The top half of the first inning wasn't even over yet, but Seidou was already holding a four-run lead.
Coach Kataoka immediately issued instructions from the dugout.
"The Slider has already been taken deep. Don't fixate on it for now," he said firmly.
"Focus on attacking the Fastball!"
A three-run homer in the opening inning was a massive psychological blow for any pitcher. At moments like this, the correct approach was simple—
Press the advantage. Strike while they're shaken.
Batting seventh, Masuko Toru followed up with a long hit to left field.
Eighth batter Sakai Ichiro then reached base as well.
With runners on first and second, Tanba Koichiro, batting ninth, stepped into the box. After a brief struggle, he was retired.
The top of the first inning ended with Seidou firmly in control, 4–0, as they moved into defense.
As Seidou's starting pitcher for the day, Tanba Koichiro's problems surfaced immediately.
His tendency for slow, unstable starts showed once again.
By the end of the first inning, Ichidai Third High had clawed back two runs, narrowing the score to 4–2.
Top of the Second Inning
Kuramochi Yoichi surprised everyone by laying down a bunt—and beat it out safely.
With Kominato Ryosuke at the plate, Seidou executed another hit-and-run.
Kuramochi sprinted aggressively and, incredibly, advanced all the way to third base.
Runners on the corners. No outs.
Batting third, Isashiki Jun punched a clean single into the outfield, sending Kuramochi home.
Seidou extended the lead.
Batting fourth, Yuki Tetsuya followed up with a sharp hit into left-center field, driving in both Kominato and Isashiki.
Seidou's offense showed no signs of slowing.
With Yuki standing on second base, Kanzaki Ryou stepped into the batter's box.
Facing Manaka Kaname again—an opponent he knew well—Kanzaki was calm.
Manaka's pitching mechanics were refined, but there had been no real evolution. Worse still, the lack of a top-tier catcher prevented his true potential from being unlocked.
A high inside fastball came screaming toward the plate.
Kanzaki swung decisively.
Bang!!
The ball soared toward the left-field stands.
"HOME RUN!!"
"THIRTY!!"
"KANZAKI!!"
The stadium erupted.
That blast marked Kanzaki Ryou's 30th career home run.
A second-year student, already surpassing thirty homers—at this pace, breaking forty before summer wasn't a fantasy.
With that swing, Seidou added two more runs.
9–2.
Batting sixth, Miyuki Kazuya followed.
Contrary to expectations, he didn't swing wildly. Instead, he calmly picked out a fastball and slapped a clean single, reaching first base.
Kanzaki couldn't help but flash him a thumbs-up.
Hitting a single with no runners on base—now that's hard for Miyuki.
"UGAHH!"
Batting seventh, Masuko Toru roared as he took a violent swing at a low outside slider.
Foul.
Manaka followed with a high-speed curveball—still outside.
Foul again.
"Masuko-senpai still struggles with outside pitches," Kanzaki muttered quietly to Kuramochi beside him.
Kuramochi nodded. As Masuko's roommate, he knew that flaw all too well—but it wasn't something that could be fixed overnight.
On the next pitch, Masuko chased another outside ball and swung through it.
After that, Sakai Ichiro and Tanba Koichiro were both retired, ending the inning.
Back in the dugout, Kanzaki immediately grabbed Miyuki.
"You're on fire today," he teased.
"First a homer, then a hit with no runners on base?"
"Heh," Miyuki grinned slyly.
"When the timing clicks, it just keeps going."
Bottom of the Second Inning
Standing in left field, Kanzaki could only watch as Ichidai Third High mounted a counterattack.
By the time the inning ended, they had added three more runs.
The score tightened to 9–5.
As the game progressed into the fourth inning, Tanba's instability worsened.
He issued walks.
Under pressure, he repeatedly shook off Miyuki's pitch calls.
Finally, he chose his own pitch—
A cut ball.
Thankfully, the batter failed to square it up. The ball rolled weakly on the ground, allowing Miyuki to pounce and throw to first for the out.
But the danger was obvious.
When Tanba returned to the dugout at the end of the inning, his face was pale.
Coach Kataoka's voice cut through the air like ice.
"You walked a batter to create danger," he said coldly.
"And then you try to self-destruct with a cutter pitch?"
Tanba's body trembled.
"Tanba," Kataoka continued,
"What exactly have you been learning these past two years?"
The words crushed him.
"Kawakami," Kataoka said without hesitation.
"You're pitching next inning."
"Yes!" Kawakami replied, snapping to attention.
Top of the Fifth Inning
Seidou returned to offense.
Coach Kataoka stood outside the dugout, eyes sharp.
"Their pitcher still hasn't recovered," he commanded.
"Finish this, now!"
"Yes!!!"
Seidou's bats answered loudly.
The game was called early in the seventh inning.
Final Score: Seidou 16 – Ichidai Third 8.
Kawakami pitched three innings in relief, giving up three runs—a solid showing.
By the end of the game, Kanzaki Ryou's home run total had climbed to 31.
"Thanks for the game."
"Thanks for the game."
After the customary handshakes, Seidou quickly packed up and prepared to return to school.
High in the stands, Reporter Fujio and his assistant Akiko watched intently.
"Senpai," Akiko said regretfully, camera in hand,
"That was Kanzaki Ryou, right? It's a shame we didn't get to see him pitch."
Before Fujio could respond, she added dreamily,
"But I really like Miyuki Kazuya. Glasses guys just have such a great vibe."
Fujio sighed helplessly.
A hopeless glasses enthusiast…
"This year's Seidou is terrifying," he said seriously.
"They defeated Ichidai Third without even using their Ace."
"If this momentum continues into summer… we might truly witness history."
He knew West Tokyo well.
In past years, Seidou always fell just short—lacking an absolute Ace.
Now?
They were so stacked that they could crush Ichidai Third High without Kanzaki even pitching.
Of course, Ichidai's decline was also real.
Manaka Kaname was strong—mentally tougher than Tanba—but in West Tokyo, where Inashiro Industrial and Seidou stood—
One Manaka Kaname was simply not enough.