Maya Yamato's physique was exceptionally tall, like an unshakeable mountain. Every muscle on his body was sharply defined, packed with explosive strength. One glance was enough to tell he was a natural power hitter—identical in style to Azuma Kiyokuni.
Even though he hadn't hit a home run so far in the Koshien tournament, that did nothing to diminish his presence.
He already had six extra-base hits, an astonishing number. Every swing of his bat carried terrifying force—like a thunderclap—that pressured any defense he faced.
At the batter's box, Kanzaki Ryou felt an invisible pressure. It wasn't from Maya Yamato's physique or aura, but an indescribable instinct—something dangerous.
He looked toward Miyuki, and the two shared a quick glance. No words needed.
Test his timing. First pitch: fastball.
Kanzaki Ryou took a deep breath, adjusted his rhythm, then gripped the baseball.
This first pitch had to count.
From the batter's box, Maya Yamato stared at Kanzaki, noticing the subtle tension in his expression. His fingers gripped the bat tighter—too tight. Realizing it might affect his performance, he loosened slightly.
The moment Kanzaki lifted his leg—
Crack!!
The bat cut through the air like lightning.
But it hit nothing.
The baseball landed firmly in Miyuki's glove.
"Strike!!"
The stadium erupted, but Miyuki's eyes were glued to Yamato. His swing speed was incredible.
He tossed the ball back to Kanzaki, then shifted his glove outward—
Slider.
Kanzaki nodded and threw. The speed was nearly identical to his fastball; hard to distinguish before it broke. By the time it moved, adjusting the swing would be nearly impossible.
Sure enough, Yamato swung at the straight-line trajectory. But the pitch veered away horizontally just before reaching the plate.
Smack!
"Strike!!"
Yamato widened his eyes, seeing Kanzaki's infamous Slider firsthand for the first time. It was as bizarre as the rumors claimed. Unless you predicted it beforehand, hitting it cleanly was nearly impossible.
Even so, his spirit didn't waver.
I only want the fastball.
If Kanzaki throws it, I'll crush it.
Two strikes.
Kanzaki clenched his fist. Should he continue with a Slider?
Miyuki gave the sign.
Kanzaki's eyes twitched.
This guy… is pure evil.
The pitch Miyuki wanted… was outrageous.
If the batter missed, Maya Yamato would probably curse them both.
But Kanzaki couldn't help grinning. He looked at Yamato's tensed muscles—overflowing with the desire to swing—and lowered the corners of his eyes.
Sorry.
Kanzaki stepped forward, raised his arm powerfully, and—
At the last split second, he completely killed his strength and gently flicked the ball.
A pee ball.
A dead fish.
A shameless, floating junk pitch.
Maya Yamato was ready to explode the moment the ball left Kanzaki's fingers. His bat whipped forward—
But halfway through the swing, he froze.
This pitch… isn't fast.
It isn't straight.
It isn't ANYTHING.
A junk ball???
Finish the swing? He'd miss by a mile.
Stop? He was already past halfway.
He could only stiffen helplessly as the slow, humiliating pitch dropped directly into Miyuki's mitt.
"...Huh???"
The entire stadium erupted.
A beat of stunned silence—
Then Seidou's side exploded like a volcano.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
The laughter shook Koshien itself.
Shameless? Maybe.
Brilliant? Absolutely.
"Nice one, Kanzaki!!"
"Miyuki! That was nasty!"
Sagara High School fans, meanwhile, unleashed boos like a raging storm.
Kanzaki scratched his head and spun around with an idiot-like smile.
That only made them angrier.
Returning to the dugout, he was surrounded by teammates.
"You really threw that, huh?" Azuma Kiyokuni laughed, clearly delighted by the junk ball.
"That was Miyuki's call," Kanzaki said immediately. "Don't blame me. I just followed orders."
"Miyuki's got guts!"
"Catchers really are monsters!"
Everyone burst into laughter as they teased Miyuki. Meanwhile, Tanaka Wataru collapsed dramatically on the side, overwhelmed.
The first inning ended: 0–0.
Top of the second inning
Seidou on offense.
Leading off—
Kanzaki Ryou, the man who had just humiliated Sagara's ace hitter.
As Kanzaki walked up with his bat, he noticed their catcher glaring at him with a murderous expression.
How petty.
"STRIKE HIM OUT!!"
"KILL HIM!!"
"HAYATO, DESTROY HIM!!"
Sagara's fans had officially declared war. Some were even praying for Hinata Hayato to strike Kanzaki out with a junk ball of his own.
…Unrealistic, but they could dream.
Hinata Hayato exhaled calmly. He had been observing Kanzaki for a long time. Back when Seidou won the Spring Tournament, the media had already given Kanzaki a title—
The strongest pitcher of his generation.
And now he was stepping into the batter's box.