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"Promised Land" (Japanese:
Overview[]
Ikkei Ukai and Coach Nekomata's backstory is established, starting with their rivalry as players, their coaching of their respective schools, and their retirement after being unable to play against each other in an official setting. In the present day, Karasuno and Nekoma ready themselves for the long-awaited Battle of the Garbage Dump, with Ikkei, watching from his hospital bed, remarking that although he may not be participating as a player or a coach, his disciples Hinata and Kageyama are on the court, and so is his blood in the form of his grandson.
Plot[]
The start of the destined rivalry.
Ikkei and Nekomata first met during a match in their middle school years. As he played on the court, Ikkei noticed Nekomata with the slouch observing him quietly. Once Nekomata was subbed in, Ikkei found difficulty scoring due to Nekomata reading and cleanly receiving his every attack. Later, Nekomata thanked Ikkei for letting him look good on the court, an act that made Ikkei determined to crush Nekomata in their next match. This first meeting started a trend of Ikkei challenging Nekomata until Nekomata relocated to Tokyo. However, Ikkei was undeterred and trained diligently so that he can beat Nekomata if they ever meet again. In their second-year of high school, Ikkei and Nekomata's teams both made it to Nationals, and the two restarted their rivalry. Ultimately, they were unable to play together in an official match after their respective teams lost before they could face each other. Nevertheless, Ikkei persisted in challenging Nekomata, who gladly accepted his challenge.
The two never had another chance to stand on the National stage after that. Eventually, both became coaches at their respective alma maters, Nekoma and Karasuno. They would organize practice matches whenever they had the chance and aimed to make The Dumpster Battle happen at the Nationals. Yet, the opportunity never came and both retired five years before the present time. Fast forward to the start of the current school year, Takeda makes a call to Nekomata to arrange a practice match between the two rival teams.
It's the day 3 of the Spring Tournament. The long-awaited matchup between Karasuno and Nekoma is about to begin as players take their place. Coach Naoi is excited about the upcoming match, but Nekomata reminds them that this isn't the reason Nekoma came to Nationals. It's just that they are more people looking forward to this matching, including himself.
In a hospital room, Ikkei watches the match with his students from a live-broadcasting television. Kuroo and Daichi come forward to do the proper captain handshake. Kuroo tries to provoke Daichi by bringing up all the penalties that Karasuno did during the summer training camp, while Daichi responds with a thanks accompanied by a bone-crushing handshake. As the players and coaches are introduced, Ikkei happily brags about his grandson to his students, other patients present, and nurses. When his student asks him if he regrets not being there in person, Ikkei denies having any regret. Even though his name may not be listed, his disciples and his bloodline are present, which is something he can't be more happy about.
Kenma says he doesn't know when asked if they can beat the oddball combo.
Back on the court, the current Coach Ukai recalls his grandpa's words about not forcing his own will onto his players. Ukai thinks that the current Nekoma and Karasuno players are standing here on their own will. They are destined rivals in their own right instead of fighting a battle for the sake of pleasing their elders. As such, Ukai sincerely hopes his grandpa will be able to enjoy this match to his heart's content. The two teams officially greet each other as the match commences. Yamamoto calls out to Kenma inquiring about whether they could defeat the "demon and club combo", Kageyama and Hinata. Kenma, who is recognized as a player concerned only with the objectivity of facts, ultimately replies he doesn't know.
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- Spoilers for the Incoming Two-Part Compilation Movie Entitled "Haikyū!! Final":
- The two-part compilation movie starts from this chapter until Volume 45 Chapter 402.