Haikyuu!!: The Disaster of Gamers

Four years is neither a long nor a short time.

The top floor of the Lu Group headquarters building. Panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the entire city's CBD.

Lu Ren leaned back in his custom-made leather boss's chair, holding a cup of black coffee with ice in his hand. There were three monitors on his desk: the left one displayed a real-time stock chart of NASDAQ, the middle one displayed the quarterly financial reports of the group's various departments, and the right one displayed a brand-new handheld console in standby mode.

After graduating from university, he naturally took over the family business.

For him, the business world was no more challenging than the volleyball matches of Shiratorizawa or Itayama. He broke down complex financial data into intuitive numerical panels, pinpointed the weaknesses in his competitors' financial chains, and then delivered a fatal blow. Over four years, he doubled the size of the Lu family's business empire, achieving remarkable success, particularly in game development and venture capital.

Occasionally, in the quiet of the night, he would think of that volleyball court in Miyagi Prefecture, filled with the smell of sweat. He would think of Kageyama's perpetually grumpy face, Tsukishima's infuriating glasses, and Hinata's inexhaustible stamina. Those people, now, were all racing on their own tracks.

The phone on the table vibrated.

Four words appeared on the screen: Lone Claw Grinding.

Lu Ren put down his coffee cup and pressed the answer button.

"A rare guest." Lu Ren leaned back in his chair. "The big boss of Guzhua actually had time to call me today."

The crisp sound of keyboard clicks came from the other end of the phone. Moyan now runs Bouncing Ball, and his business is thriving. The two occasionally play a couple of games online in the evenings, but they rarely talk on the phone in real life.

"There's something I need to tell you," Mo Yan said, getting straight to the point. "Shoyo is in trouble in Brazil."

Lu Ren frowned slightly.

"Are you injured?"

"I checked the special account that funded him." The sound of grinding the keyboard paused. "For the past two weeks, not a single penny has been touched from that card."

Lu Ren understood.

"Given his cost of living in Rio de Janeiro, coupled with the high intensity of his daily training, this doesn't make sense," Mo Yan added. "He hasn't contacted me."

Hinata Shoyo, that single-celled organism, would only try to bear the greatest difficulties on his own, afraid of causing trouble for his friends back home.

"That kid, he didn't contact you or even give me a call," Lu Ren sneered. "Does he really think we're NPCs he doesn't need to contact after clearing the game?"

"You have business in South America, it would be more convenient for you to go there," Moyan said. "I have a new project launching here, so I can't leave."

"Okay, leave it to me."

After hanging up the phone, Lu Ren pressed the intercom button on the table.

"Book me the fastest flight to Rio de Janeiro. Also, notify the head of the Brazilian branch to prepare a car."

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The sweltering, humid air seeped into the room through the gaps in the old louvered blinds. Large patches of plaster were peeling off the walls, and several volleyballs covered in sand lay scattered in the corner.

Hinata Shoyo curled up on the creaking single bed, his stomach rumbling in protest.

He buried his head in the pillow, trying to use sleep to fight off the cramps in his stomach.

Three days ago, after playing beach volleyball at Copacabana Beach, he was targeted by several local thugs on his way back. His wallet, ID, and the little cash he had left were all stolen.

I called the police, but the local police were incredibly inefficient.

He is now penniless. He doesn't even have the money to buy the cheapest bread.

Should I call home for help?

He picked up his phone and scrolled through his contacts. Yanmo, Yingshan, Lu Ren…

My finger hovered over the screen for a long time before finally locking it.

No way. Everyone is working hard for their own future. Grinding and sponsoring me is already a huge burden. How can I ask them for help again because of such a basic mistake?

"I won't be hungry if I fall asleep..." Hinata muttered, closing his eyes.

Bang, bang, bang.

There was a knock on the door.

Hinata was startled. The rent had already been paid; who would be coming at this hour?

He climbed out of bed, dragged his heavy steps to the door, and looked out through the scratched peephole.

In the dim light of the corridor stood a man in a dark gray bespoke suit. He was tall and straight, and carried a paper bag with the logo of a high-end restaurant.

Hinata suddenly flung open the door.

Lu Ren stood outside the door, one hand in his pocket, his gaze sweeping over Hinata from head to toe.

His hair was messy, his cheeks were thinner, and he had heavy dark circles under his eyes, making him look like a low-level player who had been robbed by slimes in the newbie village.

"Yo." Lu Ren raised his hand in greeting, "This dungeon is too difficult, are you stuck?"

Hinata's mouth gaped open, uttering meaningless syllables before she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Lu...Lu Ren?! What are you doing here?!"

"The boss of Kozo checked the accounts and found that you haven't touched that card for half a month." Lu Ren shoved the paper bag in his hand directly into Hyuga's arms. "He ruled you out and sent me to run a rescue mission."

The paper bag was filled with the rich aroma of roasted meat and spices.

Hinata's stomach growled loudly, so loudly that it echoed down the corridor.

He lowered his head, his face flushed red.

"I'm sorry..." Hinata's eyes stung with tears. "My wallet was stolen. I didn't want to cause you any trouble..."

Lu Ren stepped into the house and looked around at the dilapidated rental room where even turning around was difficult.

"Hyuga." Lu Ren turned around and looked at him. "Do you look down on me, or on Kenma?"

Hinata suddenly looked up: "No! I absolutely didn't!"

"Then stop with this pointless self-pity." Lu Ren pulled over a chipped wooden chair and sat down, the chair creaking in protest. "In the four years I've run this company, I've earned enough to support ten of your sofa crews. When you run into trouble, you don't turn to your teammates? Do you think this is a single-player game? Have you completely forgotten the fundamental logic of teamwork?"

