Haikyuu!!: The Disaster of Gamers

Hinata Shoyo jumped around on the sidelines, eager to replace Higashimine Asahi. His orange hair was particularly eye-catching under the lights, and his eyes were frighteningly bright.

Lu Ren walked towards the baseline, his breathing still a little rapid. He shook his arms, a faint tingling sensation deep within his muscles. The aftereffects of taking those powerful shots from Ushijima Wakatoshi earlier were still there. However, serving was no problem.

Standing outside the baseline, Lu Ren dribbled the ball, his gaze sweeping over the net as he surveyed Shiratorizawa's formation.

Ushijima Wakatoshi stood in the back row, subtly protected in the middle by Yamagata Hayato and Ohira Shion. This formation looked all too familiar. Lu Ren couldn't help but chuckle; wasn't this a complete "four-protect-one" formation? Treating the main center like a panda, not even letting him receive the first pass, saving all his energy for spiking.

This reminded him of Yudai Momozawa, the two-meter-tall guy from Kadokawa Academy. He also single-handedly carried an entire team. He wondered if that big oaf would evolve into the troublesome Karasuno next year. But for now, he needed to deal with the final boss in front of him first.

The referee whistle blows.

Lu Ren tossed the volleyball high into the air, took a running start, and jumped. His right arm slammed down at the highest point of the jump.

A powerful jump serve!

The volleyball, with a strong sidespin, headed straight for Shiratorizawa's back row. Its landing point was extremely tricky, perfectly positioned at the boundary between Yamagata Hayato and Ushijima Wakatoshi's defensive zones. Riku Ren had originally intended to use this ball to force Ushijima to receive the first pass, disrupting the opponent's offensive rhythm.

The result was unexpected. Ushijima didn't even move, showing absolutely no intention of receiving the ball.

Hayato Yamagata took a step to the side and lunged forward, managing to prop up the ball.

"The pass is perfect!"

Lu Ren landed and raised an eyebrow. This defensive range is way too small! Shiratorizawa has completely locked down Ushijima's ability to receive the ball.

Kenjiro Shirabu quickly placed the net. At the net, Satoru Tendo had already started his attack.

Quick attack!

With a push of his hands, the white cloth sent the ball precisely into the hands of the child. The child grinned in mid-air and swung his right arm down.

In that very second, an orange figure rose from the ground without warning. It was Hyuga Shoyo. He ignored the complex positioning and didn't try to guess Tendo's attack route. Relying entirely on his beast-like intuition, he pinpointed the exact moment Tendo jumped.

boom!

The volleyball struck Hyuga's hands solidly and bounced back into Shiratorizawa's half of the court.

Tendou Satoru stared wide-eyed in mid-air. His supposedly all-seeing intuitive radar had actually been predicted by a single-celled organism?

The volleyball plummeted downwards.

"Save the ball!" White Cloth shouted.

Hayato Yamagata reacted extremely quickly from the back row, leaping to save the ball and sending it high into the air.

The ball was still in the air. Shiratorizawa quickly adjusted their formation. Shion Ohira cut in from the left wing, jumping to meet the falling volleyball. Kenjiro Shirabu completed the set while moving.

Taira swings his arm and smashes. It's a solid shot, but incredibly powerful.

In Karasuno's half, Daichi Sawamura firmly planted his feet, raised his arms, and cushioned the ball.

"Counterattack!"

Kageyama Tobio made his run into position. Karasuno's "Chimera" tactic was activated again. The multiple runs made the net area dazzling. Kageyama lifted the ball with both hands, sending it flying to the right wing.

Lu Ren rushed up from three meters away and leaped into the air.

Shiratorizawa's block quickly followed. Tendo Satoru and Goshiki Kou formed a double block. Rikuren assessed the situation from mid-air. A direct attack would likely be blocked. He slightly twisted his wrist, aiming at the outside of Tendo Satoru's outstretched hand.

The ball goes out of bounds! This is one of his favorite scoring methods. He swings his right arm down.

Just before his hand touched the ball, Tendou Satoru's face, adorned with a mocking smile, suddenly drew closer. A sly glint flashed in his red eyes, and his outstretched arm abruptly retracted half an inch in mid-air.

