"Look, that's Karasuno over there."
"Karasuno?"
"They're the team that went to a full three sets against Aoba Johsai at the IH, with the score neck and neck."
In Karasuno's corner, everyone had taken off their shoes and sat on a groundsheet, organizing their equipment—knee pads, elbow pads, and the like.
Nearby spectators began talking when they spotted Karasuno.
"They've got the King of the Court from Kitagawa Daiichi."
"And Nishinoya from Chidoriyama."
"The Best Libero from middle school?"
"That's right. But there's someone else who's no joke too. He can reliably receive Oikawa from Aoba Johsai's serves. I think he's their captain."
"But I remember Karasuno's players not being very tall."
"That was before. Look over there, at that tall guy with black hair."
One of them held up a program bought at the entrance and motioned for his companion to look at Hayato.
"He's so tall. He's got to be over 190 centimeters, right?"
"Kuroba Hayato, a second-year. Apparently, he became a regular as soon as he joined Karasuno."
"Seriously? That's incredible."
The chatter from the bystanders did not affect Karasuno in the slightest. If anything, the team had already split into the nervous group, the calm group, and the fired-up group.
Hinata represented the nervous group. Sure enough, he had thrown up again. This time, he had done a little better and held it in until after getting off the bus, sparing Tanaka's pants. Yamaguchi, meanwhile, felt like he might throw up too whenever he thought about Hinata vomiting.
"Actually, I... I'm nervous enough that I kind of want to throw up too."
Asahi, his hair tied back with a headband, raised a clenched fist to his mouth. His complexion looked terrible.
"I thought you were concentrating on the match. Turns out you were trying not to throw up?"
Sugawara immediately teased him.
"Oh, oh, oh! When is our match? I can't wait anymore!"
"We had a bye, so it should be the next match, right?"
Nishinoya was excited, while Kageyama calmly rummaged through his bag and took out his knee pads.
Soon, the match before Karasuno ended, and it was time for them to take the court and warm up. As captain, Daichi spoke first.
"It's our turn. Let's go!"
Everyone answered in unison and pushed the ball cart onto the court.
The entire team changed into their official uniforms, and Hayato put on the black jersey bearing the number 13.
Who would have thought that their opponents, the players from Sennan High School, looked like a bunch of delinquents?
"You're so damn loud, idiots."
"Sennan is full of punks."
Glaring at the other side, Tanaka said this with an unhappy look on his face. Sugawara, beside him, immediately retorted, "You've got some nerve saying that. Wipe that expression off your face."
The warm-up began. Kageyama set for everyone else, and just after Asahi spiked a ball, the Sennan players started provoking them. One kept clicking his tongue, while another stared at Tanaka's hairstyle.
"That Monk's Head is so lame. Seriously lame."
Furious, Tanaka pressed his palms together and pulled a monk-like face.
"This humble monk has come to pay his respects. Please enlighten me." Then he unleashed a powerful spike that startled the other side.
"Take this, bastard!"
After spiking, he deliberately pressed his palms together again and faced Kageyama.
"Forgive this humble monk for the poor hospitality."
Kageyama looked utterly confused, but he still obediently returned the gesture with a bow.
Hayato, watching the show from the side, laughed gleefully to himself. Of course, he still had to maintain his persona outwardly. As it happened, after Tanaka's spike, it was his turn.
A spike even more powerful than Tanaka's slammed into the floor right along the sideline. It instantly cowed the opposing players, and they no longer dared to provoke anyone, obediently returning to their warm-up.
Seeing Karasuno's overwhelming performance, Sennan captain Towada Yoshiki, with his slicked-back hair, was stunned. He had met Hinata in the restroom earlier, and now he realized that the little guy had not been joking when he said they were going to Nationals.
After the warm-up, both teams stood along their respective lines. At the referee's whistle, everyone bowed and shouted, "Please take care of us!"
Karasuno's first match had begun.
"Listen up. Although their third-years have retired, their original core was made up of second-years. They also won their first match cleanly this time, so don't let your guard down. Pay particular attention to Number 1 on the left side."
Coach Ukai gave his pre-match speech, and once he finished, Teacher Takeda added to it.
