In Miyagi Prefecture, at 'Aoba Johsai High', the school was quiet on a weekend. Only the athletes remained, scattered across club activities, training hard.
"Kindaichi, I heard Karasuno is coming today. That 'King' you mentioned… is he really that strong?" Yahaba asked curiously, glancing at his teammate.
Kindaichi's expression soured instantly. "You mean Kageyama. Yeah, he's talented. But that guy's a total dictator. A team can't function under him."
Kanedaichi had been scolded enough times in middle school to never forget it. The memory of being scolded by Kageyama still stung, and today, he was itching for payback.
Yahaba nodded. "A dictator, huh? Then even if he's strong, he won't shine at Karasuno. Still… I also heard they've got some crazy scary guy, something about a bald head?"
Before he could finish, a bald head popped out from around the corner.
"…You talkin' about me?" Tanaka glared, veins bulging, ready to throw down.
Behind him, Karasuno members filed out one by one. They lined up casually, but their combined presence felt oddly intimidating.
Tsukishima adjusted his glasses with a deadpan sigh. "Tanaka-senpai, please. Don't terrorize the prefecture's so-called elites."
Yahaba blinked in surprise. Karasuno had someone this tall? He didn't recall that from the scouting reports.
Before he could comment further, Daichi jogged over. "Hey! We're guests here. Don't start a fight before the match! Tanaka, apologize properly."
With his head shoved down by Daichi, Tanaka muttered, "Tch… sorry." but kept sneaking provocative looks anyway.
Kindaichi smirked when he spotted Kageyama. "So, King. Let's see you strut around here. Who's gonna cover for your trash tosses?"
Everyone expected Kageyama to snap, but instead, he just said flatly, "Okay. I get it."
That calm response only made Kindaichi more irritated.
Just then, Shirogane Jin finally stepped out from the back of Karasuno's group, picking his ear like he was bored. His voice was sharp. "Stop wasting time. Call Oikawa out. Without him, you guys don't stand a chance."
"…What did you just?!" Kindaichi agitated instantly. But before he could lunge, Yahaba grabbed his arm.
"Wait." Yahaba hissed. His instincts screamed at him 'don't mess with this guy.
Beside Jin, Tanaka puffed out his chest proudly. "That's right! This guy's the most provocative teammate I've ever had!"
Tsukishima muttered lazily, "I don't even know who this Oikawa is… but yeah, let's get him out already."
*Clap! Clap! Clap!*
Daichi clapped his hands hard. "Alright, enough. Let's head to the gym." Before leaving, he bowed quickly to Seijoh's players. "Sorry about that."
As Karasuno walked off, Kindaichi muttered, "Yahaba-senpai, why'd you stop me? That guy was way out of line!"(He don't remember Jin?)
Yahaba's eyes were still narrowed, serious now. "I've got a bad feeling about him. Better call Oikawa-senpai to the court right away. This practice match… won't be simple."
---
On the way to the gym, Kageyama slowed down and sidled closer to Jin. He hesitated, then asked in a low voice, "Hey… Jin. You know Oikawa-senpai?"
The others perked up. They want hear what Jin has to say.
Jin shrugged easily. "Seijoh's main setter, right? The backbone of their team. I saw him play last year. He stood out for his ball control and his serves, he left a impression on me. And since he's your mentor before, it makes sense."
"Kageyama's mentor?" Hinata's curious expression grew even stronger after hearing this.
Kageyama nodded stiffly. "Yeah… Oikawa-senpai's really scary. I learned a lot from him… both in setting and in serving."
Hinata's eyes lit up, practically sparkling. "Whaaat!? He is mentor of Kageyama?! That means this Oikawa guy must be… like… strong!"
When they reached Seijoh's volleyball gym, everyone felt it. The space was larger, more than twice the size of Karasuno's, and also filled with players running drills. A few were regulars, others were candidates pushing themselves to the limit.
As soon as the Seijoh players noticed Karasuno arriving, their eyes sharpened, suddenly a fighting spirit filling the air.