First, a Forkball on the edges to test him out.
Seido's offense was extremely aggressive today, so there was no fear that the opponent wouldn't swing.
Harada Masatoshi made his judgment and immediately gave the signal.
Moreover, Matsumoto Takumi's Straight ball speed could reach up to 146 km/h, which was extremely impressive in high school baseball.
With such pitch speed aimed at the corners, Azuma Kiyokuni could only rely on instinct to distinguish between a Strike and a Ball. His eyes wouldn't keep up.
Even the slightest hesitation meant he wouldn't be able to hit it well.
On the mound, Matsumoto Takumi nodded and delivered a subtle bad pitch toward the outside corner.
Whack!
"Ball!"
The ball entered the glove, and Azuma Kiyokuni didn't swing.
Looking back at Harada Masatoshi, Azuma Kiyokuni grinned.
As expected, the opponent threw a ball.
He recalled Miyuki and Kanzaki Ryou's suggestion before the game—pretend to be eager to hit so the pitcher would be lured into throwing bad pitches. Azuma Kiyokuni sighed inwardly.
These guys truly had dirty minds.
Harada Masatoshi, meanwhile, looked at Azuma Kiyokuni in surprise.
He had observed clearly—Azuma Kiyokuni didn't halt his swing midway. He never intended to swing at all.
This man's batting style was to hit whatever came, but it wasn't mindless.
His ability to track the ball was high, and the probability of solid contact was also high.
Under normal circumstances, Azuma Kiyokuni would never let a batting opportunity go, especially when Seido's tactics today clearly encouraged aggressive swinging.
The fact that he let the first pitch pass forced Harada Masatoshi to reconsider pitch selection.
After throwing the ball back, unable to read the batter's intent, Harada Masatoshi decided on another Fast Forkball.
Keep it low. It must be low.
A Fast Forkball was only effective if it stayed down.
Matsumoto Takumi understood.
If kept low, given Azuma Kiyokuni's height, even if he made contact, it would most likely be a grounder.
Soon, the Fast Forkball came to the outside low corner—far from him, and very low.
But once again, Azuma Kiyokuni did not swing, watching the ball enter the glove cleanly.
"Strike!"
What does he plan to do?
Harada Masatoshi frowned.
Two consecutive pitches without swinging—did someone swap this guy's soul? This wasn't like him.
Azuma Kiyokuni's unusual behavior put pressure on Harada.
He was already strong. If he started thinking too?
He'd be a nightmare to deal with.
One ball, One strike.
After a moment's thought, Harada still called for the Fast Forkball—this time inside.
Matsumoto Takumi hurled it.
Just then, Azuma Kiyokuni's massive frame moved—his bat slicing fiercely through the air.
Bang!
The ball skipped off the bat and shot into the defensive gap.
Azuma Kiyokuni sprinted and reached base in one go.
"It went through!"
"Haha! Captain is amazing!"
"Cleanup Monster!"
"Azuma Kiyokuni!"
"Yo-ho! He's on base!"
The stands erupted, Seido's cheer squad chanting as one.
"Hehe, Senior Harada must be pretty depressed right now," Miyuki said.
Kanzaki Ryou smiled.
"They probably studied Senior Azuma and noticed he struggles with pitches at his feet. But they don't know how many such pitches I've thrown to him these past two months—even when pretending to throw Straight balls."
"This pitch was meant to be a Fast Forkball, and its landing point wasn't that different from a Straight. So Senior Azuma hit it smoothly," Miyuki nodded.
Since Kanzaki Ryou's daily live pitching began, Seido's entire batting lineup had improved dramatically, especially after the Kanto Tournament.
From simple pitch-type drills to realistic matchup scenarios—even intentionally pitching to each player's weak zones—it patched every batter's flaw.
Inajitsu could no longer target Seido based on old information.
At the plate, the 5th batter, Tanaka Wataru, finally made contact after two Strikes and two balls.
But the hit was shallow, and Inajitsu's second baseman player caught it easily.
Next was the 6th batter, Isashiki.
The moment he stepped in, he let out a loud roar—imitating Azuma Kiyokuni.
He admired him greatly.
But despite the spirit, he struck out.
Then, the 7th batter, Araki Keita, grounded out.
The second inning ended.
Both teams' 4th batters reached First Base, but neither side scored.
Both pitchers were performing exceptionally, and the game clearly shifted into a pitcher's duel.
Top of the Third Inning
Nanjo Taishi easily retired Inajitsu's 8th and 9th batters, then faced Carlos again.
Neither Nanjo nor Tanaka believed he would bunt twice—too unlikely.
Carlos was fast for a first-year, but raw at the plate.
Facing a former Seido Ace, he didn't attempt to choose pitches—he just looked for Straight balls.
But he was struck out, failing to spark anything for Inajitsu.
Three up, three down.
Nanjo Taishi received loud applause.
Bottom of the Third
After Yoshikawa Junpei was retired, Kanzaki Ryou stepped into the batter's box.
"It's this kid's turn."
"Kanzaki Ryou! Hit it out!"
"We believe in you!"
"I love you!!"
Voices mixed wildly.
Kanzaki Ryou wiped sweat.
Please—he was still underage!
Swinging lightly, his eyes sharpened.
After a full rotation of the lineup, it fell to him to score.
What pressure, he joked to himself.
Harada Masatoshi looked at him and suddenly considered walking him.
Anyone watching Seido lately knew:
Once the lineup reached the 9th batter, Kanzaki Ryou triggered a scoring storm.
No pitcher had escaped this rule.
Though no runners were on base, a hit meant First Base—and a walk meant First Base—but the problem was…
This brat's home run rate was terrifying.
Walk him?
Harada glanced at Coach Kunimoto.
Kunimoto shook his head.
Though Kanzaki Ryou was dangerous, walking him now would lose momentum.
This was a semifinal where only the bold win.
Any factor affecting morale must be eliminated.