"Since the IH ended, we have challenged unfamiliar things and continued to build our coordination. Along the way, we played practice matches against strong teams from Kanto and won more than forty matches. We have proven our strength. Now, it is time for you to show it. Fly, crows!"
"Yes!"
"Karasuno! Let's go!"
As everyone on the court shouted encouragement, Hitoka stood behind Karasuno's banner in the stands and quietly cheered along. Only one manager was allowed in the team area, so she had no choice but to watch everyone from here.
At that moment, Old Man Ukai also came to watch, accompanied by the elementary school kids who had helped train Hinata. The kids quickly started chatting with Hitoka. The old man also began talking with another acquaintance in the stands.
"Karasuno has an incredible first-year pair now, and they recently added a second-year with excellent technique. Karasuno has a lot of promise this year."
"There is no match that is certain to be lost, and no match that is certain to be won. Tiny differences in condition, nervousness, impatience... No matter how strong they are, players are still human. One small mistake can send them tumbling hard. So, how is Karasuno's condition today?"
The old man looked toward the court with anticipation.
Karasuno had won the first serve in today's opening match. The players on court were:
Front row: Tsukishima, Kageyama, Tanaka.
Back row: Hayato, Daichi, Hinata. Libero Nishinoya rotated with Hinata.
"Hayato, give us a good serve!"
Nishinoya's encouragement rang out. Holding the ball, Hayato closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing his mind. When he opened his eyes again, he felt in perfect condition. At the whistle for service, he tossed the ball high into the air.
Whoosh! Bang! The whistle sounded to signal a point.
A perfect service ace. The other side had no chance to resist. Hayato raised his left hand, pointed his index finger at the opponents, and said softly,
"Railgun, hit."
He struck a melodramatic pose, and only then did his teammates react, shouting their approval. Hinata, who had rotated out with Nishinoya at the start, raised both hands in the substitute area.
"Yeah! It's the Railgun!"
Nishinoya also came over to bump fists with Hayato.
"Hayato, that serve was super cool!"
"Of course it was."
Hitoka cheered happily from outside the court as well.
"That's great! So amazing!"
"He got a service ace right at the start." The old man's acquaintance was energized by Hayato's successful point.
"Heh, not bad."
With his arms folded, the old man offered satisfied praise.
Then Hayato scored five consecutive service aces. The court fell silent for a time, and everyone was stunned. Where had such an incredible player come from?
Sennan had been completely overwhelmed. Their captain, Towada Yoshiki, was reminded of the Shiratorizawa they had faced before. Back then, they could only be described as suffering a crushing defeat, losing 6–24, just like the situation now.
Fortunately, Hayato's sixth serve went out, giving Sennan the serve.
Seeing that he had made a serving error, Hayato clicked his tongue in displeasure, then apologized to everyone. They reassured him that there would be another ball and told him not to rush.
When Hitoka in the stands saw Hayato's expression after the serving error, she shivered. This was her first time seeing Kuroba-senpai in an official match. She had not expected the normally friendly Kuroba-senpai to give off such an oppressive feeling when he made a mistake on the court.
"Eek, Kuroba-senpai looked so scary just now."
The new Karasuno was unstoppable. Sennan's feint during a spike was quickly spotted as well. Daichi made a timely save, and the ball was sent to Hayato in the front row. His spike struck a player directly on the arm. The player had intended to receive it, but the ball was too powerful and flew away the moment it hit his arm. Karasuno scored again.
The score reached a terrifying 16–3. Once the score reached 16, they could enter a one-minute technical timeout.
Everyone walked over to the coach.
"Very good. You have performed extremely well. I'm sure you've noticed it too. After facing Kanto's powerhouse schools, the power of your serves, the power of your spikes, the variety of your attacks, and your defensive ability have all changed. Having faced players of that level, you are no longer the same as before. So, everyone, maintain your current form and take this match."
"Yes!!"
With Hinata scoring on a new Monster Quick Attack, and shouting happily, the first set ended 25–10 in a landslide. Looking at Hinata's small frame, Sennan's captain could not help recalling the firm look in Hinata's eyes when he said he would defeat Wakatoshi Ushijima and advance to Nationals. He and his teammates were serious.
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