Kanzaki Ryou didn't immediately answer Coach Kataoka's question. Instead, he turned toward the upperclassmen. As his calm yet sharp gaze swept over them, several players subconsciously swallowed.
"Hey," he said suddenly.
The unexpected sound startled everyone.
"The coach is asking you," Kanzaki said lightly, his tone teasing but confident. "Do you have confidence?"
"Huh??"
For a moment, the entire dugout froze.
No, wait… isn't he the one being asked!?
"A game can't be won by the pitcher alone." Kanzaki looked out at the field, his expression steady. "Miyuki and I will shut down their lineup. But scoring? That's on you, senpai."
For a few seconds, silence filled the Seidou dugout. Then, one by one, the seniors broke into grins and surrounded Kanzaki.
"Kanzaki, you little brat!" Azuma Kiyokuni grabbed his shoulder with a mock glare. "You're getting pretty cocky, huh? If Ichidai Third crushes you, I'm coming for you after the game!"
Unfazed, Kanzaki met Azuma's glare with a smirk. "Then I'll have to rely on you, Azuma-senpai. Make sure you hit a few home runs to cover me."
"I—!" Azuma choked on his words. If Kanzaki actually did get hit hard, it'd be up to the seniors to score and protect him anyway. The rookie had turned his words right back on him.
The others around them grinned, the tension melting away. Right then, a silent agreement spread among them: no matter what happened next, they'd give everything they had — in defense and at the plate.
Morale reignited like wildfire. Kanzaki nodded toward his seniors, then turned to face Kataoka.
"Coach! Let me pitch!"
"And I'm catching!"
Miyuki Kazuya stepped forward, bumping his fist toward Kanzaki. His eyes gleamed with excitement. His first high school appearance — and it was against one of the nation's top schools, Ichidai Third. He'd felt some nerves before, but standing beside Kanzaki, that hesitation vanished.
"Together," Kanzaki said with a grin.
Their fists collided — a sharp sound filled with determination.
At that exact moment, sunlight poured into the Seidou dugout, illuminating the two first-years. For a heartbeat, it felt like a scene straight out of a sports manga.
"Hey, hey, hey! What about us!?"
Isashiki Jun couldn't hold back anymore. He stepped forward, raising his own fist. "Don't act like you're the main characters here!"
"Just a couple of first-years," Azuma added with a grin, joining in.
One by one, more fists joined in — unity spreading through the dugout like a spark through dry grass. Kanzaki looked around at the faces of his teammates, then raised his voice.
"Seidou! Conquer the nation!"
"Ohhh!!!"
Their unified roar thundered across the field, startling Ichidai Third's bench.
Who the hell shouts a slogan in the middle of a game!? their players thought, dumbfounded.
The fifth inning began. Coach Kataoka stepped out of the dugout and signaled to the umpire.
A double substitution.
Catcher Tanaka Wataru and left fielder Yoshikawa Junpei came off to rest. Pitcher Nanjo Taishi was shifted to left field.
Coming in were:
First-year catcher, number 19 — Miyuki Kazuya!
First-year pitcher, number 20 — Kanzaki Ryou!
"Oh my! At the most intense moment of the game, Seidou High has brought in two first-year players simultaneously! Coach Kataoka has made an extremely bold move!"
The commentator's voice was almost trembling. Around the stadium, a wave of shock rippled through the spectators. Even Ichidai Third's dugout looked uncertain, as if wondering whether there'd been a mistake.
But as Kanzaki and Miyuki walked calmly onto the field, the truth was undeniable.
"Is this for real?"
"Two first-years? Against Ichidai Third?"
"Has Coach Kataoka lost his mind?"
The stands buzzed with disbelief. Some thought Seidou had given up the game — after all, the Spring Tournament was often used for player development. But Seidou had already made it to the semifinals. One more win would secure a Kanto berth.
To pull a move like this now… was nothing short of shocking.
"Kanzaki!"
"Kanzaki!"
Unlike the doubters, Seidou's student section erupted the moment Kanzaki stepped onto the mound. His name echoed through the stadium, a sea of voices — with a noticeable number of girls among them.
The cheers rolled like thunder, pressing down on Ichidai Third's batters. For the first time, they felt real pressure.
"Don't get shaken by the noise!" Coach Tahara barked from the dugout. "Kanzaki's fast, but we don't know what else he's got. Don't hesitate — swing decisively! No fear!"
"Yes, sir!"
Ichidai's players shouted in response, psyching themselves up.
As the noise reached its peak, Kanzaki suddenly raised his right arm high — then sliced it down in one smooth motion.
Instantly, the entire Seidou cheering section went silent.
Miyuki smirked behind his mask. This guy… is he planning to do something dramatic every time he pitches?
The ninth batter for Ichidai Third, a third-year right fielder, stepped into the box. His eyes were calm but serious. He wouldn't underestimate this first-year — not after what he'd seen so far.
They'd discussed Kanzaki before the game, but the intel was thin. He'd only pitched one inning against Towa High. Apart from a blazing fastball and sharp control, they knew nothing else.
Fine. If they couldn't analyze him, they'd rely on instinct. They'd faced 150 km/h fastballs before.
Miyuki crouched behind home plate, eyeing the batter. The kid looked aggressive — ready to swing at anything close. A pitch outside the zone might bait him into chasing.
But then Miyuki smirked.
No… Kanzaki wouldn't agree to something that safe.
He gave the sign.
Low and outside — four-seam fastball. Let's test his reaction first.
Kanzaki gripped the ball tightly inside his glove, eyes locked on Miyuki's target. No fear. No hesitation. His left leg lifted high, and in one fluid motion, his arm whipped through the air.
Fwoosh!
"Nice ball!"
In an instant, the white sphere slammed into Miyuki's glove.
The batter had swung — and missed completely.
What?!
He turned, staring at the glove in disbelief. He'd aimed for the outside pitch, timed it right — and still missed.
Too fast…! There's no way he's a first-year! Did he repeat a year or something?!
"Whoaaa!!!"
The stadium erupted in cheers. Miyuki tossed the ball back, and Kanzaki caught it cleanly, already readying his next pitch. No hesitation. No pause.
Miyuki signaled again — same spot, same pitch.
Kanzaki's motion was crisp and sharp.
Fwoosh!
Another four-seamer exploded toward the outside corner.
"Nice ball!!"
Another swing and a miss.
The two first-years were in perfect sync, controlling the rhythm of the game completely. They didn't even give the batter time to breathe.
The crowd barely had time to cheer before Kanzaki was winding up for pitch number three.
The bat swung — a fraction too late.
Snap!
The ball buried itself in Miyuki's glove like a white laser.
Outside again!?
The batter's eyes widened, fury and disbelief mixing in his gaze.
This catcher… he's way too bold!
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