Haikyuu!!: The Disaster of Gamers

The whistle blew sharply, signaling the start of the serve.

Date Industrial's serve. The serve was straight, without any fancy spin, just pure power. Sawamura Daichi lowered his center of gravity, steadily raised his forearm, and sent the ball to the net.

"Great pass!"

Kageyama Tobio took his position, arms outstretched in front of his forehead. At the same time, the front-row attackers began to move into position. Kamakichi Yasushi, the muscular middle blocker from Date Industries, let out a roar like a wild beast and charged forward from position three.

This is a fast break.

Lu Ren and Tsukishima Hotaru jumped simultaneously. Their arms were side by side in the air, attempting to block the path. But Kama Saki's strength was simply unreasonable; he almost forcefully knocked Lu Ren's hand away, and the volleyball slammed into the floor with tremendous kinetic energy.

"Bang!"

The sound of that shot was incredibly loud.

Lu Ren landed, frowned, picked at his ear, and looked at Lian Xian, who was still roaring and celebrating, with a look of disgust.

"Is that guy's sound card broken? Is he just yelling for all the output?" Lu Ren shook his slightly numb hands and said, "Just like Tanaka and Hinata, so noisy."

The score went back and forth. Date Industrial didn't lose its composure because of Riku Ren's previous "lob shot"; that iron wall remained as thick and despairing as ever.

It's Date Kogyo's turn to serve again.

The ball cleared the net and was caught smoothly on the ground once again. Without any hesitation, Kageyama tossed the ball to the left wing.

"Senior Xu!"

Dongfeng Xu took a running start and jumped. However, Date Industrial's net was like an automatically guided missile, instantly erecting a high wall in front of him. Qinggen's outstretched palm almost blocked out all the light.

"Snapped!"

The volleyball was blocked hard.

"remedy!"

Daichi Sawamura reacted extremely quickly, diving forward and using the back of his hand to cushion the ball, barely managing to save it. The ball flew very high, but its position was poor, too far from the net.

"I'll do it!"

Lu Ren took two steps to the ball. This wasn't the setter's position, but Kageyama had just landed after saving the ball and hadn't had time to adjust. Lu Ren held the ball with both hands overhead, his eyes quickly scanning the court.

Date Industries' defenses have been reorganized.

"One more time!" Lu Ren exerted force with his wrist, pushing the ball high to the left wing once again.

Dong Fengxu gritted his teeth and jumped again. This time, he didn't choose to fight head-on, but instead aimed at the fingertips of Futakuchi Kenji.

"Zzz—"

The ball spun rapidly, grazing the fingertips of the blocker, changing direction, and flying towards Date Industrial's backcourt.

"An opportunity!" someone shouted from the Karasuno bench.

However, Date Industrial's libero, Yusuke Osaka, displayed exceptional skill, anticipating the deflection and sidestepping to deflect the ball.

"Counterattack!"

Date Industrial's setter, Shigeba, needed to quickly organize an attack. The ball was passed to Aone.

There were no fancy tactics, just pure height and power. Green Root stretched out like a heavy tank, crushing down on the net.

Lu Ren and Dong Fengxu jumped to block.

"Thump!"

A powerful shot struck Lu Ren's forearm, the force of which caused him to lose his balance in mid-air. Although some of the force was absorbed, the ball still flew uncontrollably towards the right side of the Karasuno field, about to go out of bounds.

"Tsukishima!"

The tall guy, who was usually so lazy, was now showing off his amazing long legs. Tsukishima Hotaru took two steps in one, scooped up the ball with her long arm, and forcefully pulled it back onto the court.

The ball flew very high and landed near the three-meter line.

After landing, Lu Ren quickly adjusted his center of gravity and ran back to the landing point.

"This round isn't over yet, stop watching!" Lu Ren shouted, raising his arms again.

At that moment, everyone in Karasuno moved.

Hinata started sprinting down the left flank, Higashimine Asahi prepared in the back row, and Tanaka spread out on the right. A multi-pronged attack was instantly established. Date Industrial's blocking was immediately distracted.

Lu Ren stared at the volleyball flying towards him, but out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of a dark figure silently cutting into the net.

It's Kageyama.

