Receiving the return throw from Miyuki, Kanzaki Ryou could clearly feel the excitement contained in the catcher's grip.
At the batter's box, Matsumoto Takumi—also a pitcher—felt it most intensely. No matter how hard he trained, he sensed that he might never reach this level. The speed, the power, the sheer presence of the pitch—just watching the baseball come at him made his heart tremble.
If he possessed this kind of velocity… he too would be able to dominate the stage at Koshien.
Matsumoto Takumi sighed internally. He had been to Koshien once before, but not as Inashiro's Ace. This summer was his final chance to stand there as the true Ace. He could not be stopped here.
He steadied his breathing, focused on Kanzaki Ryou's glove, and tightened his grip on the bat.
Miyuki's lips curved slightly as he signaled for a Two-seam Fastball.
Kanzaki Ryou nodded, shifted his grip, inhaled deeply, and unleashed the pitch with full force.
Swing! Matsumoto Takumi reacted instantly—any hesitation and he would have missed entirely.
Choosing the inside corner, he turned with all his strength.
Thump!
The ball skipped along the ground toward Shida Shota, who scooped it cleanly and fired to first.
Slap!
"Out!!"
Matsumoto Takumi failed to reach base, but the contact alone made Miyuki and Kanzaki Ryou realize that this game would not be simple.
They guessed it.
The first pitch had been an outside Four-seam.
The second, an inside Two-seam.
A routine sequence—easy to anticipate—but in the past, Kanzaki Ryou's power alone made such predictability irrelevant.
Miyuki's gaze slid toward the Inashiro dugout.
Against this opponent, surprises would be necessary.
The next batter, Carlos, stepped up. Fast, but his batting still lacked sharpness. Kanzaki Ryou opened with an outside Four-seam.
Under its fierce power, Carlos swung instinctively—nowhere close.
Terrifying.
Seeing the pitch with his own eyes for the first time, Carlos realized how hopeless it was to hit cleanly.
So when the second pitch came—
He bunted.
Thud!
The ball dribbled weakly forward and Carlos exploded toward first, using the only weapon he had—speed.
But the bunt lacked quality; Kanzaki Ryou charged, fielded, and threw without hesitation.
Yuki caught it cleanly, tagging Carlos out just meters short of the base.
Carlos clenched his fists, glaring—he had no chance at all.
In Inashiro's dugout, Director Kunitomo made his decision.
Carlos would never be able to use his speed against Kanzaki Ryou. Better to send out a third-year with better contact ability.
The next batter stepped in—Inashiro's second in the order.
With a sequence of Three straight fastballs—Four-seam and Two-seam mixed—Kanzaki Ryou struck him out effortlessly.
Three up, three down.
Seidou's overwhelming battery left Inashiro fans sighing helplessly, praying the next inning would be better.
"Haha, still as clean and sharp as ever, kid!"
Isashiki Jun high-fived him as Kanzaki Ryou returned.
"Nice work. Keep that rhythm."
"The core of their lineup is next—don't drop your guard."
Kanzaki Ryou sat, took the water Mita Yuka handed him, and drank.
Bottom of the 6th inning—Seidou at bat.
In Inashiro's dugout, Director Kunitomo stepped out and signaled for substitutions.
Number 9, pitcher Matsumoto Takumi—out.
First-year pitcher Narumiya Mei—in.
Number 1, center fielder Carlos—also replaced.
The moment Narumiya Mei entered, the stadium erupted.
Inashiro's fans imitated Seidou's cheering style, chanting Narumiya Mei's name in unison.
Narumiya Mei's face flushed—delighted and overwhelmed.
Walking onto the mound, he instinctively wanted to raise his hand to command the crowd like Kanzaki Ryou.
But then—
Wouldn't that look like imitation?
"Tch, no way!"
His expression soured.
Behind the plate, catcher Harada Masatoshi saw his face and instantly realized the rookie's mind had drifted far, far away.
"Oi!"
Narumiya Mei snapped back, seeing Harada Masatoshi's stern glare.
He coughed twice, pretending composure, then nodded—ready.
At the batter's box, Isashiki Jun bowed politely, then shouted:
"Come on! Throw it!"
Narumiya Mei flinched, then bared his teeth like an angry puppy.
Damn guy! Trying to scare him!
Harada Masatoshi sighed helplessly.
Narumiya Mei had power—but his weakness was obvious: too emotional.
Shifting his position, Harada Masatoshi gave the signal.
Narumiya Mei possessed a sharp Forkball with vertical drop and a Slider with lateral sweep.
For the first pitch, Harada Masatoshi called for a Four-seam Fastball.
Breaking balls were most effective when paired with heat—and he needed to gauge Narumiya Mei's condition.
Narumiya Mei instantly shed his childish demeanor, sharpening like a blade as he stared at the glove.
Then—
He unleashed the pitch.
Isashiki roared and swung with force—but his timing lagged, and the ball slammed into the mitt.
"Strike!"
Narumiya Mei lifted his chin, eyes narrowed with disdain.
"Trying to scare me? Too naïve."
Seeing that expression, a flame erupted in Isashiki's eyes.
This brat—daring to look down on him?!
Just wait. He'd send that ball flying.