The resounding echoes of shoes squeaking against the polished gymnasium floor and the rhythmic calls to get the ball filled the air as (y/n) and her entourage stepped into the lively training space. Kenta, ever curious, trotted alongside (y/n), his nose working overtime as he sniffed at every intriguing scent that crossed his path. Inuoka, with a gentle smile, cradled the excited pup in his arms, showering him with affection.

During the walk, (y/n) found herself engrossed in conversation with Lev, discovering that he was half Russian, which added an intriguing layer to their interaction. They shared stories, discussing their experiences and dreams, forming a connection that hinted at the potential for a strong bond.

As they approached the gymnasium, (y/n) couldn't contain her excitement, her pace quickening until she heard the unmistakable chuckle of the old Nekomata. A mischievous grin spread across her face, and she bolted forward, leaving the boys trailing behind as she burst into the bustling gymnasium.

Unbeknownst to Lev, a hushed conversation ensued among the Nekoma boys, their voices barely audible.

"...I forgot she has to insult the coach before doing anything else," Kuroo muttered with a mixture of amusement and fondness.

Lev's eyes widened in shock and curiosity. "Wait! She can do that?!" he blurted out, unable to conceal his surprise.

Kuroo nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Yup. You see, (y/n)-san grew up during the intense battles between our teams and the epic clash known as the 'battle of the garbage dump.' She was a fixture at all our games, given that her grandfather and our coach were old friends."

Lev's astonishment grew, and he couldn't help but marvel at the layers of history and camaraderie surrounding (y/n). "Woah!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration. "Well, I'll be sure to impress her when I show her that I'm the ace!"

His confident proclamation didn't go unnoticed, triggering an immediate response from Yamamoto, who cracked his knuckles with a determined glint in his eyes. "What was that, you cocky bastard?" he howled, his competitive spirit flaring. "You better be ready to back up those words!"

Kuroo chuckled, enjoying the brewing excitement and friendly rivalry among his teammates. "Easy there, Yamamoto," he interjected, his voice laced with amusement. "Let's save the showdown for the court. Right now, we have some introductions to make and some volleyball to play."

...

"Hey, you old cat!" (y/n) called out, her voice filled with playful familiarity. "Haven't had too many heart attacks while I was gone?"

Nekomata chuckled, his eyes twinkling with affection. "Well, it's nice to see you too, Spitfire!" he greeted, his tone brimming with warmth. "I see you've already met Lev?"

"Yeah, your lanky giant," (y/n) confirmed, a hint of admiration in her voice. "He's got a major arm span, so his spikes are going to be impressive."

As (y/n) engaged in lively banter with Nekomata, the other coaches gradually made their way toward her, each introducing themselves with a genuine smile. The players on the court couldn't help but grow curious, their gazes shifting toward (y/n) as they tried to catch a better view of the spirited newcomer.

Just then, the group of six boys who had gone to pick up (y/n) entered the gymnasium, with Kenta leading the way. They merged with the gathering of curious onlookers, their faces alight with anticipation.

Sensing the growing anticipation and curiosity, Nekomata clapped his hands together, capturing everyone's attention. The other coaches respectfully dispersed, creating a clear path for (y/n) to be seen by all.

Amidst the whispers and exchanged glances, a tall teen with white and grey hair playfully elbowed a certain bed-headed male, leaning in to whisper in his ear.

"Hey, who's the pretty girl, Kuroo?" he inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of mischief.

"Hm?" Kuroo, the captain of Nekoma, responded with a mischievous smile. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough," he teased, his tone cryptic yet brimming with amusement.

Pouting slightly, the other teen's shoulders drooped as he sulked, causing the boy standing beside him, with tousled black hair, to roll his eyes playfully, sensing the playful rivalry brewing between the two.

As the excitement and anticipation continued to build, (y/n) found herself at the center of attention, surrounded by familiar faces and newfound acquaintances. She could feel the energy of the gymnasium pulsating around her, a vibrant mix of determination and camaraderie.

