With Kuramochi and Haruichi on base, Seido's offense officially ignited.
Batting third, Isashiki Jun stepped up with his usual ferocity. He whiffed at the first pitch, fouled off the second, then finally connected with a two-seam fastball, sending it screaming into right field.
Kuramochi didn't hesitate for a second.
From second base, he exploded forward, rounding third at full speed and charging straight for home.
"Good!"
"Speed demon!"
"Leopard!"
"So fast!!"
Amid the roaring cheers, Kuramochi slid home safely, giving Seido the opening run.
1–0.
No outs. Runners on first and second.
Naruto High was immediately pushed into a corner.
"Captain! Send it out!"
"Yuki! Home run!"
Yuki Tetsuya stepped into the batter's box, calm as ever. On the very first pitch, he swung decisively, sending a sharp grounder toward third.
Unfortunately, Haruichi was forced out at third on the return throw.
One out. Runners on first and second.
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
Kanzaki Ryou walked to the plate.
He gave a polite nod to the opposing catcher, then raised his bat casually, eyes locked on the mound.
"Home run!!"
"Do it, Ace!!"
"Monster!!"
The stadium erupted.
On the mound, Kuroda Shota felt his breathing grow heavier. It was only the first inning, yet the pressure felt like the ninth.
He exhaled slowly and delivered—
A low sinker, hugging the strike zone.
BOOM!!
The moment bat met ball, the sound cracked through the stadium like an explosion.
Everyone froze.
The ball soared high—higher—until it smashed violently into the scoreboard.
Silence—
Then chaos.
"HOME RUN!!!"
"A three-run blast from Seido's Ace, Kanzaki Ryou!!"
The entire stadium erupted into thunderous cheers.
Even the scouts watching from the stands felt their hearts tighten.
How is he this strong…?
That pitch was almost in the dirt!
That's not normal…
Back in the dugout, Kanzaki was immediately mobbed by his teammates.
"Nice one!"
"You crushed him!"
"That probably broke his spirit!"
Kanzaki just smirked as he sat down, unfazed.
On the field, Chris stepped up next—and didn't waste the momentum. Taking advantage of Kuroda's shaken state, he drove a clean hit to second base.
Arima Kazusa followed.
The first-year chose control over power, softly pushing the ball to the right side, advancing Chris to third—though he himself was thrown out.
Back in the dugout, Kanzaki grabbed him.
"You should've swung like usual."
"I was nervous… and with Chris-senpai on second, I thought it was safer to move him up," Arima admitted.
Kanzaki clicked his tongue but patted his head anyway.
"We're already ahead. Be bolder next time."
"I will."
Then came Shirasu—another hit.
Chris crossed home plate.
Seido kept piling on the pressure.
By the end of the first inning:
5–0.
From there, the game turned into a storm.
By the second inning: 9–0.
Yuki launched a home run.
Kanzaki followed—with another.
By the third inning: 15–1.
Sawamura gave up a run, but the offense immediately answered with six more.
Then came the rotation:
Kawakami stepped in and completely suppressed Naruto's lineup.
Later, Furuya took the mound—his blazing fastball exceeding 150 km/h electrifying the entire stadium. Though he allowed some hits, he gave up just one run.
Seido never slowed down.
Run after run piled up like a landslide.
When the final out was called—
37–2.
A complete blowout.
Eight home runs.
All from Seido.
Chris: 1
Isashiki: 1
Yuki: 2
Kanzaki Ryou: 4
Four home runs in a single game.
Even the seasoned scouts watching couldn't hide their shock.
This… is monstrous.
Back in the locker room, Coach Kataoka addressed the team.
"Good performance today. Kanzaki aside—" he paused briefly, "—our four first-years did well. To perform like this in your first Koshien game is proof of your hard work."
The four rookies straightened, eyes shining.
"Remember this feeling. Rest well tonight. We'll need your strength again."
"Yes, Coach!"
Excitement filled the room.
They had proven themselves—and secured their place for the next games.
From behind them, Kanzaki lazily kicked their chairs.
"Not bad, my little juniors."
"That has nothing to do with you," Kuramochi shot back. "Stop taking credit."
"Hmph. Not worth arguing with you."
Kanzaki waved him off and moved seats, grabbing a cold drink as he sat beside Fujiwara Takako, completely relaxed—like the chaos he caused on the field had nothing to do with him.