Bat in hand, Kanzaki Ryou stepped into the batter's box and glanced toward Kuramochi on third base.
This at-bat—no matter what—had to bring in a run.
Even if he didn't hit it deep, Kuramochi's speed alone was enough to make it home.
In other words, this run was practically already in Seido's pocket.
"Hehe."
Kuramochi grinned at Kanzaki, then suddenly took a few bold steps off third base. He even raised his chin toward the pitcher's mound, openly provoking Kotaro Kuzuyama.
Kanzaki's lips curled slightly.
This guy… he's deliberately trying to distract the pitcher.
Honestly, there's no need. Wouldn't it be better to just wait for me to hit it?
Settling into his stance, Kanzaki's gaze sharpened.
Like a lion stalking prey on the savanna.
The oppressive aura he gave off made Kuzuyama unconsciously swallow.
Damn it…
He really wanted to walk Kanzaki.
But with a runner on third, that wasn't an option.
Looking at Kanzaki's expression—Just throw it. I'll hit it out—Kuzuyama felt his confidence crumble.
…I'll risk it!
Gritting his teeth, he followed the catcher's sign and threw the pitch.
Bang!!!
As expected.
Kanzaki Ryou's bat smashed into the incoming ball with terrifying force.
"WOAH!!!"
"He hit it!!"
"It's going!"
"Home run!!"
"Kanzaki!!!"
The ball soared high—
And disappeared straight into the stands.
At that moment, regret flooded the Seihou bench.
They should have walked him.
They really should have walked him.
Kuzuyama stood frozen, watching Kanzaki wave lightly to the cheering crowd.
His expression dimmed.
A whole year had passed.
He had improved so much.
And yet—
Facing this man, he still felt completely powerless.
Three runs.
Right at the start of the game, Kanzaki Ryou blasted a three-run home run.
Returning to home plate, Kanzaki, Yuuki, and Kuramochi exchanged high-fives in celebration.
Top of the second inning—Seihou on offense.
"Alright! Stepping into the batter's box now is Seihou High School's cleanup hitter—the monster slugger, Sano Shuzo!!"
"Can he break through Seido's defense in his first at-bat? Can he get a hit off Kanzaki Ryou?!"
The commentator's voice rang with excitement.
This—
Was the highlight of the game.
Kanzaki Ryou vs. Sano Shuzo.
As both players prepared, the crowd erupted once more. Cheers from Seido and Seihou fans clashed like waves crashing across the stadium.
"Hmph. He's no match for Kanzaki Ryou."
Far away in West Tokyo, Narumiya Mei watched the live broadcast from home, sending a message to Masatoshi Harada.
Online, people called this matchup a comet colliding with Earth.
But Narumiya didn't see it that way.
Sano Shuzo was strong—no doubt about that.
Even he couldn't guarantee an easy victory against him.
But if the pitcher was Kanzaki Ryou—
Then the winner was obvious.
Back on the field—
After exchanging signs with Chris, Kanzaki delivered the pitch without hesitation.
Swish!!
The ball tore through the air at incredible speed.
In the batter's box, Sano Shuzo's eyes locked onto it.
"Inside fastball!"
He swung without hesitation.
But—
At the last moment—
The ball sharply dropped.
Pop!!
Bat and ball missed each other completely.
The pitch snapped into Chris's glove like a bullet.
"Strike!"
"156 kilometers!"
"It's a forkball!!"
"That speed?!"
"He's never seen one like that!"
The Seido crowd erupted in cheers.
First pitch—
Kanzaki wins.
Sano Shuzo frowned slightly.
With just that one pitch, he understood.
Why Kanzaki Ryou was considered the strongest high school pitcher in the country.
Even without full speed—
That forkball was on another level.
Heavy. Fast. Deceptive.
Hard to hit…
What a shame…
If I were also a second-year, I'd have more chances to face him.
But…
We'll meet again.
On the professional stage.
A grin slowly spread across Sano's face as he raised his bat.
"Come on!"
"Throw it!"
"I'll hit it!"
"Oh?"
Kanzaki noticed—and smiled faintly.
Only a batter like this…
Could truly excite him.
Chris signaled again.
Against a batter with such aggressive intent—
A changeup would be perfect.
Kanzaki nodded.
He threw a circle changeup.
Sano swung immediately upon release.
Wrong.
Pop!
"Strike!"
So slow—
Sano's pupils shrank.
He had recognized it mid-swing.
But it was too late.
The speed difference was overwhelming.
Even he couldn't adjust in time.
Two strikes.
Just like that.
The crowd was stunned.
No one expected Sano Shuzo to be cornered so quickly.
But Sano himself remained calm.
Instead—
He felt exhilarated.
A changeup with this kind of gap… amazing.
This is why baseball is fun.
Facing pitching like this—
It's the best.
"Again!" he growled.
On the mound, Kanzaki didn't hesitate.
Third pitch—
An inside high four-seam fastball.
The ball screamed toward him.
Sano swung hard.
Bang!
The ball shot straight up into the air.
An infield pop fly.
Pop!
Kominato Ryosuke secured it cleanly.
"Out on the fly!"
"Batter out!"
Three pitches.
That's all it took.
Seido's momentum surged.
The crowd roared Kanzaki's name.
"HAHA! Three pitches!"
"That inside fastball!"
"Now that's a real showdown!"
A direct confrontation.
No tricks at the end.
Just pure power—
And Kanzaki Ryou came out on top.
Many spectators realized it—
That final pitch had been intentionally called by Chris.
A deliberate challenge.
And by defeating Sano Shuzo head-on like that—
Seido didn't just get an out.
They crushed Seihou's confidence.