The sixth inning continued with Osaka Kiryu on offense.
After Zhou Hao's miraculous catch, the atmosphere inside the stadium shifted completely.
Every eye turned to him.
Even though he wasn't on the mound anymore, Zhou Hao felt like the undeniable star of the game. Earlier, his brilliance had been natural—after all, a pitcher's role was always central. But now? From the outfield—the farthest position from the mound—he still stole the spotlight.
It wasn't about position.
It was about presence.
Zhou Hao carried his own light, forcing the crowd to follow him.
"That's unbelievable!"
"As expected of Zhou Hao—he never disappoints!"
"With him here, Seidou will win for sure!"
The Seidou supporters believed it with all their hearts.
One out, no runners on.
Kiryu's first batter stepped up: Kitamura.
Once hailed as a star, his reputation had dimmed under Zhou Hao's shadow. Against Seidou's genius pitcher, Kitamura had rarely shown his worth.
Still, Chris was cautious. He flashed his signs, reminding Yoshida not to underestimate anyone.
Yoshida nodded firmly. He already knew—even in top form, Kiryu's lineup was packed with monsters. No one could be taken lightly.
"Come on!"
With determination, Yoshida wound up and unleashed his pitch.
"Whoosh!"
The ball shot toward the plate—
And Kitamura surprised everyone.
"Bunt?!"
"No runners on base, and he bunts?!"
Gasps rippled through the stands. The "Universe Team," with its reputation for power, rarely—if ever—played small ball.
But in the dugout, Manager Matsumoto's eyes gleamed coldly.
Image meant nothing. Victory meant everything.
A brave loss was still a loss. Only winning mattered.
"Ping!"
The bunt rolled toward third.
Azuma Kiyokuni had already shifted back a few steps, guarding against Kitamura's long hit. Even though he sprinted forward the instant he realized, he was half a step too slow.
By the time he scooped the ball and fired to first, Kitamura was charging like a mad dog off the leash.
"Thwack!"
The throw was fast and sharp, but Kitamura's foot touched the bag just in time.
"Safe!"
One out, runner on first.
Kiryu had broken the rhythm.
The Seidou supporters still roared with confidence. Yoshida looked sharp, the defense was unshakable, and their iron wall seemed unbreakable. The crowd already began imagining what it would mean to topple Osaka Kiryu—the so-called Universe Team.
Defeat them here, and no one in Koshien would dare underestimate Seidou again.
But then—
The third batter stepped up.
"Third batter, number one, pitcher, Kuroda."
A hush fell.
National ace.
Flame-thrower.
The star of stars.
Yoshida's blood raced. Every nerve in his body screamed with anticipation.
"This is the showdown I've been waiting for!"
He wound up and hurled his best.
"Whoosh!"
The pitch exploded toward the plate.
Chris's eyes widened, pride surging.
Perfect delivery!
But then—
"Boom!!"
Kuroda's bat swung like a storm tearing through the sky.
"Ping!!"
The crack of contact thundered across the field.
The ball soared, climbing with the hot Koshien wind, higher and higher, until it sailed into the roaring stands.
Isashiki Jun backpedaled desperately, but he could only watch helplessly as the white blur vanished into the crowd.
"Thwack!"
A two-run shot.
The Universe Team had struck back.
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