I'll help you remember what it feels like to lose to me."

—"Let's have a good match."

They firmly shook hands.

---

[Player Stats]

[Yaku Morisuke—Libero:Height: 176 cm

Serve: 60 | Receive: 99 | Dig: 99 | Set: 95 | Spike: 60| Block: 60.]

[Ivan Glukhov—Outside Hitter:Height: 204 cm

Serve: 92 | Receive: 88 | Dig: 90 | Set: 92 | Spike: 97| Block: 96

Spike Reach: 365 cm /Block Reach: 342 cm.]

[Kobzar—Setter:Height: 198 cm

Serve: 94 | Receive: 90 | Dig: 92 | Set: 95 | Spike: 95| Block: 90

Spike Reach: 358 cm /Block Reach: 340 cm.]

---

Taichi only gave the two towering figures behind Yaku a passing glance before losing interest. He'd sized them up in a second—they weren't worth his focus.

After some casual greetings, the two teams returned to their respective sides to warm up.

-----

"Beeep—!"

"Welcome to the 2016 Men's Volleyball Club World Championship!

Group A's first match: San Juan vs. Nizhnev—begins now!"

Starting Lineups

Nizhnev (Russia):

Front row—Outside Hitter Ivan Glukhov, Middle Blocker Igor Kulikov, Opposite Hitter Mikhail.

Back row—Setter Kobzar, Middle Blocker Volvich (Libero: Yaku Morisuke) and Outside Hitter Viktor Bohl.

San Juan (Argentina):

Front row—Outside Hitter Kaedehara Taichi, Middle Blocker Martín Ramos, Setter Oikawa Tōru.

Back row—Opposite Hitter Bruno Lima, Middle Blocker Agustín Loser (Libero: Santiago Danani) and Outside Hitter Facundo Conte.

---

[Player Stats]

[Mikhail—Opposite Hitter:Height: 202 cm

Serve: 98 | Receive: 95 | Dig: 95 | Set: 92 | Spike: 98| Block: 97

Spike Reach: 368 cm /Block Reach: 346 cm.]

[Viktor Bohl—Outside Hitter:Height: 196 cm

Serve: 94 | Receive: 93 | Dig: 93 | Set: 93 | Spike: 98| Block: 95

Spike Reach: 370 cm /Block Reach: 343 cm.]

[Igor Kulikov—Middle Blocker:Height: 209 cm

Serve: 95 | Receive: 86 | Dig: 86 | Set: 88 | Spike: 99| Block: 99

Spike Reach: 370 cm /Block Reach: 352 cm.]

[Volvich—Middle Blocker:Height: 210 cm

Serve: 90 | Receive: 88 | Dig: 82 | Set: 86 | Spike: 99| Block: 99 freewēbnoveℓ.com

Spike Reach: 370 cm /Block Reach: 350 cm.]

---

"So these are Russia's main force," Taichi mused to himself. "Now this is finally getting interesting."

---

"Currently ranked #4 in the world, Nizhnev boasts towering front-row talent. Beyond the well-known twin stars Viktor and Igor, the one everyone is watching is their newest ace—Mikhail!"

"With a well-rounded and exquisite skill set, he's become the key pillar of the team—unshakable whether attacking or defending!"

"On top of that, libero Yaku Morisuke, ranked among the top five liberos in the world, has greatly boosted Nizhnev's defensive capabilities. His presence is a cornerstone of the team's continued rise in form..."

"San Juan has faced Nizhnev three times in international tournaments, with a record of one win and two losses, placing them slightly behind in the head-to-head."

"However, with the addition of Oikawa Tōru and Kaedehara Taichi, San Juan's win rate has soared! They've remained undefeated in both the Argentine league and the South American Championship!"

"They were already known throughout Japan as the strongest setter–spiker duo in high school, their coordination seamless. Now, they're showing that same level of synergy to the world!"

-----

"Waaahhh!! It really is Taichi and Oikawa!"

In the Aoba Johsai High School faculty office, Mizoguchi Sadayuki was practically vibrating with excitement, shaking Irihata Nobuteru back and forth in his grip.

"Pfft—hahahaha!"

Irihata laughed loudly, completely unbothered by the risk of his body falling apart from all the jostling.

"Irihata-sensei, Mizoguchi-sensei—"

Ueda Ritsu, rolling his eyes, looked at the scene before him. He was now the captain of Aoba Johsai, a former first-year who had once followed behind Kunimi Akira.

Just one look at Irihata and Gouguchi's faces was enough for him to guess:

They were definitely watching the match of Taichi-senpai and Oikawa-senpai again.

Because nothing else ever made them this happy.

-----

"Coach Nekomata! Your pupil has become a global superstar!"

A similar scene played out at Nekoma High. The other teachers had gathered around Coach Nekomata, excitedly watching the game.

-----

At the centre of the court stood Kaedehara Taichi, eyes gradually sharpening with focus as he soaked in the atmosphere of the match.

[Host's Stats]

[Kaedehara Taichi—Outside Hitter:Height: 198 cm

Serve: 99 | Receive: 98 | Dig: 95 | Set: 96 | Spike: 99| Block: 99

Spike Reach: 382 cm /Block Reach: 355 cm.]

The match began.

San Juan to serve first.

_________

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