Haikyuu : The Unstoppable Force

Walking in the open space of the arena, Oikawa could faintly hear the discussions around him. In the past, he wouldn't have cared about these people.

But today, some of their words caught his attention.

"I can't believe he's here!"

"Who is he? Looks like a high school student! Is he famous?"

"Don't you know him? He's the captain of Aoba Johsai!"

"He's also known as one of the most talented high school setters in Miyagi!"

"What? Is he stronger than Ushijima?"

"He's a setter, and Ushijima's a spiker. You can't compare the two!"

"True, but the most important thing is that he used to play in Group S here! Though the system downgraded him after he stopped showing up."

"What?! Group S?!"

"Exactly! He's incredibly strong!"

"Hey, do you think he'll face off against that other high schooler who's been dominating lately? I heard they've had a training match before!"

"Yeah! Now that you mention it, I remember that too!"

"Do you mean the high school student who's been invincible recently?"

"That's right! If they face off, it'll be a sight to see!"

---

Hearing these discussions, Oikawa frowned.

"Another high schooler? Could it be someone from Shiratorizawa?"

Oikawa and Ushijima had been rivals since junior high.

From then to now, Oikawa had rarely managed to win against Ushijima in direct matches.

Plus, Oikawa knew that some Shiratorizawa players trained here too.

"Ugh! What bad luck—running into that guy while I'm just out to play."

Despite complaining, Oikawa quickened his pace toward the middle of the court.

"If I can't beat you outside, maybe I can win here!"

---

**Ding!**

While Akira was resting his eyes, his phone buzzed, signaling that the promotion match had been set.

"Field 5, huh?"

Akira stood up and began heading there.

On the other side, Oikawa received the same notification.

He turned toward Field 5 with a smirk. But when he arrived, he froze at the sight of a familiar back.

"You! Why is it you?"

Akira turned upon hearing Oikawa's voice and was equally stunned.

"Huh? You're here too?"

Oikawa checked his phone, and his expression turned complicated.

"Wait... I'm on the blue jersey team. And you're... also on blue. That means..."

"We're on the same team," Akira finished, stifling a laugh.

Oikawa gritted his teeth.

"Ugh, this sucks! How did I end up with you as my teammate?"

"Haha! Looks like you'll have to set me the ball later!"

"Not a chance!"

As they bickered, more players arrived at the court.

---

Suddenly, a murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Is that Arai?"

People turned to look at a middle-aged man with a beard and a laid-back demeanor walking toward Field 5.

"What?! It's really him!"

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

"I've only ever seen him on TV during Miyagi Prefecture tournaments. I can't believe he's here!"

"Yeah! Arai is a legend in volleyball! He's coached so many talented players!"

"Is he actually going to play today?!"

"If anyone gets matched with Arai, they'll have a tough time."

"Exactly! He's played internationally. Who could stand a chance against him here?"

"Even if he doesn't play as much these days, he's still an unbeatable force."

---

Meanwhile, Akira glanced at Oikawa with a teasing smile.

"Looks like today's lineup won't be easy."

Oikawa clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes.

"Doesn't matter. If Arai's here, I'll prove my skills against him too

Oikawa clenched his fists, looking across the court at Arai, a legendary figure he had long admired but never faced on equal ground.

His usually confident demeanor now carried a trace of determination mixed with apprehension.

Akira, standing beside him, seemed unfazed by the attention or the imposing presence of Arai.

"Hey, Akira," Oikawa muttered, his voice low but tinged with challenge, "do you even know who you're about to face?"

Akira glanced at him with a calm yet unwavering gaze. "It doesn't matter who he is. Once we step on the court, he's just another opponent to defeat."

Oikawa blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Akira's confidence.

"You talk big," Oikawa said, crossing his arms. "But Arai isn't just anyone. He's a former national team player, a legend in Miyagi! Are you sure you're not scared?"

Akira smirked slightly, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Scared? Of course not. If anything, I'm excited."

Oikawa's eyes narrowed, a mix of irritation and respect brewing within him.

"Hmph, fine. Just don't drag me down," Oikawa said, turning his attention back to the court.

"I was about to say the same to you," Akira replied with a faint chuckle.

In the Audience

The excitement among the spectators was electric.

"Look! That's Kazuma Mizuki from Group S!" someone exclaimed.

"And there's Mitsuda Musashi,! I can't believe he's playing here!"

The crowd buzzed with chatter, pointing out familiar faces from the professional circuit.

"And those two high schoolers?" one person muttered skeptically.

"Don't underestimate them!" another quickly interjected. "The one in the setter position is Oikawa Toru, Aoba Johsai's captain! He's a prodigy who's already made it to Group S before!"

"And the other one? He's the rising star who's been climbing the ranks at an insane speed. Two weeks to go from Group E to an A-level promotion match—all wins!"

The murmurs turned into gasps of disbelief.

"All wins? That's insane!"

The team gathered on their side of the court, forming a circle to discuss strategy.

"Hey, I'm Mitsuda Musashi, and I'll be your vice-captain for this match. It's an honor to team up with you," said the tall player, bowing slightly.

The other professional players introduced themselves, and while they acknowledged Akira and Oikawa's skills, they couldn't hide their unease about facing Arai.

"Our biggest challenge is Arai," Mitsuda said gravely. "He's an unparalleled spiker with unmatched air dominance. I've seen his matches—he's a force of nature."

The team fell silent, each player avoiding eye contact. The weight of facing Arai was suffocating.

Mitsuda sighed. "I'm not going to lie. I don't think I can match him, whether it's blocking or receiving his spikes."

The others nodded reluctantly, their confidence wavering.

Just when the tension seemed unbearable, Akira's calm voice broke through.

"If none of you can take him on," he said, his gaze steady and voice unwavering, "how about I give it a shot?"

The team turned to Akira, their surprise evident.

"Are you serious?" Oikawa asked, his tone laced with skepticism.

"Why not?" Akira replied, his calm demeanor masking the fire in his eyes. "I've never been one to back down from a challenge. Besides, isn't this why we're here? To face the best and prove ourselves?"

For a moment, the team stared at Akira in silence. Then, slowly, a sense of resolve began to spread among them.

"If you're willing to step up, then we'll back you up," Mitsuda said, his voice firm. "Let's give this everything we've got."

The stage was set, the stakes higher than ever. As the players took their positions, the court was charged with energy, the air heavy with anticipation.

This wasn't just a game anymore—it was a battle to prove their worth, a clash of talents that would be remembered for years to come.

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