Hinata hugged the paper bag, tears streaming down her face.

"Alright, stop looking so gloomy." Lu Ren stood up. "Change your clothes, I'll take you out for a nice meal. This little bit of food isn't even enough to fill a tooth gap."

The sun was blinding on the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

Lu Ren took Hinata to the top Brazilian barbecue restaurant in the area.

The waiters carried grilled meat skewered on long iron sticks and cut it from table to table.

The plates in front of Hinata were piled up like a small mountain. He held a fork in his left hand and a knife in his right, eating with gusto, barely having time to say a word.

Lu Ren sat opposite him, cut a small piece of steak and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly and deliberately.

"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you." Lu Ren picked up his lemonade and took a sip. "I've already had the branch office here handle the documents; it'll take a few days to reissue them. Just relax and stay put for the next few days."

Hinata swallowed a large mouthful of meat, looking at Lu Ren with teary eyes: "Lu Ren, you're simply a god!"

"Stop flattering me." Lu Ren put down his knife and fork. "How's the beach volleyball going?"

Hinata's eyes lit up when volleyball was mentioned.

"It's tough! The sand creates a lot of resistance, making jumping and movement completely different. On hard ground, I can use the ground's reaction force, but on the sand, all that force is lost." Hinata gestured excitedly, brandishing his fork in the air. "And the wind and sunlight affect judgment. The sea breeze makes the ball's trajectory completely unpredictable. I have to readjust all my movements, even my breathing rhythm!"

Lu Ren shook his head as he looked at Hinata's fanatical expression.

This kid is still the same old volleyball idiot. As long as he has a volleyball, he can completely forget about starving.

"It's too inefficient to just grope around on the beach by yourself." Lu Ren took out his phone and sent a message, "Come with me after you've eaten."

"Where to?"

"I'll find you a cheat program."

One hour later.

A high-end private sports rehabilitation and physical training center in downtown Rio de Janeiro.

Lu Ren led Hinata through the main gate. The receptionist saw Lu Ren and immediately greeted him respectfully, leading them to the VIP training room inside.

A burly, dark-skinned Brazilian man is instructing athletes on core training.

Upon seeing Lu Ren, the man stopped what he was doing, laughed loudly, walked over, and gave Lu Ren a firm hug.

"Lu! Long time no see! How come you, such a busy person, have time to come to Brazil?" the man said in fluent English.

"I'm here to handle some business, and I've brought you some trouble along the way." Lu Ren pointed to Hinata behind him.

Hinata bowed somewhat awkwardly.

"Carlos, this is my branch's strength and conditioning consultant. He used to be a coach for the Brazilian national beach volleyball team," Lu Ren introduced to Hinata, then turned to Carlos, "This kid's name is Shoyo. He'll be staying in Brazil for two years, playing beach volleyball. Keep an eye on his physical conditioning and basic training for me."

Carlos looked Hinata up and down, pinched Hinata's arm and calf muscles, and then made him do a few simple squats and jumps.

"He has a good foundation and great explosiveness. His Achilles tendon is long, making him naturally suited for jumping," Carlos said, stroking his chin as he offered a professional assessment. "But he's still far from having the core strength and balance required for beach volleyball. His upper body strength isn't enough to support quick changes of direction on sand, and without targeted strengthening, his knees and ankles could easily become ineffective."

Carlos patted his chest: "Leave it to me. Lu's friend, I'll train him well. I guarantee he'll be completely transformed."

Hinata couldn't understand what they were saying and could only stare blankly from the side.

Lu Ren turned his head and looked at Hinata.

"I've got the people all set for you. The venue, equipment, and professional guidance are all top-notch." Lu Ren patted Hinata on the shoulder. "The NPC's guidance quest ends here. From now on, you'll have to complete the main storyline on your own."

Hinata straightened up, his eyes becoming incredibly bright.

"I will! I will definitely become stronger in Brazil and then go back to defeat Kageyama!"

"That's ambitious." Lu Ren smiled.

The two walked out of the training center.

The streets were bustling with traffic, and in the distance, the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooked the city in the sunlight.

Lu Ren stopped and took out a black bank card from the inside pocket of his suit, handing it to Hinata.

"Take it."

Hinata waved her hands repeatedly: "No! Kenma has already sponsored me, I can't take your money!"

"Take it." Lu Ren's tone left no room for refusal. "This is my personal savings. Prices here are high, and you need to make sure you get enough nutrition. Don't let yourself become malnourished and embarrass Karasuno. If you starve to death in Brazil, Kageyama will laugh at you for the rest of his life."

Upon hearing Kageyama's name, Hinata jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"I won't let him laugh at me!"

"The password is the date Karasuno won the national championship." Lu Ren stuffed the card into Hinata's pocket.

Hinata clutched his pocket tightly, his eyes reddening again.

"Thank you... Lu Ren, I will definitely pay you back later!"

"No need to pay me back." Lu Ren straightened his suit jacket. "Just don't tell Ya Zhi about this. That woman is very strict with the accounts now. If she finds out I'm hiding money, I'll be in trouble."

Hinata burst into laughter through her tears and nodded vigorously.

"I promise I won't tell!"

Lu Ren turned around, waved to Hinata with his back to her, and walked towards the black sedan parked by the roadside.

"Keep training, little guy. Don't keep us waiting too long."

The car sped away.

Hinata stood still, touching the warm card in her pocket, and looked up at the blinding sun.

Hunger and confusion vanished instantly.

He took a step forward, turned around, and ran towards the beach.