Haikyuu!!: The Disaster of Gamers

Lu Ren stood at the baseline, twirling a volleyball in his hand. Sweat dripped from his chin onto the floor, leaving a small puddle.

He glanced down at his forearm; the red, swollen marks had merged into one, and the muscle fibers were twitching uncontrollably. His mental model gave a clear warning: his physical limits had been reached.

This game saw me receive far too many of Ushijima Wakatoshi's powerful shots. The sheer numerical superiority made each return feel like trying to withstand a speeding truck. If I continued to push through, my error rate would skyrocket to over 80%.

You can't gamble.

Without hesitation, Lu Ren walked directly to the sidelines and signaled for a substitution.

The referee's whistle blows and Karasuno makes a substitution.

Nishitani Yu was already waiting on the sidelines, like a bull eager to enter the ring. The two crossed paths on the sidelines.

"I'll leave the rest to you, Nishitani-senpai." Riku Ren swung his aching arms, his tone relaxed, but his breathing was heavy.

Nishitani raised his hand and gave Riku a loud high five, making a crisp sound. "Leave it to me! Just watch from down there!"

Lu Ren walked to the bench and took the towel from Kiyoko Shimizu. Coach Ukai patted him on the back without saying anything. At this moment, the game had entered its most primitive meat grinder mode.

With the serve changing hands, Wakatoshi Ushijima walked towards the baseline.

The heavy artillery in the left hand possesses the most destructive power in the entire county and even the whole country.

Nishitani Yu stood in the back row, legs apart, her center of gravity low. Her eyes, which were usually always smiling, were now so sharp they seemed to see right through the volleyball.

For two whole sets, he was on the sidelines and on the court, his eyes glued to every swing of Ushijima's arm, every burst of power, and the trajectory of the volleyball's spin.

The ball spins in the opposite direction for a left-handed player compared to a right-handed player. The point of force applied when catching the ball will also subtly shift.

Lu Ren's way of receiving the ball is head-on, using core strength and precise anticipation to forcefully withstand the ball's impact, relying on precise calculation. But west Gu is different; he is purely instinctive, coupled with the force-absorbing techniques honed day after day.

Ushijima throws the ball, takes a running start, and jumps.

Violent aesthetics.

The volleyball tore through the air, heading straight for Nishinoya's face with a dull whistling sound.

Ultra-high speed.

In the blink of an eye, the ball was already in front of them.

Nishiya didn't flinch, not even blink. The instant the ball touched his arm, his body reacted with exquisite precision.

The center of gravity shifted again, and the arms were pulled back slightly by the impact of the volleyball.

Like a sponge, it absorbed all that violent kinetic energy.

"Bang."

The sound was no longer a dull thud, but a crisp, ricocheting sound.

The volleyball obediently changed direction on Nishiya's arm, drawing a very high parabola before landing steadily at the setter's position.

"Perfect first pass!" Sugawara couldn't help but shout from the bench.

Lu Ren wiped his sweat, looking at the short figure on the field. This was Karasuno's guardian deity. The mechanics countered numerically; besides calculating with one's brain, one could also use instinct to overcome it.

The volleyball is still in the air. Kageyama Tobio has moved below the landing point.

Karasuno's offensive machinery began to operate.

Hinata Shoyo cut in from the right, his speed leaving only a blur. Tanaka Ryunosuke created space on the left. Higashimine Asahi in the back row also began his run-up.

Multiple points of cross-positioning.

At the net in front of Shiratorizawa, Tendou Satoru's eyes quickly swept over Karasuno's attackers.

Should it be passed to the shorter player? Or the left wing?

Tendo's intuition radar went off like crazy. He followed Hinata's footsteps, pushed off with his legs, and leaped into the air.

"Don't even think about going there!" Tiantong muttered to himself.

Kageyama jumped. His form was impeccable, with his hands raised in front of his forehead, a perfect standard pass for a fast break.

Shiratorizawa's defensive focus was entirely drawn to Hyuga and Tanaka.

Just when everyone thought it would be a devastating smash, Kageyama's wrist suddenly changed.

No pass was made.

He gently flicked the volleyball at the bottom with his left hand.

The volleyball crossed the net and slowly landed in the open space in the front area of ​​Shiratorizawa's half of the court.

Second ball.

Tendou Satoru stared wide-eyed in mid-air as the volleyball slipped past him.

Shiratorizawa's back row defenders desperately lunged forward to make a save, but only managed to touch air.

The ball landed.

Karasuno 22:21 Shiratorizawa.

The entire stadium fell silent for a moment, then Karasuno's supporters erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Well done, Kageyama!" Daichi patted Kageyama hard on the back.

Kageyama turned around expressionlessly, nodding slightly, but his arrogance was impossible to hide.

Tendo Satoru landed and scratched his red hair.

"What a troublesome setter," he muttered, glancing at Kageyama on the other side of the net. "He's really ruthless."

On the other side of the net, Kenjiro Shirabu's face was so gloomy it looked like it was about to drip water.

He stared intently at Karasuno's half of the field. That annoying number 13 was off the field, and the libero who came on was equally troublesome.

Bai Bu's breathing became somewhat rapid.

His pass was made for Ushijima Wakatoshi.

At Shiratorizawa, the setter doesn't need to use any fancy tricks or think about how to move the attackers around. The only task is to pass the ball high and steady to the strongest ace.

As a result, Coach Washi even benched third-year starting setter Eita Semi.