Lu Ren cursed inwardly.

The volleyball grazed Tendo's fingertips and flew straight out of bounds. Out of bounds.

The referee blew his whistle and gestured towards Shiratorizawa.

Shiratorizawa 21:19 Karasuno.

Lu Ren landed and clicked his tongue. Tian Tong's reflexes are freakish. He actually managed to stop mid-air.

On the Karasuno bench, Coach Ukai scratched his head. The score remained close, yet they couldn't seem to take the lead; it was incredibly frustrating. On the other side of the net, the Shiratorizawa players also looked grim. Usually at this time, they would have already pulled ahead thanks to Ushijima's powerful spikes, but today Karasuno was relentlessly entangled, unable to shake them off. This kind of drawn-out battle was extremely exhausting in terms of patience.

Rotation. Shiratorizawa Goshiki serves.

The first-year outside hitter stood outside the baseline, taking a deep breath. He was the kind of guy who always talked about "surpassing Ushijima." He tossed the ball, jumped, and served a powerful jump serve. The volleyball whistled through the air as it hurtled towards Karasuno's backcourt.

Daichi Sawamura was prepared; he lowered his center of gravity and steadily cushioned the ball. "Got it!"

The ball flies towards the net.

Kageyama Tobio was already in position. Without even glancing at the attacker's location, he pushed the ball directly into that empty area with both hands. Hyuga Shoyo had already rushed there at some point. Without any hesitation, he jumped and swung his arm.

boom!

The volleyball hit the floor before the Shiratorizawa blocker could even jump.

A bizarre, rapid attack! This unreasonable speed has once again torn through Shiratorizawa's defenses.

The referee blows the whistle.

Shiratorizawa 21:20 Karasuno.

Hyuga landed, excitedly waving her fist. Kageyama, with a cold face, dusted off his hands, but the fighting spirit in his eyes was impossible to hide.

The score is close again. Karasuno returns the serve. Daichi Sawamura takes the ball and walks to the baseline. As captain, his serve isn't as flashy as Riku's, nor as powerful as Kageyama's, but it's steady and reliable.

The ball is tossed and hit. It flies over the net and lands in the backcourt of Shiratorizawa.

The five-colored worker stepped forward and cushioned the ball. The first pass was of good quality.

Kenjiro Shirabu quickly moved forward. Without any hesitation, he pushed the ball with both hands, sending it flying back to the right wing.

Ushijima Wakatoshi had already begun his run-up. The air in the entire stadium tensed once more. Ushijima soared into the air. His left arm opened wide.

At the front row of Karasuno, Tsukishima Hotaru and Tanaka Ryunosuke formed a double blocker. Ushijima didn't back down at all, swinging his arm heavily towards the block.

The volleyball hit Tanaka's arm, changed its trajectory, and flew diagonally towards Karasuno's backcourt.

Daichi Sawamura dove to make the save. The ball hit his arm and bounced out of bounds.

"Fill the gap!" the earth roared.

Lu Ren was closest to the ball. Without any hesitation, he turned and rushed off the court. The volleyball was flying extremely fast, and it looked like it was about to land in the stands' barrier. Lu Ren pushed off with his feet, leaping into the air, clearing the "GG" sign, and in mid-air, he stretched out his arm and used the back of his hand to deflect the ball back.

The ball flew high back onto the court. Lu Ren landed, rolled on the ground to dissipate the force, and crashed into the chair behind him.

"Tanaka!"

Ryunosuke Tanaka rushed to the net, met the falling volleyball, and pushed it over the net with an overhand pass.

The ball went over the net, but it was slow, giving Shiratorizawa ample time to organize the play. Ohira Shiono steadily received the first pass.

"Great opportunity!" shouted Shiratorizawa from the bench.

Kenjiro Shirabu surveyed the situation. Ushijima had just completed a powerful dunk and was still catching his breath. He passed the ball to the left wing.

Five-Colored Worker strode forward and leaped into the air. "Watch me!" he shouted in his heart, eager to prove his worth. He swung his right arm down.