"All right, everyone," Nekomata began, his voice carrying authority and a hint of amusement. "As you know, Karasuno will be joining us in a few days for the training camp. We had you all come here earlier so you could meet this little gremlin."

"I swear I will peck your eyes out if you call me that again, old man," (y/n) retorted, her voice laced with playful annoyance.

"Just like her grandfather, I swear," Nekomata chuckled, enjoying the banter. "Anyway, this is Ukai (y/n). My team has already had the pleasure of working with her, and we've seen significant improvement because of it. She is the assistant coach of the Karasuno team, and we will be using these few days to have her analyze all of you, so she can point out what you need to improve on. Just a fair warning, she bites."

"What was that?" (y/n) exclaimed, her voice filled with mock outrage. "I do not bite! You think I'm some kind of savage?"

Nekomata deadpanned, his tone playfully unyielding. "Point proven. Now, all of you, line up. Lev, you too, since you haven't been analyzed by her yet. The rest of Nekoma can just watch."

"Don't ignore me, you old crazy—" (y/n) began, only to be interrupted by Nekomata's command.

"Alright, Spitfire, do your thing," Nekomata instructed, a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.

Grumbling under her breath, (y/n) huffed as she walked past the coaches, making her way toward the lined-up teenagers. Each player eyed her curiously, their anticipation palpable, while Kenta dutifully followed behind her, barking at each player before moving on. Once (y/n) had made her way down the line, she returned to the other coaches, collecting their papers so she could familiarize herself with the names of the players.

"Alright, let's see here," (y/n) murmured, her eyes scanning the names on the papers as she prepared to offer her analysis. One by one, she pointed out the players, commenting on their positions, strengths, and weaknesses. The players listened intently, their eyes widening with surprise as they realized how accurately (y/n) analyzed their playing styles.

Finally, (y/n) came to a black-haired boy who appeared rather emotionless.

"Akaashi Keiji," (y/n) began, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You're a second-year and the starting setter. You excel in strategizing and have a natural talent for making the best decisions. Your teammates rely on your reliability and trust your choices."

The male, caught off guard by (y/n)'s spot-on assessment, let out an awkward grunt of surprise, while (y/n) snickered at his reaction before moving on to the next player. However, before she could even turn her attention to him, a pair of large golden orbs locked onto her, staring her down like an inquisitive owl.

"I'm Bokuto Kotaro!" the tall boy introduced himself with enthusiasm.

"Y-yes, I can see that," (y/n) replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "You're a third-year and the captain of Fukurodani. As a wing spiker and the ace, you possess a powerful straight spike and a keen ability to execute well-timed feints."

"Whoa!" Bokuto exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement as he grabbed (y/n) by the shoulders. "You're so cool! Can we keep her, Akaashi?"

"No, let her go," Akaashi demanded, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. "You're suffocating her, Bokuto-senpai."

Pouting slightly, the third-year released his grip on (y/n), allowing her to finally fill her lungs with air again. Glancing back, (y/n) noticed that he was sulking, while Akaashi rolled his eyes playfully, accustomed to his captain's exuberant behavior. Unable to contain her amusement, (y/n) moved along, only to be greeted by Lev once again.

"Hey, (y/n)-san!" the lanky boy greeted her with a wide grin.

"Hi, Lev!" (y/n) responded kindly, a warm smile on her face. "Let's see, you're relatively new to this, so I assume your overall basics are still in need of improvement. However, you're fortunate to be with Nekoma, as they are the best team for solidifying your receiving skills. You have natural ability, and I'm sure you'll catch up quickly. It's evident that you're a middle blocker, and with arms like yours, I bet your spike is like a whip."

"That's totally right!" Lev confirmed eagerly. "I knew you'd understand why I'm the ace!"

Just as the words left Lev's mouth, a resounding thwack echoed through the gymnasium. (Y/n) watched as the tall teen fell to the floor, a volleyball having made contact with the side of his head. Glancing over, she saw Yaku and Yamamoto commenting on how someone lacking technique had no right to call himself the ace. (Y/n) couldn't help but pat the green-eyed teen's head, helping him up before making her way back to the coaches, a playful smirk on her face.