The score was 4–0.
In the stands, the Seidou supporters were absolutely thrilled.
"See that? Even our lower-order batters can hit like that!"
"This is the power of Seidou!"
"Hachioji? They don't stand a chance!"
Their confidence was overflowing, as if this game had already been won with ease.
However, in the middle of this wave of enthusiasm, the beautiful reporter under the sun hat chuckled lightly.
"If it were really that easy, the audience wouldn't be reacting so dramatically."
Yes, the score was 4–0.
Hachioji High School was clearly on the losing end.
But even so, a four-run gap wasn't huge—not in high school baseball.
What did that imply?
It meant that Hachioji had performed admirably under pressure.
Facing off against the nation's most fearsome batting lineup, they managed to keep the damage minimal. That wasn't something just any team could do.
"If we gave this team another two years, they could be capable of miracles."
But high school baseball only lasts three years.
Yamamoto Nakata, the team's ace, was already a third-year.
This summer would be his last dance.
Even if this squad had boundless potential, once Yamamoto graduated, it was unlikely they'd reach these heights again.
"High school baseball is like a firework—dazzling for a moment. If you miss the moment to bloom, it's gone forever."
Compared to that, Seidou's situation was totally different.
Their core rising star was only a first-year.
This gave their team a promising future.
Even this year, Seidou could create history.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do next."
The reporter's lips curled slightly.
In the sixth inning, Seidou had only scored one run.
Despite great efforts from Jun Isashiki and the ninth batter, they couldn't send Zhou Hao home.
When Zhou Hao charged toward home plate, he was tagged out by Hachioji's ace catcher.
The crowd gasped once again at Hachioji's resilience.
Whether it was that earlier double play or this brilliant home plate tag, their defense was simply outstanding.
Bottom of the sixth.
Hachioji now took to the plate.
Buoyed by their brilliant defense, their morale surged. It was as if they'd activated some kind of cheat code—they were fired up to hit off Zhou Hao.
Unfortunately for them, reality was cruel.
Faced with Zhou Hao's spiraling pitches, Hachioji's lower-order batters and pinch hitters couldn't even touch the ball.
Three batters.
Three strikeouts.
Complete domination.
They slumped back to the dugout in silence.
As for Yamamoto, the ace, he had hoped to use this inning to rest up a bit.
But this was Seidou. Not some average team.
Even though he'd only conceded four runs, it had cost Yamamoto dearly.
The mental and physical toll was immense.
Were it not for his unbreakable willpower, he would've collapsed already.
Top of the seventh inning.
Yamamoto once again took the mound.
This time, he faced Seidou's leadoff batter.
"Even if I can't defeat you... I'll expose your weaknesses!"
Yamamoto's eyes gleamed like a predator's. He had made up his mind.
Even if he couldn't win, he would make Seidou bleed.
So what if he didn't benefit?
If he could drag Seidou down, he would pave the way for their future opponents.
It wasn't glorious, but it was a sacrifice he was willing to make.
Most people would rather win the glory themselves.
Not Yamamoto.
He chose the path of selfless resistance.
And Seidou's players realized this.
Their hesitation disappeared.
They knew what Yamamoto was doing—and they were ready to respond.
Matsumoto, the first batter of the inning, stepped up.
As Seidou's most well-rounded batter, this was his fourth time facing Yamamoto.
At this point, he could practically read his pitches like a book.
Ping!
Solid contact.
Matsumoto made it safely to first base.
Next came Yoshida, the second batter.
Ping!
He executed a masterful bunt—the ball landed in the perfect spot.
By the time the fielder reached it and threw it back, Yoshida was already on first.
No outs. Runners on first and second.
Then, Seidou's third batter, Yuki, stepped up.
Facing the intimidating slugger, Hachioji made a bold decision.
They walked him intentionally.
Bases loaded. No outs.
It was a trap of their own design.
In high school baseball, bases loaded is both an opportunity and a curse.
It gives pitchers more options but piles on the pressure.
But Yamamoto didn't back down.
He wanted this moment.
He wanted to stand face-to-face with Seidou's cleanup hitter—their pillar—Azuma Kiyokuni.
If he could get this man out, it might shake Seidou's momentum, even if just a little.
"My dream is shattered," Yamamoto thought. "How can I just watch yours soar unchallenged?"
He threw his heart into every pitch.
Azuma Kiyokuni, powerful and composed, waited.
Then—
BOOM!!
Thunder cracked from the bat as he swung with brutal force.
Ping!
The white baseball streaked through the sky like a comet.
It soared.
Then soared some more.
Then… it cleared the wall.
Gone.
"It flew out!"
"Oh my God! A super home run!!!"
"When it matters most—trust in Azuma!"
Azuma Kiyokuni's already immense reputation was now untouchable.
A grand slam—four runs with one swing.
What did that mean?
It meant absolute domination.
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POWER STONE!!!
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