Haikyuu: Reborn at Karasuno

Across the net, no one moved. The volleyball rolled along the floor a few times before stopping. Hayato was the first to speak.

"Oh, oh, oh! That was fast—even I surprised myself!"

"That was a jump serve, right?"

"It was way too fast!"

Asahi and Nishinoya stared in shock, their reactions completely genuine. From the sidelines, Hitoka flinched.

"Eek! If that hit me, I think my arms would break!"

"I didn't expect Hayato to be this incredible."

Kiyoko, too, was stunned. She'd known he had only one year of experience—and she'd always known he used to play basketball—but she hadn't expected this. Apparently, Hayato had experienced a lot during the time they'd been apart.

Coach Ukai's eyes sparkled with interest. The form, the accuracy, the power—it was clear Hayato had a solid foundation. Exactly the kind of player Karasuno needed.

Currently, only Kageyama could consistently execute a jump serve, and while Asahi had the strength, his serves still lacked consistency. Seeing someone new land a perfect jump serve on the first try was... well, it was a game-changer.

Hayato's teammates looked equally impressed. Daichi clapped his hands together and brought everyone back to focus.

"Alright, that's just the first point. Let's not get carried away. But Kuroha-kun, nice work."

He gave Hayato a thumbs-up. Hayato nodded with a smile and stepped back into position, volleyball in hand.

The whistle blew.

Tsukishima, standing in the front row, instinctively crossed his arms to shield the back of his head. After witnessing that serve firsthand, he wasn't taking any chances.

Hayato tossed the ball high once again. Another clean jump serve. Another point.

Four serves in a row later, Nishinoya finally managed to receive one. But even though he pulled it off, his grimace said everything.

"Damn... that stung," he muttered, teeth clenched.

The ball was up. Kageyama moved in and set it.

"Cover!" someone shouted.

Hinata leapt, eyes closed, arm swinging—

THWACK!

The ball zipped through the air and slammed into the court on Hayato's side. They didn't react fast enough.

"So that's the freak quick..." Hayato murmured, both impressed and amused.

To see it in person—the infamous quick attack where Hinata jumped without even looking—was surreal. It was as chaotic as it was brilliant. Still, Hayato knew this technique had its weaknesses. Once opponents adjusted to the timing, it could be blocked. That's why Hinata and Kageyama would eventually evolve their combo.

But only if the defense could keep up.

From there, the match turned fierce. Neither side could pull away. Hayato, though calm and composed, quickly proved to be a powerhouse. Unlike Hinata, who relied heavily on instinct and athleticism, Hayato played a more tactical game. He had Tsukishima's reading skills—but with far more physicality and fighting spirit.

Time and again, Hinata's spikes were received or blocked by Hayato.

Coach Ukai watched from the side, his excitement growing. Hayato was practically flawless. His technical skills, team communication, and adaptability stood out. He wasn't a showboat, but he brought energy to the whole team. After every point, whether won or lost, Hayato encouraged his teammates—always smiling, always supportive.

When in the front row, he called for the ball confidently. Sugawara, drawn in by his presence, naturally set to him. And Hayato delivered. Whether it was a powerful spike or a smart out-of-bounds play, he racked up points. When defenders focused too much on him, Tanaka slipped in unnoticed and scored with ease.

Hayato's presence uplifted the whole team.

Sugawara, flushed with adrenaline, gave him a hearty slap on the back after another point.

"Yosh!!"

Hayato grinned and bumped fists with him.

"Next one's on you, Setter."

"Leave it to me!"

The score hit 22–19. Hayato stepped up to serve again.

The players in the front row instinctively raised their arms to shield themselves.

"Let's go, Kuroha!" someone shouted.

Hayato launched another jump serve—but this time, Nishinoya was ready.

"Like I'll let you score again!"

He dug the ball cleanly, sending it into the air. Momentum shifted. Kageyama instantly set up Hinata for another freak quick, but this time, Hayato was ready.

He had adjusted to Hinata's speed.

The moment he saw Hinata leap, Hayato rushed into position.

BOOM—the ball slammed into his arms. It stung, but he kept it up.

"Nice receive!" someone shouted.

Tanaka followed up, hammering the ball down for the point.

"Blocked again! Damn it!" Hinata cried.

The match continued. Kiyoko stood by the gym wall, a soft smile playing at her lips. Seeing her childhood friend in his element—and just how much better the team looked with him—filled her with quiet happiness.

"Kuroha-senpai's dive was so clean..." Hitoka whispered as she watched, eyes wide.

Kiyoko nodded. "He's definitely going to raise our level."

Eventually, the match ended. Final score: 25–21. Hayato's team won.

Coach Ukai gathered everyone. The managers passed out towels and water. Despite being just a practice game, the intensity had everyone dripping with sweat.

"You all played well," Ukai said. "Especially you, Hayato. Did you really only play volleyball for one year?"

"Yeah. I played for one year in second year of middle school."

Hayato casually wiped his sweat with the towel, his expression unreadable. Technically, it wasn't a lie. The original Hayato had played volleyball for one year before switching to basketball in high school.

But this Hayato wasn't the same.

With over ten years of experience in his previous life, Hayato had returned with the skills of a seasoned veteran. Still, volleyball wasn't a solo sport. Even with talent, he couldn't carry the team alone—and this new body wasn't fully tuned to his limits yet.

His sudden growth from 185 to 191 cm was both a blessing and a hurdle. In fact, he'd bumped his head on more doorframes this past month than he could count.

"One year, huh... Well, if that's the case," Coach Ukai said, stepping forward with a hopeful look, "Kuroha-kun... please join the volleyball club. With your talent, it'd be a waste not to."

Hayato chuckled. "Of course. Kiyoko-nee and I came today to join the club."

Kiyoko glared daggers at him. She wasn't fond of being called Kiyoko-nee in front of everyone.

Predictably, the team erupted.

"Wait—Kiyoko-nee?!"

"Kuroha-kun, what's your relationship with Kiyoko-senpai?!"

The third-years were shocked, but it was Nishinoya who reacted most dramatically.

"Nooo! That nickname's way too familiar! I'm so jealous!"

Tanaka chuckled and patted Nishinoya's shoulder. But Nishinoya turned on him.

"Ryu! You knew?! You've been in the same class as him all day!"

Tanaka burst out laughing. "Wahahaha! You think I was gonna suffer alone?"

As punishment, he was dragged into a corner by the third-years and given a "talk."

After things calmed down, Hayato clarified: he and Kiyoko were just childhood friends. The collective sigh of relief was almost comical.

Hayato looked around at the upperclassmen, mildly amused. He hadn't expected Kiyoko to be this... popular. Or maybe they were just scared he'd steal the club's one elegant, intelligent beauty.

Later, it was Q&A time.

Hinata rushed up, full of energy.

"Kuroha-senpai! How'd you get so tall?! Can you teach me how to do that block-out spike?!"

Kageyama followed. "You've only played for a year? That serve—how often do you practice?!"

Bombarded with questions, Hayato answered as best he could, laughing through it.

The whole gym buzzed with excitement.

One thing was clear to everyone:

With Hayato Kuroha joining the team, Karasuno's road to Nationals didn't seem like a dream anymore.

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POWER STONE!!