Senpai Semi has his own ideas and a strong desire to attack. But Kenjiro Shirabu does not. He only wants the simplest and most violent victory.

But now?

Karasuno's defense was like a resilient net. Hotaru Tsukishima's soft block, and Yuu Nishitani and Jin Riku's incredible saves from the back row.

Every spike from Ushima felt like wading through a swamp.

If his passes cannot pave an unobstructed scoring path for Ushijima, then what is the point of him standing here?

Replacing it with Senpai Semi might increase the threat of the serve and the variety of the attack.

Bai Bu bit her lip hard and tasted a bit of blood.

Don't rush. Pass the ball well.

The serve returned to Karasuno. Daichi Sawamura stood at the baseline.

The serve from the ground doesn't have many fancy techniques; it focuses on stability and accurate placement.

The volleyball flew over the net, aiming for the back row of Shiratorizawa.

Shion Ohira took a step to the side and steadily set the ball up. "First pass in place!"

The white cloth quickly ran to the ball.

Without any hesitation, without even looking, he pushed with both hands, sending the volleyball soaring high into the air towards the right wing.

Ushijima Wakatoshi jumps.

Karasuno's net was simultaneously launched into the air. Tsukishima Hotaru and Tanaka Ryunosuke.

Tsukishima's eyes were fixed on Ushijima's shoulders and wrists. He knew he couldn't stop this pure force; what he had to do was buy time for the back row.

Extend both arms straight, making slight adjustments to the hand shape.

Ushijima spikes the ball.

The volleyball hit Tsukishima's fingertips, making a screeching sound.

"Touch!" Tsukishima shouted.

The ball's trajectory was slightly altered, flying towards Karasuno's back row.

Nishitani Yu had already reached his position, but the ball's spin was too strong, and after landing on his arm, it bounced directly towards the stands.

Out of bounds. Shiratorizawa scores.

Karasuno 22:22 Shiratorizawa.

Although he scored, Shirabu Kenjiro clicked his tongue in annoyance.

That was a terribly ugly win. The ball was touched by the opponent's block, and the point was won only by luck. This is not the dominance Shiratorizawa should have.

The score was very close. Every point at the end of the set was crucial.

Shiratorizawa Shigeo serves.

A powerful and heavy jump serve.

Nishitani Yuu caught it steadily from the back row. "Kageyama!"

The pass was completed in one and a half steps. Kageyama Tobio moved quickly, adjusting his posture as he moved.

Hinata Shoyo has taken off. The rhythm of a freakish fast attack.

With a push of both hands, Kageyama delivered the ball precisely to Hinata's outstretched arm.

Just as Hinata was about to spike the ball, Tendou Satoru's red figure appeared in front of the net like a ghost.

Intuition blocked the net.

"Got you, little guy." Tendo grinned.

Hinata forcefully changed the trajectory of his spike in mid-air, avoiding Tendo's hands, but the ball still grazed Tendo's forearm.

One touch.

The volleyball slowed down and landed in Shiratorizawa's half of the court.

Yamagata Hayato lifted up easily. "Fight back!"

Kenjiro Shirabu takes over possession of the ball.

His gaze swept quickly across the net. Five-Colored Gong was calling for the ball, and Ohira Shion was also running.

But Bai Bu only had eyes for that person.

Give the ball to Ushijima. If we just give it to Ushijima, we can easily score a point and tear apart Karasuno's annoying net.

Pass the ball.

Ushima took off again.

Karasuno's defense remained composed. Tsukishima Hotaru, like an emotionless machine, leaped again, her hands precisely blocking Ushijima's spike trajectory.

"Bang."

Another touch.

The volleyball bounced high into the air.

"Nishitani!"

Yuu Nishitani made a diving save from the back row. "Got it!"

Kenjiro Shirabu's pupils suddenly contracted.

The call was connected again.

No matter how high the pass is, no matter how hard Ushima spikes, those crows on the other side always manage to get the ball up in all sorts of disgusting ways.

A sense of unease swelled wildly in Bai Bu's chest. He desperately wanted a smooth score, a powerful, unimpeded barrage.

This subtle shift in mindset directly affected the rhythm of the game.

Karasuno's counterattack.

Kageyama Tobio observed Shiratorizawa's blocking formation. Tendo Satoru's attention was drawn to Hyuga, leaving the right flank defense somewhat vulnerable.

Pass it on to Tanaka.

The volleyball flew smoothly towards the left wing.

Ryunosuke Tanaka roared and leaped into the air.

"Watch me!"

He swung his arm, ready to unleash a powerful, straight-line smash.

But just as he swung his arm, two tall figures blocked his way.

Tian Tong Jue and Wu Se Gong.

Tendo abandoned his marking of Hinata and, relying on his beast-like instincts, formed a double-team blocking net with Goshiki.

"Too slow, bald guy." Tian Tong's voice rang out from in front of the net.

Tanaka scored with all his might.

The volleyball slammed heavily onto Goshiki's arm, bounced back directly to Karasuno's half of the court, and landed within the three-meter line.

Stop them.

The referee whistle blows.

Karasuno 22:23 Shiratorizawa.

Shiratorizawa has taken the lead and is only two points away from winning the second game.

Tanaka slapped the floor in frustration.

Off the court, Lu Ren stared at the scoreboard, his brows furrowed tightly.

Shiratorizawa's resilience was stronger than expected. Even with Karasuno's ruthless restrictions on their mechanics, they were still able to break through the impasse through sheer physical talent and intuition.