Lu Ren's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. As a setter, he actually had a stronger offensive desire than the attackers; this guy was a freak.

"for you!"

Lu Ren didn't pass to any of the main attackers, but instead flicked his wrist and delivered an extremely short, flat, and fast pass.

Target – Tokio Kageyama.

Kageyama stretched his body in mid-air; at this moment, he was no longer the calm thinker he once was, but an assassin baring his fangs. Facing an opening with only one defender blocking the net, he swung his arm and smashed the ball.

"Bang!"

The ball hit the fingertips of the blocker and bounced out of bounds.

"nice shot!!!"

The entire Karasuno team erupted in cheers. This point-by-point battle had been incredibly difficult, testing the resilience of their nerves every second.

Lu Ren let out a breath and glanced at the score on the big screen. Although they had won the point, his stamina was definitely running low. This kind of high-intensity offensive and defensive transitions, while also having to handle setting and blocking, were putting a considerable strain on him.

The whistle blows, time to change players.

Lu Ren was moved to the back row, while west Gu Xi stood on the sidelines holding her number plate.

"Alright, go and rest for a bit. Leave this to me." west Gu Xi patted Lu Ren on the back, her eyes burning with affection. "Don't worry, I'll take care of things in the back."

Lu Ren nodded, not trying to be brave.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Guardian Deity. Please don't let the ball hit the ground."

Lu Ren walked to the bench, took the water bottle and towel handed to him by Shimizu Kiyoko, and plopped down in a chair. Although he was a little tired, he knew very well that with his current physical reserves, he could play two full high-intensity matches with just a short rest.

The game continues on the field.

Karasuno's current lineup is quite impressive. Their front row consists of Hinata Shoyo, Tsukishima Kei, and Higashimine Asahi. The strongest bait, the highest wall, and the strongest spear—all three are gathered together.

Daichi Sawamura serves.

The ball went over the net, and Date Industrial received it perfectly. They were clearly eager to turn the tide as quickly as possible, and their offensive pace was very fast.

"Left!" Nishitani Yu shouted, her body already reacting.

Date Industrial's spike was easily caught by Nishiya. This short man, only 1.6 meters tall, had a reassuringly large presence on the court.

Kageyama quickly positioned himself and passed the ball to Tsukishima. Although Tsukishima's spike was high, it lacked power and was easily received by Date Kogyo's libero.

The shift from offense to defense.

The setter from Date Industrial High School passed the ball to Aone.

"It's that guy again!" Hinata jumped up in the front row to try to block, but his height was no match for Aone. The ball was hit, and although Hinata touched it, it wasn't blocked; instead, it flew crookedly to the back.

"Kageyama!"

Tobio Kageyama displayed amazing physical abilities, cushioning the ball just before it hit the ground and pointing it directly to the left flank.

"Senior Xu!"

This was a corrective shot, not perfect, but enough for an attack.

Dong Fengxu took a running start and jumped. His eyes were fixed on the towering iron wall.

Date Industries' three-man defensive formation was complete. Six hands formed an impenetrable barrier.

"Charge!"

Dong Fengxu roared and swung his arm.

"Bang!"

The volleyball slammed heavily onto Kenji Futakuchi's fingertips. But this wasn't a breakthrough; it was forcefully bounced back. The ball, spinning wildly, flew over the heads of the front-row players and towards Karasuno's backcourt.

It was an open space.

Because of the offensive formation just now, Karasuno's back row defense has been left in a huge vacuum.

"Oh no!" Daichi Sawamura's pupils contracted.

The ball traced a parabola in the air, about to crash into the no-man's-land.

At this critical moment, an orange figure, like lightning flying close to the ground, instantly ripped through the court floor.

Xiguxi.

He practically swooped in from the other side of the court. Just as his body was about to touch the ground, he stretched out one arm and precisely placed the back of his hand under the ball.

"Smack."

The ball has been saved!

Nishitani smoothly rolled on the ground to dissipate the force, then quickly sprang up and assumed a defensive stance.

Lu Ren, standing on the sidelines, couldn't help but whistle: "Although the name is so cringeworthy it makes you want to roll your toes, this spinning lightning move is actually quite effective."

