"We can't give up yet!"
In the rest area of Seiko Academy, a few players stood up resolutely.
They knew the team was in dire straits.
But it was precisely during moments like these that they refused to abandon their teammates out on the field. The atmosphere was heavy, oppressive even.
One could only imagine what their teammates, still fighting on the field, were feeling right now.
Were they still holding on?
Even Coach KumaKiri, who had always appeared steadfast, now sat with his head lowered, the light gone from his eyes.
This wasn't just the pain of a defeat.
He was beginning to question everything—his strategies, his coaching style, his decisions.
Maybe all the things he had stubbornly believed would strengthen the team... were actually holding them back.
Against a true national powerhouse like Seidou High, all their flaws had been laid bare.
As if sharing a silent understanding, the Seiko players began stepping forward to the front of the dugout, cheering in their own way.
From the audience's perspective, it was touching.
Despite the crushing defeat, the team stood united.
Back home, these players could write an 800-word reflection essay on teamwork and perseverance.
But in reality—on the field—it didn't change a thing.
At that moment, Jun Isashiki stood tall in the batter's box, eyes sharp and focused.
One of the only two sophomores in Seidou's starting lineup, he carried more than just personal pride.
"This isn't just about me anymore. It's about the dignity of all sophomores!"
As the pitch came flying in, Isashiki didn't hesitate.
He swung with practiced precision.
Ping!
The crack of the bat echoed, the ball launching cleanly into play once again.
At this point, Seiko's players had grown numb.
It wasn't that they didn't want to support their ace pitcher.
But the ball had landed in yet another open gap.
These guys from Seidou… were monsters.
How had they figured out all of Yamamoto's tricks so fast?
When they faced Yamamoto earlier, Seidou had clearly struggled.
But now, against Yamamoto Nojuchi, it was like they were cheating.
Strength when they needed strength. Precision when they needed precision.
The Seiko players couldn't wrap their heads around it.
What they didn't understand was that Yamamoto's success came from misdirection and trickery—not true control or overpowering skill.
And like any illusion, once exposed, the magic disappeared.
Seiko's magic was gone.
"Safe!"
"Safe!"
No outs. Runners on first and third.
"That's amazing!"
A voice rose from the crowd in disbelief.
"Huh? What's so amazing?" a nearby fan asked.
The first speaker, a reporter flipping open his notebook, explained:
"Sure, we see pitchers retire nine batters in a row all the time. But have you ever seen all nine hitters from one team get hits?"
The fans blinked. Then exchanged glances.
"…That does sound rare."
"Not rare," the reporter corrected, smiling. "Unheard of. After today, this game is going to make headlines."
Seidou was already considered a top-tier team—even if they hadn't reached Koshien in recent years.
With a freshman ace and now a monstrous batting performance like this?
If this reporter were part of a rival team like Inashiro or Ichidaisan High, he'd be losing sleep at night.
Just thinking about facing a Seidou team this sharp was enough to make his hair fall out.
And judging by the reactions in the stands, he wasn't the only reporter with stars in his eyes.
Even the famously composed Baseball Weekly correspondent—yes, that beautiful, coolheaded reporter—was visibly excited.
All eyes were now locked onto Seidou's performance.
When Kazuya Miyuki stepped up to bat again, he was surprised himself.
"My turn again?"
Even for Seidou, this was a rare situation.
He, a pinch hitter, had now batted twice in the same inning.
And the team had still not recorded a single out.
"I can't take it anymore..." Miyuki muttered, shaking his head with a smirk.
He twisted his body and swung hard.
Ping!
Another clean hit.
This time, the ball soared high—deep into the stands.
Hundreds of eyes followed it as it disappeared over the wall and bounced among the seats.
"A three-run home run!!"
Seidou High School's dugout erupted.
They were on fire.
Their offense seemed unstoppable.
The Seiko players on the field were frozen.
Even the substitutes who had risen to cheer now stood speechless.
At that moment, everyone had forgotten that Seidou had allowed five runs earlier in the game.
Yes, they'd given up five runs—a painful blow for any elite team.
But now?
Now, that seemed like nothing at all.
Because this—this overwhelming display of power—was the true Seidou.
"Congratulations to the Seidou High School baseball team for winning today's game! The final score is—"
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Bonus Chapter - 100 POWER STONES
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