"Amazing! Absolutely amazing!"
"Great pitching, Kitamura-san!"
The teammates in the dugout welcomed the fielders returning after the inning.
On the mound, Sanada Shunpei's usual lazy expression had completely disappeared. In its place burned a fierce competitive spirit.
Maruyama Shinji, a first-year standing in the batter's box, gulped nervously as he stared at the intense pitcher before him.
Not every first-year was a monster like Todoroki Raichi or Kitamura Kou. Nervousness and inexperience were the norm.
Whoosh!
Pop!
Whoosh!
Pop!
Whoosh!
Pop!
Three blazing fastballs, each around 145 km/h, cut through the strike zone.
"Strike three!"
Sanada struck Maruyama out without mercy.
The rookie trudged back to the dugout, shoulders slumped.
"Don't worry, you'll hit it next time," his teammates comforted him.
Clang!
The next moment, a crisp sound echoed across the field.
Masuda Atsushi, the second batter, connected with Sanada's pitch, sending it straight back toward the mound.
Sanada simply raised his glove without moving a step.
Thump!
The ball dropped neatly into his glove.
One pitch, one out.
The third batter, Nakanishi Daiki, fared no better. After three powerful swings that sliced through empty air, he returned to the dugout in defeat.
"Three outs! Change sides!"
Team A's momentum surged.
"Hahaha, that was awesome, Sanada-senpai!"
"Sanada-senpai is incredible!"
Meanwhile, Kitamura Kou picked up his glove again.
"Whoa, the pace is too fast. I feel like I just sat down," he complained lightly to Nakanishi before heading back to the mound.
Just then—
"Kahahaha! Kahahahahaha!"
Todoroki Raichi stepped eagerly into the batter's box.
Ever since being struck out by Kitamura last time, Raichi had practiced his swing relentlessly. He had been waiting for this rematch.
A violent aura seemed to swirl around him like red-and-black flames, surging toward the mound.
"I'm going to hit it! I'll blast it out! Kahahaha!!"
Kitamura wasn't intimidated.
A dark golden aura seemed to erupt from his body, pushing back Raichi's overwhelming presence.
"Try it if you can."
"Go, Raichi! Smash it!" Mishima Yuta shouted excitedly.
"Take him down, Kitamura-san!"
The entire field buzzed with anticipation.
Kitamura thrived in this kind of pressure. The stronger the opponent, the more his potential exploded.
Boom!!!
The ball exploded from his hand.
It was his fastest pitch of the day, already exceeding 150 km/h.
Raichi's eyes locked onto the approaching ball.
Two crimson sparks seemed to flash in his gaze.
At the last moment—
SWISH!
His bat cut through the air like lightning, leaving behind a faint afterimage.
Just before the bat met the ball—
The pitch suddenly rose upward.
THUD!
It slammed into Akaishi's glove.
"Strike!!!"
Raizo's voice boomed across the field.
"Kahahahaha!"
Raichi laughed wildly.
"Amazing! It floated up right in front of me! Fantastic! I'm definitely blasting that kind of ball next time!"
Instead of discouragement, his fighting spirit burned brighter.
Kitamura watched him with admiration.
Raichi's swing was even faster than their previous encounter. His bat path was incredibly precise. If not for the sudden rise of the ball, it might truly have been launched out of the park.
What a terrifying swing…
But I won't lose.
Kitamura delivered another pitch.
Boom!
Raichi swung again.
Ding!
The ball shot foul, landing just outside the third-base line.
"Foul!"
Another pitch.
Crack!
Foul again.
Another.
Clang!
Foul once more.
Four consecutive pitches—four violent fouls.
The dugout erupted.
"Ohhhh!"
"That's insane!"
"What a battle!"
Even Kitamura began breathing heavily after repeatedly throwing full-power pitches.
He wiped the sweat from his face, grabbed the rosin bag, and tightened his grip.
Across from him, Raichi grinned widely, eyes shining with excitement. He looked like a predator enjoying the hunt.
What a bloodthirsty beast, Kitamura thought.
His swing is clean, decisive, and his eyes never leave the ball.
Facing a batter like this… pitching really is interesting.
He pulled his cap lower.
"Then I'll show you something new."
"A pitch I've never used before."
"Next one ends it."
He raised his head again, confidence radiating from his smile.
"Here it comes, Raichi."
His motion was smooth and powerful, the result of tens of thousands of practice throws.
The ball left his hand.
Whoosh!!!
"I see it! I see it clearly!" Raichi roared.
"This one's going out!! Kahahaha!"
He swung with terrifying force.
But just before contact—
The ball dropped sharply.
Whoosh!
Raichi's bat sliced through empty air.
THUD!
The ball snapped cleanly into Akaishi's glove.
"Strike three! Strikeout!"
Raichi's smile froze.
He stared at the result in disbelief.
Meanwhile, on the mound, Kitamura Kou grinned brilliantly—
His smile shining as brightly as the sun overhead.