"The Next Battle" (Japanese:
Overview
Karasuno and Shiratorizawa return to their normal routines after deciding the Miyagi representative for Nationals. Meanwhile, Nekoma is gearing up to secure their spot to Nationals in the Tokyo Qualifiers.
Plot
At the Osuwari Bar and Restaurant, Ukai and Takeda celebrate their victory with Takinoue and Shimada. Takeda expresses his joy while Ukai is determined to help the team in their next challenge.
On the following day, the third-year Shiratorizawa players are retiring from the team. Ushijima steps forward and advises his juniors one-by-one on areas they can improve on. The other third-years are impressed by Ushijima's meticulous observation. While waiting for his turn, Goshiki becomes anxious about what Ushijima will say, convinced that he's still lacking in all areas. To Goshiki's utter surprise, Ushijima simply entrusts the team to him. Tearfully, Goshiki joins the remaining players in bowing and thanking the third-years.
After completing their farewell, Ushijima reminds the team of their one hundred serves punishment. A dismayed Tendō questions if they need to do it too but goes along with it in the end. Sitting nearby, Washijō is informed of a call from Coach Anabara of Johzenji High.
At Karasuno, Hinata is surrounded by his classmates as they excitedly chatter about the feat of the volleyball team. He reveals that Nationals will be held in the largest stadium in Tokyo and earns more admiration from his class. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi walk by and see Hinata gloating. A few classmates believe Hinata will attend Nationals to help with managerial duties. Hinata angrily claims that he will play in the games, but the others remain unconvinced. Meanwhile, Yachi is working on a new team poster in her classroom.
Later in the clubroom, the team converses about Nekoma. The second-years reveal the Tokyo preliminaries are down to the top four schools with Nekoma and Fukurōdani still in competition for the representative spots. Hinata grows excited at the thought of playing Nekoma until Kageyama reminds him that Nekoma still needs to qualify for Nationals.
In mid-November at the Sumida City Gymnasium, the finals of the Tokyo representative games are taking place with Nekoma, Fukurōdani, Itachiyama, and Nohebi in attendance. Ahead of their match, Kuroo gives a pep talk to the team but is interrupted by Suguru Daishō. Daishō, the captain and wing spiker for Nohebi Academy, taunts Nekoma for missing something decisive despite being a team of high-level defense and teamwork. He continues to provoke Nekoma by making fun of Kuroo's hair. However, Kuroo knows that Daishō was recently dumped by his girlfriend and teases him back. At that moment, Lev looms over Daishō and boldly states that Nekoma is different this year. Kuroo and Daishō vow to face each other in the finals and walk off.
Soon, Nekoma enters the court for their semi-finals match. The team is nervous considering their opponent and the stake of the match. Accompanied by loud cheering, Fukurōdani makes its entrance with Bokuto leading the way.
Appearances
- Ittetsu Takeda
- Keishin Ukai
- Makoto Shimada
- Yūsuke Takinoue
- Jin Soekawa
- Wakatoshi Ushijima
- Taichi Kawanishi
- Satori Tendō
- Kenjirō Shirabu
- Umeda
- Yunohama
- Eita Semi
- Reon Ōhira
- Hayato Yamagata
- Tsutomu Goshiki
- Tanji Washijō
- Shōyō Hinata
- Kei Tsukishima
- Tadashi Yamaguchi
- Hitoka Yachi
- Ryūnosuke Tanaka
- Tobio Kageyama
- Chikara Ennoshita
- Kazuhito Narita
- Tetsurō Kuroo
- Kenma Kozume
- Yūki Shibayama
- Suguru Daishō
- Taketora Yamamoto
- Nobuyuki Kai
- Morisuke Yaku
- Lev Haiba
- Kōtarō Bokuto
- Keiji Akaashi
- Haruki Komi
- Yamato Sarukui
Chapter notes
Character revelations
- Jin Soekawa is revealed to be the vice-captain of the Shiratorizawa Academy Boys' Volleyball Club.
- Ushijima's advice to the first and second years:
- Kawanishi: Have more confidence in blocking and improve his serve.
- Shirabu: Make the best use of every hitter and polish his receiving skills.
- Umeda: More consistent form.
- Yunohama: Improve reaction time when blocking.
- Sagae: Improve lower body strength.
- Goshiki: None. Ushijima entrusts the team to him.
- According to Kuroo, Daishō is dumped by his girlfriend Mika, but Daishō says he's the one that dumped her.