Just as he struck the ball, a tall figure appeared before him. It was Tsukishima Hotaru. Undeterred by Shiratorizawa's movement, he calmly predicted Shirabu's passing route. He leaped, arms outstretched, blocking all of Goshiki Kou's attacking angles.

boom!

The volleyball slammed into Tsukishima's hand, bounced back to Shiratorizawa's half of the court, and landed on the floor.

Block!

The referee blew his whistle and gestured towards Karasuno.

Shiratorizawa 21:21 Karasuno.

The score is tied!

Inside Sendai Gymnasium, Karasuno's cheering squad erupted in a deafening roar. Tsukishima Hotaru landed, adjusted her glasses, her expression remaining calm, only glancing at Riku Ren, who had just swum in from outside the arena.

Lu Ren dusted himself off, and Okinawa gave him a thumbs up. "Well done, rational filter."

Tsukishima snorted, ignored him, and turned back to her seat.

The match entered its most intense phase. Shiratorizawa's absolute power and Karasuno's tactical system were locked in a fierce battle at the 21-21 tie.

Coach Washi sat on the sidelines, his brow furrowed in a deep frown. Karasuno's resilience was terrifying. He had initially thought that Ushijima's firepower would allow them to crush the opponent quickly. Who could have imagined that their opponents, with a chaotic yet highly efficient tactical system, would drag the game into a quagmire?

That number 13 is a real problem. Coach Washi's gaze fell on Riku. This kid can not only receive Ushijima's spikes, but also act as a second brain on the court, adjusting Karasuno's defensive formation at any time.

"Time out," Coach Eagle signaled to the referee. Shiratorizawa needed to steady his rhythm.

The Karasuno players returned to the bench. Coach Ukai handed them water and towels. "Well done! The score is tied. The toughest part is yet to come. Shiratorizawa will definitely pass the ball to Ushijima. On the defensive end, maintain the intensity you were just doing. Rikujin, how's your hand?"

Lu Ren took a sip of water. "It's okay, I can still catch it." He glanced at the cow island across the way. The monster was drinking water quietly, not even breaking a sweat.

"This stamina bar is really long," Lu Ren thought to himself. But even the longest stamina bar eventually runs out. He'd grind this boss down, even if it meant wearing him down.

The timeout ended. Both teams returned to the court. The air was thick with tension.

Karasuno's attack rotation. Kageyama Tobio stood at the baseline, spinning the volleyball twice in his hand. He glanced at Shirabu Kenjiro on the opposite side. As a setter himself, he could sense Shirabu's anxiety. Passing the ball to the strongest player, this seemingly obvious tactic, had now become Shiratorizawa's only constraint.

Kageyama tosses the ball, jumps, and delivers a powerful jump serve!

The volleyball, with terrifying initial speed, headed straight for Shiratorizawa's back row. Yamagata Hayato gritted his teeth and headed the ball up. "The first pass was inaccurate!"

The ball flew towards the left side of the net. Shirabu Kenjiro was forced to run and pass. Passing to Ushijima on the right wing from that position was extremely difficult. But he had no choice. Shirabu forcefully twisted his body and pushed the ball towards the right wing with both hands.

Ushijima Wakatoshi began his run-up. Karasuno's defenses instantly tightened. Tsukishima Hotaru, Tanaka Ryunosuke, and Hyuga Shoyo joined forces, forming an impenetrable wall.

Ushima soared into the air. Facing the three-man blockade, he didn't hesitate for a moment. He swung his left arm in a wide arc, unleashing a powerful shot.

boom!

The volleyball hit Tsukishima's hand, and the immense force knocked his arm away, changing the ball's trajectory and sending it flying towards the backcourt.

Lu Ren was already waiting there. He crossed his arms and lowered his center of gravity. "Come on, monster."

The volleyball slammed into his forearm. His bones groaned in protest. Lu Ren gritted his teeth, strained his core, and managed to bail the ball back up.

"Received!"

The ball soared high into the air. Kageyama Tobio had already sprinted beneath it. Karasuno's counter-attack had begun once more. This ultimate battle between mechanics and numerical values ​​was far from over.

Lu Ren straightened up and shook his numb arms. He looked at Ushima on the other side of the net and grinned.

"I'm definitely going to run this dungeon today."