"Kitamura, this is the pitcher you mentioned—the one who throws that moving ball."
Todoroki Raizo crossed his arms, eyes fixed on the mound.
"In the game against Akikawa, no one could hit him cleanly. I've rewatched the footage multiple times."
He frowned slightly.
"His control is average. His velocity and power aren't impressive either. Compared to Sanada, he looks… incomplete."
A pause.
"And yet—no one could hit him."
"There's something we're not seeing."
"Hard to say," Kitamura Kou replied calmly.
"We'll only understand once we face him in the box."
On the mound—
Sawamura Eijun took a deep breath.
Then another.
Trying to steady himself.
Behind the plate, Miyuki Kazuya grinned.
The two biggest threats are already gone.
The rest are solid but not monsters.
Let's take control right here.
"For the first pitch…" Miyuki thought, his eyes narrowing.
Right down the middle.
Don't hold back.
On the mound—
Sawamura paused.
Then suddenly—
He broke into a wide grin.
As expected of Miyuki-senpai…
I'm fired up!
His presence surged.
Like flames igniting around him.
With a roar—
He delivered.
"Ball!"
Yamauchi Yutaka blinked.
He hadn't even reacted.
The ball had already snapped into Miyuki's glove.
What… was that motion?
For the first time—
He looked unsettled.
Before he could reset—
Sawamura was already in motion again.
No pause.
No mercy.
"Ball!"
This time—
Yamauchi swung.
Got it!
But at the last instant—
The pitch tailed sharply inward.
"Ping!"
Awkward contact.
The ball dribbled weakly in front of the plate, rolling toward the mound.
"I got it! I got it!"
Sawamura charged forward, scooping it up cleanly and firing to first.
"Out!"
Yamauchi hadn't even reached halfway.
Sawamura pumped his fist, bursting with energy.
"Nice! Nice! Nice!"
Thud!
Kuramochi kicked him from behind.
"Shut up already."
"…Nice! Nice!"
Sawamura only paused for a second—
Then resumed shouting.
The crowd buzzed.
"That was fast!"
"Two pitches and he's out?!"
"That's Sawamura, right?"
"His speed isn't special but that movement…!"
"Seido suddenly has two strong pitchers this year…"
"Are they building a pitching powerhouse?"
Momentum—
Had shifted.
But on Yakushi's side—
"Tch. Only two runs."
Todoroki Raizo clicked his tongue, dissatisfied.
"Coach, that's already a great start," Sanada Shunpei said calmly.
"Getting greedy can backfire."
"Yeah, yeah but we already crushed their ace fastball pitcher."
Nakanishi Daiki grinned.
"As long as Raichi and Kou keep swinging, the rest will fall too."
"…Unless they walk us," Kitamura Kou said flatly.
"Don't say that!"
Nakanishi panicked instantly.
"Take it back!"
Raizo chuckled, turning to Sanada.
"Your turn."
"Let's see if you can shut them down."
Sanada adjusted his cap, smiling brightly.
"No problem."
Seido dugout—
"They're really going all out against us," Chris said quietly.
"Lineup changes, surprise starter… everything."
"Yeah," Miyuki smirked. "That coach is something else."
Yuuki Tetsuya spoke calmly:
"If he didn't start Sanada earlier, there must be a reason."
"We just haven't figured it out yet."
"…Like our bald ace?" Kominato Ryosuke added innocently.
In the corner—
Tanba froze.
Then slowly shrank back into the shadows.
"…Don't drag me into this…"
Coach Kataoka stepped forward.
His voice cut through everything.
"They've made their move."
"We respond."
"Go."
"Score."
"YES!"
"Bottom of the first inning—Seido High School at bat! Batter: shortstop, Kuramochi!"
Kuramochi Yoichi stepped into the box—
Eyes sharp.
Locked onto the pitcher.
Sanada Shunpei stood on the mound—
Smiling.
Relaxed.
What are you smiling at? Kuramochi thought, irritation rising.
Showing off your teeth?
I'll wipe that grin off your face.
He shifted closer to the plate—
Crowding it.
Applying pressure.
Inside pitcher, huh?
Let's see you try.
Sanada's smile widened slightly.
"Oh?"
"Starting aggressive, huh?"
His eyes gleamed.
Instead of backing down—
His competitive spirit flared.
"Good."