Although the ball was saved, it did not fly towards the net, but instead flew straight upwards.

Looking at the ball that had been saved, Dong Fengxu saw no trace of disappointment at the failed spike. On the contrary, a gleam of "wildness" shone brightly in his eyes.

As long as the ball doesn't touch the ground, it's not a loss!

Give me the ball!!!

Dong Fengxu's voice resounded throughout the arena. He didn't retreat, but rushed straight to the net to demand the ball.

Kageyama heard the call. He jumped while running, catching the ball with both hands.

But this time, the ball was passed too hastily, and it landed too close to the net!

"Oh no." Kageyama's heart sank.

Higashi Mineaki had already jumped. At the same time, Date Industries' net was raised.

The volleyball is positioned less than ten centimeters above the net.

Dong Fengxu's palm was on the ball, and Qinggen's palm was also on the ball on the opposite side.

A mid-air battle!

A pure contest of strength. Whoever loosens their grip first loses.

The two were locked in a stalemate in the air for a fraction of a second, but Qinggen had the advantage in position and, with the help of a double block, was stronger.

Qinggen let out a low growl and exerted force with his wrist.

The volleyball was forcefully shoved onto Karasuno's court.

Dong Fengxu lost.

The ball plummeted, less than half a meter from the floor. At that distance, even a god couldn't react in time. Xigu Yu was just in the backfield, and although she rushed forward, the distance was still too short.

"Is it over?"

Just when everyone thought they were going to lose the point, Nishitani Yu made a move that took everyone's breath away.

He didn't use his hands. There wasn't time to bend over.

He suddenly extended his right foot while running, his instep pointed, just as the ball was about to touch the floor—

"Bang!"

Stand on one foot!

The volleyball was hit by the force and flew high into the air again.

The entire venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted in deafening gasps.

"Holy crap! This is possible?!" Tanaka screamed, clutching his head.

Dong Fengxu watched the ball soar into the air once more, his whole body trembling. It was excitement, it was emotion, and above all, it was a sense of responsibility.

"Nishiya! Well done!"

Dong Fengxu shouted, then suddenly turned around and backed away.

One step, two steps, three steps.

He retreated to a place far beyond the three-meter line.

This is the running distance he needs.

"Kageyama! One more shot!"

Kageyama Tobio stood in front of the net, looking at Higashimine Asahi who had already widened the distance, and the scene of the previous match against the town team suddenly flashed through his mind.

How did he pass it on to Senior Xu back then?

Don't get too close. Don't let him fight those monsters hand-to-hand at the net.

Give him space. Give him a distance where he can fully unleash his power and see the net clearly.

Move a little... away from the internet.

Kageyama's fingers touched the ball; this time, his movement was both gentle and firm. The volleyball traced a smooth arc, not heading straight for the net, but dropping about half a meter from it.

That's Dong Fengxu's hitting spot.

Date Industries' three-man defensive barrier was erected once more. The iron wall remained as high as ever.

But this time, Dong Fengxu had a much broader perspective.

Run-up, accelerate, push off the ground, jump.

His body arched back in mid-air like a taut full moon. Because of the distance from the net, he could clearly see the gaps in the block and the openings between his opponent's fingertips.

It's no longer a blind head-on collision, but a precise strike with a destructive aura.

"Break!!!"

Dong Fengxu slammed his palm heavily onto the volleyball.

"boom!"

The power of this ball was astonishing. The volleyball slammed into the palm of Date Kogyo's blocker, but it wasn't blocked. The enormous impact directly blew apart Aone and Futakuchi's arms.

The volleyball, like a cannonball, blasted through the iron wall and slammed into Date Industrial's backcourt baseline.

"Thump!!!"

The floor seemed to shake.

The referee blew his whistle and gestured towards Karasuno's field.

We've won this point!

"Aaaaaaah!!!"

Dong Fengxu landed, clenched his fists, and roared to the sky. At this moment, the ace whose wings had been broken by the Iron Wall finally shattered the nightmare before him with his own hands.

Lu Ren stood up on the sidelines, looked at the group of guys on the field who were hugging and celebrating, and a smile appeared on his lips.

Karasuno won this game.